Photo of the Week

Bev Jones took this beautiful picture of Whitfield Homecoming weekend.

Almost Forgotten Songs

Part of life at The W is singing together.  The Freshman year begins with Freshman Serenade and the Senior year ends with the Magnolia Chain and Graduation, each of which involves some singing.  In between, there are other serenades, club meetings, Songfest,  listening the Maskers, and even some high-class music over in Poindexter.  As times have changed, some songs have fallen out of use.  Let's not let these old classics die (even if they were only dressed up camp songs to begin with).  Here is one I remember:

We are the Peyton girls

We wear our hair in curls

We never smoke or drink

That's what our parents think!

And if we had our way,

We'd do it every day

P-E-Y-T-O-N

We're the bet that's ever been.

We are they Peyton girls

Wear our hair in curls

We never play with toys

We'd rather play with boys

And if we had our way

We'd do it every day

P-E-Y-T-O-N

We're the best that's ever been!

How about you?  Can you remember any songs that you suspect are no longer in use?  Maybe songs from an inactive club (or were those secret?)?  Freshman serenade songs from dorms that no longer house Freshman?  Leave a comment with the words you can remember for songs we wouldn't want to forget.

Photo of the Week

Arguably the most recognizable architectural element on the W campus, the iconic clock tower of Callaway Hall stands proudly on a gorgeous spring day during Homecoming weekend, 2010.

Many a W student has been entertained/terrified by the tales of Mary, the ghost who haunts the building. Supposedly, Mary was a nurse who worked in Callaway when it was being used as a military hospital during the Civil War. When her lover died in the war, a grieving Mary hung herself in the clock tower, and to this day, it is said that she haunts the building, creating mischief and frightening new generations of W girls.

Did you encounter Mary's ghost while living in Callaway Hall? Share your Mary stories with us!

Southern Literary Festival

The annual Southern Literary Festival will be hosted by Mississippi University for Women this weekend (April 22-24). W English professor and director of the creative writing program, Dr. Kendall Dunkelberg, is serving as president of the SLF Association this year and has been instrumental in organizing and planning this year's event. The Festival celebrates the work of Southern creative writing students and awards annual prizes in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, essay, and literary magazine. Attendees come from twenty schools across the Southeast, including more than half a dozen from Mississippi alone.

The Festival will open on Thursday evening at 7:30PM with a reading by poet Jeanie Thompson in Carrier Chapel. Another reading will take place Friday evening at 7:30 (also in Carrier Chapel), featuring nonfiction author Alan Huffman and novelist Dedra Johnson.

Student workshops will be conducted during the day on Friday and Saturday, led by writers/professors Richard Lyons, Catherine Pierce, Becky Hagenston, Michael Kardos, Dottie Blais, and W professors Michael Smith and Dunkelberg.

All of the readings are free and open to the public, so make plans to attend!

For more information, check out the Festival's website or check out the group on Facebook.

GDI Gathering

This year's Homecoming marked the first meeting of the Golden Days Independents (or, unofficially, those Gosh-Darn Independents), an active e-chapter of the MFAeA. Held at Le Gourmet Cheese & Gift Shop on Main Street Columbus, the GDI event also included a silent auction of W memorabilia, photographs, books, and other related items to raise money for the MFAeA.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the GDI e-chapter, contact Erin Gioia at wgirl84@gmail.com.

Gather at the Gate

As the annual tradition of Convocation was inexplicably stricken from this year's Homecoming festivities, the MFAeA encouraged alumni and friends to "Gather at the Gate" on front campus. On Saturday at noon, the sounds of class songs, social club tunes, and laughter filled the air around the Old Maid's Gate as alumni celebrated the reunion classes and the newest additions to the Long Blue Line. The Rogue social club won a special award for demonstrating the most spirit!

MFAeA Legacy Scholarship

Mississippi’s First Alumnae Association’s Legacy Scholarship is awarded to one family member of an alum who has been admitted to MUW as a new, full-time student. The Legacy Scholarship is the amount equivalent to one semester’s in-state tuition at MUW. The selection of the recipient of this award is based on the student's potential for academic and leadership success at MUW.

