Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

“Women and the Economy of Sharing”

Critical to debates about the unequal distribution of wealth, patterns of consumption, contemporary methods of wealth creation, and ecological devastation is the perspective of women, who bear the heaviest burden of poverty. The creative ways in which they provide for their families, address wealth inequalities, and model sharing offer hope for transformation. Gain a theologically rich and biblically informed understanding of the ways in which women, here and around the world, model an economy of shared partnership, mutuality, reciprocity, love, and justice.

Key Leadership

The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, (keynote speaker) is Chair of the Department of Theology at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky and a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. Among other things, Hinson-Hasty has served as chair of the PCUSA committee which developed a Design for a Churchwide Study of the Status of Women on All Levels of the PCUSA and as a research consultant for the World Council of Churches’ Poverty, Wealth, and Ecology project. She is the author of Beyond the Social Maze: Exploring Vida Dutton Scudder’s Theological Ethics (2006) and co-editor of Prayers for the New Social Awakening with Christian Iosso (2008) and To Do Justice: A Guide for Progressive Christians with Rebecca Todd Peters (2008). Her most recent project is on Dorothy Day and should soon be published. She is also authoring the 2014–2015 Horizons Bible study on 2 Corinthians. She makes her in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband Lee and their two children Garrison and Emme.

Nicole Partin Abdnour, (liturgist) is Associate Pastor for Congregational Care, Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Tampa, FL. Nicole was born and raised in Bonita Springs, Florida. She received her BA at Stetson University, and a Master of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. As the Associate Pastor for Congregational Care, Nicole is privileged to walk with people in some of their most tender moments and is always amazed at how God’s grace manifests. Nicole is married to Chris. In her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction, kayaking, and camping.

Karen Wisser Buckland, (music leader) is Associate Professor of Music and the Director of Keyboard Studies at Presbyterian College. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Mansfield University, and earned a Master of Music degree and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, the South Carolina Music Teacher Association, and the Greenwood Music Teachers Association. Karen is active as a soloist and collaborator, adjudicator, and guest lecturer and has performed throughout the Southeast, Washington, Pennsylvania, Alaska, and Canada. With her husband, Jim, Karen is co-founder of Ludlamshöhle, a chamber ensemble dedicated to nineteenth-century music. Dr. Buckland is the director of the annual PC Piano Clinic held at Presbyterian College. Karen is the organist and pianist at First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, SC.

Janice Catron, (Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study) lives in Louisville, KY and is pastor for John Knox Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY. Prior to this position, she served on the national staff of the PC(USA) in various departments related to curriculum development for adults, book publication, and Presbyterian Women. Married to Gordon Berg, Janice is the author of God’s Vision, Our Calling and the award-winning Bible study, Job: Faith Remains When Understanding Fails. She is teaching the 2013–2014 Horizons Bible study, An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy, which she authored.

Bridgett Green, (Thursday evening worship leader) is a teaching elder of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Currently, she is a doctoral student in New Testament and Early Christianity and a fellow in the Program of Theology and Practice at Vanderbilt University. Before attending Vanderbilt, Bridgett served in various capacities among the ministries of Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/ Presbyterian Women at the national office of the PC(USA) most notably as the Associate for Racial Ethnic Young Women Together. She facilitated and connected the leadership of young adults to the work of the national offices, committees, and middle councils of the denomination. Raised in Columbia, SC, Bridgett is a graduate of Davidson College and Princeton Theological Seminary. She has preached before various congregations and gatherings around the country, including the Montreat Youth Conference.

Rev. Meg Peery McLaughlin, (Tuesday evening worship leader) is Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, where she has served for the past six years. In addition to her role in congregational care, Meg also has the privilege of being the staff advisor for Village’s vibrant group of Presbyterian Women. Meg grew up wandering the woods, hopping the rocks, and appreciating the relationships of this old cove, so being in Montreat feels like coming home. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A. in English) and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond (M.Div/MACE). She is married to the Rev. Jarrett McLaughlin and the grateful mother of a toddler, Naomi.

Rev. Ashley-Anne Masters, (Wednesday evening worship leader) lives in Chicago, IL and is an author, pastor, and chaplain. She is co-author of Bless Her Heart: Life as a Young Clergy Woman and author of Holding Hope: Grieving Pregnancy Loss During Advent and Knee Deep in Ashes. Currently, Ashley-Anne serves as PRN chaplain at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Adjunct Staff in the Center for Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Montreat. She blogs at revaam.org.

