National Older Adult Conference

Daily Updates	FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Retired pastor and former Annual Conference moderator Dean Miller gave the message at Friday morning's closing worship, on "Savoring Life's Spatlese Season." WEATHER: Mostly sunny after cloudy start; high near 75 HIGHLIGHTS: Final early-morning devotions and nature walks; showing of music video covering moments from the week; closing worship celebration with speaker Dean Miller; final bookstore sales and OEPA Peace Place auction; checking out and saying good-byes. TODAY'S QUOTE: "I had several friends on the planning committee, and what's more, the pay was in six figures--all zeroes!" -- Floyd Bantz, on why he accepted the job of introducing all the main speakers during the week. A long line of NOAC participants came through the Association of Brethren Caregivers bookstore before it was packed up Friday morning. Harriet Kalor of Huntingdon, Pa., and Mary Baucher of Modesto, Calif., ring up a sale for Charlie An Oliver of Roanoke, Va. WORSHIP: After the closing video montage and announcements, Gerry Pence of La Verne, Calif., led a vibrant hymn sing to begin worship. Handbell and vocal choirs made up of NOAC participants also shared music during the service. Speaker Dean Miller spoke on "Savoring Life's Spatlese Season." He said "spatlese" refers to a season in Germany when grapes are picked in their fully ripe condition after the regular season is over. They are added to unfermented grape juice to create a beverage sweeter and richer than ordinary wine. Using the story of Jesus changing the water to wine at the wedding fest in Cana, Miller made connections on how older adults can savor their own "spatlese," staying fresh "through harvest and beyond." He spoke of moments when we see how our lives "hang together," and suggested that we must keep track of our stories or become "impoversihed spiritually." "God's surprises are like the rabbi's wine," Miller said. "There's more, and the best is yet to be. In Jesus' presence there is always going to be more than enough." Teresa Travison of On Earth Peace Assembly auctions off lots of merchandise from "The Peace Place" store at NOAC as Lee Smith, left, and Letha McKinnell, right, make bids. The store, based in New Windsor, Md., is closing at the end of this month.
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NOAC co-coordinator Carl Myers of Elgin, Ill., left, says good-bye to Emma Gosnell of Westminster, Md., one of many farewells happening around the campus after worship Friday. A bell choir of NOAC participants provided several pieces during Friday's closing worship. NEWS & NOTES: *Dates for the next NOAC were announced as Sept. 2-6, 2002, back at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Two of this year's participants, Retta Reinohl and Bill Puffenberger, won free registration for that conference by correctly answering all the questions in an ABC scavenger hunt and having their forms picked at random. *Charles and Barb Simmons of Virginia had a unique NOAC week--the two had just been married on Saturday and celebrated their honeymoon at the conference. In a NOAC News segment, Charles said. "I'd been here before, it's a beautiful place, and it's something I wanted to share with Barb. I said, 'Let's get married and go to NOAC!' " *The count for official NOAC registration was updated at 1,050 Friday morning. *Several verbal tributes were paid during the week to Bob and Nancy Faus, who were expected to assist in leadership for the week but were unable to attend when Bob had a relapse of cancer.