Church of Scotland Minister a Friend and Mentor to Local Musician

Eric Wall was in college when he first encountered Scottish hymn-writer and composer John L. Bell. It was not until later, however, as a teacher at The Asheville School in search of songs and music that would be meaningful to teenagers of diverse religious backgrounds – or none at all – that he picked up one of Bell’s books, Love from Below. From the book’s introduction, Bell says, “For the past century religious music has relied so much on organ or piano or guitar that the beauty and potential of the human voice has been forgotten and the joy of singing in harmony has become, in many places a long lost experience. We want to encourage people to redeem that loss. It can be done. All it needs is the willingness to learn…”

Quarterly Reports Archive

As we begin to post Quarterly Reports to the blog, we invite you to find past reports in this post.

• October ’10 Quarterly Update
• July ’10 Quarterly Update
• April ’10 Quarterly Update
• January ’10 Quarterly Update
• November ’09 Quarterly Update
• July ’09 Quarterly Update 
• April ’09 Quarterly Update
• January ’09 Quarterly Update
• October ’08 Quarterly Update
• October ’08 Holiday Schedule Insert
• July ’08 Quarterly Update
• April ’08 Quarterly Update
• January ’08 Quarterly Update
• October ’07 Quarterly Update
• October ’07 Financial Report/Donors Insert
• October ’07 Holiday Schedule Insert
• July ’07 Quarterly Update
• July ’07 Financial Report/Donors Insert
• April ’07 Quarterly Update
• April ’07 Financial Report/Donors Insert
• April ’07 Long Range Plan Insert
• January ’07 Quarterly Update
• January ’07 Financial Report/Donors Insert
• October ’06 Quarterly Update
• October ’06 Financial Report/Donors Insert

A Merri Moment: Now, Montreat Connects More Than Ever!

Just a few minutes ago a colleague handed me the latest Montreat promotional piece­ - a rack card hailing the sweeping renovation of The Katherine and Thomas Belk Center at Left Bank.

It’s impressive! As you approach the building, it’s clearly been buffed and polished, yet still wears its warm, 1925 exterior details graciously, retaining its long porches that overlook Lake Susan and the surrounding mountains. But walk inside, and behold the feast that our technical staff has prepared for you!

Imagine the remote learning potential that conferees will have at hand. They’ll find high definition LCD projectors, motorized screens, tabletop mics, wireless internet access, and video conferencing capability. The meeting spaces stand ready to serve all kinds of gatherings, from distance learning to small group discussions to business meetings to conversations with those across the country through the touchpad videoconference system.

The Left Bank has a rich history in Montreat and has served the church well through its years. In those early summers, the Committee on Christian Education and Ministerial Relief and the Committee on Home Missions met on the upper floor while the Committee on Religious Education and Publication and the bookstore were located on the first floor. It was home to the ministry team serving as chaplain to the summer collegiate staff in the 1960’s. And in the 1970’s it became conference small group meeting space. Through the last two decades it served as executive office space. Now, through the generosity of the Katherine and Thomas M. Belk Foundation, 21st century connectivity in the Left Bank continues to bring folks together in Montreat, whether face-to-face or across the miles by videoconferencing.

The children of Thomas and Katherine Belk initiated this gift in memory of their father and in honor of their mother, both of whom have had long ties with Montreat. Theirs is a rich legacy of stewardship to treasure and to honor.

I have a hunch that they are envisioning those countless unnamed persons who will benefit from their generosity…those who will be able to participate in conferencing events here through the technology, those who will learn in fresh kinds of ways as they are connected with colleagues across the country or around the globe, those who will hold events here because of the renovation and digital capability, only to discover Montreat to be a place of accumulated grace where they are refreshed and renewed—even changed.

It’s clear that the Belk family heritage of faithful stewardship thrives from generation to generation. And, as it lives on, this generosity touches hearts and families and congregations such that lives are transformed, God’s will is discerned, Christ’s call is answered, and things are made new.

It is exciting to imagine what kinds of collaborative programming can happen here at the Belk Center at Left Bank. I would love to dream with you about the creative possibilities for your next program!

- Merri Alexander
Vice President, the Center for Faith and Life
828.669.2911 ext. 329
merria[at]montreat.org