Montreat Status Update - 11/01/2024

Montreat Status Update - 11/01/2024

Greetings from Montreat! The one-month anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s visit to Montreat passed this week and we continue to experience good news in our ongoing efforts to return to normal programming here at the Montreat Conference Center. As stated in our last communication, we are looking forward to hosting our annual College Conference @ Montreat during the first week of January as scheduled. In addition, though the Assembly Inn is not ready to receive guest groups, our staff is preparing to host our traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the community in the Galax Dining Room. Progress toward normalcy continues to be powered by a committed maintenance team that is both supervising contractors on site and putting in full days themselves to bring our facilities back online. Together with input from our program and hospitality staff, renovation efforts are focusing on the facilities needed first, with summer facilities scheduled to be renovated in the months following.   While we are currently housing two groups who are conducting relief and reconstruction efforts, these groups are self-sufficient, used to roughing it, and require minimal hospitality service and staff support. Not the type of guest group we typically host, these groups are performing essential services around the Swannanoa Valley. Helping to make that possible is important for us, but it’s not a revenue strategy. Again, returning to normal programming remains our essential task. One major project moving forward is the renovation of Lake Susan. Previously scheduled to take place this fall, the renovation was complicated by the storm, which dumped an estimated 10,000 cubic yards of debris and mud into the lake basin and on top of the 6,000 cubic yards that already needed removing. Plans and timelines were revised, and passersby will notice heavy equipment moving in to transport that debris out of the lake, with estimated completion by late December. Following this critical phase, we will need to add landscape to complete the renovation.

On Volunteering  Helene inflicted unprecedented damage – on Montreat, on the surrounding valley, on families of neighbors and friends and staff. Homes and livelihoods have been lost. Fortunately, the outpouring of support and encouragement has been tremendous. Municipalities, first responders, churches, and agencies have received an amazing response in cash donations, food, clothing, and daily necessities. We are so grateful, and now we are hearing clearly that you want to do more – that you are ready to travel here, volunteer, and dig in to support those in need and help get our valley back on sound footing. The time is coming when we will be ready to welcome that support. For now, the conference center is still housing groups like the ones noted above, those who are well-experienced and skilled in immediate disaster response. As we prepare for the next phase of volunteer engagement in Montreat, we have two goals in focusing the new work to be done: Using volunteer power to help us resume our regular programs and activities as soon as possible.  Leveraging our facilities and contacts (with churches, with our denomination, and with our community) in the best way possible to support the recovery efforts in our region. The long-term needs will be great as people struggle to repair and replace housing, find ways to keep their businesses open, and restore the infrastructure and facilities in this beautiful area.    To meet these goals, we are, or soon will be: Working hard to restore our facilities so that we can accommodate guests and host programs. While we were spared major damage, the intrusion of storm water across many of our buildings requires cleaning and replacement of flooring, new sheetrock, insulation, etc. As stated, we plan to be ready to receive guests and scheduled activities before the end of the year.  Cataloging the needs of our outdoor spaces. Cleaning up and repairing our exterior campus – including parks, trails, and areas around Lake Susan – are key to restoring functionality and the beauty of the Montreat experience.   Working with churches and agencies to meet needs. We have already contacted several service organizations that want to come to our area and are also in conversation with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Western North Carolina Presbytery, all in an effort to identify opportunities and support recovery efforts.   Identifying volunteer groups and matching their interests, skills, and availability with those identified needs.  How you can help: Keep your prayers and donations coming. As the need for supplies and resources shifts with the ongoing progress and the change of seasons, we will keep you informed on what is needed and where as we are able.  Think long-term. The need in Montreat will last for several months and in the area for much longer. We will use this database to coordinate with staff here in Montreat as well as those groups supporting the needs of the broader area to help match talent to task.  Be flexible. As you ponder how you can help, make yourself as available as you can to support the identified needs that are communicated – not only by Montreat but by all of the agencies working diligently in the area.  If you are registered to attend an event or retreat taking place from January forward, please keep your reservation! We have been fielding a lot of questions about logistics and plan to host some online informational sessions soon to answer some of these questions about our larger events in real time. More info to come soon about these.   If you are planning to be here in 2025 and have not registered, please do!   If you’ve been reading along the last few weeks, you’re getting the facts as we learn them, so help us spread the word that we are on our way back. Yes, Montreat suffered significant damage to its infrastructure, landscape, and to several buildings and homes, but you can let people know that signs of progress appear here every day. Remind people that for all of its gorgeous surroundings, Montreat’s greatest beauty is revealed in the strength and support of those who love it, another daily trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Tell people that Montreat is going to be fine, and soon.  Thanks in advance for that, and for all you are doing. More to come!

