"When our family lived in the city, my parents both taught Sunday school and we went to church as a family but when we moved to the country, the church was small—25 on a great Sunday. My father began to drink a lot and church attendance was uncomfortable for our family; we quit attending. My father was a functional alcoholic who got sober during my senior year of high school," said Gaylon Wynn Moore.
Moore's mother was a homemaker with four children: two brothers and one sister. Because Moore's mother was busy raising four children with a father who had his challenges, Moore's uncle stepped in to be a father substitute and was involved in their activities. "As kids, my brothers played basketball, my sister played the flute, and I competed for horse shows," continued Moore.
"After high school, I got married and had children, said Moore, my family attended church off and on but my spouse did not. After I remarried, my family grew from 3 to 6—I had two daughters and my husband, Don had two sons. Don encouraged me to stay home or find a job that was better suited for me. This opened an opportunity for me to work as an Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor at Pulaski Heights UMC in Little Rock, Arkansas. My life was never the same because of this job, the people, and the ministries."
Moore began attending college as a first-generation, non-traditional student working on my Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Arkansas but later moved to Texas. As she prepared to attend Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, she research scholarships to help her defray the cost and found information about the United Methodist Student Day Gift of Hope scholarship on the GBHEM.org website.
"This scholarship allowed me to take a study abroad course over the winter break of 2018-2019. I went to Belize to study intercultural communications. The scholarship encourages students to attend college and achieve their goals," stated Moore.
"As a communication major, I have used all aspects of my learning to encourage others to see things from a new or different perspective. I would like to work for the United Methodist Church again after I complete my college studies but right now I am making a difference by being a United Methodist. I get questions about what I believe and my faith allows me to grow as a disciple into the person that God has called me to be, no matter how long it takes me to get there," Moore said.
Elsie Cunningham, freelance writer, UMCom retiree, now living in Jamaica
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Student Day calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The special offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist applicants.
When you give generously on United Methodist Student Day, you support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. Give now.
