wfn.org | Grandparents, grandchildren to strengthen bonds of family, faith

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 2, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{333}

By United Methodist News Service

United Methodist grandparents and their grandchildren will gather at
Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center Aug. 6-9 to build stronger
bonds of family and faith.

The event - aimed at grandparents 55 years and older and grandchildren
between six and 12 --  will kick off a series of fall programs aimed at
older adults. Throughout the four-day August event , grandparents and
grandchildren will participate in a variety of activities related to the
Bible and Christian values,  Native American culture and
trust-building.

During a series of older adult programs  Oct. 12-29, participants will
explore flora and fauna of the Ozarks, the life of a Civil War soldier,
Native American folklore and  oral tradition, the story of the Cherokee
Trail of Tears, and Scottish history and culture through legend and
tales.  The programs will focus on four aspects of life: spirituality,
education, leisure and fellowship.

Dayton Edmonds, a member of the Caddo Tribe, will share the faith and
heritage as it was passed to him from his grandparents.  His father
began preaching in the Methodist church when he was 12.

The Rev. Frank Jones,  a retired United Methodist pastor from Conway,
Ark., will use humor and storytelling to explore Bible stories about
grandchildren and grandparents. A member of a network of biblical
storytellers, he will use his down-to-earth style of speaking  to
promote traditional Christian values. 

Both grandparents and grandchildren will participate  in a physical
challenge course where they learn about trust and courage as the
negotiate rope bridges and other obstacles.

Mount Sequoyah,  celebrating 75 years of  service this year, is a
program-center of the eight-state  South Central Jurisdiction of the
United Methodist Church located near Fayetteville. 

Persons interested in more information about the older adult programs at
Mount Sequoyah or any of the center's other activities, may visit the
online address at www.mountsequoyah.org or may call (501) 443-4351. 

# # #

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/