wfn.org | NOAC Daily Journal, August 31, 1998

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NOAC Returns To Peaceful
And Spacious Lake Junaluska

The fourth Church of the Brethren National Older Adult Conference
again convenes at the beautiful Lake Junaluska Assembly, nestled in
the Western Carolina mountains.  The 1,200 acre facility is the
conference and retreat center for the Southeastern Jurisdiction of
the United Methodist Church.  In addition to the 200-acre lake, the
environs include a wide variety of lodging and conference
facilities to accommodate groups from five to 2,000, and
approximately 700 private residences.  It is a popular retirement
place for many  Methodist bishops, pastors, and other leaders.
     
Lake Junaluska is named after the heroic Chief Junaluska of the
Cherokee Indians.  Translated in English, his name means "tried and
failed."  Although he saved General Jackson during the War of 1812,
he failed to save his own people from being forced from their land
in North Carolina and deported to Oklahoma.    

The Methodist assembly grounds were established in 1910 by two
Methodist men, James Atkins and George Stuart, who both had
vacationed at Methodist assemblies in the North and believed one
was needed in the South. At the first Lake Junaluska Methodist
assembly held June 25, 1913, there were 4,000 people in attendance
and the offerings exceeded $150,000!   

Some other interesting facts about the Assembly -- Stuart
Auditorium holds 2,000 people; the walking trail around the lake
(using the dam and footbridge) is 2.6 miles; the lighted cross
above the lake is 25 feet high and uses 200 bulbs; and there
actually is a vending machine at the ground level entrance to
Harrell Center that dispenses duck food! 
-----

Service Project Meeting Tonight

Anyone signed-up or interested in the Service Work Project in
Cherokee this week is asked to meet with Noble Brown tonight at
9:30 in Room 211 of the Terrace Hotel. 
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Tonight's Speaker Is Pastor At National City Church
     
Dr. Alvin Jackson, who brings the keynote NOAC address tonight, is
the new senior pastor of the National City Christian Church in
Washington, D.C.  He comes to the historic church in the nation’s
capitol after serving 19 years as pastor of the Mississippi
Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn.  During his pastorate,
the Memphis church increased in membership from 350 to over 7,000. 
Dr. Jackson holds a masters degree from Duke Divinity School and a
doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton,
Ohio.  He and his wife Tina have one son, Cullen.
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Brethren  "Soul Food" Served After Tonight’s Service
     
It's been said that Brethren Conferencegoers can put away more ice
cream than any other group of people on earth.  Tonight that
reputation will again be tested, as everyone is invited to an Ice
Cream Social on the grounds to the west of Stuart Auditorium.  
     
The Fellowship of Brethren Homes, a ministry of the Association of
Brethren Caregivers,  is providing the treat, including toppings
which you will find at the tables of the various retirement
communities.  Speak to each representative and express appreciation
for the goodies!  And listen during the 8:45 announcements tonight
for a special related opportunity.
-----

Singers Needed For Choral Ensemble To Sing Friday

NOAC music leader Nancy Faus is organizing a choral ensemble for
Friday morning’s closing worship service.  Voices for all four
parts are needed.  Anyone willing to sing is asked to meet Nancy at
the front of Stuart Auditorium tonight immediately following the
close of the worship service and announcements.  All singers are
welcomed. 
-----

Relating Faith To Social Issues Theme Of Bible Studies
     
Each of the next three mornings, at 9:00, Dr. Walter J. Burghardt
of the Woodstock Theological Center, Washington, D.C., will lead a
Bible study in Stuart Auditorium on relating faith to social
issues.  Tomorrow morning the theme is biblical or ethical justice;
Wednesday, Jesus and the poor; and Thursday, the stranger.  Dr.
Burghardt also is founder and director of Preaching the Just Word,
a workshop to improve the preaching of justice issues.   
Top Scholar On Aging To Address
Conference Tomorrow Morning

Dr. W. Andrew Achenbaum, who will address NOAC tomorrow morning at
10:30, is the nation's best known scholar on the history of aging
and old-age policy. A history professor and research scientist for
the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Michigan, Dr.
Achenbaum’s topic tomorrow will focus on religion and aging.
-----

NOAC Offerings Critical To Help ABC Make Transition In Support

Two recent decisions by the Church of the Brethren Annual
Conference have signaled a "new day" for the Association of
Brethren Caregivers (ABC).  First, the 1997 Conference discontinued
ABC's relationship to the denomination's General Board, which made
ABC an independent organization.  This year, with ABC's approval,
Annual Conference delegates voted to make ABC accountable and
reportable to Annual Conference.

The ministries and mission of ABC continue as before, with ongoing
plans to expand and enrich program.  Financial support will come
directly to ABC, as individuals, churches, and others thoughtfully
decide how to divide their support among the various Brethren
program agencies.

NOAC is one of the key programs of ABC.  This week we encourage
generous and supportive offerings, both in tonight's and Friday
morning's worship services, and by placing contributions in the
offering bottles placed strategically and visibly around the NOAC
gathering sights.
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Begin The Day With Faith And Vigor

Check out the opportunities for early morning exercise and worship,
page 11 of the Booklet.
-----

Support Groups To Form Tonight

Tonight, 9:30, following the Ice Cream Social, there will be
opportunity to join a support group that will continue through the
week.  Led by the fellowship of Brethren chaplains, the meeting
will be in Terrace, Room 211.  In addition, the chaplains are
providing "on-call" support for Conferencegoers this week.  You can
call a chaplain between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. by dialing the
chaplains' beeper, 444-1695.
-----

Terrace Residents Can Get Help

Residents in Terrace Hotel this week are welcome to call Mary
Workman, Room 536, if you have emergencies or need information. 
Mary is a member of the NOAC Planning Committee.
-----

Changes Noted In NOAC Schedule

The following changes from the scheduled offerings in the NOAC
Booklet need to be noted --
     * The Smoky Mountain Folklore programs (pg. 22) are Tuesday,
          Wednesday, and Thursday, not Monday, Tuesday, and
          Wednesday!
     * The location for Wednesday Night Life offering, Dusty and
          Friends, has been moved to Terrace, Room 319.
     * Two of tomorrow's Interest Sessions have been canceled:
          Growing Up Normal (Mostly) and Finding the Storyteller in
          You.
-----

Panel To Discuss Brethren Future

An addition to the NOAC program is scheduled for Thursday, 9:00
p.m., in the Terrace Hotel Auditorium.  Entitled Looking Ahead and
Moving On, a panel of Brethren leaders will  discuss the challenges
and opportunities for the Church of the Brethren under a new
organizational structure.  Panel participants will include Lowell
Flory, Elaine Sollenberger, Tom Hurst, Judy Mills Reimer, Earle
Fike, Jim Replogle, and Steve Mason.  
-----

Information To Note
     * A Prayer Room is open at Memorial Chapel.
     * The Conference Bookstore, located in the lower floor of
          Harrell, is open tomorrow and Wednesday (only!), 1-5 p.m.
     * Note on pg. 8 of the Booklet how to request group meals and
          make reservations for box lunches. 
     * Two trams will be running continuously on Lakeshore Drive 30
          minutes before all general and entertainment sessions in
          Stuart Auditorium.

(This Daily Journal is produced by Fred Swartz)