Current Conferences
“Come, Follow Me”
For older adults.
Christ invites us to follow him all the days of our lives. As his disciples, how do we trust, pray, love, and serve in today’s world? Come be inspired in this time of worship, study, and fellowship. (From Matthew 4:12-22 – Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee and calls his first disciples.)
Key Leaders
- Jon Brown, Louisville, KY; Presbyterian minister and coordinator/senior editor, Mission Education and Promotion at the PC(USA) offices in Louisville.
- Eileen Lindner, New York, NY; Presbyterian minister and director of Organizational Development of the National Council of Churches (USA); editor of the NCC’s annual Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches.
- Michael Barker, Black Mountain, NC; director of music, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church; active in the American Guild of Organists, Organ Historical Society, Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, and American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Workshops
Register for workshops and afternoon options when you arrive for the conference.
Morning Workshops – Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10:30 am-12 pm.
- Bible Study – Inspired to Trust, Love, and Serve Our call to serve Christ, all the days of our lives, receives its inspiration, foundation, and empowerment from our engagement of God’s Word. Bible study will focus on key passages from the gospel of Matthew and will consider key passages that inspire disciples to trust, love and serve Christ. Key passages for study will be Matt. 4:12-22; 11:28-30; and 28:16-20. Jane Brawley Fobel, Charlotte, NC; parish Associate for Older Adult Ministry, Sardis Presbyterian Church.
- Inspired to Pray (over three days) Through the spiritual discipline of prayer, participants will explore not looking at prayer as a duty, but by a desire to connect and grow in intimacy and communion with the Trinity, and going out into the world as the body of Christ. Tuesday – Engaging scripture as prayer through breath prayer with music and meditation, Lectio Divina (sacred reading), and Psalm-writing. Wednesday – Engaging prayer in new ways including body prayer, imaging intercessory prayer with music, healing prayer with anointing of oil or laying on of hands, contemplative prayer, and centering prayer. Thursday – Ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:5-13, Matthew 7:7-11). Annie Tarbutton, Newnan, GA; senior adult consultant to Newnan Presbyterian Church; member of the senior adult ministry committee of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta; and working towards Older Adult Ministry Certification through POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network). Member of the planning team.
- T’ai Chi – Inspired to Move Using gentle movements, learn ways to increase energy, relieve stress, and improve balance. Led by local T’ai Chi instructor.
- Developing Older Adult Ministry In Your Congregation (over three days) Tuesday – Beginning Practices: Moving from Activity Model to Ministry Model. Wednesday – Developing The Ministry: Vision, Mission, Strategies, Goals, Leaders. Thursday – Ministry Practices: Full Scale Older Adult Ministry Models. Michele Shultz Hendrix, Houston, Texas; Director Encore Generation 50+ & Pastoral Care Assistant, Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston.
- Mission and Volunteer Work – Inspired to Serve
- Current Events – Inspired to Be Involved Join in lively and relevant discussion! A different current event will be addressed each day. George Yates, Asheville, NC; associate professor emeritus, Management and Accountancy, The University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Afternoon Options
Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.
- Inspired to Play… Golf Come enjoy fellowship on the links. Sign up for one or all three afternoons. Organized by Bob Murphy, Houston, TX.
- Inspired by the Arts Montreat College organ recital at Chapel of the Prodigal (Tuesday); pottery at the Currie Craft Center (Wednesday); tour of the Thomas Wolfe House in Asheville (Thursday – $1 admission fee). Led by planning team member Bill Caruso, Nashville, TN.
- Inspired Hands Participate in hands-on service opportunities in the local community. Volunteers may choose to sign up for one or all three afternoons. Sites include Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, MANNA Food Bank, and Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry.
- Inspired to Go Green Learn more about sustainable living, organic foods, and what it really means to “go green.” Tuesday – North Carolina Arboretum Sustainability Garden and Property Tour with guide. Through this educational tour, participants will learn many ideas that they can utilize for their own gardens and properties. Walking is required. In case of rain, umbrellas and rain jackets are suggested. Wednesday – The Green Walkabout Tour of Warren Wilson College’s sustainable campus practices. Highlights of the tour include the farm, forest, recycling and waste management, landscaping, garden, and LEED-designed Orr Cottage. Walking is required. Participants will also need to be able to go up and down steps. Rest stops will be provided. In case of rain, umbrellas and rain jackets are suggested. Thursday – Tour of Earth Fare, the healthy supermarket. Highlights of the tour include eating healthy, the benefits of organic foods, complimentary tastings, and time for questions. Walking required. Tours led by planning team member Annie Tarbutton.
- Stories from the South: The Oral Tradition Set in Writing Learn more about Southern authors and the oral tradition set in writing. What is unique about Southern stories? Is there a distinct South any longer? Discussion led by Ann “Annie” Hartzog Hall, Black Mountain, NC; LCSW, psychotherapist, teacher, and writer.
- Inspired to Explore Explore Montreat from several different vantage points. Tuesday – Guided hike of the Montreat wilderness. Moderate difficulty. Sturdy shoes and water are a must. Dressing in layers is advised. Hike will be moderate in difficulty (slight incline and no hand climbing) and expect lots of roots, rocks, and uneven areas. Led by a seasoned Montreat volunteer. Wednesday – Guided walk around Montreat. Learn more about the history of Montreat, including its buildings. Tour will include some uphill walking. Led by a seasoned Montreat volunteer. Thursday – Montreat tour of homes. Visit some of Montreat’s “cottages” and learn more about the families that reside in Montreat. You will be transported by van, but the tour will include some walking. Led by planning team member Bill Caruso, Nashville, TN, who is also a Montreat cottager.
Program Fee
- On of before August 31: $150
- After August 31: $175
Scholarships are available for this conference.
Cost for Housing and Meals
Rates are per person and include all room and meal charges for the entire conference (Monday supper-Friday breakfast). No adjustments to package will be made except for extended stay.
Assembly Inn (meals included; served at Assembly Inn)
- Single, Private Bath: $461
- Single, Connecting Bath: $385
- Double, Private Bath: $305 per person
- Double, Connecting Bath: $285 per person
(total due on or before August 31)
Registration Information/Childcare
Conference begins Monday, October 12, with registration, 3:30-5:30 PM, Assembly Inn Lobby. Conference ends Thursday, October 15, following evening worship (participants in conference center housing will have housing Thursday night and breakfast Friday morning).
- Register online now!
- Download registration information (available at a later date)
If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org. Questions about registration? Email the registrar at susana[at]montreat.org.
Child care is not available for this conference.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received by August 31 in order to receive a full refund less a $25 service charge. Cancellations received after August 31, but on or before October 5, 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 October 5. All requests must be in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.
Planning Team
Bill Caruso, Nashville, TN
Jane Fobel, Charlotte, NC
Lauren Mathews, Montreat, NC
Laurey Murphy, Houston, TX
Annie Tarbutton, Newnan, GA