This Week in Montreat - Issue #1

Dear Montreaters,
And so it begins — a new Summer Season at Montreat Conference Center! Summer staff is here. “Clubs” is starting (so please watch for children as you drive!). The kiln is fired up at the Sally Jones Pottery. We’re tuning up for the Friday night square dances (starting at a new time – 7:30PM – this summer). And this week, our kick-off conferences are Proclaiming the Text and Christian Education.

This is a great week to join us for summer worship services, which are always open to the public. Check the schedule in this edition of This Week in Montreat to see who’s preaching and when. Some splendid preachers are in our midst, one of whom – the Rev. Dr. Brian Blount, President of what is now known as Union Presbyterian Seminary – will be with us next Sunday, June 7.  Few places on earth give us such an opportunity to hear the proclamation of the Word as we have it offered to us here in this cove each week throughout the summer. I hope to see you at one of these services.

Grace and peace,
Pete Peery, President

Download this issue of This Week in Montreat (PDF)

Welcoming Some Summer Staff

Many of the collegiate summer staff arrived yesterday, and we're really happy to have them. Just as things pick up for the summer conference season, the Summer Staff arrive to help make everything happen. The Christian Education and Proclaiming the Text conferences both arrive June 1st, which is also the first week of our summer clubs program.

This week the staff will go through training and orientation to familiarize themselves with Montreat and their specific work areas, as well as their co-workers and lodges. It's an exciting way to start an exciting summer.

Josh is the Video Marketing Associate at Montreat Conference Center. He spends time producing videos, tweaking Montreat.org, tweeting with @montreat and updating the facebook page.

Josh can be reached at joshr@montreat.org.

Montreat Conference Center Expands Development Efforts

Emily Lindsay joins the Montreat Conference Center staff as the Director of Major Gifts this month. “Though not new to the development efforts of the conference center, Lindsay will take on the responsibility for Major Gifts as she works with individual donors, foundations, and congregations,” said Vice President for Development, Bill Straughan. This expansion is part of the newly approved Ministry Work Plan for the conference center.

Having held the position of Director of Church Relations and Communications for the conference center in the past, Lindsay is returning to the Montreat team to direct its expanding major gifts program. “We are pleased to have Emily back among us,” said conference center president Pete Peery, “she brings a strong development track record with her to the position here. And we know there is considered donor confidence in Emily, both among congregations and individuals with whom she has worked over the years.”

In addition to the major gifts program, Lindsay will staff the Montreat Conference Center Development Foundation, conduct the planned giving program, manage the endowment administration and assist in the planning for a capital campaign the conference center intends to launch in 2011-2012.

Polly Cameron, Director of the Montreat Fund, is also taking on new responsibilities in the development operation. In addition to directing the Montreat Fund, Cameron will also serve as the coordinator for the Memorial Garden and Volunteer Service Areas. She will serve as the development office coordinator and in that capacity will have budget and administrative responsibilities. “We are pleased to have Polly take on these additional tasks,” said Bill Straughan, “and I think this team of Emily Lindsay, Polly Cameron, and Director of Donor Records, Phoebe Duncan, sets us on the right course to strengthen the financial base for this vital ministry of Montreat Conference Center.” In spite of the challenging economic times, The Montreat Fund ended the fiscal year stronger than expected and enabled the conference center to complete its fifth consecutive year in the black.

Montreat Conference Center is a mission center serving the Presbyterian Church USA in western North Carolina. Throughout its century of service to the church it has been a place of renewal, inspiration and rest for thousands of visitors annually. It continues today as a place for and experience of celebrating relationships, nurturing congregations, and deepening discipleship through conferences, retreats, vacations, and sabbatical.

2009 Public Hike Schedule

Ah, that wonderful summer pastime of hiking in Montreat... It's tough to beat the 2,500 acres of protected wilderness and spectacular views from the trails and paths the criss-cross the valley.

The Ranger staff will offer two public hikes every Tuesday and Thursday
during the peak conference season, both leaving at 9 AM from the Nature Center (669-9540). The short hike is designed to return in time for clubs pick up at noon; the longer hike will return mid to late afternoon. Wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking shoes and bring water, snacks, and for longer hikes, a lunch. All hikes are free and open to the public.

Download the public hike PDF for information about the hikes for any given week this summer.

To ensure safety, in the event of inclement weather hikes on this list may be altered, truncated, or cancelled. If you hike on your own, please come by the Nature Center or General Store for trail maps and advice. Remember to always file a "flight plan" with someone who is not hiking with you and follow it. Always bring food and water and wear appropriate clothing.

In case of emergency call:
Black Mountain Fire and Rescue (828-669-9117)
Montreat Nature Center (828-669-9540)

Josh is the Video Marketing Associate at Montreat Conference Center. He spends time producing videos, tweaking Montreat.org, tweeting with @montreat and updating the facebook page.

Josh can be reached at joshr@montreat.org.

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.

Family Patrons Picnic

What better way to kick off the 4th of July weekend than attending the Family Patrons Picnic! Bring the family to enjoy this free meal (hotdogs, hamburgers, and cold lemonade) at the Boyd, Jones, and Roddy Picnic Areas - Monkey Bottoms! The event will take place on July 3rd, from 5-7pm

Download the invitation for more information (PDF).

This event is hosted by Grayson & Emily Blair on behalf of the Montreat Conference Center President's Council. Please RSVP to grayson.blair@gmail.com or call 704.965.5435.

Josh is the Video Marketing Associate at Montreat Conference Center. He spends time producing videos, tweaking Montreat.org, tweeting with @montreat and updating the facebook page.

Josh can be reached at joshr@montreat.org.

