Lake Junaluska, NC

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SUNDAY, JULY 29Summer Sunday SchoolAll are welcome to gather for music and Biblical study. Donna Gaither will lead in a study of John 6:1-25. Sunday School will continue on 8/5.Harrell Center, Susan Todd Lounge,9:15 a.m., social; 9:30 a.m., lesson

Summer Worship SeriesJoin Rev. Juan Huertas in this traditional summertime worship service. Prelude music by the Lake Junaluska Singers. Stuart Auditorium, 10:45 a.m.

Folkmoot Closing CeremonyNorth Carolina’s official international festival will hold their closing ceremony at Lake Junaluska. Don’t miss this opportunity to see performance art from around the world. $21-$31Stuart Auditorium, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 30Lakeside Devotion Join devotion leader Rachel Watkins for a time of reflection as you start the week.Harrell Center Porch, 8:30 a.m.

Taizé ServiceCome together for a contemplative service of prayer and song.Memorial Chapel, 8 p.m.

Monday MovieQueen of KatweBring a blanket or lounge chairs to enjoy a movie under the stars. Nanci Weldon Gym Lawn, 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 31Mixed Flow Yoga Relax and enjoy yoga outdoors. $7 for residents and lodging guests$14 for othersInspiration Point, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

July 27, 2018 | Issue 9

THIS WEEK

participants at events in the Summer Activities Program

events for residents and visitors at Lake Junaluska

2,321

65

THIS SUMMER BY THE NUMBERS1 Lake Junaluska community

2 Full Moon Boat Tours on the Cherokee IV

3 Hymn Sings with the Lake Junaluska Singers

4 Sunrise yoga classes at Inspiration Point

5 Gardens in the Independence Day Garden Tour

6 Guitarists at the first Jam Session

7 Bonfires at the Shackford Fire Pit

8 Movies under the stars at Nanci Weldon Gym

9 Editions of the Junaluska Weekly

10 Gentle yoga classes at Inspiration Point

We’re celebrating the last week of the Summer Activities Program! This final issue will offer a look back at we memories we made and the events coming up next week.

The Summer Activities Program is made possible by charitable giving. Thank you to all who contributed to make this possible.

Junaluska Weekly

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Aug. 3 through 5, the Lake Junaluska Associates will gather at Lake Junaluska to celebrate the organization’s 50-year anniversary during the annual Lake Junaluska Associates Weekend.

The Associates serve many essential functions at Lake Junaluska, including sharing the Lake Junaluska experience; enhancing and promoting outreach programs; providing assistance for beautification and improvements on the grounds; and encouraging financial support.

Over 50 years, the organization has invested more than $4.5 million into Lake Junaluska.

The Associates gather at Lake Junaluska every August for fellowship, to discuss

plans for the next year and to honor one special member with the Chief Junaluska Award.

“The Associates’ annual weekend is about celebration,” said Sarah Tippet, vice president programs for the Associates. “It is a celebration around the support the Associates offer to the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, past, present and future, and it is the celebratory gathering of old friends and new.”

Additionally, concerts during Associates Weekend are a great tradition, and the Lake Junaluska Associates invite the whole community to attend.

This year’s concerts will include the summer’s final performance of the Lake

Junaluska Singers and a performance by The Raleigh Ringers, an internationally-acclaimed handbell choir.

Each concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium. General admission tickets are available for $18 plus tax at the Bethea Welcome Center, online atlakejunaluska.com/concerts or by calling 800-965-9324.

ASSOCIATES CELEBRATE 50 YEARS

(From left) Debbie Parsons, Gerrie Parsons and Judy Starnes catch up during last year’s annual Lake Junaluska Associates Weekend.

GUESTS THIS WEEK AT LAKE JUNALUSKAJuly 30 through August 3, the Road Scholars program will host a learning experience at Lake Junaluska focused on connecting grandparents with their grandchildren through adventures in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

The Road Scholars program is a nonprofit organization dedicated to lifelong learning. Through diverse education tours, the Road Scholar program offers participants opportunities to learn and experience the world at all ages in life.

