By David Lichter
The Fiftieth Anniversary Planning Team and the 2015 Conference Planning Task Force sought to honor the gift of our association, of you, and of the ministry itself at our conference in Arlington, VA, in March. I pray, as you read the contributions to this issue, that you are also brought to gratitude for the NACC, for your ministry, and for the way God has invited us to be instruments of compassion and healing.
We did not anticipate the very rare snowstorm on the day before the conference that impeded many participants’ arrival and, unfortunately, kept some from arriving at all. However, at our opening prayer service, the aura of reverence, solemnity, and awe enveloped the hall, and we were drawn into the mystery of God’s ministry that we have been honored to live out.
We were deeply grateful that we were able to stream the opening prayer service and all the plenary speakers. While the planning task force had considered this, it was only in the final weeks that we were able to make this happen.![nacc Final conf-logo web[3]](https://www.nacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015-Conference-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
Thanks to a donation from the University of Vermont Medical Center that covered half the expense, we were able to make this available without cost to members, and the videos are still stored here. Here are some comments from members who took advantage of this streaming:
“Thanks … for this generous gift. I really wanted to attend conference, but was unable. As someone who could not attend in person, this was indeed a wonderful gift. I felt like I was right there. Thank you so much.”
“The opportunity to be part of this wonderful celebration is appreciated. … Not only were the presentations a worthy event but the question and answer expanded the viewing and participation in a helpful way. The ability to participate without charge is a gift that came at a time most appreciated. The NACC history was of particular interest as the synchronism with our personal spiritual journeys lead to an eventual meeting/intersecting of timelines in achieving NACC Board Certification. The Spirit moves in a most awesome and miraculous way. Again, thank you!”
“I am so grateful. Thank you so much, be blessed!”
“I also want to thank you for extending the opportunity to see the presentations. We are having our Community chapter of affairs and election of new Provincial Council this week. I was not able to take advantage of the streaming of conference plenary sessions. Thanks so much for arranging these for our viewing.”
“Thank you for making the videos available; I was able to view Saturday and Sunday’s sessions, which were excellent! I look forward to viewing the ones I missed.”
“Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness!”
“As one who followed some online, I am very grateful! Thanks to all who made the live-streaming possible. I look forward to watching those presentations I missed in the next couple of weeks.”
“Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness in making available for our viewing the streamed live plenaries… Brought back many beautiful memories of hard work, support and food for the journey.”
While the conference took place in early March, we are marking our 50th anniversary throughout the year in various ways. In each NACC Now we have included two items to highlight the year. One item shares NACC’s history and reflections on the profession, and the other provides our members reflection on an experience of their ministry. At the end of the year, we will collect these all in one volume for our members.
Blessings on your ministry,
David A. Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