Special Opportunities at the Women’s Connection

Open Space Conversations

This is a process for eliciting creative interactions that uses a concept called self-organization. It has been used successfully in a wide range of arenas including peace work in Israel, cancer research teams, corporate strategic planning for multinational companies, and the Women’s Connection from 2007 -2012. We have chosen to use it because we believe that it is simply the way that women already know how to work. We also believe that it is a creative and respectful way of nurturing deep and meaningful connections that women may not have even realized that they were seeking. The topics for the various groups arise naturally from the women and the expertise is theirs as a community that gathers to care for one another in the presence of the Spirit of God.

Law of Two Feet (also called the Law of Motion and Responsibility)
If you are neither learning nor contributing in a session, you may get up and leave and join another session in progress where you feel you’ll be more useful and inspired. In addition, the Law of Two Feet makes two very positive contributions to the world of Open Space. It creates Bumblebees and Butterflies.

• Bumblebees are those people who take the freedom of the law very seriously and use their two feet, constantly flitting from meeting to meeting. Like their counterparts in nature, they pollinate and cross pollinate, lending richness and variety to the discussions.
• Butterflies are people who often don’t get to any meetings. They seem to do very little, but they create centers of non-action where silence may be enjoyed or some new unexplored topic of conversation engaged.

Principles

• Whoever comes is the right person. All children of God have something to contribute.
• Whatever happens is the only thing that could have. Trust the Holy Spirit.
• Whenever it starts is the right time.
• Whenever it’s over, it’s over. God does not work within our timelines. You may settle the problems of the world in twenty minutes; on the other hand, you may wish to continue your discussion for longer than the allotted time. Creativity and intuitive thinking do not happen according to a schedule – take it where it wants to go. If you’re done early, you can join another group; if you take longer; just agree on when and where you will pick up the discussion.
• Remain open. Be prepared to be surprised. Leave behind your own agenda and allow God to work in the creative and faithful women of God who have joined together to share insights on the same issue.

Conference pastors will be available during the event.

Afternoon Opportunities

Each afternoon, you may choose either a workshop or an opportunity for exploration.

Workshops:

• The Effects of Humor: Body, Mind and Spirit Let’s take a look at the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of laughter. Did you know that laughter is a natural part of life that is inborn and that even babies laugh out loud at several months? Laughter and humor can help us stay healthy: body, mind, and spirit. Debbie Johnson

• Film and Faith: Gospel Images for Now Is the film in the sermon, or is the sermon in the film? During this workshop we will watch a portion of a number of films, as we look for new and deeper understandings of covenant, redemption and other biblical themes in current films. We will consider new ideas for using films in worship, as well as in other aspects of church communities. Popcorn provided! Ann Laird Jones

• Church and Book Clubs Readers and book-lovers fill our pews and our communities; and they love to talk about what they are reading. Many of us have experienced God’s Word even when it’s not printed in red letters in a Bible! In this workshop, we will discuss the possibilities and options for book clubs in the church. Fiction/non-fiction, religious/secular, leader-centered/group-led, open/closed! Suggested reading lists and ideas will be shared. Millie Snyder

• Writing Your Family Memoirs: Personal Parables & Songs from the Heart Life is not made up of atoms. It’s made up of stories. The stories of our life become our life, so the best gift we leave behind for others – children, grandchildren, or other of our brothers and sisters in the human family – is to write down those personal parables and heat-felt psalms that show who we are, where we have been. Memoir is a sacred undertaking as we share the joys and sorrows that over a lifetime knit us together into the people we now have become. This is the holy writ of our lives. Come and see how easy it is to get started – and how important! Ina Hughs

• A Theology of Getting Dressed / “Bless Her Heart” Book Discussion To get dressed is one of the first tasks we learn as children. This daily task – however short and routine – can be met with anger and frustration at our bodies, complacency in our choices, or rote and dismembered movements. What would happen if we used this time as a prayer of thanksgiving? As a checking in with Christ – our incarnational Savior? As a moment to remember we are created in God’s image? What does what we wear say about who we think we are? Is there a spiritual practice embedded in the clothes we don? Come explore a theology of dress and how to embody getting dressed as a spiritual practice. Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman Then, join Rev. Ashley-Anne Masters, co-author of Bless Her Heart: Life as a Young Clergy Woman, for a conversation about the book and to share your own stories of trial and triumph in life as female clergy. Feel free to bring your copy of the book, though reading it is certainly not a prerequisite for attendance. Ashley Anne Masters