The program has already held several tours at Lake Junaluska this summer, including “The Women of Appalachia” and “Wildflower Quest.”

This upcoming event will take grandparents with their grandchildren, ages 10 to 13, to the Oconaluftee Indian Village, Waterrock Knob, the Nantahala River and more.

Road Scholars GrandkidsThe fifth and final Summer Youth Event for the summer will take place July 27 through 31 at Lake Junaluska.

This youth event will include a special Christian illusionist performance, a talent show and worship with the larger Lake Junaluska community in Stuart Auditorium.

Next up for youth programming at Lake Junaluska are the Winter Youth Retreats taking place throughout January and February.

Summer Youth Event V

GROUPS AT THE LAKE THIS WEEK Road Scholar Pakistan Reunion Fellowship Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Jasper United Methodist Church Lake Junaluska Associates St. Giles Presbyterian Church Summer Youth Event V

Mt. Sinai Baptist ChurchJuly 27 through 29, women from Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, located in Greenville, South Carolina, will come to Lake Junaluska for a spiritual prayer retreat.

The theme for the retreat will be “Back to Eden,” and during the weekend, participants will devote themselves to communing and connecting with God.

“We are indeed looking forward to coming to Lake Junaluska,” said organizer Brenda Parks. “As Jesus often did, we know the significance of slipping away to a quiet place from the hustle and busyness of work and family, to ‘be still,’ pray, give our attention to Him, hear what He has to say and receive ‘Perfect Peace.’”

The goal of the retreat is to provide all participants the opportunity to be revived, renewed, restored and refreshed.

Junaluska Weekly

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THIS WEEK (CONTINUED)

Rev. Juan Huertas will lead the Summer Worship Series on Sunday, July 29. The service will begin at 11 a.m. in Stuart Auditorium after a 10:45 a.m. prelude by the Lake Junaluska Singers.

Huertas is the lead pastor of Grace Community United Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, and a graduate of Candler School of Theology.

A native of Puerto Rico and a spiritual director, Huertas loves writing about discipleship as empowerment to transform our neighborhoods, cities and world and is a frequent contributor to Day1.org and MinistryMatters.com.

He is married to Shannon Perry Huertas and is a father of three.

FINAL SUMMER WORSHIP LEADERSWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1Hymn SingJoin the Lake Junaluska Singers for the final hymn sing of the summer. The event will consider the legacy of the Shape Note tradition, American hymnody, and Appalachian folk hymns and will also feature Shawn Kirchner’s new arrangement of “Unclouded Day.” Memorial Chapel, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2Sunrise YogaExperience the sunrise over Lake Junaluska while enjoying this unique summertime yoga class. $7 for residents and lodging guests$14 for othersInspiration Point, 6 a.m.

Gentle YogaAll levels and abilities are encouraged to attend gentle yoga classes.$7 for residents and lodging guests$14 for othersInspiration Point, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3Lake Junaluska Singers ConcertAs part of Associates Weekend, the Lake Junaluska Singers will give their final performance of the summer. The concert is open to everyone. Buy tickets at the Bethea Welcome Center, lakejunaluska.com/concerts or at 800-965-9324.$18 plus tax general admission Stuart Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4The Raleigh Ringers ConcertAs part of Associates Weekend, internationally known handbell choir The Raleigh Ringers will perform in Stuart Auditorium. Buy tickets at the Bethea Welcome Center, lakejunaluska.com/concerts or at 800-965-9324.$18 plus tax general admissionStuart Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Rev. Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli will lead the final Summer Worship Series on Sunday, Aug. 5. The service will begin at 11 a.m. after a 10:45 a.m. prelude by the Lake Junaluska Singers.

In 2014, Gaines-Cirelli became the first woman to serve as senior pastor of the historic Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.

