July in Montreat

Montreat Conference Center is pleased to bring you our monthly newsletter July 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 bear activity, Women’s Connection, and our Fourth of July Celebration.

Talking About The Birds and The… Bears? by Richard DuBose, president of Montreat Conference Center During the summer months, President Richard DuBose writes a weekly letter to the community which is published as part of This Week in Montreat. Today, we are resharing his most recent letter which discusses the increase in bear activity in Montreat. A month ago, I came across a worn and tattered field guide that sat for generations in our family home: Birds: A Guide to the Most Familiar American Birds. Now literally in pieces held together by a rubber band, the book brought back a flood of memories.   As a small child, I would comb the pages of this field guide to identify each visitor to the bird feeder placed just beyond a nearby kitchen window. I’d check out the picture of the bald eagle and imagine the day a member of this majestic species would pick our bird feeder for his noonday lunch… READ MORE PROGRAMS & EVENTS We are excited to welcome author Kristen Kobes Du Mez later this summer as part of our annual Women’s Connection conference! If you are not already registered for the full conference, you will soon be able to purchase one-night-only tickets for Kristen’s keynote on Saturday, August 15. We plan to open registration for these tickets on July 13. Watch our event page for more info! Are you a church professional or volunteer who works with youth? Then you should consider attending Come to the Mountains, a special event hosted in partnership with the Presbyterian Youth Workers’ Association. Over the course of the event, participants will have the opportunity to engage in worship, keynote, learning labs, soul care, and an idea exchange. Learn more. Our fall retreat deadlines are quickly approaching! If you are a group leader planning to host an event in September, October, or November, take some time this summer to review your registrations, confirm lodging and meal needs, and finalize key event details. Find deadlines and reminders here. 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 Everyone is invited to join us this Saturday for our Fourth of July Celebration! The day will be filled with a variety of fun activities for the whole family including a parade, old-fashioned games, and a big circle mountain dance. Learn more and view the full schedule of events on our website. Our summer wilderness rangers are continuing to lead free public hikes most Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 6. These hikes utilize trail systems throughout the Montreat Wilderness and cover a variety of distances, elevations, and skill levels. Each hike departs from the Montreat Nature Center (located at 301 Lookout Road) at 9:00 am. Visit our website to view the full schedule. Periods of transition can be some of the most challenging for a faith community. In these situations, church leaders are called to lead with wisdom, resilience, and spiritual strength as they help congregations discern what comes next. The Art of Transitional Ministry equips church leaders with the knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience necessary to serve confidently in times of change. Both in-person and virtual options are available! Click here 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 Memories are Possible Thanks to You! From rock hopping in the creek at Robert Lake Park to joining a big circle mountain dance in the Barn, Montreat memories are made possible by generous support from those who love Montreat! The Montreat Fund supports almost every aspect of the Montreat experience. Those who make a yearly gift to the Montreat Fund join over 1,300 others who hold Montreat close. MAKE A GIFT Sweet Summertime Summer is Montreat’s busiest time of year! From youth conferences, to crafts classes, to recreation activities and more, there is a lot to enjoy about spending July in Montreat. You can find more information about what’s happening this summer on our website. Interested in receiving summer updates directly in your inbox? Our summer publication This Week in Montreat is released each Friday and details seasonal events and activities within the Montreat valley. Sign up using the link below! SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS SUMMER IN MONTREAT SIGN UP FOR THIS WEEK IN MONTREAT 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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