At this year's annual Homecoming board meeting, it was announced that the first winner of the MFAeA Legacy Scholarship is George Douglas Stoner, pictured here with his sister, 2008 MUW graduate Megan Stoner Morgan.

George, who started at the W as a dual-enrollment student last fall, has also received a University Scholarship and a Hearin scholarship. He will be majoring in biology with an emphasis in genetics.

Congratulations, George, and best wishes as you continue your studies at the W!

Alumni Achievement Award Winners

Congratulations to the four very deserving recipients of this year's MFAeA Alumni Achievement Awards!

From left to right:

Jane Dearing Dennis ('80)
Hazel Martin Howell ('40)
Dr. Bridget Smith Pieschel ('78)
Kym Golden Gore ('97), Young Alum Award winner

Meet Your Fearless Leaders

At MFAeA's annual board meeting during this year's Homecoming celebration, new officers and board members were introduced.

Back row, from left to right:
Lenore Shields Griffin ('70)
Beverly Koch Jones ('57)
Jimmie Meese Moomaw ('58)
Kimberly Griffin ('93)
Anne Franklin Lamar ('09)
Patsy McDaniel ('63)

Middle row, from left to right:
Deborah Stockman Hodges ('90)
Del Oehms Hamilton ('84)
Shirley Rutherford Spain ('64)
Erin Gioia ('07)
Wanda Ray ('63/'75)

Front row, from left to right:
Emily Myers Garner ('95)
Anghaarad Teague Dees ('95)
Lillian Harris Wade ('68)
Neely Woods Hunter ('95)

Not Pictured:
Thomas "Mack" Spenser ('97)
Gus Argrett ('02)

Photo of the Week

Last year's Homecoming coincided with the 125th anniversary of Mississippi University for Women, and the MFAeA celebrated with a delicious cake made by our very own Bev Jones ('57). In the above photo, Bev is assisted in lighting the cake by MFAeA 2008-2009 president Kym Golden Gore ('95) and Sally McReynolds ('57).

Hope to see you all at Homecoming this weekend!

Who is Going to Homecoming?

Homecoming is next weekend.  Blogs are considered to be "social media" allowing interaction between the writers and the readers, so, I'm asking you readers, are you going to homecoming?  Leave a comment and let us know whether you will be there.  If you are reading this on facebook, come on over to the blog and leave a comment!

Reverend Ben Butler: MUW Alumnus

Today I have the privilege of interviewing Ben Butler, MUW class of December, 2003, who now is Pastor of Caledonia and Flint Hill United Methodist Churches.

In what extra-curricular activities did you participate at the W?

I was active in Wesley Foundation (United Methodist Campus Ministry); New Horizons (pop music group), the Jazz Band, and Chorale .

Is this the church/denomination in which you were raised, or is it one you have chosen? 

 Yes, though my conversion to faith and call to discipleship was experienced through other ministries.

Is there a major conversion story about your life that you would like to tell us?

I had been in church over the years in my pre-college years, but it was not until my second year of college that the good news of Christ's coming, life, death, and resurrection captured my heart and imagination. Through the influence of Christian friends, campus ministry, and some special events that the good news of salvation and the call to follow Christ became increasingly clear. It was quite dramatic because my life had taken a turn for the worse toward the end of high school and early college. 

When did you first decide to go into this type of ministry? Why?

I came to a firm realization that my God-given spiritual gifts and passion would best be employed as a pastor in mid to late 2001. However, I believe God had been planting the seeds of this pastoral calling in my life as early as Fall 1999 during my first semester at MUW. There is a fantastic hymn called "Here I Am, Lord" that I learned while at MUW that semester that always brings me back to this time of my life when I sing it. There is a line that in the hymn that states, "I have heard you calling in the night." I can literally remember lying in bed one night in my dorm room that Fall and in my mind imagined standing behind the pulpit at my home church. I wrestled with what God was calling me to do with my life. I believe that late night experience was a pivotal event in his calling in my life. God's love for me in Christ, his dramatic work to turn my life around, and a conviction that God desires to love and save all just as I have experienced are realities that have, and hopefully continue to, propel me.