Her ministry has encouraged spiritual growth and engaged discipleship—emphasizing radical hospitality, shared ministry, spiritual practices and solidarity with the poor and oppressed.

Gaines-Cirelli contributed to and served on the editorial board for The Common English Bible (CEB) Women’s Bible. A life-long United Methodist, Gaines-Cirelli regularly presents as a featured theologian, teacher and speaker at local, district, conference, jurisdictional and international connectional events.

Rev. Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli will lead the final Summer Worship Series on Sunday, Aug. 5.

Rev. Juan Huertas will lead the Summer Worship Series on Sunday, July 29.

Rev. Juan Huertas Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli

Rev. Susan Slye Giles blesses the offering during a Summer Worship service. This yearly summertime tradition of worship is made possible in part by charitable giving from the community.

Junaluska Weekly

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Sometimes at Lake Junaluska, a front porch becomes a conference room.

The Summer Activities Program started four years ago, when a group of Lake Junaluska residents gathered on Mary Frances Gray’s front porch to discuss a vision for Lake Junaluska.

Their vision was this: to create more opportunities for the community to connect during the summer.

When Bill and Irene Gattis heard about the meeting, they agreed wholeheartedly with the dream and decided to give a financial gift to help kick-start the Summer Activities Program and make it reality.

“This place is really important,” said Irene. “When you’re here, you want to know people, get to know new people and have fun together.”

Now concluding its third year, the program continues to grow each summer. With a majority of the events free of charge and open to anyone, the program draws in Lake Junaluska residents and guests, along with people from the larger Western North Carolina community.

“You get the opportunity to see old friends, and you get to meet new people,” said Joe Taft, whose family has summered at Lake Junaluska since 1919.

“Without a doubt, it builds community.”

In the tradition of the original porch meeting, Executive Director Ken Howle met with Bill and Irene and Gray on Gray’s front porch to hear their thoughts about the program.

“We are thankful for the dreams people have for Lake Junaluska,” said Howle. “They not only have great ideas, but are willing to step forward and support them through charitable giving and volunteering their time.”

The Lake Junaluska Annual Fund provides the financial support for the Summer Activities Program and many

other programs that are part of the fabric of the Lake Junaluska experience.

Additionally, the Summer Activities Program is part of the overall programs provided by Lake Junaluska under the direction of Rev. Mitzi Johnson, along with staff members Rachel Watkins and Julie Hagen. This summer, staff members were joined by numerous volunteers to host a total of 65 programs.

“As the Annual Fund continues to grow and our community continues to dream of new and innovative things to do, we plan to continually improve and expand,” said Howle.

FIND RENEWAL AT THE FESTIVAL OF WISDOM AND GRACELake Junaluska will host the Festival of Wisdom and Grace, a conference for those looking for purpose and renewal in the second half of life, from August 13 through 16.

The conference invites all older adults to attend, from those nearing retirement to those already retired for many years. The program includes worship, workshops, recreation, learning and entertainment.

The conference theme is “The Wise Shall Shine,” which is inspired by a Bible verse from Daniel 12:3, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

Two keynote speakers — Rev. Heidi B. Neumark and Rev. Dr. Clayton Smith — and a slate of workshop leaders

will illuminate this theme, connecting wisdom to the sustenance and renewal of body, mind and soul.

Lodging and meal packages are available for the Festival of Wisdom and Grace and registration is now open. Please call 800-222-4930 or visitlakejunaluska.com/wisdom-and-grace for more information or to register.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES PROGRAM CONNECTS THE COMMUNITY

(From left) Bill Gattis, Mary Frances Gray, Lake Junaluska Executive Director Ken Howle and Irene Gattis meet to discuss the success of the Summer Activities Program and plan for the future.

