Kicking off Summer 05/31/2024
Richard DuBose, president of Montreat Conference Center, writes a weekly message to Montreat. An excerpt of this weeks message is below. To read his full message, click the "Read More" button below the excerpt.
“Okay, folks, summer is here, and it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get busy!” Over the last ten years, I’ve learned not to say such silly things, having long ago learned that each and every summer in Montreat represents the product of hard work over months of preparation by staff and volunteers here and afar. Thankfully, we have a promising summer ahead, with programs, recreation, arts, and worship – something for everyone. Some predictions: The conference schedule remains the same and will attract a similar number of participants as did the summer before. A newly renovated Barn will
. . .
This Sunday in Montreat
We are delighted to continue our Summer Worship Series in which leading preachers from across the country join with visual artists, musicians, and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. All are welcome and all are invited.
All summer worship services take place in Anderson Auditorium at 10:30 am.
Preaching Sunday, June 2, 2024
Rev. Dr. Brian Blount is President Emeritus of Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA, and Charlotte, NC. He was called to the seminary in 2007, after serving for 15 years as the Richard J. Dearborn Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Princeton Theological Seminary. Professor Blount’s primary work has been in the Gospel of Mark, the Book of Revelation, and in the areas of cultural studies, biblical hermeneutics, and apocalyptic theology.
Weekly Rundown |
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| Sunday, June 2 | |
| 10:30 am | Summer Worship Service with Dr. Brian Blount, Anderson Auditorium |
| 11:45 am | Sunday Buffet, Galax Dining Room |
| 7:00 pm |
Hymn Sing, |
| Monday, June 3 | |
| 7:30 pm |
Youth Conference Worship, |
| Tuesday, June 4 | |
| 7:30 pm |
Youth Conference Worship, |
| Wednesday, June 5 | |
| 7:30 pm |
Youth Conference Worship, |
| Thursday, June 6 | |
| 7:30 pm |
Youth Conference Worship, |
| Friday, June 7 |
|
| 7:30 pm | Friday Night at the Barn, The Barn |
| 8:30 pm |
Youth Conference Worship, |
| Saturday, June 8 |
|
| 7:00 am | Second Loaf (more info below) |
| Sunday, June 9 |
|
| 10:30 am | Summer Worship Service with Rev. Margaret LaMotte Torrence, Anderson Auditorium |
| 11:45 am | Sunday Buffet, Galax Dining Room |
| 7:00 pm | Hymn Sing, Assembly Inn Lobby |
Montreat Conference Center is hiring! Check out our full listing of employment opportunities at montreat.org/employment.
Community Announcements
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Stay Up to Date
Montreat has an app! Use it to keep up to date with conferences and events, maps, and more. To download the app, download “Yapp” in the Google Play or Apple Store. Enter the Yapp ID “MONTREAT.” Enjoy!
This Summer in Montreat
This Summer in Montreat (TSIM) is a publication of Montreat Conference Center gathering all of the hours, contact details, and opportunities for guest in the summer months.
Wilderness Hiking Program
The Ranger staff will offer public hikes and occasional, special full day Saturday hikes during the summer conference season. All hikes are free and open to the public. You must be 13 or older to attend a hike without an adult guardian. Hikes will leave at 9:00 am, unless otherwise, noted from the Montreat Nature Center, located at 301 Lookout Road. All hikes this summer are subject to change based on weather. Return times are approximate.
Please note: The first public hike is June 11.
Crafts and Pottery
The Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery are a collaborative ministry of Montreat Conference Center. Craft and pottery classes are open to people 12 years and older. Class offerings vary from week to week. In addition to classes, we offer independent wheel throwing and handbuilding.
Sign up for classes begins online each Friday morning at 8:00 am. The class registration link will be at the top of the Crafts & Pottery page. If you need further assistance, please email montreatpottery@gmail.com or call Ann Laird Jones at 662.347.3614.
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Pottery Hours (Upstairs) |
|
|---|---|
| Monday |
9:00 am–12:00 pm |
| Tuesday |
2:00–5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am–12:00 pm |
| Thursday | 2:30–5:30 pm Pottery Glazing |
| Friday | Normally closed |
| Saturday | 8:00–11:00 am Pottery Pickup |
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Craft Hours (Downstairs) |
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| Monday–Thursday | 2:00–5:00 pm |
Presbyterian Heritage Center
318 Georgia Terrace. 828.669.6556. Free admission.
This center offers multiple museum displays, special events, art galleries, and a reference library. Free WiFi and air-conditioning. Summer exhibits include: Missions in a Changing World; Minting a Tradition: Communion Tokens; Trains, Timber & Tourists: The Story of the Mt. Mitchell Railroad; Early Montreat; Chronicle, Culture & Context: Archaeology & the Old Testament; Who Are Presbyterians?; Montreat Scottish Society and much more!
| Heritage Center Hours | |
|---|---|
| Tuesday–Friday | 10:00 am–4:00 pm |
| Saturday | 12:00–4:00 pm |
| Sunday–Monday | closed |
| Free Admittance | |
Clubs and Childcare Announcements
Clubs groups have availability the week of July 30. All childcare groups have waitlists.
