Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

Download liturgy resources from this past year’s Blaze conference! 2012 Blaze Liturgy

Blaze: 1.) n. a large, fiercely burning fire; 2.) v. to mark out a path or route; 3.) v. to be a light; 4.) v. to pioneer; 5.) n. an outburst; 6.) v. to set an example

Working with young people as their faith develops is a calling. This is true whether you are a pastor, a Sunday School teacher, a confirmation mentor, or a church educator. The Blaze is an opportunity for leaders of youth to gather for worship, renewal, sharing and fellowship. Come to Montreat with your questions, wonderings and ideas; leave with new colleagues, fresh inspiration, and renewed energy for the youth in your congregation.

Co-sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA.

Key Leadership

Michelle Thomas-Bush, Keynoter. Michelle Thomas-Bush is the Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. Her passion is for young people, and she finds joy at middle school lock-ins, and in the faith questions of senior high youth.

Tony Campolo, Preacher. Tony Campolo is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, a former faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, and the founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education.

Workshop Descriptions

Please choose your workshops BEFORE registering for the conference. You may register for three workshops and one alternate. We assign workshops on a first come, first served basis. NOTE: We reserve the right to cancel a workshop based on projected attendance.

• (1) Small Can be Just the Right Size: Options for Leading Youth in Small Congregations Small congregations face unique challenges when working with youth. Many have only a few, many have a couple of 6th graders and a senior in high school. Many rely on the pastor to lead youth. Many have very limited budgets for youth. And yet all small churches want more youth! This workshop includes a look at the uniqueness of the small church and how that impacts programming for youth, some tips on leading small youth groups, thoughts on partnering with other churches and within your own church, and ways the broader church can help. Come prepared for practical helps and sharing the stories of your experiences with youth groups in small congregations. Whether your church is small or large, there will be something for you! Marilyn Johns is the Director of Program Development for the Center for Ministry and Leadership Development at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Prior to that, she worked on a Lilly Endowment project that encouraged and built up pastors of small congregations. She has consulted with over 125 small congregations across denominations in the U.S. and Canada. A Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she served as church educator in three PC(USA) congregations. She is also involved as Program Coordinator for For Such a Time as This, a project of the PC(USA) which seeks to pair small churches in remote areas with first-call pastors.

• (2) Transformative Travel: Mission trips that make a difference How can a one-week trip have an impact that lasts a lifetime? How can trip leaders ensure their teams minimize harm to local cultures? In this workshop, we develop theological and practical resources for leading mission trips that make a difference in the lives of youth who travel and the communities where they serve. We’ll talk about choosing mission sites, orienting travelers, cultural immersion, post-travel follow through, and more. LiErin Probasco is completing her PhD in sociology at Princeton University, with a focus on culture and religion. Her research investigates cross-cultural generosity and relationship building during international short-term mission travel in Nicaragua. She has been an advocate for youth and young adults in her home denomination (the United Church of Christ) and in ecumenical settings. She has also taught seminary courses on both young adult ministry and short-term missions.

• (3) Transforming Youth Leaders: Ready for Some Change? Leadership is a popular topic in this time of tumultuous change. Churches are scrambling for new expressions of leadership—and for new leaders. Too often, we are looking for new models and expressions of leadership in the wrong places. Oops~ This workshop has a two-directional focus. First, it will offer perspectives and resources to advance the work of workshop participants as effective leaders. Second, it will offer perspectives and resources for participants to take home to facilitate effective leadership development among youth as current and future leaders. With each group of leaders in mind, it will explore the heart of transforming leaders through brief presentations, video clips, discussions, and handouts. Ken McFayden is professor of ministry and leadership development, and dean of the Center for Ministry and Leadership Development, at Union Presbyterian Seminary. He is author of Strategic Leadership for a Change: Facing Our Losses, Finding Our Future (Alban, 2009). His experiences with youth include seven years on the staff of a Presbyterian camp as a youth and young adult, five years of experience in congregational youth ministry, and two decades of experiences as a parent of sons now 23 and 21.

• (4) Group Spiritual Direction The Rev. Walter Burgahrdt, SJ describes contemplation as the process of taking “a long loving look at the real”. In light of this definition, what could be more exhilarating, more transforming, more downright scary than to enter into contemplative practices with youth? This module will invite you to discover practices that cultivate an environment of loving, non-anxious receptivity to God’s ever-nudging Spirit. Spiritual Direction at The Blaze is an invitation for you to hear what God might be saying to you through the joys and challenges facing you from day to day. For more information about spiritual direction and spiritual directors in your area, check out Spiritual Directors International’s website: www.sdiworld.org. This workshop has a size limit of 7. Steve Matthews was a youth minister for over 15 years and his last church, St. Paul’s Episcopal (Richmond, VA) participated in the “Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project” with Mark Yaconelli. Presently Steve is working as a spiritual director, writer, retreat leader, and consultant to churches in the area of “Contemplative Process in Ministry.”