How has your MUW experience helped you?

Involvement at the Wesley Foundation was incredibly important in my growth as a disciple of Jesus and answering God's call to pastoral ministry. My interaction with a variety of students, faculty, and staff no doubt helped to develop my ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives. 

What schooling did you have after MUW? 

I sensed God calling me to seminary, and God's call led me to Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY where I pursued a Master of Divinity which I completed in May 2008. 

What do you enjoy most about your ministry?

Working with our youth, preaching and worship leadership, and getting other people involved in ministries of outreach and witness. 

What do you find most challenging? 

The administrative side has been overwhelming at times, especially having to "double-dip" with two congregations who require the same committees, paperwork, and reports. 

What advice would you have for MUW students considering a ministry like yours?

Prayer and searching the Scriptures are important. Also, seek a variety of opportunities to discover and use your spiritual gifts in service and sharing your faith with others. Seek out trusted pastors and Christian leaders who can talk about his/her sense of God's call in his/her life. Look at the abilities and talents you have, and ask yourself how these could be employed in ministry. Explore the sacrifices as well as joys of life in this way. Above all, trust that as you walk this path of prayer, service, and conversation that God will speak to you. 

If I moved to your town and shared your basic beliefs, why should I join your church (rather than the one down the street)? 

The churches are small, so you know everyone and each person's presence and service has a more demonstrable impact; however, I see growth happening, so it is exciting to be involved in helping new people become a part of the life of the church; these churches have a lot of God's love to share, and they do that on a regular basis; finally, we are reaching out to others in various ways. I believe these churches are communities who are growing as disciples of Jesus Christ and are gearing up for greater faithfulness in the kingdom of God.

Do you have any advice for those trying to find their spiritual path?

Immerse yourself in the Story of God in Christ found in the Bible. Seek intimacy with God through prayer. The book of Psalms include many sincere, intimate, gutsy, and honest prayers which you may find powerful in your own praying. Seek out serious books that help you make sense of the message of Scripture, discipleship, and spiritual formation. Such books may not be in the "religion and spirituality" section of Wal-Mart or Books-a-Million. Seek out a community of people who intentionally gather in the name of Jesus Christ to worship God, build Christ-like relationships of trust and love, serve others (especially outside the church), and study the faith seriously through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look for a community that is not afraid of questions, is passionate for the Truth who is Jesus Christ, yet gracious and humble. Seek a community that is eager to journey and pray with you. Be aware of the great diversity within the larger Christian tradition. Look long and hard at the God revealed in Jesus Christ. Are the spiritualities and theologies I am being encouraged to embrace consistent with the totality of the message of the Bible and the central figure of God's Son, Jesus Christ? 

Do you have any hobbies?  

I enjoy cooking with my wife; reading; playing guitar and singing. 

Tell me about your family.

 I am married to an incredible woman named Melissa Meyer Butler, a W graduate whom I got to know while attending MUW, and especially through Wesley Foundation activities; We had our first child in May 2009, a precious little girl named Natalie Gail 

What is it like trying to mix ministry and family responsibilities?

It can be difficult, especially serving two congregations. One has to be constantly reminded that being fully devoted to Christ does not mean that one must neglect family in order to serve the church. Taking care of my family is a primary calling that must not be sacrificed. 


Anything else you want to tell us?

Let your life journey be about finding out what it means to find your identity and sense of worth as one of God's Beloved Children who above all desires to become a Great Lover of God and People.

Thank you Ben for spending time with us, and may God bless you and your ministry.

Rebecca Rose Germany Stevens: Youth Minister

Our "Minister of the Day" today is Rebecca Rose Germany Stevens, MUW Class of 2004, who is Director of Youth Ministries at Starkville First United Methodist Church, and a co-worker of Jane Windham, who we met earlier. Rebecca, who came to Starkville after spending four years as a Director of Youth Ministries in Ocean Springs, MS, was a Herin Leader and a member of the Silhouette Social Club while at Mississippi University for Women. She is currently pursing her Master of Divinity degree via Asbury Theological Seminary's on-line program.