Richard DuBose, president Montreat Conference Center

P.S. Jeannie and I attended a Sam Burchfield concert in Asheville a couple of weeks ago. Some of you may know Sam from his days in Montreat on Summer Staff and/or may be following his music career. In any case, Sam performed a song about the hurricane that evening that lifted my spirits – thought I’d share it for those interested.

Keep up with Montreat!

Support Montreat! Give Now

{View as Webpage}

Weekly Outlook - Finding God in Halloween 🎃

Dear readers, I'm missing my old neighborhood today. In September, my husband and I exchanged a 100-year-old duplex for a newly built townhome. Each residence has its perks — I love that I can use our finished basement without inhaling coal dust and asbestos. However, our old neighborhood had a great Halloween culture.  Pittsburgh is a hilly town, and we lived on a flat street. Each Halloween, hundreds of children (and adults) came through. In our new neighborhood, we're mostly surrounded by retirees and other couples without children. I'm guessing the kids that are here will go elsewhere for trick-or-treat. I am going to miss the practice of connecting with my neighbors. Of drinking cider and munching on candy, playing it cool for the pre-teens while marveling over the little princesses, ghosts, and pumpkins.  Brendan McLean, the associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tyler, Texas, also loves Halloween — even more than I do. In a recent article, he connects the spirit of community, and connection, and open doors shown today with the goodness of God. It's worth a read.  And for those die-hard Reformation fans out there, we remember Martin Luther's boldness today as well. You may appreciate Dawn DeVries' article, "Is celebrating and studying the Reformation still valuable?"  Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor

Is celebrating and studying the Reformation still valuable? by Dawn DeVries  Presbyterian camps offer hope and recovery after hurricanes by Colleen Earp A pastoral confession: My favorite holiday is Halloween by Brendan McLean The Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett celebrates the work of the PMA Board and the Matthew 25 movement by Beth Waltemath In case you missed it... How pastors in western North Carolina united after Hurricane Helene When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, faith communities didn't stand alone. Discover how leaders turned disaster into connection and healing for their communities. — Erin Booke It will be baseball. It will be prayer: The poetry of E. Ethelbert Miller Andrew Taylor-Troutman offers the perfect recommendation for anyone who likes thinking about God and baseball. Bound by love to bear witness "It pains me to witness those I love in pain. But that is the nature of love, and its responsibility," writes Teri McDowell Ott. Barbara G. Wheeler, pioneering leader in theological education and advocate for inclusivity, dies at 79 Wheeler was a former president of Auburn Seminary, a founding board member of Covenant Network of Presbyterians, a dedicated Presbyterian, and a loving wife and mother. The Reformation’s African roots Martin Luther's encounter with Abba Mika’el greatly influenced how he expressed his ideas, writes Elana Keppel Levy. The power of Christ compels them: Why Hollywood is making so many exorcism movies Exorcism movies are making a comeback — and the reasons are more interesting than you might think. — Joseph Holme Readers recommend: Books helping us through election season Outlook readers share the books they’ve found most useful this election season. Revelation: Professing Christ Today In a world that frequently promotes hatred, hostility and division, discover Revelation’s call to embody God’s grace, generosity and forgiveness. A new Fresh Outlook study.