Pool Announcements
Tennis & Pickleball
Tennis Courts are available to the public on Monday- Friday 10:00 am -2:00 pm and 3:30 pm- 6:00 pm, $3/person/hour.
Pickleball is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:15 am-12:30 pm, $3/session.
Montreat Adult Summer Club
Please join us at the annual Montreat Adult Summer Club Picnic on Wednesday, August 2nd at 6:00 pm in Gaither Fellowship Hall. Please bring your favorite covered dish to add to the fun and wonderful food. Enjoy seeing old Montreat friends and meeting new ones! Walter Somerville will entertain us with lighthearted stories and interesting facts about our beloved Guinea fowl. Everyone is welcome! Bring your guests and friends!
Arts, Music, and Theology
Arts, Music, and Theology is a mission and ministry of Montreat Conference Center. Its purpose is to provide the community with educational nourishment via various lectures and lecturers during our summer season. Themes of the lectures span disciplines.
Please note: the first lecture is July 2.
Friday Night at the Barn
Summer dances will take place on Friday nights through August 2.
- Date: Friday, June 7
- Time: 7:30–10:00 pm
- Place: The Barn
Big circle mountain dancing is a special Montreat tradition! It's a fun filled night of dances called by the Bannerman family and music from the Stoney Creek Boys. All are welcome, and admission is free.
The Huckleberry Café
The newly renovated Huckleberry is now open! Thanks to generous donors, and efforts of staff and partners, the top floor of the Moore Center has been completely renovated to offer a state-of-the-art dining facility for Montreat visitors. In addition to a fully renovated interior, The Huckleberry menu has also been reworked and will include Dynamite Coffee, ice cream, burgers, the Tennessee Twister, and more!
| Huckleberry Summer Hours | June 3–August 3 | |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 8:00 am–9:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8:00 am–3:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Second Loaf
Second Loaf continues its long history of collecting food donations for the food insecure in our community beginning Saturday, June 8 and ending Saturday, August 3 (except July 6), in the parking lot area in front of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Second Loaf can only take unopened shelf-ready foods. Frozen, fresh, and prepared foods cannot be accepted. We are grateful for the generous response of groups who drop off their "second loaves" on their way home!
| Second Loaf Hours | |
|---|---|
| Saturdays | 7:00–11:00 am |
Interested in renting your home to Youth Groups in 2025?
Each year we have youth groups looking for suitable housing for their Montreat Youth Conference experience and we are beginning to update our Private Housing List. Are you interested in renting your house to youth groups in 2025? If so, please fill out the form below, even if you are on our current list. This will allow us to have the most up-to-date information for our list.
If you have questions, please email us at privatehousing@montreat.org.
The Montreat Store
The Montreat Store is an awesome mix of boutique, gift shop, and general store. From snacks to t-shirts to toiletries to books to pottery, the Montreat Store has it all!
| The Montreat Store Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Contact: 828.669.5298
Located: 2nd floor, Moore Center
Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages is a global maker‑to‑market movement that breaks the cycle of generational poverty and ignites social change in the developing world.
| Ten Thousand Villages Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday–Wednesday | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Thursday–Saturday | 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Sunday | 9:00 am–4:00 pm |
Contact: 828.669.1406
Located: 3rd floor, Moore Center
Galax Sunday Buffet
The Galax Dining room is open for Sunday lunch June 2–August 4. Non-refundable tickets may be purchased at the Assembly Inn front desk and used on any Sunday. You can call the front desk at 828.669.2911 for more information or to purchase tickets.
| Adults | Ages 5–11 | Under 5 |
| $17.00 | $8.50 | FREE |
The menu for Sunday, June 2 is:
Southern Fried Chicken
Tilapia Vera Cruz
Parsleyed New Potatoes
Green Beans Amandine
Fresh Summer Squash
Rolls, Butter
Fruit, Salad Bar, Assorted Desserts
Development Summer Events
To support these activities and all aspects of Montreat's ministry visit montreat.org/support.
Welcome Center at the Gatehouse
The Montreat Gate House will be open June 3–August 2. Those interested in volunteering at the Welcome Center should contact Martha Todd Sloan, director of donor engagement at marthas@montreat.org or 828.419.9883.
| Gatehouse Welcome Center Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 am–4:00 pm |
Support Montreat
Support Summer in Montreat and all aspects of Montreat's ministry!
Hymn Sings
It’s time for singing on Sunday nights at Montreat! Each Sunday evening from June 2 through August 4 you are invited to come to Assembly Inn Lobby at 7:00 pm, our usual place to gather.*
You will enjoy an hour of singing or listening to your favorite hymns, learn some new hymns, and learn a little about some of the hymns we sing on Sunday mornings. Come!
*Please note: our July 14th Hymn Sing will be take place in the Presbyterian Heritage Center.
| Hymn Sing Lineup | |
|---|---|
| June 2 | Eric Wall |