Name: Discovering Renewal
Start: 2020-04-13
End: 2020-04-16
Location: Montreat Conference Center

Event Leadership

Brian McLaren – Devotion Leader

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. McLaren is the author of numerous books, including the award-winning A New Kind of Christianity, We Make the Road by Walking and The Great Spiritual Migration. A popular conference speaker and a frequent guest lecturer for denominational and ecumenical leadership gatherings, his public speaking covers a broad range of topics including postmodern thought and culture, Biblical studies, church leadership and spiritual formation, pastoral survival and burnout, inter-religious dialogue, and global crises.

Aram Mitchell – Track Leader (Intentional Hiking)

Aram is a Registered Maine Guide and Wilderness First Responder with an MA in religious studies from Chicago Theological Seminary. He's backpacked across Scotland, walked a pilgrimage in Spain, practiced yoga in Costa Rica, and has guided wilderness trips and urban walks of various durations for people of many ages, genders, and dispositions in 11 different states and a couple of Canadian provinces. Now Aram spends his days as the executive director of Renewal in the Wilderness devising ways to bring the wisdom of wilderness and regular rhythms of renewal into the lives of care providers, justice workers, and faith leaders.

Mary Carroll Dodd – Track Leader (Yoga)

Mary Carroll Dodd is a certified yoga instructor, organic farmer, wife, and mom of two young boys. As a (mostly) lifelong Presbyterian, the mountains of Montreat bring her peace and refuge. Mary Carroll has practiced yoga for 14 years and taught a variety of students for 11 years - from high school youth to Guatemalan pastors to Montreat vacationers, most currently at Black Mountain Yoga. Amidst the busyness of life, work, and family, she finds peace and calm in the ancient practice of yoga and seeks to help her students find the unique path that works best for them.

Tanner Pickett – Track Coordinator (Fly Fishing)

Tanner has been on staff at Montreat Conference Center for six years as the vice president for sales, marketing, and communications. His greatest fly fishing success came when he caught three fish on a single trip, or so he says. Tanner is currently enrolled in the 2021 cohort of the Living School for the Center for Action and Contemplation and considers fly-fishing to be a contemplative practice.

Activity Tracks

Sign up for one specific activity track. Each day will begin with a devotion led by Brian McLaren and a challenge to use your chosen activity to find peace and renewal and to reflect on how to bring this back to your daily life. Fill in your free time in whatever way you feel led. Come to be renewed and enjoy free time to think, pray, read, sleep, or just relax.

Fly Fishing (track is limited to 20)
Western North Carolina has some of the best fly fishing on the east coast. Participants will have opportunities to fish on sections of up to four rivers (Primarily: Davidson River, Mills River, Catawba River, and Curtis Creek) over the course of this experience. All rivers are within an hour and a half drive of Montreat, and shuttles will be provided. All levels of skill are welcome, but guides, gear, and instruction are not provided- You MUST bring your own gear (rod, reel, North Carolina fishing license, flies, etc.). Participants must know how to fly-fish. Coordinated by Tanner Pickett.

Yoga
Come renew your mind and spirit through the practice of yoga. Enjoy two different hour-long sessions each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We will explore breathwork, movement, strengthening, and stretching as we seek to find rest for our bodies and souls. Learn what your body and mind need to feel at peace. Then, take these tools home with you to incorporate moments of Sabbath into your daily life and achieve more balance. Please bring a yoga mat. Led by Mary Carroll Dodd.

Intentional Hiking
Walking as a spiritual practice is less about using your path for the sake of transportation and more about engaging the trail for ongoing transformation. Each day of this track we will spend time immersed among the elements of wild nature that make themselves known on forest trails. With the wisdom of select poets and naturalists to guide us, we will trek and converse, exploring how to engage as participants in a community of wildness. With our senses in tune with the elements, we will saunter and reflect, exploring what it means to pray with our feet. Led by Aram Mitchell.

Comprehensive Rate

This program is an all-inclusive and includes the conference, Assembly Inn housing, and meals. Check-in time will be after 3:00pm Monday. Check-out time will be no later than 11:00am Thursday. Meals include Monday dinner through Thursday breakfast.

A price increase of $25 will happen after March 2.

Occupancy	Bathroom	Cost
Single	Private	$502.50
Double	Private	$375/person \| $750 total
Single	Shared	$457.50
Double	Shared	$352.50/person \| $705 total

All registrations include a $3 community services fee per adult for public services provided by the Town of Montreat and the fire district.

Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received by March 2 in order to receive a full refund less a $25 service charge. Cancellations received after March 2, but on or before April 6 will receive a 50% refund of the conference fee and payments made toward room and meal charges (if applicable), less $40. No refunds will be issued after April 6. All requests must be made in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the registration process, please email the registrar at SusanA@montreat.org or call 828.419.9829.

Discovering Renewal

Finding Renewal in the Everyday

April 13–16, 2020