Raised in the Methodist Church, Rebecca served as the Music Intern at Columbus First United Methodist Church while she was at The W. While there she began to explore her call to the ministry, with the assistance of Dr. Sam Morris. "My time at the W was a time to grow closer to the Lord and to meet the best friends of my life. I truly believe that every experience while there in some way served to draw me closer to the Lord" stated Rebecca.

While she finds the service aspect of her ministry to be the most rewarding, part, her main challenge is organization.

When asked what advice she would you have for MUW students considering a ministry like hers, Ms. Stevens replied "Ask questions and be open to exploring every single opportunity"  She advises those trying to find their spiritual path to "Pray - but be sure that your prayers involve a lot of listening!"

Rebecca's hobbies include music, coffee, running, and anything to do with her two year old son, Manny.  She and her husband Jeremy also have a boxer named Franny (and if she sends us a picture of Franny, we'll run it on "Fur Baby Friday").  Mixing ministry and family responsibilities can be "Difficult, overwhelming, stressful, but above all a wonderful blessing" remarked Rebecca, who considers herself fortunate to have a job that allows her serve her Savior; and says "It all balances out in the end!" 

When asked if there was anything else she  wanted to tell us, Rebecca closed by saying "I love being able to say that I am a W girl!"  We love that you love it Rebecca, and thanks for visiting with us today.

Photo of the Week

Poindexter Hall, named after longtime Mississippi University for Women music professor Weenona Poindexter, houses the music department on campus. Built in 1905, the building is notable for its distinctive Ionic columns and unique interior design.

Poindexter taught music at the W from 1895 until 1945, and she remained protective of "her" building long after retirement. It has been said that when a fire broke out in Shattuck Hall in 1953, Weenona went directly to Poindexter Hall to ensure that, should the fire spread, the firefighters would make the appropriate effort to save her beloved music building.

Poindexter is currently under renovation (the music department has temporarily relocated across campus at the Cromwell Communications Center) and construction is estimated to be completed early next year.

MUW Wesley Director and Alumna, Gail Griffith

Many of the folks we've been meeting and will meet in this series credit involvement with The Wesley Foundation at MUW with helping them discern their vocation.  Today we meet the lady who has been running the Wesley Foundation (Campus Ministry of the United Methodist Church) since 1999, Gail Griffith. Gail is a 1982 graduate of MUW.  She was a Reveler, a Jester and was active at Wesley.  

Regarding her call to ministry, Gail said "I struggled with a call to some sort of ministry while at the W.  I majored in recreation thinking that I would work in a church as a recreation director, youth director or maybe work in a Christian camp.  I substituted after graduation and loved being in the classroom so I went to USM and got certified to teach.  I taught jr. high and high school mathematics for 14 years in Picayune Schools.  I felt called to teach and I loved it!  I had planned to teach until retirement but in 1999, I felt God calling me in a different direction.  That is when I came to the Wesley Foundation."

Gail's  MUW experience has been extremely helpful in teaching as well as the ministry at Wesley Foundation. "The professionalism and life lessons that I learned from my professors in the physical education department have been invaluable.  Dr. Dorothy Burdeshaw, who was head of the department, is still an awesome example and mentor."  Gail further states that "My parents would tell you that I majored in extra-curricular activities.  That has actually been a help to me since I am back at MUW and working with students.   Also, because of the size and the fact that the W was a single sex institution, I took leadership roles that I would not have otherwise assumed.  This experience has proved beneficial in all of life."

Gail  attended USM for teacher certification in mathematics, and, in 1991,  earned a Master of Education in Mathematics from William Carey College.

When asked what she enjoyed most about her ministry, Gail replied " I love working with students.  Whether teaching math or working in campus ministry at the Wesley Foundation, I enjoy being with the students and the opportunities to make a difference in these young lives.  Christianity is a religion about relationships; our relationship with Jesus and our relationships with others is the key.   College students are at a time in life where they are making huge life decisions.  They are deciding on their career path, struggling with relationships, dealing with who to marry or when or whether to marry, all while away from parents.  Listening to the students and providing guidance as they struggle through crucial life decisions is rewarding."  Like many ministers, she finds time management to be a challenge "I have difficultly balancing the demands of the job with personal time."

