Our History: How Heart'n'Home Began

Heart’n’Home’s first beginnings were at Saturday morning breakfast gatherings at Denny’s in late 1991 and early 1992. Susan Kinningham, an avid homeschooler, had many friends interested in or involved in homeschooling, and wanted them to get to know each other. The breakfast gatherings were encouraging, but just didn’t offer enough time for deep sharing.

About the time that Susan was able to start planning a more structured weekend gathering at a wonderful wooded retreat called The Potter’s House, she found that she was moving away from the area. Janet Stabler, one of the women from the “Denny’s group,” then took over the planning and orchestrating of that weekend. Approximately 25 women gathered for the weekend of April 24-25, 1992, gleaning helpful information from the speakers, and also deepening relationships. It was decided at this retreat that we wanted to become more structured as a support group and to begin having regular monthly meetings with guest speakers, sharing, fellowship, and occasional field trips for the children.

A committee of four people (Janet Stabler, Monica Camenisch, Pat McKain, and Leah Ann Richmer) formulated the basic organizational plan for the group and then submitted it to those who attended the May 26th, 1992 planning meeting. It was decided that this support group would be a Christian, family-oriented group. The foundational scripture is found in Deuteronomy 5:29 – “Oh, that they had such a HEART in them that they would fear Me and keep My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever.” The “Heart” of Heart’n’Home refers to instilling in our children this heart for the Lord.

Because of this excellent foundation laid down in the beginning, the next generations of Heart’n’Home homeschoolers are able to benefit from and build upon the group’s enduring legacy.  We are free to build upon that solid foundation and make the group relevant to present day homeschoolers through encouraging and supporting each other as we homeschool our children and grow closer to each other and to our God.

 

Heart’n’Home’s statement of purpose is listed in order of importance as follows:

• Challenge, encourage, and exhort one another toward training our children in righteousness through homeschooling.
• Better equip parents to successfully homeschool by offering continuing education through experienced speakers (topics include teaching ideas, organizational helps, Bible teaching, curriculum presentations, character training, etc.).
• Provide information on legislation regarding homeschooling.
• Share ideas, resources, and materials.
• Provide opportunities for interaction for our children with other homeschoolers.

 

Our monthly meetings are for the primary purpose of encouraging and educating parents who are homeschooling. The meeting format includes prayer, a devotional time, a short business meeting, and either a speaker or group discussion of a topic followed by refreshment and fellowship.