While many youth groups discover Montreat through our annual youth and young adults events, that isn’t the only way they can experience Montreat. Retreats are another vital part of church ministry which also offer youth the opportunity to form meaningful connections. For those who know Montreat primarily as a youth conference destination, it might be surprising to learn that we host hundreds of retreats each year. Some groups plan intergenerational retreats where youth participate alongside the broader church family, while others — including many Presbyteries — host retreats designed specifically for youth. This might lead you to ask “what should …
How Planning Teams Shape Montreat Youth Conference
Each summer, hundreds of youth travel to the mountains of Western North Carolina for Montreat Youth Conference, an event which welcomes nearly 4,000 high school youth annually. While in attendance, they enjoy a week of worship, music, recreation, and spiritual connection. However, many are unaware of those working behind the scenes to make the conference happen. They are the heart of the operation: the conference planning team. This group of youth and adults don’t just help the conference run smoothly; they create the experience together from the ground up. There are three planning teams responsible for organizing the conference each …
What Do We Mean When We Say “Sabbath?”
We frequently make use of the word “Sabbath” here at Montreat. But what do we mean when we talk about Sabbath? You might be familiar with the traditional use of the word, which refers to the seventh day of the week and is typically observed as a day of rest and worship for Jews and Christians. However, Sabbath can also refer to any period of intentional rest, originating from the Hebrew word shabbāth which literally means “rest.” At Montreat, we typically refer to Sabbath using this second definition, as we specifically encourage individuals to invest in their physical and emotional …
Finding Renewal in the Wake of Hurricane Helene
As we approach the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, we cannot help but be reminded of the storm’s devastating impact on our community. Like many of you, we have spent months in recovery mode — cleaning up, rebuilding, and offering support. We know from first hand experience that if you’ve been in recovery mode for the last 12 months, you are likely feeling tired and weary. And that’s understandable! When you are busy caring for others, it can be hard to care for yourself as well. That’s why we decided to offer an additional Discovering Renewal retreat this fall …