Gail is one of those who believes that God doesn't call the qualified, but rather qualifies the called:  "I would tell anyone considering ministry of any kind to make sure that it is what God has called them to do.  As long as someone works within their call, God will give them all they need.  I give this advice to any student regardless of their career path."

As a campus minister, Gail wants students to get involved in a campus ministry or a local church when they come to the W so they can grow in their faith.  As a Christian, it is important to fellowship and worship with other believers, so she would encourage the students to be involved wherever they feel they can grow.   Wesley's website is here.

When not working, Gail loves to fish, especially for bass.  Lately her hobby has been building a house.  She hopes to move in by the first of May (and we'd love to put up pictures then).

Gail's sister, Jane Griffith Windham, MUW ’80, is the Director of Children’s ministry at First United Methodist Church, Starkville.  Her brother, Hugh Griffith, is the Director of the MSU Wesley Foundation.
She has 4 nephews and 1 niece. Her mother, Agnes Griffith, moved to Starkville after their farm near Picayune was torn up by Katrina.  She has a wonderful 7 year old Cocker Spaniel named Barnabas or “Barney” who goes to work with her every day.   Says Gail "The students love him, especially since they are away from their pets and miss them while they are at MUW."

Thanks for visiting with us today.  It sounds like you are doing a great job there at Wesley.

MPN: Firm Wants to Bring Top Talent to Memphis

Top Notch, a Memphis recruiting firm, has partnered with MUW to provide internship opportunities and course credit to students seeking an introduction to the professional business world.

“(Students) are spending between $70,000 and $150,000 to get their diploma and there’s very little investment in their professional development,” [Founder Chris] Chotard said. “I feel there’s a lot of work to be done to help students understand that this needs to be a focus just as much as getting the diploma. It’s an investment in their future that’s critical that they make.”

You can read the full article here.

Connect with Top Notch on Facebook.

MUW Alumnus Don Scrivener

Today we have another alumnus with us. Don Scrivener, MUW class of 2004, is Associate Pastor/ Student Pastor at Vaiden Baptist Church, Vaiden, MS. While at MUW he was active at the Wesley Foundation and in Peer Outreach. He also played intramural sports. 

Reverand Scrivener served on the Wesley Foundation Council from the second semester of his sophomore year at the W, until graduation.  During a summer job at Gulf Shores Baptist Assembly, he felt God's call to ministry. He knew that God had placed him at Wesley to really dig in and get some hands-on experience in serving, and spreading His word. His time at The W "just affirmed what God had already set in motion." After Don felt called to ministry, he felt that God was leading him into camping/recreation ministry, and through positions in that area, God kept shaping him to be what God wanted Don to be, and God still is doing that. Says Don "I feel that God has called me to proclaim the gospel. He has me serving as the Associate Pastor/ Student Pastor at my church, but I feel that He is calling me to Pastor, just trying to be faithful to the calling and see where He wants me to go."

Regarding his days at MUW, Don remarked "My experience at MUW was a great one, and it still is a great experience today. I stay in touch with most of my friends from there, and I have had the opportunity to go back multiple times and speak at the Wesley Foundation, and visit my former classmates, that now work full-time at MUW. MUW was, and is still a part of my life and I wouldn't have changed my choice of where I went to school. I can look back and see how God had ordained it to be."

After graduating from MUW Brother Scrivener attended, and graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, TX.

Don enjoys seeing people hunger for God's word, and yearn to develop their relationship with Jesus Christ, more and more on and everyday basis. Regarding what he finds most challenging about his ministry, Don answered "God has given me an incredible desire for the church, and to see Christians grow. The most challenging thing for me is being a sower, and letting God grow the relationship in other people's life. It's all up to Him, and I have to not only remember, but come to a full realization that He is totally in control."

If current MUW students are considering the ministry, Don suggests they "Start now! The W is full of lost and dying people. If you have a personal relationship with Christ you are called to proclaim the gospel. It isn't suggested. I look back and see how God used me at The W, but I also see how He wanted to work through me and because I was un-willing in some areas, He used someone else. There are some great Godly people there at the school and in the community that care about the students. If you can accept that campus as your mission field while you are there, and if you are obediant to God's calling He will allow you to be used while you are there, and the blessings from that are AWESOME!!"