Grant Given to Upgrade Montreat Conference Center's Anderson Auditorium

Support in the form of a grant for $25,000 from the Robert C. and Sadie G. Anderson Foundation will be used to upgrade sound and lighting in Montreat Conference Center’s Anderson Auditorium.

“We are grateful to the Anderson Foundation for its continued support of what is considered by many to be the centerpiece of the Montreat community,” said Pete Peery, President of Montreat Conference Center. As Peery went on to explain, the soaring 2,000 seat auditorium has “dead spot” areas where hearing the speaker on-stage is difficult. The purchase of headset microphones will make it possible for speakers to be heard clearly throughout the facility. In addition, key stage lighting will be repaired and enhanced. “The preachers and keynote conference speakers we bring to the Anderson Auditorium stage every year are world-class and are important components of the Montreat experience,” said Peery. “Using this gift from the Anderson Foundation to upgrade our sound and lighting will do much to enhance that experience.”

Construction of the original Anderson Auditorium was completed in 1922. On April 1, 1940, the structure was destroyed by fire, with only the sixteen cobblestone pillars and parts of the stone walls left standing. Immediately rebuilt, the new Anderson Auditorium resembled the original facility, but was constructed to be fireproof. Everything used in the construction, including the American chestnut pews, was locally produced. The new auditorium was completed in the summer of 1940 and is still in use today.

“Anderson Auditorium is one of the central spiritual centers of Montreat and one of the community’s most recognized landmarks,” Peery continued. “Through the generous on-going support of the Anderson Foundation, we are able to do much to establish its legacy as a community sanctuary and worship center.” A $22,000 gift from the foundation last year allowed the conference center to purchase a truck for the auditorium and facility crew that replaced an old and often unreliable vehicle that had been in use for fifteen years.

Montreat Conference Center is a national conference center serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Over 35,000 people visit annually for rest, renewal, and recreation. For more information, visit the conference center web site, www.montreat.org.

Montreat Expands Conference Guest and Retreat Services

Montreat Conference Center’s ministry of hospitality and welcome to conferees, vacationers, retreat groups and business partners is being expanded to meet growing demands. “As a part of our Ministry Work Plan, we are enhancing our guest services throughout the conference center, especially at Assembly Inn,” said conference center president, Pete Peery. In this effort, Diane Pennington is transitioning from the development office to serve as Guest Services Manager at the Assembly Inn hotel. Judy Smith will move into the office of retreat services which has begun to offer professional retreat planning skills to groups who need specific assistance to find speakers, to develop their retreat program, or to look for area activities appropriate to their events.

Coming into her third summer at Montreat Conference Center, Pennington has worked as Director of Development Operations in the Development office. “She may perhaps be best known locally for her work as the Montreat Volunteer Service Area Coordinator and community communicator par excellence,” said conference center vice president of program development and marketing, Merri Bass.  Originally from Richmond VA, Diane pursued her undergraduate degree in vocal performance at Oklahoma Baptist University and later completed her BA in Psychology for Special Populations at the City University of New York. Her work experience includes investment banking in NYC and communications in bio-tech research. Looking forward to her new role as Manager of Guest Services in hospitality, Diane said she is “excited to support the vision and growth of guest services as we work to enhance the conference center’s ministry to the larger church. Montreat Conference Center is a particularly unique destination in Western North Carolina and I look forward to developing new avenues of service for those who venture to this place set apart for rest and renewal.”

Pennington’s talents in music and drama will also serve the community as she works with the Summer Worship Team each week, preparing the Sunday service of worship for the gathered community.

Judy Smith joined the conference center team in 1999. Her ten year tenure with the conference center has seen her talents exercised in hotel reservations, adult conference registrations, facilitator of group reservations and guest services. Before coming to Montreat, Smith was in the travel service business for 29 years in High Point, NC. “It is the attention to the detail and my love of the people who come here that I enjoy most about my work,” said Smith. “As Manager of Retreat and Guest Group Services, Judy will be able to work with retreats in their program planning,” said vice president of hospitality, Mike Morse. “We have discovered that some churches have put their annual retreat planning into the hands of volunteers who do not have the necessary experience. As professional programmers, we have the skill and contacts to help people develop the content of their retreat in meaningful kinds of ways. Judy will facilitate that process,” said Merri Bass. “I am looking forward to being able to do the work I love and have the opportunity to work with church retreats and guest groups as they plan their Montreat experience,” Smith said.

“This is evidence of the transition work we are doing in Montreat as we work to discern God’s intention for this vital ministry both now in and in the days to come. Expanding our retreat and guest group services, is one of the ways we believe we step forward in becoming the vibrant full-service center needed by those who are searching for a gracious, quiet, renewing place to go for restoration, inspiration, and challenge” said Peery.

Montreat Conference Center is a national mission center serving the Presbyterian Church (USA) in western North Carolina. It serves 35,000 people annually through retreats, business meetings, conference services and partner conferences.

Housewarming Shower!

Join us for a “Go Green” housewarming shower for the Galax House (formerly the President's House) on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 2-4pm at 317 Assembly Drive, Montreat.

The gift items most needed at the house may be found under the name “Montreat Galax” in registries at the following locations:

Bed Bath and Beyond (online registry)
Montreat Books and Gifts (20% off by typing in 'Galax' at checkout)
Ten Thousand Villages (20% off, in-store only)

Registry gifts, a gift card or monetary doations will be gratefully accepted!

Help us stay “green” by bringing your housewarming gift or gift card in a recyclable bag to take back home with you – wrapping paper or ribbons are not necessary! Include any “used” card to identify the giver(s) and leave gift on the welcoming table.

Download the PDF Invitation and RSVP by May 15, 2009 to:
dianep@montreat.org
or 669.2911 x 313