At its fall meeting, the Association of Brethren Caregivers Board decided to hold the next National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) in 2008 and again in 2009 so that the biennial conference would not occur in the same year as future National Youth Conferences.
“Staff, volunteers and resources were very strained to prepare for and work at three major denominational conferences – Annual Conference, National Youth Conference and NOAC – all held within a three-month period,” says Kathy Reid, ABC’s executive director. “By moving NOAC to odd numbered years the ABC Board is demonstrating good stewardship of staff, volunteers and resources. As the agency representing the caring ministries of the church, we’re also trying to encourage the wellness of the many people who work in various ways at all three events.”
The ABC Board determined that holding the conferences back to back would successfully move into a new conference schedule while still honoring plans made to hold the next NOAC in 2008. The next NOAC will be held September 1-5, 2008, followed by another to be held September 7-11, 2009. After 2009, the conference for older adults within the Church of the Brethren will return to a two-year cycle. NOAC will continue to be held at Lake Junaluska Assembly, Lake Junaluska, N.C.