While Don would be thrilled if you chose to worship at his church, he believes those looking for a church should "pray about what church to join not do based on what person you most agreed with but where God wanted you to worship."

When not busy with church work, Don enjoys spending time with his family. He is married to Mary Martha Love, MUW class of 2004.  They have two children: Rani, age 19 months and Andrew, age 4 months. While mixing ministry and family life keeps him busy, Don states that you just have to make it a point to set aside times for things that are important.

Don, it sounds like your church is blessed to have you, and we thank you for spending time with us today.

MUW Alumna Jane Griffith Windham

Today we are getting to know Jane Griffith Windham, Mississippi University for Women, Class of 1980. Jane, a life-long Methodist, is Director of Children's Ministries for First United Methodist Church of Starkville.  A nursing major at MUW, Jane worked for sixteen years as a nurse before being encouraged by her minister to apply for the Children's Ministry position in 1996. Though she tried to avoid thinking about this for several weeks, but it became clear to her that God was leading her in that direction, so she applied for the position. The rest, as they say, is history.

The opportunity to serve in leadership positions in organizations at MUW while completing her degree in nursing gave her invaluable experience in decision making, working with different personalities, building organizational skills, and in balancing participation in multiple activities. She learned how to follow through with assignments, complete tasks, to keep a calendar and write things down. She is very grateful for her education in nursing through which she gained skills and knowledge which continue to be extremely useful. In fact, she still thinks of herself as a nurse who is just working in a different field.

As Director of Children's Ministries, Jane enjoys the interaction with the children and their parents. The parents are all younger than she is now so that keeps her in touch with the younger families in the church and that helps keep her young! She loves the thoughts and ideas that the children share with her and watching as their childlike faith grows and they begin to personally understand and experience what the Christian faith is all about. Their questions challenge her and her preparation to lead causes her to grow, as well. It’s an exciting opportunity to have a front row seat to watch God at work in the lives of the children, their families and their church.

Jane finds it challenging to discover ways to encourage parents to balance their family schedules to reflect the importance of ministry/spiritual opportunities, both at home and at church. Along those same lines, it is challenging to encourage and equip parents to serve as the primary spiritual leaders for their children.

"In ministry" she said, "as in many careers, you never seem to finish. There is always something more that could be done. It is sometimes challenging to know when and how to stop and take time for myself."

When asked what advice she would have for MUW students considering a ministry like hers, Ms. Windham said "Pray about it and look for God’s leading. Certainly a degree in a ministry area is very beneficial, but the lack of formal education in ministry does not disqualify one from serving in a ministry area. It’s true that God equips those He calls. I once heard a calling defined as where your talents and interests intersect with the needs of the world."

Jane is honored to be a part of her church's active children’s ministry program focusing on spiritual growth, fellowship, service and family support, as well as its excellent weekday ministries program. She believes their music, missions, and youth programs are strong. They offer both traditional and contemporary worship opportunities along with small group Bible studies. You can learn more at their website.

As a Christian, Jane believes that God has revealed Himself to us through Jesus Christ so that faith and belief in Jesus as Savior is the “path” to God. "I know this to be true not just because the Bible says it but because it has been proven to me time and time again throughout my life" she remarked.

Jane has been married to Gary for 28 years; and has 3 sons ages 23, 21 and 19. Her sister, Gail Griffith, is the MUW Wesley Foundation Director and her brother, Hugh Griffith, is a United Methodist pastor and is the Wesley Foundation Director at Mississippi State University. Her mom recently moved to Starkville from south Mississippi. Since church has been such an integral part of her family’s life, mixing ministry and family responsibilities seems natural to her. One of Jane's sons, noting the convenience of having her office at the church, said he thought every family should have an office at church to leave things, meet each other and use the computer! Even with weekend responsibilities and week-night meetings, the sometimes long and unusual hours are balanced by the flexibility of working hours during the day. Her husband and sons have always been very involved in and supportive of children’s ministry. The main drawback of her ministry is that since she works on Sundays, weekend family trips are limited.

