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VOICE: Montreat's Signature Conference
May 25-28, 2012
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People throughout history have heard God’s Voice calling them to be people sent out into a world that is desperate for new imagination and leadership. Using their own voices, they have brought radical transformation to societies across the globe.
How do we, in the 21st century, hear God’s Voice amidst the daily cacophony of messages coming toward us at digital speed? How might we be those who hear and follow the Voice today? Designed for professionals, parents, students, and all who seek God’s voice, this adult conference will bring together leaders from business, politics, athletics, and the arts who will tell their stories of how the voice of faith is instrumental in their professional lives.
Key Leadership

- Paul Leonard, Keynote Leader; Paul is the former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Habitat for Humanity International where he provided day-to-day direction and management of the global Christian nonprofit homebuilder. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Crosland in Charlotte, NC. Leonard is active in community service ranging from serving on the Habitat for Humanity International Board of Directors to serving as a Trustee of Davidson College. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College, a B.D. degree from the University of Chicago, and an M.B.A. from Emory University.

- James (Jim) Martin, Keynote Leader; Jim served as Governor of the State of North Carolina from 1985 to 1993 and was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the Ninth District of North Carolina, from 1973 until 1984. Martin left office in 1993 and began a career at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. From 1993 through 2000 he was Vice-President for Research, and during the period 2000-2008, he served as Vice-President for Government Relations. He is currently Senior Advisor of the firm, McGuireWoods Consulting. An active Presbyterian layman, the Governor is a 33rd degree Mason, a Shriner, and accomplished sailor.

- David LaMotte, Keynote Leader; David is an award-winning songwriter and itinerant peace activist. A veteran of ten CDs and 2000 concerts on four continents, he suspended his eighteen-year music career at its peak in 2008 to accept a Rotary World Peace Fellowship to study International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. In 2004, David and his wife Deanna founded PEG Partners, a small non-profit organization that supports schools and libraries in Guatemala. He is also a consultant on Peace and Justice at the North Carolina Council of Churches.

- John Shoop, Keynote Leader; In 2011, John, a veteran of 21 coaching seasons, both pro and college, entered his fifth season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of North Carolina football program. He came to Chapel Hill after working with the Oakland Raiders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Chicago Bears. John graduated from the University of the South, Sewanee, TN, in 1991, where he played quarterback for four seasons.

- Kristin Saldine, Preacher; Kristin is the Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Prior to her appointment at Austin Seminary, she was minister of the chapel with the rank of assistant professor and associate director of the Joe R. Engle Institute of Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is an ordained minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is currently a member of the Presbytery of Santa Fe. She was the recipient of the Martin Dwelle Kneeland Preaching Prize at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

- Beth Daniel, Liturgist; Beth is the Co-Pastor of Kairos Church in Atlanta, GA where she serves with her husband Thomas. Beth graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, with a Master’s of Divinity with honors in Practical Theology. She has previously served at the Director of Christian Education at Columbia Presbyterian Church in Decatur, and as the Pastor for Discipleship at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. When the Daniels received the request to start and serve as co-pastors at a new Atlanta-based church, Beth perceived it as a gift. The freedom offered by such a venture was both exhilarating and intimidating, simple and profound.

- Eric Wall, Music Leader; Conference Center Musician at Montreat and Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, Asheville. Eric serves a congregation committed to a hospitality of worship and music and has worked with many gatherings at Montreat in singing a depth and breadth of congregational song.

- Cynthia Rigby, Austin, TX; Theological Responder; Professor Cynthia Rigby joined the faculty of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1995. In an article in the Dallas Morning News, on March 28, 2006, Rigby was cited as one of the great theologians of our time. An energetic scholar, Rigby is the author of more than thirty articles and book chapters. Professor Rigby is a sought-after speaker who enjoys lecturing and teaching for academic, church, and denominational events. Dr. Rigby is actively engaged with congregations, teaching adult education classes and leading church conferences. In 2010 Rigby became the first faculty member elected to Austin Seminary’s Board of Trustees.

