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Today at NOAC – Tuesday


“In fact, he [Jesus] did not tell them anything without using stories” (Matthew 13:34, CEV).

 

Quotes of the day

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

“The honking wild goose intrudes upon us as the image of the Holy Spirit, coming upon us across the seas and waters.” — Deanna Brown, the keynote speaker for the day at NOAC, wondering aloud about why the Celtic Christian tradition chose for its symbol of the Holy Spirit the wild goose–which she described as loud, messy, and disruptive–in place of the quiet cooing dove.

“We no longer have the privilege of not linking our actions to the lives of people around the world.” — NOAC keynote speaker Deanna Brown, in a presentation focused on the lives of women and girls in places like India, Turkey, Ethiopia, Afghanistan. She encouraged NOAC participants to enter into their stories, so that “they become a story of Jesus for us, and we are the ones who are changed.”

“What does this have to do with the Kingdom of God? …The main impact of this parable is the forgiving of a man who doesn’t deserve it.” — NOAC Bible study leader Bob Bowman, in the first of three daily Bible studies on Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15.

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
Keynote speaker Deanna Brown

“There always is something inexplainable about human inequity…. A large part of our inequity is how we are born…. Maybe it’s our business to mend the inequities of the world.” — Bob Bowman focusing on the reasons for conflict between the older brother and the prodigal younger son, in the parable told by Jesus in Luke 15. 

 

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
Afternoon storyteller Gary Carden drew from his childhood in the local area around Lake Junaluska to amuse the NOAC audience.

NOAC by the Numbers

Registration: more than 870 people have registered onsite, including staff, volunteers, speakers, and young adult assistants

Offerings: During the Monday evening opening worship, $3,297.43 was received to support Church of the Brethren ministry including NOAC

 

Several new-to-NOAC events began today

Photo by Eddie Edmonds
Antiphonal singing across the lake

Antiphonal Singing across the Lake: Do you remember singing across the lake at one of the early NOACs? The NOAC Planning Committee, who had found reference to this event but could not find anyone to explain how it was done, thought it sounded like fun so decided to try it this year. In the meantime, the NOAC Communication Team has discovered that Nancy Faus Mullen was the instigator of the antiphonal sing across the lake at one of the early NOACS. This morning, a couple groups of perhaps 20 to 30 people each gathered at two locations across the water to sing to each other. The APP–Aerial Photographic Platform, aka “Peace Drone”–observed and filmed the event.

NOAC Coffeehouse: This evening, it was standing room only at the first NOAC Coffeehouse. The music and storytelling by a wide variety of performers was emceed by Steve Kinzie, who also treated a very appreciative audience to some of his own original tunes. Kinzie is a Church of the Brethren folksinger and songwriter, and plays guitar and banjo among other talents.

Geocaching: As the conference booklet says, “So Much to See and Do at NOAC.” One of those activities is Geocaching around Lake Junaluska. This might just become your new hobby–or habit–according to Barron Deffenbaugh, associate camp director for Camp Harmony, Hooversville, Pa., who called it “the world’s largest scavenger hunt.” The prize, called the “cache,” is a hidden treasure that requires GPS coordinates to locate. Organizers have hidden a couple of caches around Lake Junaluska, and the NOACer who participates gets a page with nine photos, the GPS coordinates, and the device to find the cache. “You match the coordinates with the pictures. For once the GPS won’t be telling you what to do–turn right or left–but you’ll be in control,” Deffenbaugh explained. Deffenbaugh provided hand-held GPS units from his camp.

 

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
The overflow crowd at the standing-room-only NOAC Coffeehouse enjoyed some of the rocking chairs that are available in many places around Lake Junaluska Conference Center.

2015 NOAC Golf Scramble

The day’s NOAC Golf Scramble was sponsored by Bethany Theological Seminary, and golfers and teams were recognized at the evening ice cream social sponsored by the seminary. “Bethany Theological Seminary would like to thank all those who participated,” said an announcement of the outcome of the tournament. “Thanks to course pro Rick Constance at the Lake Junaluska Golf Course and his great staff for their patient and fantastic service. It was a memorable day for all.”

Following are those recognized:

Men’s Long Drive: Carl Hill

Women’s Long Drive: Janice Booz

Men’s Closest to the Pin: Earl Hershey

Women’s Closest to the Pin: Janice Booz

Men’s Straightest Drive: Wayne Guyer

Women’s Straightest Drive: Janice Booz

Winning team with a score of 8 under par 60: Ginny Grossnickle, Byron Grossnickle, John Wenger, and Bob Hanes

Second place team with a score of 2 under par 66: Paul Wampler, Wallace Hatcher, Grant Simmons, David Rogers

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
Terra Voce delighted the NOAC audience with an evening concert blending the music of flute and cello.

NOAC Staff: Kim Ebersole, director of NOAC; Debbie Eisenbise, director of Intergenerational Ministries; Laura Whitman, special projects coordinator and BVSer; Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries. NOAC Planning Team: Bev and Eric Anspaugh, Deanna Brown, Jim Kinsey, Paula Ulrich, Deb Waas, Christy Waltersdorff Onsite coverage provided by the NOAC Communication Team: Eddie Edmonds, Russ Otto, Frank Ramirez, and director of News Services Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

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