April in Montreat

Montreat Conference Center is pleased to bring you our monthly newsletter April 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 impact of Summer Staff, The Art of Transitional Ministry, and spring community hikes.

The Impact of Summer Staff As we begin preparations for our summer season, we’ve been thinking a lot about the impact of our Summer Staff. These young adults spend six to ten weeks working in Montreat each summer supporting some of our largest ministries and integrating themselves into the Montreat community. We certainly could not do it without them! Last summer, Montreat’s marketing assistant Kayden Foyles wrote a series of articles which granted readers special insight into the roles Summer Staff play in supporting and engaging with our community. As we look back on that work, we would like to invite you to read about Kayden’s project as it was featured in our 2025 annual report. Find out more using the link below! READ MORE FROM OUR ANNUAL REPORT PROGRAMS & EVENTS Our first youth conference of the summer is just over two months away! If you are interested in attending, don’t wait to sign up. This year, we will be exploring the theme “Wonder and Wander” by creating a space where change is invited, challenge is expected, and where all are embraced. Register now. Registration is now open for the Art of Transitional Ministry, a continuing education event for those leading congregations through periods of change. Learn the skills and gain the understanding necessary to navigate the waters of transition in a way that allows a church and its leaders to be open to new possibilities, go deeper, and thrive. Learn more. We are excited to announce that the annual Kirkin' O' the Tartan service will take place in Anderson Auditorium on Sunday, May 24, at 11:00 am, immediately followed by lunch in Assembly Inn. Tickets for this special meal can now be purchased online. Visit our website to learn more! 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 A new retail experience is coming soon to Moore Center! The Good Steward, an extension of The Montreat Store and a mission of the Montreat Conference Center, will open in June 2026. The Good Steward will offer curated goods from local and global artisans, emphasizing conscious shopping and the human stories behind each item. You can learn more about this new endeavor here. Local community members are invited to join us in the new space on Saturday, April 11, from 12:00-4:00 pm for a special open house. We hope to see you there! Last month, we officially dedicated the Katherine McKay Belk Dining Room in Assembly Inn. Throughout her life, Kat’s philanthropic gifts, leadership, and support made a significant impact on the mission of Montreat Conference Center. Specifically, she played an instrumental role in the 2014 renovation of Assembly Inn. Read more about Kat’s legacy on our website. We will be offerings several more community hikes this month!  If you would like to attend, please sign up on our website by clicking here. A $10 donation to the Wilderness Operations and Maintenance Fund is suggested for each person who attends. Each hike will depart from the Montreat Nature Center at 9:00 am. Join us for one or several of the following: April 7: Lower Piney Trail April 14: Rainbow Road April 21: Big Piney Trail April 28: Lookout Loop John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling will join us this fall for a new retreat offered in partnership with Earth & Soul. The Great Search 1 will address the deep spiritual yearnings of humanity at this moment in time amidst immense transitions in the world and religious exile for many. Learn more about the retreat and what you can expect by clicking here. 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 Happens When You Give! By cultivating space for renewal, connection, and community, Montreat has a unique ability to change lives. Generosity from those who find peace in this valley supports these life changing experiences. Before April 30th, become a Montreat Patron, by making a gift to the Montreat Fund, and support the programs, facilities, and recreational experiences you hold close to your heart. SUPPORT MONTREAT We Hope to See You Soon! Take a moment to visit our website and learn more about the inspiring gatherings, retreats, and conferences we have planned. Whether you're returning to Montreat or visiting us for the first time, there's something meaningful waiting. VIEW ALL 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 Weekly Digest: Judge rejects Johnson Amendment settlement, keeping ban on pastors endorsing candidates

Judge rejects Johnson Amendment settlement, keeping ban on pastors endorsing candidates

A federal judge rejected a settlement that would have lifted an IRS ban on pastors endorsing candidates, saying the court had no authority to approve an agreement, in a surprising end to a decades-long battle.  Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas also dismissed the lawsuit filed by the National Religious Broadcasters, a Christian communicators group, and two Texas churches that was at the heart of the anticipated settlement. The plaintiffs had argued that the ban on endorsements violated their religious liberty. Under the IRS rule, known as the Johnson Amendment, tax-exempt nonprofits are barred from taking sides in political campaigns. In dismissing the case on Tuesday (March 31), Barker said courts are barred from “providing declaratory relief with respect to federal taxes,” and therefore the court could not approve the settlement, as it required the court to make a decision that affected the plaintiffs’ tax status.   Religion & Politics On the eve of Passover, most US Jews oppose the war in Iran NY Episcopal Diocese outlines plan for $1.2M racial reparations fund In El Paso, two Catholic sisters follow detained immigrants wherever ICE takes them Photos of the Week: New archbishop of Canterbury, Palm Sunday Sarah Mullally, left, arrives for the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury, England, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the first woman ever to lead the Church of England. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) In Opinion Christian nationalists are panicking because religious progressives are thriving The Gen Z revival being debated won't happen in churches that talk but don't listen Faith leaders' activism shows organized religion can still be a force for good And finally, Hindu-inspired eco-village reimagines sustainable, spiritual life in North Carolina Businessman Prakash Buchireddy grew up in small villages near Tirupati, India, a hillside pilgrimage site surrounded by lush green mountains and a Hindu temple once known to give potted plants as prasad, or sacred offerings. These self-sustaining villages of his childhood — where cows, chickens, greenhouses and vegetable and fruit gardens provided communities with the nourishment they needed — inspired Buchireddy to start one of his own for the modern American era.  He had planned to build his sustainable development company, Sustaino LLC, in his home country but came to a realization in 2021. “Rather than in India, it’s more needed here,” he told RNS.  Having lived in the United States for more than 20 years, Buchireddy noticed grocery stores increasingly saturated with what he called “slow poison” — ultraprocessed foods with chemicals and preservatives that can be linked to health issues, he said. 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 © 2026 RNS, All rights reserved.