On Calling and Remembrance (Guest Starring The Toe River Valley Boys) 07/02/2021
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.
A few days ago, while sifting through a box of Montreat keepsakes, I came across an LP recording that I recognized instantly: “Square Dancing In The Blue Ridge Mountains” by the Toe River Valley Boys. The album, I believe, deserved its keepsake status because its bluegrass music had accompanied the square dances that my home church once hosted for local youth on Friday nights during my early teen years. My father, our church’s minister, organized these dances and invited the youth groups of other congregations to join us (the dancing congregations, at least). On those Friday nights, our fellowship hall . . .
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.
Preaching Sunday, July 4
Rev. CeCe Armstrong serves as associate pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC. Rev. Armstrong's sermon draws on Mark 6:1–13 and Ezekiel 2:1–52. Her sermon is titled "The Power of 2+1."
All summer worship services take place in Anderson Auditorium at 10:30 am.
Weekly Rundown |
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| Sunday, July 4 |
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| 10:30 am | Summer Worship Service, Anderson Auditorium |
| 11:45 am | Sunday Buffet, Galax Dining Room |
| Tuesday, July 6 |
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| 9:00 am Full |
Public Hikes (more info below) |
| 7:00 pm | Arts, Music, & Theology Lecture, Convocation Hall (more info below) |
| Thursday, July 8 |
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| 9:00 am Half |
Sitting Duck Cafe, Upper Moore Center (formerly the Huckleberry) |
| 9:00 am Half |
Public Hikes (more info below) |
| Friday, July 9 |
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| 7:00 pm | Big Circle Mountain Dance |
| Saturday, July 10 | |
| 9:00 am | Public Hike (more info below) |
A Note About Masks
Recommendations for camps remained more stringent than those for most endeavors, as health authorities cautioned that activities involving intergenerational participation – and particularly unvaccinated, younger populations – should remain more vigilant. We’re going to follow the more stringent guidelines until further notice, in large part because our programs serve a significant number of young people who are vulnerable to the coronavirus as summer begins.
- All staff, conferees, and participants in conference center programs and activities will continue to wear masks indoors in each place that supports our intergenerational programs, including the Assembly Inn, Anderson Auditorium, the Montreat Store, and all meeting spaces.
- We will be maximizing use of our outdoor spaces this summer, reducing the length of time spent indoors, and using precautions when we are indoors. Science has formed a consensus that it’s very, very rare to contract COVID outdoors. Conferees and participants, therefore, will not be required to wear masks outdoors except in crowds or in circumstances stipulated as high-risk situations.
- While scientists once believed people could get COVID-19 by touching a surface that had the virus on it, we now know that the chances of contracting the disease this way are vanishingly small. Still, there are still lots of great reasons to keep your hands clean, and so hand sanitizer will remain available around our campus.
Community Announcements
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Stay Up to Date
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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
Tuesday, July 6
No half day hike.
Full Day – The Annual Perimeter Hike
Thursday, July 8
Half Day – Sanctuary Loop
Half Day – Lower Piney
Saturday, July 10
Full Day – Rocky Knob
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 exhibit includes: Cultures & Conflict: Native Americans and Presbyterian Missions; Fantasy & Fiction: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkien & Dorothy L. Sayers; Women’s Suffrage in the U.S.; Missions to Central America & the Caribbean, and others!
| Free Admittance | |
|---|---|
| Heritage Center Hours: | |
| Tuesday–Friday | 10:00am–4:00pm |
| Saturday | 1:00–4:00pm |
| Sunday & Monday |
closed |
Crafts and Pottery
The Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery are a collaborative ministry of Montreat Conference Center. Classes and pottery are open to people 12 years and older. Class offerings vary from week to week. In addition to classes, we offer independent throwing and hand building. Please email montreatpottery@gmail.com to make reservations for the coming week. With other questions please call Nancy Hyde 678.472.1292 or Ann Laird Jones 662.347.3614.
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Pottery Hours (Upstairs) |
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|---|---|
| Monday– Tuesday |
9:00 am–12:00 pm 2:00 pm–5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am–12:00 pm |
| Thursday | 2:00 pm–5:30 pm Pottery Glazing and Craft Classes |
| Friday | Normally closed |
| Saturday | 8:00 am–11:00 am Pottery Pickup |
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Craft Hours (Downstairs) |
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| Monday–Thursday | 2:00–5:00 pm |
Ice Cream Update
Looking for a sweet treat? Buy hand-dipped ice cream in the POD at Montreat College's Bell Library.
Sunday | 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Monday–Friday | 11:00 am–10:00 pm
PickleBall
Pickleball will be offered on Mondays this summer at the Patricia Cornwell Tennis Courts from 10:15 am–noon. The cost is $3 per session.
Friday Night Big Circle Mountain Dancing
We are all excited that Friday Night Big Circle Mountain Dancing will resume its rightful place as an integral activity of the Montreat community this summer. Here are the new basics:
- Dates: Dances will begin June 18 and continue weekly through August 6.