• (5) sacred circles: centering our sacred souls our bodies and minds call for moments of stillness and reflection during our busy lives and as we offer care through ministry. in those moments of awareness we are invited to glimpse the sacred in daily living. through guided imagery, we will encounter the sacred in the space of our gathering and find inspiration to use our hands to create. using everyday objects we will create mandalas that are an expression of our sacred selves in the present moment. mandalas are circles created to represent wholeness and used to help us center, much like a labyrinth. materials used will welcome all levels of creativity. the work of our hands is sacred and an expression of our creative spirituality. willingness to care for your sacred soul is all that is needed for this gathering. suzanne l. vinson’s creativity is lived through her roles as artist, bread maker, mother, wife, friend, gardener, writer, blogger, workshop & retreat leader, bereavement group facilitator, and ordained minister. Suzanne encourages all individuals to open the window of the soul through the work of their hands and to embrace the healing process through creative expression. She leads art+spirit groups for any age, integrating daily practices to the sacred. “From making mud-pies to carving block prints, creating allows me to be fully present to others, while still caring for myself. I hope to help others spark the Creative Spirit within as we make and bake together.”

• (6) Pastoral Care with Youth through Social Networking Facebook and Twitter offer youth workers streams of information about their youth on a daily basis. We all know that social networking offers us a quick way to send birthday greetings but what about when the going gets tough or when our youth use social media as an outlet for support or a cry for help? How should we respond? How can we use social media to help strengthen our relationships and build support within our youth groups? What are some pitfalls to avoid? Let’s discuss! This workshop assumes a basic level of understanding about how to use facebook and/or twitter. Kim McNeill is the Staff Associate for Youth and Congregational Life at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. She worked in Presbyterian Camp and Conference Ministry before joining UPC in 2007. She bleeds Carolina Blue and knows the words to all of the UNC fight songs. Kim loves leading games that make you laugh, organized chaos, and trips in the van. Using social media is a part of her daily life and ministry with youth.

• (7) Opening Doors: Effectively Including Kids with Special Needs in the Church Disabilities like ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism and OCD are increasingly common in children and youth. Unfortunately, these diagnoses often make church and youth group difficult for kids, their families…AND the church staff! However, good communication and proactive planning can make Sunday successful for everyone. In this session, we will discuss how these disabilities affect spiritual development. We will also identify strategies for successfully including students with special needs in ministry. Communicating with parents, a key component for inclusion, will also be discussed. Katie Wetherbee is a former special education teacher who has always enjoyed working with children who have special needs. However, her experience as a mother to a child with special needs has fueled her passion for helping parents, schools and churches work together effectively. Katie is the Director of Education for Key Ministry, a non-profit that provides support and consultation to churches seeking to include families affected by disabilities. Katie completed her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University, where she majored in Special Education and Human & Organizational Development. She holds a master’s degree in education from Hood College, where she served on the adjunct faculty for the Reading Specialist program.

• (8) What Are They Thinking? Adolescent Brain Development Why do youth engage in risky behaviors? Why do they never seem to get enough sleep? Why do they also seem to be so attuned to social engagement and world issues? Recent brain science provides some tentative answers to these questions and others about the teenage brain. This workshop will lift up some of these insights and what they may imply for Christian youth ministry. Come stretch your own brain as we explore the mysteries of the adolescent mind together. Kathy Dawson is a certified Christian educator and ordained pastor in the PC(USA). She is currently serving on the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia as Associate Professor of Christian Education and Director of the Master of Arts and Practical Theology degree program. Her teaching focuses on the theory and practice of Christian Education, children’s ministry, curriculum, and human development. She is intrigued by all the new brain research that surrounds us and its implications for educational ministry in the church. Dr. Dawson has served churches in Alabama, California, Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Georgia in various capacities.

• (9) Party Time: Plans That Will Make YOU Look Like a Creative Genius! Do you have events you are in charge of that make you want to pull your hair out trying to tie in a theme? Come learn the key points of planning that will let your creativity AND organization shine through. Experience a theme party, plan a party and leave this class with ideas to go back to your churches and put into action. Beth Gunn is a recreation leader from Western North Carolina. She is the Associate for Youth for the Presbytery of Western North Carolina with a particular emphasis in the field of Recreation Ministry. She has served on the Steering Committee for the Annual Recreation Workshop (www.recreationworkshop.org) and as the Recreation Ministry Staff person for the PCUSA Triennium 2007 and 2004, planning recreation for 5,000 high school youth with a team of 10 youth and adults. Beth’s all time favorite childhood game – Kick the Can in the street at dusk.