• Table Talk Join Elizabeth for further discussion of the issues presented in her keynotes. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty

Opportunities for Exploration:

• Meditative Walk in the Woods We will begin at the Assembly Inn, and walk on the graveled sidewalk to Elizabeth’s path (about ¼ mile). Elizabeth’s Path meanders along Flat Creek, allowing us ample opportunity to stop at different areas and reflect upon nature and the beauty God has provided in this special place. As the creek rushes along beside us, we will reflect how our lives are also rushed but at the same time, filled with energy and the ability to nurture growth. Margie Boyd

• Food, Faith, and Hospitality Using theological reflection via the author of Food and Faith, Norman Wirzba, and the “hands-on” preparation of a table fellowship at Reynolds Lodge, we will explore the relationship between food, faith and hospitality. Hopefully, you will be enabled to see food and share food in fresh ways – whether that food is shared in your own home or in a ministry of your church with the homeless or the widowed. Come, “taste and see that the Lord is good”! Come and explore how the Eucharistic meal can lead us to a different way of relating to each other, a more respectful way of relating to God’s creation. Limited to 12 participants. Margaret Peery

• Yoga for Well-Being Join certified yoga instructor Martha Nelson for a restorative yoga class: connecting breath to movement, quieting the mind and opening the body allows us to connect to spirit. You will learn about and enjoy the many benefits of yoga while toning and aligning the body in this gentle class. This class is appropriate for anyone. Martha Nelson

• History of Montreat Join Mary Standaert for a pictorial walk through Montreat’s history. Sit and travel through time as we hear some facts and dates and view pictures of Montreat from its early years through today. Mary was the primary author of Arcadia book on the history of Montreat as told through Mary and Joe’s Montreat postcard collection. (Wednesday only) Mary Standaert

• Wildflower Walk Moderate, 2 miles. Hikers will be transported to the Lookout Trail head. We will examine plants and wildflowers as we go slowly up the lower part of the Lookout Trail. This trail section is part of a rich cove community and has abundant plant diversity. Following the lower Lookout Trail, we will go north on the Old Mt. Mitchell railroad bed on an out and back loop also examining the plant communities found there. Most of the rail bed is an easy walk, but the lower Lookout Trail section is moderately steep and is a very eroded trail with lots of steps (0.3 mile). We will go slow, but anyone with knee or hip problems may have some difficulty. Your guides on the hike will be Joe and Mary Standaert. Joe and Mary were trained in ecology and attended the Yale Forestry School. They are active in leading wildflower and historical hikes, wildflower photography, and are members of the Western Carolina Botany Club. (Thursday only) Joe and Mary Standaert

Chair Massages

Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, from 4:30 to 5:30, local massage therapists will be in Assembly #1 to offer ten-minute chair massages. There is a charge for this option in the amount of $5. This charge is primarily to hold your space; the conference is paying the therapists their regular rates for the massages.

Day with Janice Catron

Begin your day on Friday with author Janice Catron teaching the 2013–2014 Horizons Bible study, An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Want to continue your learning experience with Janice? Sign up for lunch on Friday, and continue in the afternoon! The Bible Study continues from 2 – 3 p.m., and then a specific program for teachers of the PW Bible Study…. Teacher helps… suggestions for leaders and more is schedule for 3 – 4:30 p.m. No additional fee required, if you participate in the women’s connection (you may sign up for a delicious lunch at the Assembly Inn for $9.00).

