1,550-1,700 Enjoy Winter Family Weekend

by Mark Winner

"This is awesome!" "There was something for everyone of all ages." "This keeps getting better and better every year!" These were just some of the comments heard over and over at Winter Family Weekend 2005. Attendance at this year's event in Louisville, Kentucky, was somewhere between 1,550 and 1,700, with Sabbath service attendance of 1,430.

It all began Friday night, Dec. 23, with a Bible study by Akron and Youngstown, Ohio, pastor Dave Myers titled "Snakes! Spiders! Scorpions!" This was followed by a dessert reception that resembled the story of the fishes and loaves—the dessert tables seemed to be producing more goodies every few minutes. Sabbath morning everyone could choose to hear seminars from 16 different speakers. The afternoon Sabbath service included four pieces of beautiful special music and the sermon by Council member Joel Meeker titled "Join the Resistance."

On Saturday night, activities ranged from two different dances to swimming in the indoor pool. By Sunday the sporting venues were in full use and that was followed up by a huge Novelty Olympics competition Sunday night and another dance for the "singles in the middle."

Monday and Tuesday were also full days of various sporting activities, and the evenings kept everyone busy with the Family Fun Fair, two different musical jam sessions and a final evening of dancing at the family dance. If one of the goals of this event was to wear everyone out, the mission was accomplished. The owner of one of the sports venues (Mid-America Sports Center) said after it was all over that we are the absolute best group they rent to in every way.

"I can't wait until next year" was heard throughout the hotel on Wednesday morning as we all packed up. Indeed we hope to see everyone and more at Winter Family Weekend 2006. UN