A devotional from Rev. Dr. Aram Bae I’m tired of this. We’re three weeks deep, and I am over this (truth be told, I was over it after day 3). I’m having a hard time with this stay at home, work from home, take an afternoon stroll, Zoom everything, FaceTime some things, record this and that, email non-stop because everything is an emergency and changes quickly, must stay in front of the situation and not behind, do this and that creatively and online, look at the screen, multiple screens at the same time, grab your earbuds, where the heck are …
“Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10
A devotional from Lewis Galloway March 24, 2020 One of the hardest things to do in a crisis is to be still! As a confirmed extrovert, I have never found, even in easy times, stillness and quiet to come easily. Being told to be still is a bit like being told to calm down when the mind, heart and body are on fire with anxiety. The words of W. B. Yeats, “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;/Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world… (The Second Coming)” fit our time. The lives of loved ones are threatened by a …
Montreat Conference Statement on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
As the story of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, the Montreat Conference Center is monitoring the situation at the national, state, and local levels. At present, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Buncombe County or North Carolina, and all of our programs are continuing as planned.
This Week in Montreat
A Montreat weekly update from Richard DuBose, president of Montreat Conference Center.
SO, WE DO NOT LOSE HEART
A devotional from the Rev. Eileen Lindner The following is a reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. Offered at the MRA Board Meeting, March 17, 2020 In this fraught moment of the coronavirus pandemic Paul reminds us that we “have these treasures in clay jars…” Today all over the globe these clay jars are sickened, shattered and broken by the coronavirus. We know that as the clay jars break so to do human hearts. For such a time as this did Paul write these words of courage, faith and hope. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but …
A Thin Place
What does a thin place mean to you? Reflect by Lake Susan, worship in Anderson Auditorium, relax over breakfast in the Galax Dining Room… It’s easy to see the natural beauty of a thin place when the conference center is nestled in between the rolling hills and tall oaks… Read more.
Giving Tuesday at Montreat!
On this Giving Tuesday, join us in celebrating generosity and the spirit of Thanksgiving! Give to the Montreat Fund today!
The Rev. Dr. Steve Eason to Preach on August 4
One of the highlights of Montreat Conference Center’s year-round programming is the summer worship series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual art professionals, musicians, and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited. The 2019 Sunday series concludes on August 4 with the Rev. Dr. Steve P. Eason as guest preacher. Dr. Eason recently concluded a call as interim pastor of Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. His longest tenure as pastor and head of staff was at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, …
The Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill to Preach on July 28
One of the highlights of Montreat Conference Center’s year-round programming is the summer worship series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual art professionals, musicians, and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited. The 2019 Sunday series continues on July 28 with the Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill as guest preacher. Dr. Ridgill is founder and pastor of New Faith Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, SC. Prior to this she served as pastor of the former Washington Street Presbyterian Church in Abbeville, SC, as adjunct professor of …
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson to Preach at Montreat Conference Center on June 30
One of the highlights of Montreat Conference Center’s year-round programming is the summer worship series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual art professionals, musicians, and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited. The 2019 Sunday series continues on June 30 with the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson as guest preacher. Dr. Nelson serves as stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Prior to becoming stated clerk, he served as director of the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C. …
The Rev. Tom Are to Preach at Montreat Conference Center on June 23
One of the highlights of Montreat Conference Center’s year-round programming is the summer worship series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual art professionals, musicians, and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited. The 2019 Sunday series continues on June 23 with the Rev. Tom Are as guest preacher. Rev. Are is pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS. A sixth generation Presbyterian minister, he previously served churches in Charleston and Columbia, SC, as well as Jacksonville, FL. Rev. Are’s sermon is titled …
The Rev. Denise Anderson to Preach at Montreat Conference Center on June 16
One of the highlights of Montreat Conference Center’s year-round programming is the summer worship series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual art professionals, musicians, and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited. The 2019 Sunday series continues on June 16 with the Rev. Denise Anderson as guest preacher. Rev. Anderson is the coordinator for Racial and Intercultural Justice with the Presbyterian Mission Agency, and served as co-moderator of the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She is a graduate of the Virginia …
Park Update from the President
FROM THE PRESIDENT I’ve got a children’s story for you. Sometime in June, weather permitting, we expect to reopen Robert Lake Park to the young at heart, closing a year-long tale that began with flood waters from Tropical Storm Diego in May 2018. The story includes chapters that are inspiring, others confounding, and still others that are just exasperating. We have “all the king’s horses” in the roles of government representatives and engineers. There are scary parts, like a year of record rain that washes away some good progress, and cost estimates, and multiple delays. (Here’s a terrifying phrase: “You …
The Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams to Preach in Montreat on Sunday, June 9, 2019
One of the highlights of Montreat Conference Center’s year-round programming is the summer worship series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual art professionals, musicians, and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited. The 2019 Sunday series continues on June 9 with the Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams as guest preacher. Dr. Williams is senior pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, and previously served in several ministerial roles at Second Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, MI. He is a graduate of Georgia …
Montreat Conference Announces Summer Worship Series Lineup for 2019
One of the highlights of Montreat Conference Center’s year-round programming is the summer worship series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual art professionals and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited. The 2019 Sunday series begins on June 2 with the Rev. Dr. Sharol Hayner as guest preacher. Dr. Hayner is an ordained Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister, and is a worshiping member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison, WI. She previously served as associate pastor for discipleship at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and parish associate …
Spring Update from Richard DuBose
Friends, Greetings from Montreat! I’m writing this morning to provide you updates on happenings this spring and on preparations for another busy summer in the valley. The MRA Board of Directors/Trustees met in March to consider matters both routine and forward-thinking. The Board heard the staff’s report on the fiscal year 2018-2019, which concluded on April 30th. Once the books are finalized we expect to have achieved a small operating surplus thanks to strong performance from the summer of 2018 against budgeted expectations. The Board also passed a $7.9 million budget for 2019-2020, in which staff is forecasting slight …
Robert Lake Park – May 2019 Update
Dear friends of Robert Lake Park, With great excitement, I write to share that the construction phase of the Robert Lake Park restoration has begun. On April 29, we received final approval and permitting from the Corps of Engineers, and our contractor began work the same day. We are grateful for the hard work of the many engineers, government officials, Montreat staff and donors who have helped us reach this point. The entirety of the park will be closed until mid-June, but the plans that have been developed should provide a more secure and flood-resistant park for years to come. …
Robert Lake Park – March 2019 Update
Robert Lake Park sustained significant damage last May due to heavy rains and flooding. This project has been and remains our highest capital priority.
