Experiencing Connection - The Impact of Summer Staff

The Impact of Summer Staff As we near the end of the year, we are taking some time in each of our newsletters to talk about and demonstrate how Montreat Conference Center’s ministry is supported by gifts from individuals, families, churches, and other organizations. Many of Montreat’s programs are able to thrive thanks to the contributions of these donors. Montreat’s Summer Staff program is one such example which is directly supported by gifts to the Montreat Fund. Each year, Montreat hires over 100 college-aged young adults to help keep things running smoothly during the conference center’s busiest months. The Montreat Fund helps to provide them with meals, maintain their housing, and ensure that they are paid a competitive wage. All of this, and more, is possible thanks to the support of Montreat donors… READ THE FULL ARTICLE NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Small Group Leader Applications Have a lasting impact on today’s youth — consider applying to be a Small Group Leader! Applications to volunteer during both Montreat Youth Conference and Middle School Conference will open on January 5, 2026. While Small Group Leaders do a lot, the work is very rewarding (and there are lots of perks, too!). Click here to learn more. Inviting All Young Adults to The Manna Retreat! There is still time to register! During this year’s event, we will be exploring the prophets and how we are called to live courageously in the face of injustice just like they did. Each day will include worship, small groups, and time for fun. If you are longing for a sense of connection and a place to belong, we would love to welcome you! Sign up here. An Event Just for Middle School Students We are so excited for our 2026 Middle School Conference, “Crafted by God!” During the event, over 500 youth will gather at Maryville College for a unique experience created especially with middle school students in mind. Come, participate in inspiring worship, engaging discussion, and lots of laughs! Explore leadership and other details. Liturgical Seasons Last summer, during weeks one and two of Montreat Youth Conference, Rev. CeCe Armstrong connected the theme of “Light My Path” to the liturgical calendar, wearing different colored outfits to match various liturgical seasons. CeCe used this connection to illustrate that God was present in both the light and dark during the Epiphany, Transfiguration, Resurrection, Pentecost, and Advent. What a nice reminder that the themes discussed during youth conference can be carried with us all year long! One of Montreat Conference Center’s core values, “experiencing connection” refers to our belief that we are called to experience life in the community of others. We encourage connection through learning, playing, listening deeply, and being fully present in ways that strengthen lasting relationships with God, each other, and the world around us. You can learn more about Montreat’s mission and values by clicking here.

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RNS Weekly Digest: ACNA Bishop Stewart Ruch found not guilty on all counts after tumultuous church trial

ACNA Bishop Stewart Ruch found not guilty on all counts after tumultuous church trial

Bishop Stewart Ruch, an Anglican bishop accused of mishandling abuse allegations and failing to safeguard parishioners in his care, was found not guilty on all counts after a tumultuous trial that spanned more than four months, a church court announced Tuesday (Dec. 16). The decision comes more than six years after a 9-year-old child in the Upper Midwest Diocese, which is led by Ruch, first came forward with sexual abuse allegations against a lay minister, who has since been convicted of felony sexual assault and felony child sexual assault. More than 10 clergy and other lay leaders in Ruch’s diocese have been accused of misconduct, a pattern that abuse advocates say resulted from Ruch’s leadership failures.  Ruch’s trial came amid a broader crisis over sexual misconduct charges in the denomination. The denomination’s leader, Archbishop Steve Wood, was temporarily suspended from ministry in November in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and plagiarism against him. On Friday, the denomination announced Wood will face his own church trial.  Religion & Politics 'An alien in the house of God': Canterbury's gay dean wrestles with inaction on LGBTQ+ rights White Christian clergy running for Congress as Democrats face skeptics in their own party DHS threatens Sister Norma Pimentel's migrant aid with 6-year funding ban Photos of the Week: Hanukkah, Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day Rabbi Motti Feldman speaks during a menorah lighting ceremony at a floral memorial for victims of Sunday's shooting, at the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) In Opinion When Muslims save lives, the Islamophobia machine looks the other way You can't deal your way to peace on earth. Trump should know that The Bondi Beach attack confirms our fears about antisemitism. But it tells another story. And finally, From church to crystals: One study shows interest in magic as religion declines Would you buy a house where you knew there had been a murder? Researchers asked that question and found that 64% of Americans would be disinclined to take such a step. That discomfort held whether respondents were interested in religion (64%) or not (62%), according to the latest findings from the Baylor Religion Surveys. It’s one example of what scholars are calling “secular supernaturalism,” as more people move away from regular attendance in religious institutions and toward individual spiritual explorations that don’t involve God or gods but could involve anything from internet rituals to palm reading — activities researchers are categorizing as “magic.” Support our responsible reporting on religion Forward this newsletter to a friend Make a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit newsroom here Or mail us a check: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205 Email membership@religionnews.com with a news tip or a comment Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Copyright © 2025 RNS, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - 'An alien in the house of God': Canterbury's gay dean wrestles with inaction on LGBTQ+ rights

Top Stories ‘An alien in the house of God’: Canterbury’s gay dean wrestles with inaction on LGBTQ+ rights (RNS) — Ahead of a vote in the Church of England's House of Bishops on same-sex marriage, David Monteith feels the church has given up on its commitment to reconciliation. ACNA Bishop Stewart Ruch found not guilty on all counts after tumultuous church trial (RNS) — The decision comes more than six years after a 9-year-old child first came forward with sexual abuse allegations against a lay minister in the Upper Midwest Diocese, which is led by Ruch. From church to crystals: One study shows interest in magic as religion declines (RNS) — Baylor University scholar Paul Froese said the findings may reflect a greater interest in magical thinking as people move away from traditional religious beliefs. Christmas, Hanukkah festivities slowly return to Holy Land amid shaky ceasefire JERUSALEM (RNS) — After two years of little celebration due to the Israel-Hamas war, holiday festivities are slowly coming back to the Holy Land. But tourism remains limited. Opinion When Muslims save lives, the Islamophobia machine looks the other way (RNS) — The far-right response to a Muslim’s heroism in the Bondi Beach attack shows how Islamophobia depends on distortion and dehumanization. Let’s see the facts behind Homeland Security’s block on funding for Sister Norma (RNS) — The incident shines a light on public/religious partnerships, especially when it comes to serving migrants. ICYMI White Christian clergy running for Congress as Democrats face skeptics in their own party (RNS) — At least six white clergy and one seminarian — some from evangelical Christian backgrounds and others from mainline Protestant denominations — have declared to run as Democrats in 2026. Why do some people stay in their faith and others leave? A Pew report offers clues. (RNS) — Americans who had a good experience as children were likely to keep their faith. Those with bad experiences left, according to a new study from Pew Research Center. In Other News Trump’s religious freedom nominee is being held up by a former political foe, his allies say Some Republican lawmakers call for mass expulsion of American Muslims 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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