• (10) Scaling the Firewall: Access in the YouTube Generation As access to information changes with technological advancement, youth culture changes exponentially. Ministry and life experience do not change at the same pace. This workshop works towards helping ministers become culturally literate in order to greater serve urban youth. Models of success will be highlighted as well as pitfalls.
  Jason Callahan is a chaplain at the Medical College of Virginia, a level one trauma center located in downtown Richmond, Virginia. A former lifestyle marketing executive in New York City, Jason was responsible for creating many of the trends seen in urban areas across the country. After receiving a Masters of Divinity in 2011 from Union Presbyterian Seminary, Jason uses his advertising expertise with his passion for urban ministry, plans to pursue a doctorate degree, and teach at the graduate level.

• (11) Make it Work: Technology as Your Community-Building Friend So often, we fight these new “isolating technologies” in youth ministry. Come and explore ways to embrace cell phones and tablet computers to create a new and exciting sense of community. This will include program ideas, communication ideas and administration ideas. Bring your gadgets and let’s explore together. Scott Brown is director of Senior High Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC and has been involved in music his entire life. Scott claims to play seven different instruments, including the ipad. He has brought many youth groups to Montreat conferences and is a regular at the Annual Recreation Workshop.

Tentative Schedule

Thursday, January 5

• 3:30-5:30 – Registration and check-in, Assembly Inn Lobby
• 5:30 – Dinner
• 7:00 – Worship, Upper Anderson
• 8:45 – Conversation groups

Friday, January 6

• 8:45-10:30 – Keynote, Upper Anderson
• 10:30-11:30 – Q & A with Tony Campolo
• 12:00-1:00 – Lunch
• 1:30-3:00 – Workshop 1
• 3:30-4:00 – Book Signing, Montreat Book Store
• 4:00-5:30 – Workshop 2
• 5:30 – Dinner
• 7:00 – Worship, Upper Anderson
• 8:45 – Conversation groups

Saturday, January 7

• 8:45-10:00 – Workshop 3
• 10:15-11:15 – Keynote, Upper Anderson
• 11:15-12:00 – Worship
• 12:00-1:00 – Lunch

Registration & Accommodations

Extra discounts for 2011 Youth Conference back-home leaders! Register early while space lasts!

CONFERENCE RATES

Comprehensive rates below includes conference fee, double occupancy room in Assembly Inn or Winsborough, meals in the Galax Dining Room (Thursday supper through Saturday lunch), plus a $2 community services fee per adult. Some rooms have private baths, and some rooms have connecting baths. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. If you are the only adult in the room and you do not specify a roommate when registering, an additional charge of $100 will be added to your reservation.

• Adults: $202.00 per adult in double occupancy room (Add $100 if only one adult in room)
• Children ages 12 & over: $57.00 for meals
• Children ages 5-11: $29.00 for meals
• Children under 5: no charge

CHILD CARE RATES

Child care will be available for this conference. Rates are as follows:

• First Child: $45;
• Additional Child: $30;
• Family Maximum: $100

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

There are three ways to register for the conference…

1.) Online: For individuals, families, or small groups reserving one room at a time

We have reserved a special room block for this conference. When you make your reservation online, you will be asked to enter group ID “blaze” and password “montreat” to access these rooms. If you have any questions about the registration process, please email the registrar at chandlerg[at]montreat.org or call 800.572.2257 ext. 335.

Please choose workshops BEFORE registering online!

Register for conference and reserve a room with credit card

2.) Mail: For individuals and groups. (Recommended for groups reserving multiple rooms)

Download registration form and mail (with check or credit card information) to Montreat Conference Center, Attn: Montreat Central, P.O. Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757

3.) Fax: For individuals and groups. (Recommended for groups reserving multiple rooms)

Download registration form and fax (with credit card information) to 828.669.5054

Refund Policy

$50 of the registration fee is non-refundable; after December 10, 2011, no refunds will be issued.

More Information…

• Event begins Thursday, January 5, with room check-in at 3:00 pm, Assembly Inn.
• Event ends Saturday, January 7, following lunch.
• Questions? Contact the registrar at 800-572-2257, ext. 335 or email chandlerg[at]montreat.org.
• If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org.

Check out other opportunities for youth and young adults offered by the Center for Youth & Young Adult Ministry

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