Monday’s inspiration – National Older Adult Conference 2017

Church of the Brethren Newsline
September 4, 2017

Pre-conference

Church of the Brethren denominational staff and Inspiration 2017 volunteers arrived ahead of time to set up registration, exhibits, the Brethren Press bookstore, plan bus trip lunches, shop for supplies, and more. The group participated in the Living Stream online church service Sunday evening. View the recorded service.

Lake Junaluska staff said that local residents are happy to welcome the National Older Adult Conference every two years because “the people are just so nice!”

For the first time, a pre-conference event offered continuing education for pastors.

Registration

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford.

By the end of Monday, braving occasional long lines, over 800 people had checked in for Inspiration 2017. Lake Junaluska staff commented that, although they host larger events, NOAC is one of the most difficult because of the number of registrations that have to be handled in a very short period of time.

Five buses traveled from Mid-Atlantic, Pennsylvania (two), Shenandoah, and Western Plains districts, as well as a van from Timbercrest Senior Living Community in North Manchester, Indiana.

Evening worship

The NOAC News team entertained everyone with a video tour using new “3-D” glasses—which got them into “hot water” (or at least lake water).

Jonathan Emmons inspired the group with an opening “Fanfare and Processional” on organ. The NOAC choir, led by Michelle Grimm, sang an arrangement of “Now Thank We All Our God,” and Seth Hendricks and Chris Good shared the song “Our Welcome Is Wide.”

Rodger Nishioka, guest speaker, joked about the surprised faces during the reverse offering, which featured offering plates full of sweets for participants to take. “Spontaneity isn’t what the Church of the Brethren is known for… and that’s coming from a Presbyterian!”

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford.

He prayed, “Help us be attentive to your Holy Spirit so that we welcome all in your name.”

The sermon focused on Luke 2, expanding on the stories of Simeon and Anna with the quote “I’ll see it when I believe it.” He told a story of an intergenerational friendship at church saving and rebuilding lives.

“Generation to generation we’re called to welcome Jesus, even as Jesus welcomes us, every moment of our lives,” he concluded.

The whole service can be seen online.

Ice cream social – Celebrating 25 years of NOAC

An ice cream social was held in celebration of 25 years of the Church of the Brethren National Older Adult Conference on Monday evening. The first NOAC was held in 1992. This year Inspiration 2017 is the 14th—for the most part NOAC has been held every other year. Several people were recognized including Jay Gibble and Kathy Reid, former NOAC directors and leaders of the Association of Brethren Caregivers. Also called to the podium were 99-year-old Virginia Crim and her daughter, Karen Dillon, who is on the planning team this year.

Question of the day

What do you hope will inspire people this week?

Enten Eller. Photo by Jan Fischer Bachman.

“The gathering of the most experienced generation of the church to be in fellowship, learning, worship, and recreation together.”

 

 

 

 

 

Larry Glick. Photo by Jan Fischer Bachman.

“Coming together in this place to hear messages, to hear music, to smile, to laugh, to remember.”Find more answers in Monday’s “The Inspiration Daily

 

 

 

 

 

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