- Time: Dances will begin at 7:00 pm and end by 9:00 pm
- Place: Dancing will take place on the tennis courts at the Bill Wilde Youth Center.
- Those attending the dance inside the fence will be asked to wear a mask and soft-soled shoes. (No boots!) We will be reminding you of these requests at the gate as necessary.
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.
Arts, Music, and Theology Lecture Series
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.
July 6: "In Memory of Dr. Jim (Jimbo) Bryan: A Celebration of Life" – Dr. Henry Wilde and Richard DuBose
followed by
"Anatomy of a Supreme Court Case Affecting Many" – Jim Hamilton
Location: Convocation Hall
July 7, 9:00 pm: "Together Around the Lake: Remembering the 3+ million"
Candlelight service of prayer and song, remembering those who have died from Covid-19 here and around the world.
Location: Lake Susan
Second Loaf
Not happening July 3 or July 10.
Second Loaf continues its long history of collecting food donations for the food insecure in our community Saturdays, in the parking lot area in front of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Adjusting for COVID related restrictions, Second Loaf can only take shelf ready non-perishables, cold or frozen food in their original unopened packaging (such as a whole, unopened package of hot dogs), personal care items and paper goods (opened or unopened), and fresh produce (fruits and vegetables). Individually wrapped snacks are especially welcome. We are grateful for the generous response of groups who drop off their "second loaves" on their way home.
Montreat's New Lodge
Fourth of July Celebration
Join us on Saturday, July 3rd and celebrate with a parade and a variety of fun events for the whole family! This is a time to celebrate Montreat, freedom, peace, unity, and our community of faith.
Friday, July 2nd
7:00 pm | Big Circle Mountain Dance, Tennis Courts
Saturday, July 3rd
7:00 am | 19th Annual Independence Day 5k, Montreat Gate
9:00 am–5:00 pm | Montreat Store is Open, Moore Center Building
10:00 am | Parade Units in Formation, Geneva Place at Appalachian Way
10:00 am | Flag Raising & Star-Spangled Banner, Anderson Field
10:30 am | Fourth of July Parade
11:00 am–3:00 pm | Montreat College Book Sale, L. Nelson Bell Library
2:00–4:00 pm | Pops in the Park, Moore Center Field
2:00–5:00 pm | Silent Auction at the Craft Shop
2:00–5:00 pm | Free Pool, Boats, and Tennis
2:00–5:00 pm | Games on Moore Field
2:00 pm | Old-Timers’ Softball Game, Welch Field
Sunday, July 4th
10:30 am | Summer Worship, Anderson Auditorium
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!
| 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 way for you to shop with intention for ethically-sourced wares — and to share in the joy of empowering artisans around the world.
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sunday | noon-5:00 pm |
Contact: 828.669.5298
Located: 2nd floor, Moore Center
Galax Sunday Buffet
Stop by the Galax Dining Room at the Assembly Inn after worship to catch up with friends and family as you enjoy a feast for the body and the soul. Note: The Galax Dining room is closed to the public for all meals except for Sunday lunch June 6-August 8. Non-refundable tickets may be purchased any time at the Front Desk and used for any Sunday. You can call the Front Desk at 828.669.2911 for more information or to purchase tickets.
The menu for Sunday, July 4 is:
Fried Chicken
Broiled Whitefish with Lemon & Dill
Mashed Potatoes
Southern Style Black-Eyed Peas
Steamed Vegetable Medley
Rolls
Fruit & Salad Bar
Assorted Desserts
| Adults | Ages 5–11 | Under 5 |
| $16.50 | $8.50 | FREE |
Development Summer Events
To support these activities and all aspects of Montreat's ministry visit montreat.org/support.
| Pops in the Park | July 3, 2:00 pm | Location: Moore Center Field |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting Duck Cafe | Every Thursday in July, 9:00–10:30 am | Location: The Huckleberry |
| Montreat Fund Patrons Reception | Location: 5:00–7:00 pm, Anderson Lawn 7:00–8:00 pm, Anderson Auditorium |
Please RSVP here by July 7th |
Welcome Center at the Gate House
Stop by the Welcome Center, the small building attached to the Montreat gate, this summer for maps, materials, and personal recommendations or stories from our kind Welcome Center volunteers. Hope to see you there!
| Monday–Thursday | 10:00 am–4:00 pm |
| Friday | 12:00–2:00 pm |
Hymn Sings
The next hymn sing is July 11.
From June 6th through August 8th, join us on Sunday nights at 7 pm in person in Anderson Auditorium or through a live stream for Hymn Sings. Because we will be inside, we will seat you in alternating rows allowing at least 6 feet between family groups. We ask that you wear a mask at all times, including while singing. These protocols may change as the summer progresses. For updates on the protocols or to receive the link to the weekly live stream, subscribe to Community Announcements.