Available now! The Outlook's daily Advent devotional. In a world dominated by binary thinking – light vs. dark, good vs. evil – this Advent devotional challenges us to see beyond familiar binaries and embrace the complex, natural patterns of God in the world.

This Week in Religion - Harris, Trump or delay: Clergy prepare for various outcomes

Lead story

Faith groups use election scenarios to prepare spiritually, mentally for what’s next

Editor's note:

In Virginia and Minnesota and New York City, in churches and synagogues and on Zoom meetings, clergy around the country are preparing for the day after the election − come what may. “We do not want to limit our planning for the most optimistic or most likely outcome, but to ensure our plans are robust enough for any outcome,” reads the first page of one church’s scenarios document. That planning ranges from preparing to protest to training as poll chaplains or to learning to identify deepfake videos. And, of course, a lot of prayer. Chris Crawford, a policy strategist for Protect Democracy, has worked with 20 faith-based groups to prepare for the election. He told RNS national reporter Adelle M. Banks that he believes many found it “comforting to come face to face with some of the most anxiety-inducing outcomes,” and to make a plan for them.

Forward this email to a friend

 

Religion News

Pope’s child protection board urges transparency from Vatican sex abuse office and compensation

Pope Francis’ child protection board calls for victims of clergy sex abuse to have greater access to information about their cases and the right to compensation, in the first-ever global assessment of the Catholic Church’s efforts to address the crisis. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press

The mashup holiday 'Diwaloween' celebrates light as the year turns dark

This year, two seemingly opposing holidays, Diwali and Halloween, will be celebrated as one by many South Asians for the first time since 2016. By Richa Karmarkar/Religion News Service

Liberty University sued by former IT staffer fired after disclosing she's a transgender woman

The nationwide debate over transgender rights is playing out on a personal level in a federal court lawsuit filed by a former Liberty University employee fired by the Christian school after disclosing her identity as a transgender woman. The lawsuit on behalf of Ellenor Zinski was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. By David Crary/The Associated Press

After exiting the Christian music industry, these artists engage religion on their terms

After interrogating their beliefs, some onetime CCM artists are revisiting faith in some fashion, trying on elements they’d previously discarded and writing music for listeners who might be more spiritual than religious. By Kathryn Post/Religion News Service

Church near Pennsylvania’s Capitol becomes peace hub hoping to protect democracy in divisive election 

Grace United Methodist Church, located close to Pennsylvania’s State Capitol, recently installed a pole with the message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Its pastor hopes her church’s stand for peace will inspire others as votes are counted in perhaps the most crucial battleground state. By Luis Andres Henao/The Associated Press

 

Commentary and Analysis

The ‘Courage Tour’ is attempting to get Christians to vote for Trump − and focused on defeating ‘demons’

The 'Courage Tour,' a religio-political rally, is going around battleground states. It is  focused on defeating Democrats, but also on defeating 'demonic forces.' By Michael E. Heyes for The Conversation

Synod ends with disappointment and hope

The synod’s job is over. Now it is up to the rest of the church to become synodal. By Thomas Reese/Religion News Service

How dogs were implicated during the Salem witch trials

Dogs appeared several times during testimonies, typically because an accused witch was believed to have had a dog who would do her bidding, or because the devil appeared in the form of a dog.  By Bridget Marshall for The Conversation

My family lived the horrors of Native American boarding schools – why Biden’s apology doesn’t go far enough

From the 19th to 20th century, Native children were physically removed from their homes and put into boarding schools. A scholar asks if that was genocide. By Rosalyn R. LaPier for The Conversation

 

Photos of the Week: Panama pilgrims; Presidential push and more

A woman drips candle wax on Valentin Solis as part of his penance, as pilgrims make their way, some crawling, to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Did a friend or colleague forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.

About the Global Religion Journalism Initiative

 

 

• This Week in Religion is a publication of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a collaboration among the Religion News Service, The Associated Press and The Conversation U.S.
• The three news organizations work to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.
• The Associated Press Newsletter Hub
• Religion News Service newsletter sign-up page
• The Conversation U.S.'s daily and weekly newsletters