Friends,
Greetings from Montreat amid a cold and somewhat snowy February. Winter’s reputation as an “off-season” continues to be refuted by our activities here. Updates below include the latest on the Lake Susan restoration, plans for demolition of three outdated lodges, some sad news about a valued ministry partner in Montreat, and a report on our ongoing work in our Thriving Congregations initiative.
Construction Updates
Last week, the first significant rains since Hurricane Helene gave passersby a glimpse of a renewed Lake Susan, complete with waterfall. Alas, it was a false start, as work continues on the hardscape around the lake. As previously reported, the wall adjacent to the docks is being rebuilt, and work has been slowed by rains and frigid temperatures. In addition, we’ve realized that other areas around the lake also need attention, and so the project is expanding a bit.
As you may know, Helene flooded the entire northeastern bank above Lake Susan – an area that includes the Currie Craft Center and the Belk Center at Left Bank. Both buildings are already in the midst of renovation, and we recognize that the surrounding site also needs attention. We are, therefore, expanding the scope of our restoration to address regrading, drainage, and erosion control needs along the roadside section of the lake. In the process, we also aim to restore the driveway that descends to the parking area and improve walking access to the lakeside. Native landscaping and retaining walls will be added to improve the area’s beauty and resilience to future weather events. Weather permitting (words I now use to preface any predictions), this work should begin next week.
Demolition Plans
Residents and visitors to Montreat will soon notice activity taking place on the grounds around three existing lodges – Galax, Lord Apartments, and Chestnut. The conference center has engaged a firm to conduct the demolition of the three vacated structures beginning with asbestos abatement this week.
As I’ve reported previously, at its November meeting last fall, the MRA Board of Directors received a report on the three lodges, which have not been used since 2022. Several members voiced concerns that their continued presence and deterioration posed a potential hazard. Given these concerns, the board authorized staff to undertake demolition at the earliest appropriate opportunity, with the goal of ensuring that the property is clear ahead of the 2025 summer season.
It is our highest priority to provide a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for all who visit and participate in our programs. The timing of the decision is consistent with our responsibility to maintain our facilities for the continued success of the conference center and aligns with our long-term responsibility to ensure that all facilities meet current safety and operational standards.
The MRA board affirmed that development of the new lodge will not take place while litigation over the Special Use Permit (SUP) issued for that purpose is pending before the Court, in compliance with Judge Knight’s order that the SUP be set aside. The demolition is also consistent with the board’s now long-held position that 1) the proposed site will one day be developed for the mission and ministry of the conference center, and 2) the three outdated lodges have no role in that future.
As we proceed, we will keep you informed about the timeline and process. We anticipate that demolition work will begin soon and be conducted with minimal disruption to the surrounding area. We appreciate the community’s understanding and support as we take these necessary steps to enhance the safety and usability of our property. We look forward to sharing further updates as we move forward.
Ten Thousand Villages
Earlier in January, we received the sad news that Ten Thousand Villages, the nonprofit fair-trade gift shop in Moore Center that sells handcrafted products from developing countries, must close by the end of March. The action is part of a decision by that organization’s national leadership to close all of its U.S. corporate-owned retail locations, citing an increasingly challenging retail environment.
As a presence on our campus for more than 25 years, Ten Thousand Villages will be missed. The store has provided our guests and visitors access to hand-crafted gifts, accessories, home décor, and delicious teas, coffees, and chocolate. As a partner in ministry, they will be missed more dearly. With its commitment to provide their network of artisans a fair price for their work, Ten Thousand Villages improved the lives of families and communities around the world. We give thanks to God for their witness in Montreat and for the privilege of being part of their story.
This summer, the vacated space will be used as overflow seating for the busiest Huckleberry hours and provide meeting space for conference guests.
Thriving Congregations
As part of our return to programming we were able to welcome a cohort of congregation teams this week as part of our Thriving Congregations initiative. Funded by a Lilly grant and conducted in partnership with the Black Mountain School of Theology, the program encourages participating congregations to use their power to make a difference both in their own churches and in their surrounding communities. Instructors lead a cohort of teams to develop and practice deep community listening skills, to organize and interpret the information they gather, and to develop initiatives that help both congregation and community shift into thriving.
Once admitted to the program, the cost of the program is free to participating congregations, with one catch: Teams are accountable to each other and to their cohort…and must return periodically to Montreat to report on their progress. The congregations maintain control and flexibility to apply lessons learned as each sees fit, based on their respective, local conditions; participants aren’t competing with each other, per se. On the other hand, they don’t show up without their homework, either. They plan, they work, and they report back to each other.
Four years in, the results are promising. The teams on campus this week reported themes of loneliness and a longing for deeper relationships among their congregations, as well as new projects including support for local elementary school students, launching a community preschool, creating neighborhood gardens, and hosting mental health programming for the community. These congregations applied listening strategies and responses to strengthen bonds within their congregations, across congregations, and with their neighbors. We look forward to reporting more on the impact of these programs as we gather our own data on the Thriving Congregations program.
Fostering communities of faith, learning, and renewal remind us of the importance of God’s mission and the love and grace that makes it possible here in the valley. Amid this cold winter, the warmth and support you provide is felt and shared by all. Thank you – and more to come!
More to come!
Richard DuBose
President, Montreat Conference Center