Serving a small-membership church is a special type of calling. Pastors working with these congregations often wear many hats as they preach, teach, care for their congregations, and engage their communities. One day may involve leading worship, the next visiting members in the hospital, organizing outreach events, or managing the practical needs of church life. While these responsibilities can present challenges, they also create opportunities for deep relationships, meaningful ministry, and lasting impact. With the right encouragement and support, ministry in a small church can be incredibly rewarding. That’s the heart behind the Wee Kirk Conference at Montreat Conference Center. …
Tips for Bear Safety
In recent years, we have noticed a significant increase in bear activity as visitors and guests arrive in Montreat for the summer. As such, we wanted to provide a few tips to help ensure a safe Montreat experience for both our human and ursine friends. Here are a few things to consider if you encounter a bear while exploring Montreat this summer: Do Not Approach a Bear Black bears are seldom aggressive; however, if they feel threatened, they may take action to defend themselves or their cubs. Black bears may huff, stomp, stand on their hind legs, or even bluff …
Fall Craft Week: A Retreat for Creatives
This fall, makers, artists, writers, and lifelong learners are invited to join us this September for Fall Craft Week, an all-inclusive retreat hosted by Montreat Conference Center. Scheduled for September 27–October 2, Fall Craft Week offers a unique opportunity to explore artistic endeavors, develop new skills, and enjoy meaningful fellowship set against the backdrop of autumn in the mountains. It’s an event you won’t want to miss! Each year, Fall Craft Week welcomes participants of all skill levels to learn from instructors in a supportive and encouraging environment. Whether you are a seasoned artist looking to refine your practice or a beginner eager to try something new, this event provides a chance to step away …
Come to the Mountains: A Gathering for Youth Workers Seeking Connection, Growth, and Renewal
Youth ministry is deeply rewarding work, but it also comes with unique challenges. Whether you serve as a volunteer leader, a church staff member, or an ordained minister, creating space for your own growth and renewal is essential for building a healthy and sustainable ministry. That’s why youth workers from across the country are invited to gather at Montreat Conference Center for the second annual Come to the Mountains event, taking place October 5–8, 2026. Hosted in partnership with the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association (PYWA), this special gathering is designed to encourage, equip, and inspire those who serve young people …
Youth Conferences as a Tool for Spiritual Development
For many young people, spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident; it must be developed through meaningful experiences, thoughtful conversations, and opportunities to engage your faith in new ways. Montreat Youth Conference serves as one of those opportunities, providing a space where youth can step away from their everyday routines and focus on exploring what they believe, connecting with others, and deepening their relationship with God. Below, we’ve outlined a few of the ways that Montreat Youth Conference can have a lasting impact on the faith lives of today’s young people. Keep reading to learn more! A key part of the …
Explore the Intersection of Faith and Creativity
This summer, Montreat Conference Center invites guests to engage in meaningful exploration and dialogue through its Arts, Music, and Theology lecture series. Organized by Montreat’s arts, music, and theology cohort, this three-evening program celebrates the rich connections between creative expression, intellectual inquiry, and faith. Each event offers an opportunity to consider how diverse disciplines can deepen our understanding of the world and enrich our spiritual lives. The 2026 series will feature thoughtful discussions on topics including mathematics, worship liturgy, and psychology. Drawing from their personal experiences as well as their professional expertise, each lecturer will share unique insights into their field, demonstrating how art, music, …
Planning for Fall Retreats
As summer begins to fill our calendars with vacations, family gatherings, and long afternoons by the pool, planning for a fall retreat may not be top of mind. Yet, for retreat leaders preparing to gather in Montreat later this year, taking advantage of the summer as a time to organize your event and stay ahead of important deadlines can help your group avoid unnecessary stress and unexpected costs, ultimately, leading to a smooth and successful event once you arrive. Below, we’ve put together a few things to keep in mind this summer if you are a group leader hoping to host an event this fall. We hope you find it helpful! …
Take a Hike! Montreat Conference Center’s 2026 Public Hiking Schedule
Each summer, Montreat Conference Center’s wilderness rangers offer a variety of free guided hikes for the public. Hikes are typically offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays and range in difficulty and length, covering all sorts of terrain throughout the Montreat Wilderness and offering something for everyone to enjoy. If you are interested in exploring God’s creation this summer, this is a great opportunity to do so! Keep reading to learn more about this offering and see our recommendations for enjoying Montreat’s trails. Our Public Hikes are divided into half-day and full-day outings. Half-day hikes depart from the Montreat Nature Center (located at 301 Lookout Rd.) at 9:00 am and are designed to return in …
Take a Class at the Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery this Summer