When not busy at church Jane enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family.

Thanks Jane, for spending time with us today.  It sounds like the children in your church are lucky to have you.

Fur Baby Friday

This is Casper, a white miniature Schnauzer with Tori Strange Pumphrey, MUW Class of 1976 (BFA)

Fur Baby Fridays will be the first Friday of every month.  To see your fur baby(ies) featured, send photos to mfaeablog@gmail.com.  Include your name and class year.  If we get enough photos, we'll run them weekly.  Come on, let's see the little darlings (and you too).

MUW Alumna Anghaard Teague Dees: Presbyterian Minister

The Rev. M. Anghaarad Teague Dees, MUW Class of 1995, is the 2009-10 President of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association, and is currently serving as Associate Pastor for Children and Youth at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, Florida PC(USA).  Other churches in which she has served since ordination are Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church in Alabama, and First Presbyterian Church of Columbus Georgia. 

Angh classifies herself as “a church baby”, raised in the PC(USA) church, and daughter of a mother who made certain that she and her sister  were always at church and involved in church activities.  She was given the opportunity to serve in leadership in the church from a very young age and knew that she would continue to serve the church in some capacity.  As a teen camp counselor at the Presbytery’s camp she got a real taste for ministry and was able to articulate at that point a budding sense of call.

She knew while at the W that she was going to work in the church, but had not yet discerned whether it would be in Church Music (she was music major), or Christian Education.   During the Inquirer process, the first step toward ordination, she met with her church session, a group from the presbytery, various mentors and different folks that she trusted and they listened to her struggle.  Everyone kept saying that she was not only a gifted teacher but could be a gifted preacher; and therefore she should seek ordination.  After visiting four seminaries she discerned that she was being called to Ministry of Word and Sacrament but with an emphasis on Christian Education.    Anghaarad states “As a Minister of Word and Sacrament I feel that I have fulfilled the calling to be a Teaching Elder (the old language for Minster of Word and Sacrament) and if I wasn’t ordained to preach and preside over the sacraments I believe that I would feel very cheated.”

Angh graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2001.  As Austin Seminary did not offer many Christian Education classes, she credits her knowledge about Christian Education (how to teach, writing  and  picking curriculum, classroom discipline, etc) to her education classes at MUW.

A minister must be a master of multi-tasking, and Angh says that is the main way her MUW experience helps her daily.  While at the W she was involved with the Troubadour Social Club, Maskers Honorary Social Club, Hottentots, Wesley Foundation, Chorale, Madrigal Singers, Student Senate, Class Cheerleader, UAC, SAA, Dean’s Leadership Class, W Angels (pre-curser to Hearin), Ecumenical Ministries, KDE, MENC, Theatre Productions, Miss W pageant stage crew, Orientation Leader, and the list could go on.  She worked  on campus at Marriott Food Services, had a work-study job in the Music Department and worked off-campus as a paid soloist for local churches and a part time youth director for First Presbyterian Church.   Whew!

When asked what she enjoyed most about her ministry, Rev. Dees stated “I love worship…leading worship is an awesome honor and privilege every week…I love the beauty in liturgy and song and bringing our very best to God as a community of faith.    I also love working with children and youth. So many of my contemporaries in youth ministry have moved on but I just can’t imagine doing anything else at this point.  Taking youth to conferences and seeing children at VBS are big highlights of my year.  When you see a child listening for the first time to a Biblical story that you’ve known forever helps you hear God’s word anew every time.  When you see a youth truly understand what it is to believe in God and the tears flow down, you are moved once again to remember your own faith awakening.”  Like many involved in youth ministry, she finds parents who have no desire to make church a priority to be very frustrating.  She believes the faith lives of our children should be the most precious and first priority for every parent.

