Mrs. Gladney is survived by a daughter, Sandra Seago-Slaton, of Memphis; a son, Gary Seago, of Nashville; a sister, Kay Pennington, Ruston, Louisiana; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Correspondence should be addressed to Ms. Sandra Seago Slaton, 3151 Chaucer Lane, Bartlett, TN 38134.

The 2003 Spiritual Growth Retreat will be on February 25-27 at Kenlake State Park. The dates have been changed to avoid conflict with Ash Wednesday services. If you have already secured reservations at Kenlake State Park for the previously announced dates, please call the park and make the necessary changes.

•Part time Associate Director of Music: Munford First, Munford, TN. Should be committed Christian, accomplished musician with ability to play during worship services as well as accompany vocalists and ensembles on keyboard and piano, work effectively with a variety of age groups. Experience with traditional and contemporary Christian music, worship leadership and choral directing required. Apply Mon.-Thurs., 9 AM to 2 PM at 57 S. Tipton, St., Munford, or call (901) 837-8881.

• Part time Director of Youth Ministries: South Pleasant Grove, Murray, Ky. Please contact or send resume to: Rev. Scott Alford, 1801 Lincoln Ave., Murray, KY 42071. Phone: (270) 753-6060.

• Memphis Cokesbury Store Sales Manager. Immediate opportunity to manage an ongoing bookstore program. Ideal candidate must have formal training in business or marketing and/or equivalent experience in retail sales, preferably in books and church supplies; knowledge of The United Methodist Church preferred; strong supervisory, communication and human relations skills. Excellent benefit package. Submit resume along with salary expectation to: The Employment Office, The U. M. Publishing House, 201 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, TN. 37202, or fax resume to (615) 749-6366, e-mail to cknight@umpublishing.org.

A Street Fair for neighborhood children and families was hosted at Holy Community UMC in inner-city Memphis by Asbury and McKendree District Youth. The 10 am-noon event was advertised by Holy Community’s outreach ministry. Church members visited surrounding inner-city schools, personally inviting the elementary students to attend and bring their families.

"We had face-painting, balloon animals, ski-ball, bowling for candy, a moonwalk, ball pit, hotdogs, great weather and much more," said Shannon Capshaw, district youth coordinator.

The youth groups working the Street Fair were from the following churches: Collierville, Covenant, Maples Memorial, Emmanuel, Colonial Park, Mullins, St. Luke’s, and Fayette County Sub-District.

Asbury and McKendree district youth have been working together for three years. Worship in the Spirit’s Hand (W.I.S.H.) services are held once a month from August to April by the two youth groups. W.I.S.H. was inspired by the Colonial UMC youth group. Capshaw says the group wanted to have a youth service for youth by youth that kept the basics of a worship service but with a youthful edge. W.I.S.H. encourages youth to become more involved on a district level.

Ministers who value their clergy housing allowance tax exclusion should contact their U. S. Senators and Representative by phone, e-mail or postal service immediately. A pending court case is threatening to increase taxes on ministers by eliminating the tax exemption allowance for clergy housing. Without prompt action, clergy may be forced to pay an unprecedented $500 million more in taxes annually.

Edward Haney is a lucky man–in more ways than one.

He’s alive, for one thing.

Disabled now, the retired long distance truck driver feels fortunate that he survived surgery for a serious heart condition.

And he feels fortunate that he was able to offer a home to his 10-year-old grandson when the need arose.

"I wanted to homeschool my boy," said the 60-year-old, "but it didn’t take long to realize that I wasn’t capable of doing it."

For a while, Haney and his grandson struggled with the lessons, but they were losing the battle.

"Then I seen a sign about getting a G.E.D., so I tore off the phone number and gave them a call," he said.

‘They’ turned out to be the folks at the Adult Learning Center which is part of the Marshall County, Ky. school system.

Caroline Haley, a member of Brewers United Methodist Church and a volunteer teacher at the center, took Mr. Haney in hand.

"Many people won’t go back to a high school, but they will come to me," said the retired third grade teacher.

"That’s because we don’t want to be made fun of or laughed at because of our age," Haney declared.

The truck driver and the teacher meet twice a week at the United Methodist Cooperative Ministry building in Benton, Ky.

In the past six weeks, he says he’s learned a little about everything–fractions, reading, grammar, history.

"And now I can help my grandson," he said confidently.

Already back in regular school after the boost given him by his granddad, the 10-year-old feels comfortable bringing his homework to the kitchen table.

"He’s coming along great now and I can sit and help him with the school work. If there’s a problem where I don’t know what I’m doing, I know a teacher I can call!" said Haney with a mischievous grin for Mrs. Haley.

Caroline Haley loves what she’s doing to help people. And so do the other men and women who volunteered more than 3500 hours at McUMC (Marshall County United Methodist Churches Cooperative) last year.

Primarily United Methodists (though a few are Baptists, Lutherans and Presbyterians), the volunteers from the 14 participating United Methodist churches give their time to McUMC programs as varied as the New-To-You Shop, Adult Education, Basic Computer Instruction, Campground Ministry, Good-Will Ministry, Crisis Ministry, Radio Ministry and Health Ministry.

Kelly Hinman, McUMC’s first lay director, says his priorities are twofold: to strengthen ties to the 14 U.M. churches in Marshall County and to raise funds.

"Our work together can be expensive," Hinman wrote in the first issue of McUMC’s newsletter, The Voice. "But each life touched is worth every cent we spend and so much more."

McUMC’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. United Methodists from Graves County visited the 31-year-old cooperative recently with an eye to setting up a similar program.

United Methodists in Marshall County are doing great things to advance the kingdom of God.

