Current Conferences
“Named, Redeemed and Called”
For women of all ages, cultures, and denominations
God has named us, redeemed us, and called us to live in the fullness of God’s spirit. Come and be empowered to claim the name God has given us, daughters of God, rejuvenating our spiritual life, revitalizing our sense of self, and reconnecting our gifts to God’s work in the world. We have been named, redeemed, and called for a purpose.
“… Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you… Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you…” Isaiah 43:1-4
Check out photos from the 2009 Women’s Connection!
Key Leaders
- Eugenia Gamble, Arroyo Grande, CA; Keynote; Eugenia is a pastor and writer serving the Nipomo Presbyterian Church and working on a new book. She is the former director of spiritual development at First Presbyterian Church in San Luis Obispo, CA, and served as pastor of churches in Birmingham, AL, and Englewood, CO, as well as on the staff of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Eugenia has served as keynote speaker at numerous conferences, schools and colleges, presbyteries and synods, including the Presbyterian Women National meetings. She has spoken at churches and events in 40 states and 6 foreign countries. Eugenia has numerous publications and was the author for 17 years of “Out of the Whirlwind,” a continuing column in Horizons Magazine. Eugenia’s greatest sense of personal satisfaction comes from providing leadership in the development and implementation of the vision of First Light, Inc., a center for homeless women and children.
- Magdalena Garcia, Chicago, IL; Worship Leader; She is pastor of Ravenswood Presbyterian Church, a multicultural and bilingual congregation. She is a founding member of the Presbytery’s Multicultural Church Ministry Team, and Secretary for the National Presbyterian Multicultural Board. In 2008, she was honored along with two other women for their “visionary work in transforming the church and society” as recipients of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Women of Faith Award.
- Veronica Cannon, Charlotte, NC; Worship Leader; She is program coordinator for the CHRIS program (Consumer Health Resource Information Service) at C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church. She is a third generation Presbyterian, serves on the Board of Directors for the Mountain Retreat Association, and is a commissioner for the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic. Veronica is also an ambassador for the Power to End Stroke.
- Donna Marie Todd, Black Mountain, NC; Worship Leader; Donna Marie is a professional storyteller, teaching artist, and the editor of The Biblical Storyteller. For more details, visit her website: www.donnamarietodd.net.
- Muriel Burrows, Princeton, NJ; Worship Leader; She is pastor of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church. Muriel has served churches in St. Louis and Baltimore; taught elementary school in her home country, South Africa; and served on the staffs of Stony Point Conference Center in New York and the PC(USA) World-wide Missions Office. She speaks on social justice issues, particularly on topics to do with women and peace. She is currently collaborating on a history of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and on a book about her life in apartheid South Africa.
- Hollice (Holly) Watson, Shreveport, LA; Music Leader; Holly is the Organist/Choir Director of First Presbyterian Church and is a concert organist.
- Janice Catron, Louisville, KY; Bible Study Leader/Conference Chaplain; She is pastor of John Knox Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY, and an experienced leader of Bible studies. Prior to her church call, she served on the national staff of the PC(USA) in a number of positions, including work for Presbyterian Women. Janice was the author of the Presbyterian Women study of Job.
- Mary Katherine Robinson, West Jefferson, NC; Conference Pastor; Mary Katherine holds a B.A. from Davidson College, Davidson, NC, 1993, and is a 1997 graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA She served as the Associate Minister for Pastoral Care and Congregational Life at First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC, 1999-2003, and has also been a hospice chaplain and a pastoral counselor.
Workshops Offered
Workshops are offered on Wednesday and Friday, from 11 a.m. until noon. You may choose two workshops (one for Wednesday and one for Friday).