About her current church, she states “Trinity (www.trinitypcola.org) is a church that is truly striving to worship God while nourishing the people of God.  We have an amazing reputation for service to the community (and world) and that meets the needs of people to be the hands, feet, eyes and ears of Christ in the world.  We strive to have meaty Christian Education that helps folks of all ages study, struggle and engage the word of God. Our worship service is a blend of classical choral music, a praise band, traditional hymns, modern praise music, drama, thoughtful preaching, ancient liturgy and the Sacraments…this blend brings all ages together to worship God with all that we have.”

While she realized during a miserable junior year that she was not called Music Ministry, Angh still enjoys music.  She plays and sings with a bluegrass band and performs with the Pensacola Opera Chorus.  She loves movies, good books and days on the beach.  She is a member of MFAeA and the Junior League of Pensacola. 

Rev. Dees is a newlywed.  She and her husband Zane have a dog and a cat.

If an MUW student is considering the ministry, Angh suggests majoring in something other than religion, and participating in extra-curricular activities.  Many things, she states, are not taught in the seminary; things like how to plan VBS, how to recruit volunteers, how to direct a wedding (singing in over 20 weddings for friends and others while at the W came in handy), how to make an occasion out of a capital campaign, how to multitask, how to handle the argument over carpet color in the sanctuary or how to step up and get something done because no one else will.  Also, do a yearlong internship.  While she was required to complete a minimum 10 week internship in the church, she states that choosing a 14 month internship was the smartest thing she ever did, and something she encourages those on the path to ordination to do, especially if they’ve never had experience working in a church.

Check out this entry I found on the Birthday Celebration Contest.

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MUW Alumnus Rev. Arthur R. Harper, III

Today we are catching up with  Rev. Arthur R. Harper, III (better known as Trey), MUW class of 1998.  Trey was the second man elected SGA President.  He currently serves as Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Eupora, MS.

Trey began his MUW years as a nursing major, but during the second semester of this freshman year, he changed his major to theater (much to his parents' panic).  The summer following his freshman year he received the call to ministry, although, said Trey " I didn't accept the call until later in my sophomore year.  Never my intention, but God had other plans."  He credits the close knit school family with being a huge support to him while discerning his call, and states that "the W Wesley Foundation was the place where I worked out a lot "stuff" about accepting the call to ministry."  Trey advises those seeking their spiritual paths to trust--"trust that God just might have a better handle on and understanding of your life than you do.  Trust yourself.  God created you for this purpose so you can't fail.  Trust your family and friends.  God has a funny way of surrounding us with those we will need on the journey.  I had just started dating Heather (my wife and also a W alum of 1998) when I go the call.  I would never have made it thus far without her" explained Trey.

Trey, who received his M.Div. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, finds the connections with people to be the most enjoyable thing about his ministry.  He says "Ministers have a rare privilege in that we, by virtue of office, usually are given an open door access into the lives and struggles of folks.  That is a rare and precious gift."  Those connections are also his greatest challenge. "People are messy.  Lives have problems and emotions and concerns.  Everyone has opinions and agendas and goals.  Trying to sort through all these things and find common connections and truths is often frustrating at best."

About his current church, Rev. Harper tells us " Our church's vision is to provide a place that people can call home.  A place of love and acceptance where people can feel needed and feel like they have a place and a purpose.  Especially if you have children.  Our church is blessed with loads of kids and our children's ministry is not only top notch but also the church's main priority.  I am not saying you will not find a welcoming spirit at other churches in our community, but you won't find me there, I hear that my preaching is at least worth the ticket price."  I'll bet it is Trey.  To learn more about First United Methodist Church, visit their website.

Trey has been married to Heather Moody Harper (MUW '98) for almost 11 years.  They are parents to John and Joshua both aged 7.  They were triplets but they  lost their brother Eli to a staph infection at 23 days old.  The boys were born extremely premature (27weeks) as a result of a car accident. Their daughter Lucy, age 5  was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  Their baby is Benjamin, age seven months, who, to quote Trey, is "the cutest baby boy in existence 'cause he looks like his Daddy" .  When asked about hobbies, Trey retorted "I have 2 seven year old boys, a five year old little girl and a 7 month old baby boy...I have time for nothing, including sleep".  To find out how Trey handles both the ministry and family responsibilities, see his blog, titled appropriately enough, "Staying Afloat" which is really good reading.