The planning team for the 2021 National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) has announced the theme for the gathering, the list of preachers, and two of the keynote speakers. The team, which held meetings this week at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., includes (from left) Paula Ziegler Ulrich, Karen Dillon, Christy
686 total registration includes participants, staff, and volunteers. $26,702.19 was the total of offerings that were taken up during the five worship services, to benefit the work of the Church of the Brethren denomination:$2,452 on Monday evening,$4,113.25 on Tuesday evening,$6,351.55 on Wednesday evening,$8,736.39 on Thursday evening, and$5,049 on Friday morning. $5,960 was raised by the 120-some walkers
“Go to the sisters and brothers and tell them, ‘I’m ascending to my Abba and to your Abba, my God and your God!” (John 20:17, “The Inclusive Bible”). Quotes of the day “I hope you’re not the same as you were when you got here.” — Christy Waltersdorff, NOAC 2019 coordinator, in her closing comments
By Frank Ramirez and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford “Advertising signs that con you Into thinking you’re the one That can do what’s never been done That can win what’s never been won Meantime life outside goes on All around you” — Bob Dylan, “It’s Alright, Ma, I’m Only Bleeding” For the first time during the week at
“But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, kissed him, and they wept” (Genesis 33:4, Common English Bible). Quotes of the day “Any conversation can be a conversation with a messenger of God.” — Ken Medema, Christian musician, singer, and composer, who with actor Ted Swartz presented the morning’s keynote event. “Sometimes
By Frank Ramirez I was raised Roman Catholic, and though now I consider myself dutifully Dunker, I have cordial relationship with the church of my childhood. Personally I’d take the Dunker meetinghouse at Antietam anytime, especially when the Word is on display in the form of the Mumma Bible, but I still find it glorious
“God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean” (Acts 10:28). Quotes of the day “We as Christians have an opportunity to follow Jesus through our racialized society…the Jesus who identifies with the least, the last, the lost…and see the world around from the vantage point of below…. Follow Jesus and
By Frank Ramirez One of my clearest memories of elementary school was the mandatory assignment to memorize a poem. Most of us chose the shortest poems we could find in our readers, which included “Fog” by Carl Sandburg (1878-1967). Sandburg had watched the fog settle over Chicago harbor, which inspired him to write these words:
“I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13). Quotes of the day “That’s our God! Reaching out for us at our very worst times…. Are we reaching out to each other with the same kind of passion and commitment
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). Welcome to NOAC! The 2019 National Older Adult Conference started off today with a welcome festival, fitting for the theme scripture text featured in the opening worship in the evening, Romans 15:7. At the welcome festival, participants had