I'd like to extend a special thanks to all who responded to our holiday fund-raising campaign. Through your efforts, Adventist Today is in a position to meet its expenses, and should, with subscription renewals and your ongoing support, make the publication of our magazine possible through the balance of the current year.

As members of the Advisory Council you gave over $48,000 during 2002, and when that is added to what was given by others, the total came to $67,000. The totals for 2001 were, respectively, $34,000, and $52,000. Thanks to each of you, we were able to end the year 2002 in the black. Your generosity has enabled us to meet our financial needs, despite ever-increasing costs.

The death in January 2003 of Raymond Cottrell, one of Adventist Today's founding fathers, has saddened all of us. Ray's contributions and insightful direction helped make Adventist Today "must" reading for all thoughtful Adventists. He will truly be missed.

Thanks to a number of Ray's admirers, a book about his truly remarkable life is taking shape. Douglas Hackleman, author and a long-time family friend, is working hard to complete the work. Adventist Today expects to publish the book, to be titled "The Unending Quest," later this year. Funding for this project has been through specifically designated contributions by "Friends of Ray Cottrell."

Plans are taking shape for Adventist Today's presence and our reporting on events taking place at the next General Conference, planned for St. Louis, Missouri, in 2005.

The Leadership Group of Adventist Today spent the first weekend in February developing plans for AT's future. Discussions ranged from how we might better serve our readership and improve both the quality and breadth of the articles we publish to how we may reach others who are not now part of AT's readership.

In the planning are an increased number of "area" meetings with supporters of AT. John McLarty, Elwin Dunn, and others from AT met with a number of you last year. Your positive comments and feedback provide inspiration for us and make it possible for us to connect with you. We welcome your ideas, issues you would like to hear more about, and particularly, talented writers you may know who can address topics of particular interest to our readers.

To better serve you, our readers and supporters, we would like to hear and meet with you. If you can form and bring a group together, we'll be pleased to join you. Make your plans now.

Again, we particularly value you, our Advisory Council members, and wish you a good year.

Elwin Dunn, Chair/Publisher, Adventist Today, lives in, California.