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Presbyterian Multicultural Network Establishes New Southeastern Link at Montreat Conference Center
![[l-r] Gustavo Vasquez [PMN], Pete Peery [Montreat], Marcia Mount Shoop [PMN], James Hickson [PMN], Magdalena Garcia [PMN], Nibs Stroupe [PMN], Raafat Girgis [PMN], Rashid Gill [PMN], Mary Newburn-Williams [PMN].](http://www.montreat.org/images/954.jpg "[l-r] Gustavo Vasquez [PMN], Pete Peery [Montreat], Marcia Mount Shoop [PMN], James Hickson [PMN], Magdalena Garcia [PMN], Nibs Stroupe [PMN], Raafat Girgis [PMN], Rashid Gill [PMN], Mary Newburn-Williams [PMN].")
At the March meeting of its Board of Directors, Montreat Conference Center’s new Center for Faith and Life, joined by members of the Presbyterian Multicultural Network (PMN), announced that, in November, 2010, the conference center will be the site of the first Multicultural Institute hosted in the southeast. Similar regional events have been held previously at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico and at Stony Point in New York.
This new partnership was solidified as the conference center board shared fellowship and worship with the PMN board, which was meeting in Montreat at the same time. In particular, during an intentional discussion, the two boards considered the promise and the challenges involved in partnering to offer the November Multicultural Institute. In frank dialogue about a history in Montreat that both resisted and embraced racial equality, the two groups were able to affirm a new and positive direction. “It is my belief that by working together to offer this Multicultural Institute, Montreat and PMN can model for the larger church the healing and edifying power of multicultural partnerships,” stated the Rev. Marcia Mount Shoop, PMN Board Moderator.
Montreat Conference Center President Pete Peery agreed. “This new initiative is born out of a shared desire to do more to cultivate and nurture the promise of diversity and multicultural ministry in the Body of Christ.” As he wrote recently, “I am discovering that it is only as we acknowledge the reality of that [Montreat’s] history publicly without trying to sugarcoat it and as we openly and honestly express regret that it is a part of our story that people once hurt by us will trust our welcome.”
Montreat Conference Center is a national conference center serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Over 45,000 people each year, from all walks of life, are welcomed there for rest, recreation, and spiritual renewal.
The Presbyterian Multicultural Network is a grass roots network in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that connects and nurtures multicultural ministries all over the United States. Learn more and download registration information.
