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Montreat Conference Center Awards Medallion of Merit
Saturday evening, June 14, Montreat Conference Center and the Development Foundation Board of Directors hosted the Fourth Annual Firefly Society Dinner. The dinner honored all who have given current or deferred gifts of $10,000 or more to the Montreat Conference Center endowment, and in particular, three recipients of the Medallion of Merit: Ned and Jane Cunningham, the Rev. Dr. Julian and Elizabeth Lake Family, and the Rev. Dr. J. Randolph Taylor (awarded posthumously).
“The Medallion of Merit is presented to those whose contributions have had a pivotal impact on Montreat Conference Center’s unique ministry,” explained Jim Henderson, chair of the Development Foundation Board of Directors. “These are people who, at decisive times in our conference center’s life, have given extraordinary leadership, service, and financial support.”
Ned and Jane Cunningham have been long-time supporters of the conference center, but it was their action in the summer of 1997 that uniquely qualified them for the Medallion of Merit award. Montreat Conference Center was in financial crisis. The Cunninghams stepped forward and created a charitable gift annuity with Montreat Conference Center as beneficiary. At the time, it was the largest single financial commitment in Montreat’s history. The Cunninghams were unable to attend the ceremony Saturday evening, but will receive their award at a later date.
The Julian and Elizabeth Lake family has a long history in Montreat. Abram David Pollock Gilmour and Elizabeth Monroe Taylor Gilmour built a house in Montreat in 1910, which was eventually inherited by their children: Elizabeth Gilmour, who married Julian Lake, and Monroe Gilmour. Notable siblings of the Lake family include Betty Orr, Scottie Lindsay, Julian Gilmour Lake, and the late Robert Lake, for whom the conference center’s playground, Robert Lake Park, is named. Julian Gilmour Lake, Betty Orr, and Scottie Lindsay accepted the award on behalf of the family. “I am happy to accept this lovely tribute on behalf of the many members of the Julian and Elizabeth Lake family,” said Gilmour Lake. “All of you have heard me say many times,” he continued, “that I believe Montreat Conference Center is the most important mission in the Presbyterian Church… I believe, with the help and commitment of the people in this room and the other members of the Development Foundation, that we can make it even more vital to the Presbyterian Church.”
The Rev. Dr. J. Randolph Taylor spent a lifetime in support of the conference center. As a young man, he spent his summers in Montreat and influenced scores of his peers and other young people. As a churchman, whether in the pulpit, in theological education, or as Moderator of the 195th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), he considered Montreat his home, and his writings eloquently captured the soul of Montreat. In his lifetime, Randy Taylor was at the forefront of peace and justice issues. He was a driving force in reuniting the northern and southern Presbyterian churches and was the first Moderator of the reunited denomination. “If he were here, I think Randy would simply say thank you – for this honor and for the wonderful Montreat community” said Arline Taylor, who accepted the Medallion of Merit on her husband’s behalf. “It will be cherished by the entire family.”
Last summer, Montreat Conference Center celebrated the conclusion of a 3-year endowment campaign at which it was announced that the campaign goal of $20 million had been reached. Today, the fund’s total is over $24 million. “The endowment helps us address immediate needs and it also allows us to imagine future possibilities,” Henderson concluded. “The people we have honored tonight are an inspiration for us all.”