National Older Adult Conference inspires new journeys with God.

More than 1,150 attendees were welcomed to the seventh National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) by Scott Douglas, conference planner and Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) director of Older Adult Ministry, on Sept. 6. The event continued through Sept. 10 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Speakers and preachers inspired attendees to continue their journeys with a new life brought by God, reported ABC communication director Mary Dulabaum.

At opening worship, Kurt Borgmann, senior pastor of Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, Ind., described how after surviving a night of wrestling with God, Jacob received God's blessing and his life changed. He called on those who may think their life's work is complete to continue on a new journey with God's blessing. During the service, Joyce Person created clay pots as a metaphor for being crafted by God's hands.

Tom Mullen, retired from Earlham School of Religion, encouraged participants to give gratitude to God even during difficult times. In the closing service Deanna Brown, pastor of Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Fort Wayne, Ind., used the New Testament story of the wedding feast to illustrate how all are called to put on garments of a new day. Attendees put on strips of cloth from the first conference of the Historic Peace Churches in Africa representing new clothes for their lives' work following NOAC.

Keynote speaker Deforia Lane, music therapist at Ireland Cancer Center and University Hospitals of Cleveland, brought home the healing power of music. Pam Brubaker, professor of religion at California Lutheran University, used the gathering of manna and Jesus' feeding of 5,000 as examples of how God has provided for everyone if people take only what they need. Other presenters included Bible study leader Stephen Reid, academic dean at Bethany Theological Seminary; ventriloquist Steve Engle; and Tex Sample, who talked about generational differences. More than 25 people attended an Older Adult Ministry Training Seminar led by Sample, held concurrently with NOAC.

Brethren favorites such as "Blessed Assurance" and "He Lives" were sung in four-part harmony during a hymn festival led by Wil Nolen, president of Brethren Benefit Trust. The event featured the 100-member NOAC choir.

Conference planners had much to be grateful for during a week of rain brought by Hurricane Frances, which wreaked havoc in surrounding low-lying areas. Despite the weather, attendees participated in early morning exercises and devotions, afternoon interest groups and handcrafts, and late afternoon entertainment from local artisans. More than 60 turned out for a walk/run around the lake sponsored by the Fellowship of Brethren Homes.

"Perhaps what helped attendees most were the daily doses of humor provided by the infamous 'video guys' during morning and evening announcements," Dulabaum said. "Many people gave of their time and talents by coordinating events and volunteering throughout the week," she added. Participants donated seven boxes of eyeglasses and collected 574 Gift of the Heart kits onsite--another 139 are being completed by Harry and Gerry Graybill, coordinators of the service projects. Attendees gave generously to caring ministries of the church through offerings totaling $23,540 for ABC. The next NOAC will be Sept. 4-8, 2006.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
top