Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

“Embracing God’s Call to be Green”

...ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being. Job 12: 7-10 (NRSV)

Key Leaders

• Howard Frumkin, Atlanta, GA; director, National Center for Environmental Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The center works to maintain and improve the health of the American people by promoting a healthy environment and by preventing premature death and avoidable illness and disability caused by toxic substances and other environmental hazards. He currently serves on the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine. He was named Environmental Professional of the Year by the Georgia Environmental Council in 2004. He is the author or co-author of over 100 scientific journal articles and chapters, and has written numerous books. Dr. Frumkin received his BA from Brown University, his MD from the University of Pennsylvania, his MPH and DrPH from Harvard, his internal medicine training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Cambridge Hospital, and his occupational medicine training at Harvard. He is board-certified in both internal medicine and occupational medicine, and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

• Ellen Davis, Durham, NC; professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School Ellen is interested in theological interpretation of the Old Testament, with particular concern for Christian preaching. Her current work focuses also on developing an exegetically based response to the ecological crisis. A lay Episcopalian, she has been involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue for more than 30 years. Her previous teaching appointments were at Union Theological Seminary (New York City), Yale Divinity School, and the Virginia Theological Seminary. Ellen has an A.B. from the University of California at Berkeley, Center. Theo., Oxford University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and a Ph.D. from Yale University.

• Sam Hamilton-Poore, San Francisco, CA; Director of the Program in Christian Spirituality and Assistant Professor in Christian Spirituality, San Francisco Theological Seminary. Prior to this, he and his wife Terry served Presbyterian, Lutheran, and U.C.C. congregations in North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. When it comes to ecological issues, Sam has a special passion for prairies, wetlands, and tide pools—and for the (re)integration of prayer, action, and theology. His new book, Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation, will be released by Upper Rooms Books in January 2009. He and his wife are the parents of three teenagers.

• Nancy Corson-Carter, Chapel Hill, NC; board chair, New Hope Camp and Conference Center. Nancy is a Presbyterian elder and has served as RCE of Tampa Bay Presbytery, and the immediate past Moderator of PRC (1999-2005). Now in retirement from college teaching, her continuing environmental advocacy includes facilitating an Environmental Support Group at Church of Reconciliation, PCUSA, Chapel Hill and leading “Hope Workshops” on the climate change crisis for the NC Interfaith Power and Light program. She is a member of the Shalem Society for Contemplative Leadership, and helps to lead a weekly contemplative service at her church. Nancy has just published another book of poetry, Near the End of the Rainy Season: Poems from Japan (Pudding House Press, Columbus, Ohio).

Workshops

• Stream Ecology, Brian Joyce
• Wildflower Identification Walk, Mary Standeart
• Wilderness Walks, Rusty Frank
• Eco-Therapy, John Huie
• Praying For and With the Creation, Sam Hamilton-Poore
• A Faithful Response to Global Warming, Richard Fireman
• How to Go Carbon Neutral in Your Congregation and Presbytery, Leader TBA
• Environmental Education for Religious Audiences, Mir Youngquist-Thurow
• Glorifying and Protecting Through the Arts (Watercolor), Sara LeVan
• Glorifying Nature and Protecting the Environment Through the Power of Photography, Perrin Todd
• EP and Stewardship in Daily Life, Margo Flood
• Greening Your Facility, Julie Lehman
• Hope in the Global Food Crisis: Solutions Bring Environmental Benefits, Andrew Kang-Bartlett
• Easements and Planning, Jerry Dorset/SAHC/John Ager
• Skyland Regional Council/Landcare, Janie Moore, Phillip Gibson & Dennis Testerman
• Conservation Easements, Bill Straughan
• Energy Efficiency (audits), Isaac Savage or Maggie Leslie
• The Poverty of Global Climate Change: Impacts on the Church Ministries, Cassandra Carmichael, National Council of Churches
• Stewardship of Creation Enabler Training and Sharing, Bill Somplaski-Jarman
• My Planet, Myself (Health as related to our Environment), John Brock
• Community Gardens, Warren Wilson College staff
• Resourcing Church Leaders, Renee Rico
• Peacemaking and the Environment, Amanda Craft
• Media, Ken Garfield
• Warren Wilson College, It’s Environmental Vision, Warren Wilson College Staff
• Service Work Project (church in Asheville), Phillip Gibson
• Endangered Species, WNC Nature Center Staff
• Wildlife Education Center/Cradle of Forestry, Janie Moore & Tracy Bailey
• Roots and Shoots (youth track), Warren Wilson College Staff

Program Fee

• Before June 6, 2009: $175 – adults; $100 – college students/seminary students/young adults 18-25
• After June 6, 2009: add $25 to fees above

Registration Information

Conference begins Tuesday, July 7, with registration from 3 – 5 p.m. in Anderson Auditorium. Conference ends Saturday, July 11 with breakfast.

• Register Online
• Download Registration information

Childcare is available for this conference, but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. LIMITED ENROLLMENT.

Questions about registration? Email the registrar at susana[at]montreat.org.
If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by June 6 in order to receive a full refund less a $25 service charge. Cancellations received after June 6 but on or before June 22 will receive a 50% refund of the conference fee and payments made toward room and meal charges (if applicable), less $40. No refunds will be issued after June 22. All requests must be made in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.

Planning Team

Tracy Bailey, Black Mountain, NC
Merri Bass, Black Mountain, NC
Phillip Gibson, Candler, NC
Janie Faucette Moore, Black Mountain, NC
Tom Pakurar, Midlothian, VA
Bob Remsburg, Locust, NC
Renee Rico, San Anelmo, Ca
Dennis Testerman, Concord, NC

Co-sponsored by Presbyterians for Restoring Creation and Montreat Conference Center