Dr. Shirley C. Raines, the new president of the University of Memphis, struck a spiritual chord during an Interfaith Prayer Breakfast held in her honor at the Wesley Foundation on campus.

"I was terribly impressed that Dr. Raines would be starting her administration off on a spiritual note," said Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson, assistant professor of journalism at U of M and a member of New Hope UMC in Henry County. "The fact that she wanted the religious community to come together and pray for her speaks volumes. I am confident she’s going to do well."

The purpose of the prayer breakfast was to join together in prayer for Dr. Raines, her family, her administration, and the university. Explaining how the prayer breakfast became a part of the week-long celebration of her investiture, Dr. Raines said, "Prayer breakfasts are often a part of ceremonies and celebrations."

And, after having been invited to a get-acquainted luncheon at the River’s Edge earlier in the semester, it was decided that a prayer breakfast fit nicely into the ceremony of the week.

She continued, "There’s the important element of the event being held by an interfaith group. To have so many faith groups represented is wonderful."

The Rev. TroyAnn Poulopoulos, Director of the River’s Edge, said, "It’s a Religious Life staff and university event, but when the decision had to be made ‘Do we have it in the University Ballroom or at one of the campus houses?’ Dr. Raines requested to have it here, based on a prior visit. She felt we could best accommodate her desire to have it in a comfortable and down-to-earth setting."

At 7:30 a.m., 100 guests were seated at crisp, white linen-clothed tables and welcomed by Poulopoulos, then led in an opening prayer by River’s Edge Student Council President, Jason Tisdale of Highland Heights UMC.

Among the guests were the Rev. David Whiteley, Director of Presbyterian Place and co-director of River’s Edge; Dr. Robert J. Canady, a retired education professor and Dr. Raines’ husband; the Rev. Dr. Samson Gitau, chair of the Religious Life staff at the University of Memphis and chaplain for the Episcopal Student Center; Dr. David A. Patterson, Director of the Bornblum Judaic Studies Program and Holder of the Chair of Excellence in Judaic Studies; and Mohsen Abu Khudeir, representative of the Muslim Student Association.

The diversity of the guests was apparent, as various U of M deans and department heads, faculty, staff, and students filled the tables, alongside guests of the various faith groups.

As guests feasted, the morning progressed with readings and prayers offered by members of various faith traditions.

A Christian reading was provided by Tim Stafford, Director of the Church of Christ Student Center, followed by a prayer from the Rev. Richard Griffin, Director of the Catholic Student Center. A Jewish reading and prayer were offered in Hebrew, with an English translation by Dr. Patterson. The Jewish prayer was followed by a Muslim reading in Arabic, with an English translation by Khudeir, and a prayer offering by student Shampa Mannan.

All of the readings and prayers emphasized the event’s theme, Offering Prayer and Seeking Wisdom.

As the readings and prayers concluded, guests were guided by Whiteley in a prayer, giving thanks and asking for assistance from God on an assortment of issues, as well as wisdom in decision-making for Dr. Raines and her administration.

The prayer included a time of silence during which guests could reflect or pray silently. The mass prayer was followed by an issuance of prayer cards, on which those present could write down their prayers for Dr. Raines.

Following the readings and prayers offered on her behalf, Dr. Raines, a United Methodist, addressed the group. Although their membership is still at a United Methodist church in Lexington, Ky., Dr. Raines and Dr. Canady said they are continuing to visit Memphis churches.

In her speech, Dr. Raines expounded on the importance of the Religious Life Staff in the lives of students.

"The faith community is often called upon to assist students and we’re grateful they’re here," she said. Noting that students come from various backgrounds, she said a diverse ministry means that the University has the ability to serve their needs.

An example of a campus ministry’s ability to meet the needs of students is the River’s Edge, a United Methodist and Presbyterian Campus Ministry, which provides students with opportunities to praise and worship through Christian music, Bible study, and worship services offered twice weekly.

Raines said, "I am impressed by the way the faith community interacts with our students. Many come with strong roots in religion and still others come searching and I know you are there for them all. So I come to ask for your prayers, not just for today, but for the duration."

The theme of the breakfast, Offering Prayer and Seeking Wisdom, may have been best illustrated when Raines closed her speech with a personal prayer. Her prayer, overflowing with thanksgiving to God, engendered a genuine feeling of warmth, happiness and encouragement.

For Poulopoulos, the highlight of the event was having Dr. Raines lead the group in prayer and becoming aware of her concern for the university, faculty, staff, and students, as well as seeking God’s wisdom and insight for herself and in her decision-making.

Rev. Poulopoulos added, "It would be wonderful to do this as a yearly event for the university and we stand ready to fulfill the specific requests of Dr. Raines for spiritual leadership."

Pressnell has served in higher education administration for over 15 years. In 1994, he received a doctorate in Administration and Educational Leadership at Vanderbilt University while serving Belmont University as Director of Financial Assistance and as Assistant Professor of Religion. Pressnell became the third President in 2000. Under his leadership, the Association has obtained $18 million in student aid for Tennesseans.

William W. Morris, Nashville Area Bishop, will deliver the sermon at the Baccalaureate Service at 10:00 a.m. in the R. E. Womack Memorial Chapel. Morris was elected to the Episcopacy of the United Methodist Church in July, 1992. He was assigned as bishop to the Nashville Area in 2000.

A President’s Reception will be held in the Jack Morris Ballroom of the Wilder College Union at 11:00 a.m. to honor the Class of 2002 and the Class of 1952. Members of the Class of 1952 will be inducted into the fifty-year club during Commencement Ceremonies.