NaCoMe
One of Balmoral’s favorite fellowship activities is the fall weekend at NaCoMe,
a Presbyterian retreat center in the hills of West Tennessee. A real change of pace from our normally hectic lives, this Friday through Sunday event gives us a chance to slow down – to wade barefoot in a creek with our children, to hike unfamiliar trails, to play horseshoes, and to dance in the barn. Arts and crafts occupy our days and storytelling and bonfires our evenings. And it’s capped off on Sunday by worship at the outdoor chapel.
Storytelling & Music Festival
On a biennial basis, Balmoral hosts its Storytelling and Music Festival. This mid-October festival runs from Friday through Sunday and features the renowned storyteller, Donald Davis. In past years, Donald has shared the stage with musicians from Memphis, New Orleans, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Festival is open to the public, and is presented at no charge thanks to Balmoral’s Hinkley and Vesta Smartt Fund. 
At Balmoral, storytelling is an important component of telling the Good News, and we thoroughly enjoy sharing this weekend with all our neighbors.
Sport Programs
Balmoral offers sport programs to help young people celebrate the gift of physical activity, to promote good sportsmanship, to create a positive environment for fun and for developing sport skills, and to foster positive interactions among participants and coaches. Balmoral participates in the East Shelby County Recreation Association. Depending on interest each year, we often field T-ball, coach pitch, and co-ed youth softball teams. In addition to baseball and softball teams, we have also had youth and adult basketball, volleyball and soccer teams.
Lenten Dinners
During the Lenten season, we have congregational dinners each Wednesday evening, followed by an hour of discussion focused on a particular topic. For example, during the 2006 Lenten season, we had guest speakers who led discussions of community issues, including economic justice, urban planning, servant leadership, and peace and justice.
Other Fellowship Activities
We have hosted a concert series, with styles ranging from the Celtic and classical music of a flute and harp duo, to the Gospel sounds of the Peace Baptist Church Men’s Choir. Sunday luncheons and special event dinners are regular fellowship activities. We also sponsor small group get-togethers – for book discussions, art, gourmet dinners, and other special interests.
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