NOAC 2002 - Daily Coverage

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Friday, September 6, 2002

Weather: Yet another beautiful day in the mountains. High near 80 after a cool start.

Schedule highlights: Early-morning devotional options and stretching exercises; closing celebration with guest speaker Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm; checkout, departure, and saying good-byes.

Quote of the day: "You have been ahead of me, you saints and scoundrels all!" -- closing speaker Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, speaking of the cloud of witnesses

Closing celebration: After another rousing time of gathering music, the NOAC video team played a montage of scenes from the week set to music. Worship leader Earle Fike then led the congregation through a service of litanies, prayers, readings, and abundant music. The NOAC choir, directed by Wil Nolen of Elgin, Ill., shared two anthems and several other response and introit pieces. Wilhelm shared illustrations from her family, her high school days, her past congregational service, and her present teaching at Bethany Theological Seminary as she asked the NOAC audience to "bless those of us who continue to search for the way ahead." In particular, she said there is a need for the "peculiar" perspective they have brought to their faith, much like the peculiar role call of heroes and heroines in Hebrews 11. "We need you . . . to bless us beyond our fears," she said. "We can't do this alone."

Elsewhere: Margaret Lindower of South Bend, Ind., and Phyllis Eller of La Verne, Calif., won free registration to the 2004 NOAC as winners of the ABC 50th anniversary quiz. They were selected from among those who answered all questions correctly in the trivia hunt.... Nearly 100 people participated in this year's choir. Joyce Nolan served as accompanist. Joyce Person and Phyllis Hunn also provided organ and piano, respectively, for worship through the week. Merle Crouse
Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm

Wil Nolen

Gene Swords

From top: Merle Crouse of St. Cloud, Fla. (right), says good-bye to a friend as NOAC ends; Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm says "the world needs people of peculiar faith"; Brethren Benefit Trust president Wil Nolen, left, directed the NOAC choir and led congregational singing Friday; soloist Gene Swords lends his deep, resonant voice to a final singing of "Guide My Feet" at the conference.

Daily Coverage
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

Friday, September 6, 2002
Weather: Yet another beautiful day in the mountains. High near 80 after a cool start. Schedule highlights: Early-morning devotional options and stretching exercises; closing celebration with guest speaker Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm; checkout, departure, and saying good-byes. Quote of the day: "You have been ahead of me, you saints and scoundrels all!" -- closing speaker Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, speaking of the cloud of witnesses Closing celebration: After another rousing time of gathering music, the NOAC video team played a montage of scenes from the week set to music. Worship leader Earle Fike then led the congregation through a service of litanies, prayers, readings, and abundant music. The NOAC choir, directed by Wil Nolen of Elgin, Ill., shared two anthems and several other response and introit pieces. Wilhelm shared illustrations from her family, her high school days, her past congregational service, and her present teaching at Bethany Theological Seminary as she asked the NOAC audience to "bless those of us who continue to search for the way ahead." In particular, she said there is a need for the "peculiar" perspective they have brought to their faith, much like the peculiar role call of heroes and heroines in Hebrews 11. "We need you . . . to bless us beyond our fears," she said. "We can't do this alone." Elsewhere: Margaret Lindower of South Bend, Ind., and Phyllis Eller of La Verne, Calif., won free registration to the 2004 NOAC as winners of the ABC 50th anniversary quiz. They were selected from among those who answered all questions correctly in the trivia hunt.... Nearly 100 people participated in this year's choir. Joyce Nolan served as accompanist. Joyce Person and Phyllis Hunn also provided organ and piano, respectively, for worship through the week.		From top: Merle Crouse of St. Cloud, Fla. (right), says good-bye to a friend as NOAC ends; Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm says "the world needs people of peculiar faith"; Brethren Benefit Trust president Wil Nolen, left, directed the NOAC choir and led congregational singing Friday; soloist Gene Swords lends his deep, resonant voice to a final singing of "Guide My Feet" at the conference.