- Ann Laird Jones, Greenville, MS; Conference Artist; Ann is the Director of Arts Ministry at Montreat, a ministry of the Center for Faith and Life. She splits her time between Montreat and Greenville, MS, where she teaches High School art and serves three churches as Presbyterian minister. She earned her undergraduate from Eckerd College, her Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and her Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Seminary, under the leadership and guidance of Catherine Kapikian. She loves teaching pottery, drawing, and painting. She plays the violin and is moved by the arts at every turn.
General Schedule
The following is a tentative schedule for the event. Please note: changes may be made to the schedule, and you will receive a final schedule at the conference registration table. Worship is always open to the public, but attendance at plenary sessions and workshops requires registration for the entire event.
Friday, May 25, 2012
- Check in to your housing facility after 3:00 pm
- 3:00-5:30 pm – Conference Registration in Assembly Inn Lobby (After 5:30 pm, please pick up your registration packet at Assembly Inn front desk)
- 5:00 pm – Welcome to Montreat (optional)
- 5:30-6:30 pm – Dinner Break
- 6:45 pm – Opening Program with Worship (open to general public)
- Barn dance (following opening program)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
- 9:00-9:45 am – Singing and Morning Prayer
- 9:45-10:30 am – Presenter
- 10:30-11:00 am – Break
- 11:00-11:30 am – Respondent
- 12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch Break
- 2:00-2:45 pm – Presenter
- 2:45-3:15 pm – Break
- 3:15-4:00 pm – Respondent
- 5:30- 6:30 pm – Dinner Break
- Free Evening
- 9:30 pm – Night Prayer
Sunday, May 27, 2012
- 8:00-8:45 am – Singing and Morning Prayer
- 8:45-9:30 am – Presenter
- 9:30-10:00 am – Break
- 10:00-10:30 am – Respondent
- 11:00-12:00 noon – Kirkin o’ the Tartan Worship Service
- 12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch Break
- 2:00-2:45 pm – Presenter
- 2:45-3:15 pm – Break
- 3:15-4:00 pm – Respondent
- 5:30- 6:30 pm – Dinner Break
- 7:00 pm – Closing Worship with Communion (open to general public)
Monday, May 28, 2012
- Conference concludes following breakfast
Registration and Accommodations
Special Group Incentive
If you’re thinking about bringing a group with you to VOICE, be sure to take advantage of our special group incentive rate. The first registration from a church group or presbytery team will be at the full commuter or comprehensive rate. Any additional registrations from the same church group or presbytery team will be reduced by $25 per registration. There is no minimum requirement, and no limit on the number of people in your group who may take advantage of this offer.
Comprehensive Rates
We have reserved a special room block for this conference. When you make your reservation online, you will be asked to enter the group ID “sign” and password “montreat” to access these rooms. If you have any questions about the registration process, please email the registrar at SusanA[at]montreat.org or call 800.572.2257 ext. 339.
Comprehensive rates below include discounted conference fee of $100 per adult, room in Assembly Inn, Winsborough, or Glen Rock Inn (Friday through Sunday night), meals in the Galax Dining Room (Friday supper through Monday breakfast), plus a $3 community services fee per adult. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Some rooms have private baths, and some rooms have connecting baths. After May 3, these rates will increase by $25 per person.
Assembly Inn
- $449.50 single occupancy
- $314.50 per person, double occupancy
- $25.00 spouse discount
- $76.50 for children 12 and older
- $38.75 for children ages 5-11
- no charge for children under 5
Winsborough & Glen Rock Inn
- $299.50 single occupancy
- $239.50 per person, double occupancy
- $25.00 spouse discount
- $76.50 for children 12 and older
- $38.75 for children ages 5-11
- no charge for children under 5
Register for comprehensive rate (program, housing, and meals)
Commuter Rates
Commuter rates below include conference fee plus a $3 community services fee per person. After May 3, these rates will increase by $25 per person. Optional meal packages for the Galax Dining Room may be requested when you register online or purchased at the front desk of Assembly Inn.
- Commuter Rate: $178 per person
- Spouse Rate: $78 per person
- Daily Rate: $70 per person/per day (when registering online, enter “daily rate” and the date you wish to attend in the comment section)
Refund Policy
Cancellations must be received by April 19 in order to receive a full refund less a $25 service charge. Cancellations received after April 19 but on or before May 18 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 May 18. All requests must be in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.
More Information…
- Questions about registration? Email the registrar at SusanA[at]montreat.org.
- Child care is available for this event. Additional charge may apply. Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited. Questions? Email the Clubs Registrar at clubsreg[at]montreat.org.
- If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org.
- Find out more about housing options available in Montreat.
Learn more about other opportunities offered by The Center for Faith & Life…