Montreat Conference Center is excited to share that the Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery will be offering a variety of classes, demonstrations, and workshops this summer for adults interested in learning more about the arts. Classes are offered weekly Monday through Wednesday, with a mix of one-day and two-day courses, many of which result in a completed project (with the exception of pottery glazing). Thursdays are reserved exclusively for glazing. This summer, offerings will include projects focusing on ceramics, glass, painting, drawing, sewing and textile arts, photography, and writing. Classes will begin on Monday, June 8, 2026, and continue through August 7. Class offerings change weekly, but a preview of available classes can …
Montreat Conference Center Announces Guest Preachers for 2026 Summer Worship Series
Each summer, Montreat Conference Center partners with the congregations of Montreat Presbyterian and Black Mountain Presbyterian Churches to form its much-anticipated Summer Worship Series, held each week in Anderson Auditorium. This longstanding tradition gathers prominent church leaders from across the country to create a series of vibrant worship services for the shared community. Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Montreat Conference Center has long been a place where people come to renew and reconnect. The Summer Worship Series continues that legacy by welcoming guest preachers who offer thoughtful, engaging sermons shaped by their diverse experiences and perspectives. This year’s speakers include: The series will begin on Sunday, June 7, and will meet weekly at 10:30 am …
Volunteer as a Hiking Guide this Summer
We are excited to offer a new volunteer opportunity this summer in the form of public hike hosts! Every summer, the Montreat Rangers offer public hikes for the Montreat community on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will continue that tradition this year while incorporating a new twist: For some of our half-day hikes, we would like individuals from the community to help lead the hike. If you are interested, you can sign up to lead one of the following half-day hikes: Volunteers will be accompanied by 1-2 rangers who will serve in support roles for first aid or other specific needs. By assisting with one of these hikes, you will support our ministry in the following ways: The wilderness rangers will continue to lead the longer and more difficult hikes over the course of the summer. (Although, as always, you are welcome to join …
A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Montreat
For over 125 years, Montreat Conference Center has been a place where groups and individuals have come to experience recreation, rest, and renewal. But what, specifically, should you expect if you are visiting for the first time? While all events differ in their focus and programming, there are a few key aspects of the Montreat experience that ring true no matter how you engage with our mission and ministry. When you visit Montreat, you are given an opportunity to step away from the hectic pace of everyday life and finding time instead to engage in community, explore creation, and reflect on God’s presence in your life. Below, we’ve outlined a few things to …
Growing in Faith and Friendship at Middle School Conference
Montreat Middle School Conference is quickly approaching! If you’ve never attended before, this event is a unique, faith-centered experience designed to help middle school students grow spiritually, build lasting relationships, and discover the joy of Christian community. We hope you will consider joining us! Below, we’ve collected more about this conference so that you know what to expect when bringing a group. The first thing to know is that Montreat Middle School Conference doesn’t take place in Montreat. Instead, the event is set on the campus of Maryville College in Maryville, TN. Maryville College is also affiliated with the Presbyterian …
Helping Churches Navigate Transition
Leading a congregation through a time of transition is both challenging and extremely rewarding work. In times of change, whether due to pastoral shifts, congregational restructuring, or evolving community needs, faith communities are invited to rediscover who they are and who they are being called to become. As such, thoughtful, skilled leaders are necessary to guide congregations between what was and what will be. To support these efforts, Montreat Conference Center is hosting The Art of Transitional Ministry, a continuing education program for pastors, later this year. Within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and across many other denominations, transitional ministry has …
Draw on Ancient Wisdom to Address Today’s Challenges
Montreat Conference Center is delighted to welcome back beloved author and teacher John Philip Newell, alongside his colleague Cami Twilling, as they lead The Great Search 1, the first of a new three-part series from Earth & Soul. As in previous Earth & Soul Retreats, participants will be invited into a deeper exploration of spirituality grounded in Celtic wisdom which responds to the needs of our present moment. For those unfamiliar with Earth & Soul, their retreats offer a meaningful opportunity to engage in spiritual practices rooted in the ancient Celtic tradition. The Great Search, specifically, will address the deep …
Graybeard or Greybeard?
When visiting Montreat, you may notice occasional differences in how we use the word “Graybeard” or “Greybeard.” Typically, Graybeard with an “A” refers to Graybeard Trail and Graybeard Mountain, while Greybeard with an E is used when refering to Greybeard Road. So why are they different? We’ve asked ourselves that question and the research seems to indicate that these variations in spelling are not the result of two separate origins but instead reflect a gradual shift in spelling conventions over time. It appears that variations of this kind are actually quite common with locations named before standardized naming practices were …
Worship & Music Conference is for Youth, Too!