Tentative Schedule

Tuesday, May 28

• 3:00–5:30 p.m. – Registration, Assembly Inn Lobby
• 4:00–5:00 p.m. – Choir Practice
• 5:00 p.m. – Introduction to Montreat
• 7:00 p.m. – Gathering, welcome, opening worship with Meg Peery McLaughlin
• 8:30 p.m. – Refreshments and Fellowship

Wednesday, May 29

• 8:45 a.m. – Gathering, Morning Devotions
• 9:00 a.m. – Keynote, Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty
• 10:30–12:00 noon – Keynote, with Q & A
• 2:00–3:15 p.m. – Afternoon Workshops
• 2:00–3:15 p.m. – Opportunities for Exploration
• 3:30–4:30 p.m. – Open Spaces (small group discussions)
• 4:30–5:30 p.m. – Chair Massages
• 4:30–5:30 p.m. – Wine/Cheese Party @ Presbyterian Heritage Ctr
• 6:45 p.m. – Gathering, singing, worship with Ashley-Anne Masters
• 8:00 p.m. – Refreshments and Fellowship (choice of 2 movies)

Thursday, May 30

• 8:45 a.m. – Gathering, Morning Devotions
• 9:00 a.m. – Keynote, Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty
• 10:30– 12:00 noon – Keynote, with Q & A
• 2:00–3:15 p.m. – Afternoon Workshops
• 2:00–3:15 p.m. – Opportunities for Exploration
• 3:30–4:30 p.m. – Open Spaces (small group discussions)
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Chair Massages
• 4:30–5:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
• 6:45 p.m. – Gathering, singing, worship with Bridgett Green
• 8:00 p.m. – Refreshments and Fellowship (choice of 2 movies)

Friday, May 31

• 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon – Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study with Janice Catron
• 2:00-4:30 p.m. – (Optional) continuation of PW Bible Study

Registration & Accommodations

Comprehensive Rates

Comprehensive rates below include discounted conference fee of $140, room in Assembly Inn, Winsborough, or Glen Rock Inn, meals in the Galax Dining Room (Tuesday supper through Friday breakfast), plus a $3 community services fee per person for public services provided by the Town and the fire district. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Some rooms have private baths, and some rooms have connecting baths. After April 16, these rates will increase by $25 per person.

Assembly Inn

• Double Occupancy, Private Bath: $369.50 per person
• Single Occupancy, Private Bath: $486.50 per person
• Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $354.50 per person
• Single Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $429.50 per person

Winsborough

• Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $294.50 per person
• Single Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $369.50 per person

Glen Rock Inn

• Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $302.00 per person
• Single Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $384.50 per person

Children’s Meal Rates

• Children 12 and older: $76.50 per child
• Children ages 5-11: $38.75 per child
• Children under 5: no charge

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 “womens” 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.

Register for program, housing, and meals

Commuter Rate

Commuter rates below include conference fee of $165 plus a $3 community services fee per person for public services provided by the Town and the fire district. After April 16, this rate will increase by $25 per person.

• Full Program Fee: $168 per person
• Daily Rate (Wednesday or Thursday): $100 per person per day
• Bible Study Only (Friday): $50 per person includes lunch and a copy of the Bible Study. If you choose this option, please register for A Day with Janice Catron instead of the “Women’s Connection.”

Optional meal packages for the Galax Dining Room may be requested when you register online. (These additional charges will be added separately by the registrar.)

• $76.50 per person for Tuesday supper through Friday breakfast
• $18.00 per person for lunches only (Wednesday & Thursday)
• $9.00 per person for Friday lunch (if staying for afternoon session of Bible Study)

Register for full program

If you would like to register by the day, please email the registrar at SusanA[at]montreat.org or call 800.572.2257 ext. 339. If you would like to register for the Bible Study only, please register for A Day with Janice Catron.

Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received by April 16 in order to receive a full refund less a $25 service charge. Cancellations received after April 16 but on or before May 21 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 21. All requests must be in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.

More Information…

• Event begins: Tuesday, May 28, with registration, 3:30-5:30 pm, Assembly Inn Lobby.
• Event ends: Friday, May 31, following a morning gathering.
• Child Care is available for this event. Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited. You must register at least 30 days in advance to guarantee enrollment in the program. Enrollment is not guaranteed for walk-in registrations.
• 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.
• Find out more about housing options available in Montreat.

Planning Team

• Merri Alexander, Black Mountain, NC; Vice President for the Center for Faith and Life, Montreat Conference Center
• Tracy Taylor Bailey, Black Mountain, NC; Director for Conference Services, Center for Faith and Life, Montreat Conference Center
• Margie Boyd, Sylva, NC; pastor, Cullowhee Presbyterian Church
• Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman, Durham, NC; associate pastor for youth ministries, Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Debbie Johnson, Clinton, SC; chaplain, Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina
• Millie Snyder, Charlotte, NC; executive pastor, Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Learn more about other opportunities offered by The Center for Faith & Life…

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