- Health and Fitness Designed for all abilities. Learn how to improve your total well being through body/mind integration. Instruction in breathing, posture, stretching/strengthening, etc. Tools to improve, prevent, and/or reverse adverse effects. Maya Andrau
- Take off the Red Cape: Balancing Roles as Women Running as fast as you can but not making great strides? Explore ways to stop playing Superwoman and live more faithfully as daughters of God in the community of faith. Magdalena I. García
- Presbyterian Women: Past, Present, Future Learn of our heritage and purpose, examine the challenges faced today, consider the opportunities for tomorrow. What does it mean to be flexible? Come with questions and/or experiences to share. Cleda Locey
- Art and Spirituality Explore how works of art feed us spiritually. We will focus on conscious seeing and being attentive. We will then pray lectio divina visually instead of verbally. Martha Jane Petersen
- Technological Ways to Connection, Despite living in a world where technology changes every day, some of us simply want to know the basics – How do I share pictures through email? How do I view a document delivered to my “inbox”? What is Facebook all about? This workshop will focus on utilizing email capabilities and will give a brief introduction to making connections through “social networks.” Kitty Fouche
- Sabbath Keeping, Just what is the Sabbath, how was it kept in Biblical times, and what significance does it have for us in the current day and age? Why is Sabbath so important? Come and discover your Sabbath rest. Veronica Cannon
- Growing through Grief, Spouses, jobs, physical/menta abilities, pets…none of us are immune to grief and loss. Explore various ways we may have known (or may yet know) cycles of grief throughout our lives. Bring your willingness to participate – through stories, personal wisdom, attentive listening, or compassionate presence – as we share what it means when we are open to the pain and suffering of loss in the presence of our often surprising and always compassionate God. Margaret Rada
- Recognizing Grace Is it possible to use our physical bodies as a practical pathway to affirming God’s grace in our lives? Have you ever felt the tension and stress of your body might be indicating something about where you are with God? Looking at the theology of grace in concert with the practices of the Alexander Technique, a tool to help manage physical tension in everyday activities, use practical and interactive exercises to “be still and know God.” Susan B. Butterworth and Sara Maynard Sommers
- Visualizing and Telling a Bible Story The greatest story ever told will enter your heart forever! Guided visualization, sensory memory and fun, interactive sharing will bring a Bible story to life for you! Donna Marie Todd
- Taking Control: A Financial Management Workshop for Wome Today, every woman – single or married – needs to plan ahead for personal and family security. Exploring ways to take control of your finances is taking the first step toward achieving these goals. This workshop will familiarize participants with several aspects of financial management and provide take home tools and knowledge to help each woman address her own personal finances after the workshop is over. Emily Ferguson
Special Opportunities
- Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study
- Conference Pastors – Janice Catron & Pat Bacon
- Life Coach – Jo Pilmore
- Open Space Discussions – Marion Ward & Kay Layman
- Spiritual Director – Roberta Martin
- Afternoon Options: crafts, “Flowers for Sacred Spaces,” hikes and walks in Montreat, hand massages, cooking.
Program Fee Only
- On or before June 6, $160
- After June 6, $185
Make the 2010 Women’s Connection a Family Affair! Register with a daughter, niece, friend, neighbor – any woman younger than you – and she can come for a reduced program fee of $100.
Scholarships are available for this conference.
Cost for Program, Housing & Meals
Comprehensive fee includes program, double occupancy housing in the Assembly Inn or Winsborough, and meals in the Galax Dining Room.
- On or before May 24, $465
- After May 24, $565.
Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Some rooms have private baths, and some rooms have connecting baths. You must register by May 24 to receive the special $465 rate.
Learn more about these and other housing options available in Montreat…
Registration Information/Childcare
Conference begins Tuesday, July 6, with registration 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn. Conference ends Saturday, July 10 with breakfast.
- Register online now!
- 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 received on or before May 24 will receive a refund of all funds paid, minus a non-refundable $100 deposit. Cancellations received after May 24 but on or before June 29 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 29. 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, Montreat, NC
Anne Driscoll, Midlothian, VA
Bridgett Green, Nashville, TN
Emily Johnson Lindsay, Black Mountain, NC
Anne Rogers, Montreat, NC
Lois Stroman, Dublin, GA