Robin and Lake Junaluska

LAKE JUNALUSKA

Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, owned by the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church, hosts events intended to be used for the renewal of “body, mind, and spirit”. Lake Junaluska is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in Haywood County near Waynesville, Maggie Valley, and Ashville; and it is celebrating its 105th year!

I began my relationship with this beautiful, spiritual, and special place 46 years ago in 1972, when I attended a Youth Week with the MYF group from Friendship United Methodist Church, my home church. I continued to attend Youth Weeks until I graduated from high school in 1978. During the 1980’s, I returned to Lake Junaluska as a chaperone for the MYF groups when my brothers Timmy and Shaw were members.

Twenty-seven (27) years ago in 1991, when I came to Main Street United Methodist Church as Director of Music and Programs, the church sent me to Lake Junaluska for a week-long seminar entitled Staff Development for United Methodist Churches. A few years later, I took a group from Main Street to Lake Junaluska for a Lay Ministries Weekend Retreat. Some of the members who attended were Tom and Marjorie Bethea, Benny and Lola Covington, Lina Dubose, and Dot McColl.

In 2006, I began attending Music and Liturgical Art Weeks at Lake Junaluska as part of my continuing education; and I have returned each year since this time, except in 2016 when I went with The Masterworks Choir on tour in Italy.

This year the conference was entitled “Encounter Jesus” Music and Worship Arts Week 2018. The event, sponsored by the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, offered choirs and ensembles as follows: Adult Choir; Chamber Choir; Young Adult Choir; Senior High Choir, Middle High Choir; Older Elementary Choir; Younger Elementary Choir; Drum Choir; Handbell Ensembles; A Dance Ensemble; and a Dramatic Ensemble.

The conference began on Sunday evening with an opening worship service, and a morning worship service was held Monday through Friday. The choirs rehearsed each day; the Chamber Choir and Organ Concert was Wednesday Night. The other choirs and ensembles presented their concert on Thursday night.

Rehearsals, reading sessions, and seminars were held each day of the conference.

I sang with the Chamber Choir, attended all the worship services, and the final concert. I attended seven reading sessions singing new anthems sponsored by Hope Publishing, Hinshaw Music, Beckenhorst Press, Morning Star, Choristers Guild, Hal Leonard, and Lorenz. I attended three seminars: New and Renewed Organ Literature; Vocal Health for the Conductor and Singer; and Morningstar Organ Reading Session.

Thank you, Main Street, for allowing me to experience this exhilarating, inspiring, and uplifting retreat. Lake Junaluska is truly a perfect place to worship, learn, renew your faith, and “charge your spiritual battery”. I feel the presence of God the minute I enter the gate. Some aspects of Lake Junaluska are exactly as they were on my first visit in 1972. Returning each year is a type of “homecoming” to a place that has a special place in my heart.

by
Robin Thompson