When people think about Worship & Music Conference, they often picture handbells, adult choirs, and organ recitals. And while those elements are certainly an important part of the experience, there’s another part of the conference that also deserves some attention: the youth programming. Children and youth who have completed third through twelfth grade are eligible to sign up for a variety of offerings during the conference developed specifically with their age and experience in mind. When they attend, they are considered full, active participants and join the entire community in learning new skills, sharing their talents, and making new friends. In this way, Worship & Music Conference plays a crucial role in developing young leaders by providing youth with meaningful opportunities for musical growth, faith formation, and lasting community. Each day, youth participants engage in their …
Take Time for Sabbath this Spring
At Montreat, we often talk about the importance of Sabbath as a time intentionally set aside for rest, reflection, and renewal. But what does it look like to practice Sabbath in the midst of our busy lives? One way is through a Spring Sabbath Getaway at Montreat! As winter fades and new life begins to appear in the mountains, spring provides a natural opportunity to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with God, creation, and ourselves. Keeping reading to see how you can take advantage of this special Montreat offering! We’ve talked before about how our culture often rewards constant activity. …
Discover “Horizon Gazing” at Women’s Connection 2026
Anticipation is building for this year’s Women’s Connection conference, and we couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead. Women from across the country are already making plans to gather in Montreat for a time of worship, learning, and meaningful connection. With an inspiring theme and a remarkable group of leaders joining us on stage, Women’s Connection 2026 promises to be a space for reflection, renewal, and shared hope. Today, we’re delighted to share more about this year’s theme and introduce the rest of our conference leaders. Horizon Gazing: Hope in the Here and Now During this year’s Women’s Connection …
Tales from the “Off-Season”
Roughly twenty years ago, Montreat Conference Center was a non-profit heavily dependent on church-related, summer programs. Over the past two decades, as the conference center moved toward a year-round model, activities in the off-season increased. For missional reasons, this has been a positive trend. For financial reasons it has been essential, building resilience in times of disruption and a stable foundation for the present and future. We still host some 6,000 people here every summer, but the recent monthly activity reports this winter are reminder how that has changed. In March, for example, the conference center has scheduled 51 events with projected …
Announcing the Newly Renamed Katherine McKay Belk Dining Room
Though Pete Peery, my predecessor as Montreat Conference Center’s president, lives right down the street, we don’t see each other often enough, and when we do, we often talk about everything but the job. Recently, however, we have enjoyed reminiscing over one Montreat topic: the significance of the Assembly Inn renovation, which took place during Pete’s tenure and was completed in time for my arrival in 2014. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s increasingly obvious that the renovation did more than restore a beloved building. It was perhaps the most important step in strengthening Montreat’s foundation and accelerating a financial recovery that had begun some ten years prior. And the most important leader in that effort, according to Pete, was Kat …
A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking in Montreat
At Montreat, hiking is more than a recreational activity; it is an opportunity to experience God’s presence through the beauty of creation. The Montreat Wilderness has long offered space for reflection, renewal, and reconnection through its forests, streams, and over 20 miles of hiking trails. If you’re new to the area, or new to hiking in general, you might not know where to start as you go about enjoying this resource. To that end, we have outlined a few tips and tricks below to get you started on your own journey in the Montreat Wilderness. What is the Montreat Wilderness? Over twenty years ago, Montreat Conference Center partnered with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to place approximately 2,460 acres …
Five Ways to Experience Sabbath this Spring
This spring we are excited to once again host personal Sabbath Getaways in Assembly Inn! This special program is available from March 20 through April 30, 2026 and allows you to enjoy everything that Montreat has to offer without the hustle and bustle of a programmed event. Often described as a “thin place,” in Montreat you’ll find a peaceful and beautiful setting where you can commune with your Creator and rest your soul. If you plan a visit, you’ll find time and space for prayer, study, and Sabbath rest, while also having opportunities to explore Western North Carolina at your …
Address Feelings of Burnout at Discovering Renewal
As we approach the season of Lent, we are invited to reflect, refocus, and prepare our hearts and minds for renewal. This period of the liturgical calendar offers us an opportunity to take stock of where we are and to consider what we need in order to move forward with intention. If you spend your time caring for others, whether through ministry, leadership, or service, it can be difficult to make space to care for yourself. That is why we created our Discovering Renewal retreat — to create intentional space for rest, reflection, and renewal. Scheduled conveniently after Easter, Discovering …
Trusting in God’s Faithfulness
Greetings from Montreat! As we begin 2026 and approach midwinter, this is to share news on several fronts. First, I want to call your attention to Montreat Conference Center’s newly published 2025 Annual Report, now available on our website. The report offers a thoughtful review of a year marked by significant transition, deepened mission, and renewed engagement across the many generations who participate here. Within its (virtual) pages you will find stories of faithful programs and tangible progress in service to the vision that guides our work. We are grateful for the many ways that you – not only participants, but donors, staff, volunteers, and partners – made …
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