September in Montreat

Montreat Conference Center is pleased to bring you our monthly newsletter September in Montreat. Please find updates from our president, highlights on programmatic offerings, and ways that you can engage with Montreat below. Specifically, in this issue we are talking about the end of the summer, College Conference @ Montreat, and our annual Wee Kirk Conference for leaders of small churches.

A Wonderful Summer in Montreat – And an Update on the Lodge— by Richard DuBose, president of Montreat Conference Center As summer winds down in Montreat, I find myself deeply grateful for another remarkable season of ministry and renewal here in the valley. Once again, Montreat Conference Center, the Town of Montreat, and the community at large contributed to a successful season in which this little village came alive with children and youth, families, pastors, musicians, educators, church leaders, and countless others… READ MORE PROGRAMS & EVENTS Calling all campus ministers! Now that school is back in session, let your students know about College Conference @ Montreat! Taking place January 2–5, 2027, this event welcomes college-aged young adults for a time of felowship, worship, and spiritual exploration. Registration will open in October! Keep an eye on our website or sign up to be notified when more information is availble. Beginning in 2027, Montreat will offer a new series of arts-based programs as part of its partnership with Road Scholar. Each program aims to provide older adults with opportunities for continued learning and growth, and will cover topics like stained/fused glass, metalsmithing, and book arts. Learn more. Later this month, we will welcome dozens of creatives to Montreat as part of our annual Fall Craft Week! If you are interested in attending but haven’t signed up yet, there is still space remaining in the following classes: metalsmithing, woodcarving, silk painting, book arts, basket weaving, photography, linolium printing, and watercolor. Visit our website to register before it’s too late! We share updates related to offerings for youth & young adults, adult conferences, and retreats in a series of topical email newsletters each month. Sign up to receive one, two, or all three directly in your inbox by clicking here. EXPERIENCE MONTREAT Sometimes, there is no better way to enjoy Montreat than grabbing a scoop of ice cream and relaxing on the porch at Moore Center. Be sure to stop by next time you attend a conference or retreat! You can enjoy coffee or a quick meal at The Huckleberry, browse for a gift at The Montreat Store, or peruse items made by local and global artisans at The Good Steward. You won’t want to miss it! It is with a mix of sadness and appreciation that we share the news that Richard Sills, Montreat's Chief Financial Officer, has announced his plans to retire in January 2027 after more than 22 years of service to the conference center. Read more here. We are pleased to announce the completion of two major projects in the Montreat Wilderness! First, Harry Byran Trail has reopened following the construction of a new bridge, as the original bridge was damaged during flooding following Hurricane Helene. Second, our wilderness rangers completed some significant work on Lookout Trail this summer, including the construction of a new set of stairs. Both of these projects will help guests safely enjoy the Montreat Wilderness for many years to come! We are here to offer support for pastors and church professionals leading small-membership churches. During our annual Wee Kirk Conference, participants have the opportunity to network, learn from other church leaders, and experience personal spiritual renewal. Scholarship funding may be available! Visit our website to learn more. We share updates for locals, news about the Montreat Wilderness, and information pertaining to spiritual exploration in three monthly email newsletters specific to each topic. Select which ones you would like to receive in your inbox by clicking here. Montreat Patrons Make it Happen! Montreat Patrons are vital to the mission and ministry of Montreat Conference Center and directly support our ability to host conferences, maintain our wilderness, and offer a safe and welcoming environment for all who experience Montreat. Each of the names listed on our Donor List reflect the dedication of those who love Montreat and we’re so grateful for each and every one! DOWNLOAD THE 2025-2026 DONOR LIST MAKE A GIFT Start Planning Your Next Visit There are so many ways to experience Montreat! Whether you come for a conference, retreat, or for a personal Sabbath, you’ll have the opportunity to engage your faith, learn new skills, grow in community, and emerge renewed. Visit our website to start planning a trip today! VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS Montreat Conference Center, a ministry of the Mountain Retreat Association, is a national conference center located in Western North Carolina with roots in the PC(USA). Learn more at www.montreat.org.

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RNS Morning Report - Two pastors detained, a student dead: Haitians in Ohio turn to faith amid fear of ICE

Haitians in Springfield turn to faith amid fear Only days after two Haitian pastors were detained by federal immigration agents in Springfield, Ohio, the wife of one of the pastors, Denise Adrien Gedeon, arrived at a Friday evening vigil in support of Haitians in the embattled city. She spoke in Haitian Creole about her faith and God. “Despite everything, despite the difficult time, we believe in him, and we believe he will see us through,” she said, adding she did not want money or food — just the return of her husband, Joubert Adrien, whom she met singing in a church choir in Haiti in 1999. He was detained Aug. 20. Gedeon’s plea was part of an especially turbulent week in Springfield, as RNS national reporter Kathryn Post writes after her second reporting trip to the city in recent weeks. After the arrests of two Haitian pastors, Adrien and Julio Dumano, local Haitian leaders put out a call for support. More than 400 people responded — many of them faith leaders, some traveling from as far as Minnesota and Florida — to stand with Springfield. Three days after Gedeon’s plea, Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian college student, died in an auto collision, which his family described as a suicide. Read the full story.     Top Stories Two pastors detained, a student dead: Haitians in Ohio turn to faith amid fear of ICE SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (RNS) — ‘All I want is to see my husband back,’ said Denise Gedeon, whose pastor-husband, Joubert Adrien, was detained by ICE — one of two pastors arrested during a weekend that also brought a death, prayers and vigils for a Haitian community under siege. Wendell Berry, writer and farmer, was extolled by many as a modern-day prophet (RNS) — His writings touched on conservation, community and belonging, and he acquired legions of fans beyond environmental studies — including many scholars of religion. Opinion No, Attorney General Nessel, Jews will not disappear (RNS) — A Jewish attorney general makes an immodest proposal to her people. No, thanks. In Texas, ordinary Muslim religious practices are increasingly being treated as political threats (The Conversation) — After 9/11, suspicion of Islam hardened into an assumption in Texas that Muslim identity itself signals danger, writes a scholar of constitutional law. ICYMI What is sharia? Muslims and Texas Republicans have very different answers (RNS) — Islamic scholars and Muslim Texans say fear and political opportunism distort the meaning of sharia. Samaritan’s Purse turns down $300M from State Department for humanitarian relief (RNS) — Franklin Graham, one of President Trump’s most stalwart evangelical allies, did not offer any reasons for rejecting the federal funds, which would have been used for ‘immediate life-saving assistance to people affected by natural disasters.’     Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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