The Rev. Dr. Albert G. “Pete” Peery Jr. to Preach at Montreat Conference Center

Honoring a tradition of inspirational worship that dates back to the late 1800’s when worshippers first came to Montreat in horse-drawn wagons and camped out in tents to attend services, this year’s summer worship series at Montreat Conference Center, May 31 – August 9, once again offers nationally acclaimed preachers, uplifting music, and thought-provoking Bible study to the gathered community.

On the first Sunday of the series, May 31, which is Pentecost Sunday, the conference center is pleased to welcome one of its own, the Rev. Dr. Albert G. “Pete” Peery, Jr. The title of Rev. Peery’s sermon, “When the Answer Eludes Us,” will be based on readings from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel and the Gospel of John. “Montreat Conference Center shapes people’s faith,” Peery said, adding, “It prepares them for life in the Church, not just here, but out in the world.” Peery, who served for fourteen years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC, was called in November, 2008, to be the sixteenth president of Montreat Conference Center and will be installed at worship on Sunday, June 14. “Montreat Conference Center remains in a unique position to imprint young and old alike,” he concluded. “I consider it a great honor to be asked to preach here.”

Summer Sunday worship in Montreat Conference Center’s Anderson Auditorium begins at 11:00 AM, and in addition to the guest preachers, will feature some of this area’s finest choirs and musicians. Child care is available for children six months through completed kindergarten at the Updike Child Care Center on Texas Road. Following worship, a lunch buffet is served at the Assembly Inn’s Galax Dining Room from noon to 1:30 PM. The following is a schedule for the entire summer:

• May 31: * The Rev. Dr. Albert G. Peery (President, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC)
• June 7: The Rev. Dr. Brian Blount (President, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA)
• June 14: The Rev. Dr. Agnes Norfleet (Shandon Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC)
• June 21: The Rev. Chris Chakoian (First Presbyterian Church, Lake Forest, IL)
• June 28: * The Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston (Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, NY)
• July 5: The Rev. Dr. Ken Bailey (New Wilmington, PA)
• July 12: The Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Rigby (Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX)
• July 19: * The Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes (Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY)
• July 26: The Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett (St. James Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC)
• August 2: The Rev. Jim Singleton (First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, CO)
• August 9: * Dr. Pamela Mitchell Legg (Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC

*Indicates the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

In addition, the Rev. Dr. John Kuykendall, the summer Theologian-in-Residence, will lead a Bible study, “When Christianity Comes to Town: Studies in the Book of Acts,” each Sunday in July, 9:30 AM in the Allen Building. Josh Robinson, a recent graduate from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, is the 2008 summer Liturgy Writer, Dr. Porter Stokes and Dr. Ron Davis from Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, are the summer Music Directors, and Andrew Morehead, also from Presbyterian College, will serve as the summer Worship Coordinator.