Junaluska Weekly

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My name is Allison Melrose, and this summer, I am proud to be the woman behind the Junaluska Weekly. When I applied for this position back in May of this year, I had no idea what the summer had in store for me. I only knew that I wanted an internship related to my education in public relations at UNC-Chapel Hill. I arrived for my first day, and suddenly I became writer, editor, designer, photographer and distributor of a weekly newsletter. This was concerning, as at the time, writing was the only one of those tasks I could do with confidence. Now, after nine editions of the Junaluska Weekly and with the guidance of the

lovely marketing team, I can add all those skills to my resume.

Thankfully, there is more to life than achieving technical know-how, and, by far, the greatest joys I’ve experienced this summer have come from you—the community.

Throughout this summer, I have discovered how fulfilling your work becomes when the people you serve also believe in kindness. During every event I attended and every phone call I nervously made, I always, always found grace and compassion on the other side.

In the end, my job this summer was to use the Junaluska Weekly to connect the community to each other, but I

found myself becoming more and more connected to the people and the locality of Lake Junaluska every day. It’s hard to believe that it’s already over.

I want to extend a thank you to this community — whether you live here full time or are just passing through — and say Lake Junaluska is one-of-a-kind.

PHOTO RECAP:

FOLKMOOT OPENING

REFLECTION ON THE JUNALUSKA WEEKLY

HISTORICAL MOMENTS:

THE ASSOCIATES

This year, volunteer and fundraising organization the Lake Junaluska Associates turns 50, and this half-century birthday celebrates a legacy of love and support of Lake Junaluska.

The Associates began in 1968 when Lake Junaluska Trustee D.W. Brooks received a request from workers for $100,000 for the grounds’ enhancement. Following a period of prayer and consideration, he returned to them with a visionary solution: find 1,000 people to give $100 every year. The people who gave $100 automatically became a member of the Associates.

Since then, the Associates have donated more than $4.5 million to support Lake Junaluska’s missions and provide upkeep of the grounds and facilities.

Historical moments is provided by Bill Lowry and Nancy Watkins.

With long thin stamens extending from a flower head, it is easy to see where the cat whiskers plant gets its name. A relative of the mint plant, this perennial grows in moist soil with full sun. The flowers are often white, but also come in shades of pink, such as the ones grown at Lake Junaluska.

For more information, contact Roddy Ray, Lake Junaluska grounds and landscape manager, atrray@lakejunaluska.com.

PLANT OF THE WEEK:

CAT WHISKERS

Find the cat whiskers plant outside the Bethea Welcome Center.

Performers from Thailand perform in traditional dress during the Folkmoot Opening Ceremony.

Performers from the Czech Republic perform in Stuart Auditorium for the Folkmoot Opening Ceremony on July 20.

Allison Melrose, Lake Junaluska marketing intern, produced the Junaluska Weekly this summer.

Junaluska Weekly

The Junaluska Weekly newsletter and the Summer Activities Program are made possible in part by charitable giving. Your gift to the Lake Junaluska Annual Fund will continue to support these and other similar initiatives. Gifts may be made online, by phone, or mail.

Give online: lakejunaluska.com/supportCall: 828-454-6749Mail: Lake Junaluska Annual Fund, PO Box 67, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through the renewal of soul, mind and body

SNAPSHOTS FROM THIS SUMMER AT LAKE JUNALUSKA

Youth and youth leaders from Summer Youth Event I enjoy recreation time outside by constructing a human pyramid.

Flutist Robert Dicks demonstrates improvisation technique during the Thibeault flute workshop.

(From left) Tom Ress, Cynthia Ewing, Boyd Holliday and Arleen Cooper set up the flea market.

The Strak family enjoys the Independence Day parade together.

Rev. Carol Howard Merritt leads summer worship.

Attendees of the July 12 bonfire roast marshmallows over the fire.

The Greensboro Community Cluster Choir leads worship music during summer worship on June 24.

Lake Junaluska Singers alumni attend Glenn Draper’s 90th birthday celebration.

Erik Rasmussen performs at Lakeshore Goes Broadway.