Registration begins May 1 for National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) to be held Sept. 2-6 at
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in western North Carolina. The theme is “Reaching Across Generations, Beyond Differences, Through Conflict, into Joy.”
NOAC is a gathering for adults 50 and older “who love learning and discerning together, exploring God’s call for their lives, and living out that call by sharing their energy, insight, and legacy with their families, communities, and the world,” says the NOAC website.
Registration cost per person is $195 before July 15, or $225 after that date. First-time attendees get a $20 discount. Early registration for those needing handicapped accessible housing in the most convenient location at the Terrace building began April 22 and continues through April 30. Registration does not include housing or meals. After registering, participants may go to the Lake Junaluska housing reservations website to make lodging reservations. To preview housing options, go to www.lakejunaluska.com/accommodations . Contact the Lake Junaluska office at 800-222-4930 ext. 1.
Participants are requested to register online if possible at www.brethren.org/noac/registration . Paper registration forms are available on request, call 800-323-8039 ext. 302.
Schedule and special events
The NOAC schedule includes daily worship services, day trips, service projects, workshops, arts and crafts activities, and more. New this year is a Welcome Festival on Monday afternoon during registration. While registrants wait to pick up room keys they will enjoy local musicians, play games, tie-dye bandanas for people with cancer, and eat snacks.
The preachers:
Monday: Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, Brightbill Professor of Preaching and Worship at Bethany Theological Seminary
Tuesday: Jennifer Keeney Scarr, pastor of Trotwood Church of the Brethren near Dayton, Ohio
Wednesday: Jeanne Davies, pastor of Parables Community in Lombard, Ill., with a focus on those with disabilities and their families
Thursday: Walt Wiltschek, pastor of Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren and at-large editor for “Messenger”
Friday: Dennis Webb, pastor of Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren
Day trips:
Tuesday and Wednesday: Biltmore Estates historic house museum in Asheville; $70 per person includes transportation, lunch, admission
Tuesday: Graveyard Fields: Hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway; $20 per person includes transportation, lunch
Tuesday and Thursday: Arboretum of North Carolina; $25 per person includes transportation, lunch, donation, and parking
Wednesday: Museum of the Cherokee Indian; $30 per person includes transportation, lunch, workshop fee, admission
Wednesday and Thursday: Carl Sandburg Home and Farm; $25 per person includes transportation, lunch, admission
Thursday: Basilica of St. Lawrence and Asheville Botanical Gardens; $25 per person includes transportation, lunch, donations
Service opportunities:
Daily: Book Drive will collect new and gently used children’s books for Junaluska Elementary School
Daily: Volunteer to usher at worship services
Daily: Sing with the NOAC Choir for worship led by choir director Michelle Grimm; fee for music cost is collected at the first rehearsal
Tuesday: Reading to students at Junaluska Elementary School; $15 includes transportation and lunch
Wednesday: Assembling Hygiene Kits, materials provided; $10 covers cost of materials
Thursday: Fundraising walk around the lake, sponsored by Brethren Benefit Trust
Sign-up for some of these activities and events will be online as part of registration. Find details and more information as links on the main NOAC web page at www.brethren.org/noac .