2026 Women’s Connection

Name: 2026 Women’s Connection
Start: 2026-08-14
End: 2026-08-16
Location: Montreat Conference Center

Horizon Gazing: Hope in the Here and Now

August 14–16, 2026 AdultSummer

A Montreat Conference Center event

We are full in Group Housing

Women’s Connection 2026 will be a time for women to connect with old and new friends; a time to care for yourself; a time for space and Sabbath. As in years past, we will gather through powerful and authentic worship led by women, space for honest and faithful conversation, and time for discernment and renewing rest. Our hope is that you will experience spiritual nourishment, inspiration, and clarity as you pause, reflect, and lift your eyes toward what God is doing.

We are invited into a journey of faith that calls us beyond the immediate chaos, and to trust the soul-steadying truth of God’s presence in our lives. From personal struggles to the news cycle to strained relationships to everyday worries and responsibilities, the overwhelm is real. And yet, God continues to invite us to lift our eyes.

Join us in the quiet beauty of Montreat for “Horizon Gazing: Hope in the Here and Now.” Together, we’ll slow down, worship, find our footing, and look toward the horizon of faith with steadiness and authentic hope. As we gather, we’ll consider what it looks like to raise our gaze, find perspective, share our burdens and our hopes in the here and now. Designed for women at every stage of life, this retreat offers space to breathe, reflect, and be renewed—grounded in community and anchored in God’s faithful presence.

Women's Connection

A note about registration dates:

Comprehensive registration (includes room and board as well as the cost of the conference) will open on February 2, 2026 at 10 am Eastern, and commuter registration (conference only) will open on February 9, 2026 at 10 am Eastern.

We stagger these dates to ensure accurate housing assignments and to prioritize participants who require onsite lodging before opening registration for commuters. If you plan to stay on campus, we encourage you to register as close to the opening time as possible. Onsite housing typically fills very quickly. Commuters, don’t worry! There will be plenty of space for you. This approach helps us manage capacity effectively and provide the best possible experience for all attendees.

We’re also excited to share that we’re putting together an incredible lineup of workshops and recruiting outstanding leaders. Because of this, workshop registration will open in May, giving us time to finalize the best possible offerings for you.

Leadership

Kristin Kobes Du Mez – Keynote Speaker

Author of the New York Times bestseller Jesus and John Wayne, Kristin Du Mez is a writer, speaker, and scholar who explores the intersection of religion, gender, and politics.

Her writing is described as "urgent and sharp-elbowed," and Du Mez does not refrain from presenting the hard truths that history has to offer Americans—and especially American Christians. Her unflinching examination of the American church, however, is ultimately a call to confession, a call to lament, and a call to greater faithfulness.

An academic by training, Du Mez holds a Ph.D. in U.S. history from the University of Notre Dame, but she writes and speaks for popular audiences in an entertaining style that is equal parts winsome and hard-hitting.

Her bylines include The New York Times, the Washington Post, Daily Beast, Religion & Politics, Religion News Service, NBC News.com, and Christianity Today. Her work has also garnered extensive national and international attention, as a feature on NPR's Morning Edition, PBS’s Amanpour & Co, the BBC, and in national outlets in China, Japan, Canada, Australia, Spain, Brazil, Germany, and the Netherlands. She is a frequent commenter on religion and politics in the national media at outlets such as the Washington Post, Religion News Service, NPR, CBS, Newsweek, CNN, and the BBC.

As a speaker, she has appeared at colleges and universities across the country, including the University of Notre Dame, Harvard University, Columbia University, UVA Law School, Baylor University, Pepperdine University, and the University of Oklahoma. Her public speaking has also included the Brookings Institution, Faith Angle Forum, Atlanta’s TheoEd, Seattle’s Crosscut Festival, the University of Chicago’s Martin Marty Center, Johns Hopkins’ Stavros Niarchos Foundation Angora Institute, and the Center for Pastor Theologians, and she has appeared at churches and faith groups across the religious spectrum.

Du Mez teaches at Calvin University and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, three kids, and a dog named Paco.

Rates & Registration

Registration for the comprehensive package will open Monday, February 2nd at 10 am Eastern. Registration for commuters opens on Monday, February 9th at 10 am Eastern. Don't worry commuters, we have saved plenty of space for you!

You are able to register for a comprehensive package which includes your conference fee, room, and meals, or if you have your own housing, you may register for the commuter rate.

Comprehensive Package

Comprehensive rates below include the Women’s Connection conference fee, room in Assembly Inn, Winsborough, or Glen Rock Inn, meals in the Galax Dining Room (Friday supper through Sunday breakfast), plus a $2 community services fee per person for public services provided by the Town and the fire district. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. After June 25, these rates will increase by $25 per person. Room check-in AFTER 4:00 pm on Friday. Room check-out BEFORE 10:00 am on Sunday.

	Single Occupancy	Double Occupancy
Assembly Inn Private Bathroom Limited Availability; goes quickly	$557	$442 per person ($884 total)
Assembly Inn Shared Bathroom Limited Availability; goes quickly	$527	---
Winsborough* Shared Bathrooms Modest Housing	$447	$387 per person ($774 total)
Glen Rock Inn** Shared Bathrooms Modest Housing	$464.50	$395.75 per person ($791.50 total)

*Please note that the Winsborough does not have central AC or elevator access.
**Please note that the Glen Rock Inn does not have elevator access.

Commuter Rate

Commuter rates below include the Women’s Connection conference fee plus a $2 community services fee per person for public services provided by the Town and the fire district. This rate DOES NOT include room or meals. After June 25, this rate will increase by $25 per person.

On or before June 25: $252 per person
After June 25: $277 per person

Other Housing Options in the Town of Montreat*

William Black Lodge Please visit their website for more information. They can also be reached by phone at 828-669-6314.
Greybeard Rentals (Mandi Pike, mandi@greybeardrentals.com, 828.228.8008)
- Vacation Rentals (groups of 3 or more)
VRBO, Airbnb

*Montreat Conference Center is not responsible for the rental of these properties or the condition of the premises. Arrangements must be made by the renter, directly with the property owner/manager or realtor.

Other Housing Options in the Town of Black Mountain

Quality Inn
Hampton Inn - Using this link, guests receive a 12% discount off of the best available rate.
Super 8 Motel

Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received by June 30 to receive a full refund less a $75 administration fee. Cancellations received after June 30 but on or before July 15 will receive a 50% refund of the conference fee and payments made toward room and meal charges (if applicable) less $75. No refunds will be issued after July 15. All requests must be in writing and received via email or U.S. mail.

Contact the Registrar

Questions about conference registration, housing, or meals? Please email justinkp@montreat.org or call 828.419.9829.

Tentative Schedule

Friday, August 14, 2026
4:00–6:00 pm	Registration & Check-in (room check-in at 4pm)
5:30–6:30 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm	Opening Worship in Anderson Auditorium
9:00 pm	Social Gathering
Saturday, August 15, 2026
7:30–8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am	Morning Gathering
10:15 am	Break
10:30 am	Workshop Session I
12:00–1:00 pm	Lunch
2:00	Workshop Session II
3:30 pm	Free Time
5:30–6:30 pm	Dinner
6:00 pm	Will Call in Lobby of Anderson Auditorium
7:15 pm	Doors to Anderson Auditorium Open
7:30 pm	Keynote Presentation
9:00 pm	Social Gathering
Sunday, August 16, 2026
7:30–8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am	Closing Worship in Anderson Auditorium
10:00 am	Check-out time

Lunch is on your own. Safe travels, and see you next year!