family walking on bridge

Adult & Family Ministry

Lake Junaluska offers spiritual enrichment opportunities that will challenge your heart and mind and renew your soul.

Our worship services, prayer opportunities, workshops, conferences and retreats allow time for personal and spiritual reflection in addition to opportunities to connect with others and learn from their spiritual journeys.

Each year, Lake Junaluska ministry events include an outdoor Easter sunrise service and Christmas service as well as Summer Worship Services, community prayer events, devotions,  as well as the Festival of Wisdom & Grace and Choir Music Weekend.

The Rev. Carl H. King of Duke Divinity School speaks at the Easter Sunrise Service

Worship

Summer Worship Series & Theologians-in-Residence Events

All are welcome for summer worship services at the Lakeside White Tent near Stuart Auditorium at 9 a.m. for Sunday outdoor worship services with our theologians in residence. A limited amount of seating is available, and attendees may bring their own chairs. Theologians in residence also will host devotions, discussions, workshops and more during their visit.

2025 Theologians in Residence

June 29-July 2, 2025–Diana Butler Bass
July 6-9, 2025–Rev. Dr. Thomas Glenn “Jack” Jackson
July 13-16, 2025–Rev. Dawn Hand
July 20-23, 2025–Rev. Rachel Billups
July 27-30, 2025–Bishop David Wilson
August 3-6, 2025–Uiyeon Kim
August 10-13, 2025–Brian McLaren

Want to receive updates about our Adult & Family Ministry at Lake Junaluska and Theologians in Residence program events? Please click here to subscribe to program updates.

Easter

Celebrate Easter with a powerful outdoor Easter Sunrise Service at the Amphitheater below the Lake Junaluska Cross. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly for cool mountain morning temperatures. In the event of rain, the service will be held at Memorial Chapel. The sunrise service is part of Easter Weekend events at Lake Junaluska, which include an Easter egg hunt and special holiday Easter dining event. Learn more about Easter Weekend at Lake Junaluska.

View of prayer labyrinth at Lake Junaluska

Prayer & Meditation

Prayer Gatherings and Services

Prayer events at Lake Junaluska range from a National Day of Prayer Service to our Summer Worship Series morning devotions and special activities with summer Theologians In Residence.

Gardens & Places of Meditation

Lake Junaluska offers gardens and places for prayer and meditation across the grounds that are open daily and open to the public. Download a garden guide and take time to visit the Bibilical Garden, Rose Walk, Susanna Wesley Garden, prayer and meditation labyrinth, Junaluska Cross, Inspiration Point and others. In addition, Memorial Chapel is open daily for private prayer and inside historic Lambuth Inn is the Denman International Prayer Room. Learn More. 

 

Couple enjoy the lakeside walking trail

Retreats

Journey to Joy Women’s Retreats

Enjoy a weekend of laughter, sharing, worship and fellowship at a Journey to Joy Women’s Retreat at Lake Junaluska. Come on your own and make new friends, or come with members of your small group, women’s group, or friends and family – and friends and family in the faith – to grow closer together. Learn More.

Festival of Wisdom & Grace

Held annually, the Festival of Wisdom and Grace invites participants to explore how we flourish as we age and how we navigate transitions, live into our talents and passions and cultivate our relationship with Christ. Learn More.

Choir Music Weekend

Enjoy incredible autumn colors at Lake Junaluska in the North Carolina mountains when you attend this weekend of music, worship and fellowship. At Choir Music Weekend, choirs and all who love to sing sacred choral music are invited to come together to learn and perform eight anthems, as well as attend workshops. Learn More. 

Journey to Joy 2021 Retreat
Choir singing during Lake Junaluska's Festival of Wisdom and Grace

Annual Events

Summer Activities Program

The Summer Activities Program offered by Lake Junaluska offers a way for residents and visitors to the lake to find community and make memories with events throughout the season.  Activities range from morning devotions to smores by the fire. Made possible through charitable giving, the program includes events for all ages and is a great way to connect with the Lake Junaluska family. Learn More.

Festival of Wisdom and Grace

Held annually in late summer, the Festival of Wisdom and Grace is a conference for finding purpose and renewal in the second half of life. Join us for worship, workshops, recreation, entertainment and education. Learn More.

Choir Music Weekend

Members of small- to medium-sized choirs gather together at Lake Junaluska in autumn for a weekend of music and worship. Participants earn and perform eight anthems and attend workshops that prepare them to lead passionate worship. Learn More.

Native American Conference

Come to Lake Junaluska ready to renew yourself at this social justice ministries event. Learn More.