It is estimated that more than a billion two hundred million rays of sunshine have been shed by Sunshine Monthly.
– Sunshine Monthly, November 1944
In November 1920, Methodist Children’s Home Administrator W.F. Barnett proposed the production of a monthly paper, entitled The Sunshine Monthly. Two thousand copies of an eight-page magazine appeared with the byline “Done by the students of the Methodist Home.”
The magazine sold for $1 for a three-year subscription. As MCH created a vocational training program in the 1920s, an on-campus print shop provided the opportunity for youth to develop printing skills by producing The Sunshine Monthly and other jobs.
The two Methodist Home presses, named Betsy and Elmer, joined the staff of the Home in 1926. Together they faithfully helped rear several generations of children. Their special service was to keep the people of Texas and New Mexico close to the activities of their children at Methodist Home. Betsy and Elmer knew the name and face of every child, director, staff person and the thousands who came each year to visit for 46 years. But rearing a big family takes its toll. After 46 years, they talked it over with the Board of Directors and all agreed they should retire. They did not want to relocate. Instead they will be melted down and reshaped for another useful purpose. (Sunshine Monthly, June-July 1972)
The name of the magazine was changed to Sunshine in November 1956. In May 1972, MCH printed its last issue on campus due to worn out equipment. Today, Sunshine is published quarterly and mailed to nearly 50,000 readers throughout the United States.
Sunshine has served as the flagship publication for MCH since the first issue rolled off the presses in 1920. Through the years, the publication has shared a message of hope to readers through stories and photographs that communicate the life-changing mission of this ministry. While the front covers have featured a few First Ladies, actors, politicians, athletes, and entertainers, the most important subjects for cover photographs have always been the children and youth.
Sunshine Through the Years
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