Mike Morse, Retiring VP for Hospitality and Facilities, Honored with Tribute Resolution
As Mike Morse, Vice President for Hospitality and Facilities, nears his retirement at the end of December, the entire Montreat community has joined in demonstrating deep appreciation for all he has contributed both personally and professionally for almost 14 years. On December 13, 2018, the Town of Montreat honored Mike with a Tribute Resolution, which you can read below. From Tim Helms, Mayor of the Town of Montreat: A Tribute Resolution of Heartfelt Appreciation Whereas Mike Morse has served the Mountain Retreat Association with distinction since April 8, 2005; Whereas Mike has demonstrated vision and leadership, faith, good humor, and an …
“Montreat Mural” Rededication
On December 12, 2018, Montreat Conference Center hosted a service of rededication for the “Montreat Mural,” a gift to the conference center from the family of Margaret Willcox and Wilbur Hoke Currie. This unique work of art was designed and created by James David (Jim) Southerland, Assistant Professor of Art at Montreat College and former Director of the Wilbur Hoke Currie Craft Center in Montreat. The mural is made of stoneware clay, multi-fired, multi-glazed, and lustered and features the following Montreat Motifs: Water–lake and streams; Trees–woods and forests; and Flora–dogwood, azalea, rhododendron. The “Montreat Mural” was commissioned in loving memory …
Montreat Conference Center Hires New Vice President for Hospitality
MONTREAT, NC – Montreat Conference Center is pleased to announce that Emily Causey has been appointed as the new vice president for hospitality. Causey will oversee all hospitality operations for the conference center and lead a team committed to delivering excellent customer service to Montreat guests. The conference center has ten housing facilities, including the historic Assembly Inn, forty meeting spaces, several recreation areas, and dining facilities. “Emily has excelled as a member of our staff over the past fourteen years,” says Richard DuBose, president of the conference center. “She understands the great progress made by her predecessors in hospitality …
May 2018 Rainfall Update
Montreat residents and guests continue to feel the effects of record rainfall over the past three weeks. The impact of overnight flooding was evident around town on Wednesday morning. The Town of Montreat public works crews are already working hard to restore roads, while the conference center is assessing damage to MRA property. At present, Robert Lake Park has sustained significant damage and is closed to the public. The Montreat Campground is also closed due to the closure of Calvin Trail. The conference center cooperates with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) and follows assigned protocols …
On Remembering and Repentance
As we prepare for the coming summer, I offer the following statement to remind all who love Montreat of the MRA’s continuing commitment to become more hospitable to all of its guests and conferees. Richard DuBose, President, Mountain Retreat Association “And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’” (Matthew 13:52) This passage suggests that Christian community has a treasure, a gift of God that contains both what is old and what is new. We …
Montreat Conference Center Remembers Rev. Billy Graham
We are deeply grateful for the Reverend Billy Graham and his life in ministry, which stands as a testament to the power of Christ, evangelized honestly and authentically by a man so gifted for that purpose. To millions, Reverend Graham was the world’s most famous and influential Christian leader. Montreat, however, was home; he and wife Ruth chose this valley to raise their family and to rest and retreat from the rigors of their very public lives. Here in the valley, on those occasions that he ventured into town, Reverend Graham’s reputation as a neighbor of humility and warmth had …
Montreat Conference Center Hires New Vice President for Development
MONTREAT, NC – Montreat Conference Center is pleased to announce that Seth Hagler has been appointed as the new vice president for development. Hagler will be responsible for guiding the institution’s fundraising and developmental initiatives and will begin his work in early 2018. “Seth Hagler possesses a wonderful blend of professional expertise and an authentic appreciation for Montreat and the conference center’s mission,” said Richard DuBose, president of the conference center. “We are delighted that he is joining our team.” A resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, Hagler most recently served as senior class officer at Tulane University. He holds a …
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