NOAC 2004 - Daily Coverage

Daily Coverage
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Thursday, September 9, 2004

Weather: An overcast day with highs in the mid 70s and lows in the 60s. Sun burst through the clouds in the late afternoon before disappearing once again.

Schedule highlights: Final Bible study with Steve Reid, general session with guest speaker Pam Brubaker; final day for interest groups, handcrafts, service project; the first and only day for outside recreation; afternoon entertainment with folkteller Ila Hatter; evening entertainment featuring a Hymn Festival with Wil Nolen; late-night small group gatherings.

The main events: In Stuart Auditorium the day began with Steve Reid's conclusion to a study of the Psalms of Ascent. Reid led participants through Psalms 130, 131 and 133 and, throughout the hour's study, brought a clearer understanding of how the psalmist describes how good it feels to be safe, loved and embraced by family and community. He then challenged attendees to think about who is their brother or sister and how do their churches create that feeling of loving security within their own congregations. "When somebody comes into your church, do we think of them as brother or sister, or as someone who is obviously lost on their way to the Methodist Church?" The morning general session featured Pam Brubaker, a Brethren writer and professor of religion at California Lutheran University, as she talked about ecumenical agencies' work to advocate for global economic justice. She described current efforts and the inequalities of the current economic structures, which has seen the gap between poor and the rich triple in the last 40 years. "One in every five people in the world live in absolute deprivation and 24,000 people die every day due to hunger and poverty," Pam said. She used the Genesis scriptures about God's instructions to the Hebrews to gather only enough manna for their needs and Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 as a Biblical examples of how God has provided enough resources for everyone to live. The evening ended with a splendid Hymn Festival, led by Wil Nolen. The event featured the 100-member NOAC choir, a 20-person ensemble, solos, interpretations of hymns from hymn writers long passed, and opportunities for the congregation to request their favorite hymns. The auditorium was filled with four-part harmony on Brethren favorites such as "Blessed Assurance," "Shall We Gather at the River," and "He Lives." Gerry Pence portrayed Charles Wesley to introduce Wesley's hymns written in the 18th century. Bernie Pence brought to life hymn writer Fanny Crosby, who wrote "Blessed Assurance."

Nancy Faus
Shawn Kirchner and Joseph Helfrich

Bob Keim

Marty Richards

From top: At morning bible study, Steve Reid talks about the "precious oil on the head" from Psalm 133. He encourages attendees to touch their foreheads and imagine putting the precious oil on their own heads. Thursday morning's plenary speaker Pam Brubaker describes the ecumenical community's work on global poverty and economic justice. The large crowd of attendees is inspired by the beautiful four-part harmonies and Wil Nolen's obvious joy as he leads the Hymn Festival, which was crafted into elements of worship. Two pieces of pottery Joyce Parker made during Monday night's worship are displayed at the back of Stuart Auditorium.

(Photos: Mary Dulabaum, Nevin Dulabaum.)

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Daily Coverage
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Thursday, September 9, 2004
Weather: An overcast day with highs in the mid 70s and lows in the 60s. Sun burst through the clouds in the late afternoon before disappearing once again. Schedule highlights: Final Bible study with Steve Reid, general session with guest speaker Pam Brubaker; final day for interest groups, handcrafts, service project; the first and only day for outside recreation; afternoon entertainment with folkteller Ila Hatter; evening entertainment featuring a Hymn Festival with Wil Nolen; late-night small group gatherings. The main events: In Stuart Auditorium the day began with Steve Reid's conclusion to a study of the Psalms of Ascent. Reid led participants through Psalms 130, 131 and 133 and, throughout the hour's study, brought a clearer understanding of how the psalmist describes how good it feels to be safe, loved and embraced by family and community. He then challenged attendees to think about who is their brother or sister and how do their churches create that feeling of loving security within their own congregations. "When somebody comes into your church, do we think of them as brother or sister, or as someone who is obviously lost on their way to the Methodist Church?" The morning general session featured Pam Brubaker, a Brethren writer and professor of religion at California Lutheran University, as she talked about ecumenical agencies' work to advocate for global economic justice. She described current efforts and the inequalities of the current economic structures, which has seen the gap between poor and the rich triple in the last 40 years. "One in every five people in the world live in absolute deprivation and 24,000 people die every day due to hunger and poverty," Pam said. She used the Genesis scriptures about God's instructions to the Hebrews to gather only enough manna for their needs and Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 as a Biblical examples of how God has provided enough resources for everyone to live. The evening ended with a splendid Hymn Festival, led by Wil Nolen. The event featured the 100-member NOAC choir, a 20-person ensemble, solos, interpretations of hymns from hymn writers long passed, and opportunities for the congregation to request their favorite hymns. The auditorium was filled with four-part harmony on Brethren favorites such as "Blessed Assurance," "Shall We Gather at the River," and "He Lives." Gerry Pence portrayed Charles Wesley to introduce Wesley's hymns written in the 18th century. Bernie Pence brought to life hymn writer Fanny Crosby, who wrote "Blessed Assurance."		From top: At morning bible study, Steve Reid talks about the "precious oil on the head" from Psalm 133. He encourages attendees to touch their foreheads and imagine putting the precious oil on their own heads. Thursday morning's plenary speaker Pam Brubaker describes the ecumenical community's work on global poverty and economic justice. The large crowd of attendees is inspired by the beautiful four-part harmonies and Wil Nolen's obvious joy as he leads the Hymn Festival, which was crafted into elements of worship. Two pieces of pottery Joyce Parker made during Monday night's worship are displayed at the back of Stuart Auditorium. (Photos: Mary Dulabaum, Nevin Dulabaum.)