Discovering Renewal – for clergy and … everyone need renewal.

Several years ago, my friends at Montreat Conference Center contacted me to talk about an idea. (I may have proposed it to them, or not … I can’t remember.)

The weeks leading up to Easter are full of meaning for clergy … along with a lot of hard work. What if we had a week in the North Carolina mountains for church leaders to gather for rest and renewal. I would offer a reflection each morning to encourage spiritual renewal and rest, and the rest of the day would be free, with a variety of options for activities that would help people unwind and simply enjoy being alive, being human.

But then we thought, Why restrict this to clergy? Why not have a week where everyone is welcome, just being people, human beings, normal folks, relaxing and enjoying life together?

Each year has been a delight, one of a few events that shape my year.

This year (April 22-25, 2025), there will be eight activity tracks:

• Larry “Grey” Mitchell and Daniel Rogers will lead Contemplative Hiking … enjoying the beautiful spring flora and fauna in the mountains that surround Montreat.
• Mary Carroll Dodd will lead Yoga, inviting people of all levels to find their inner smile.
• Tanner Pickett will lead Fly Fishing, enjoying the areas beautiful streams (that are rebounding with resilience the floods of last year).*
• Sue Dolamore will lead Plein Air Sketching, helping you see and explore your artistic side.
• Rev. Thomas Wesley Moore (T. Wes) and Dora Rowe will lead Tabletop Gaming … a great way to socialize and enjoy a wide array of challenges.
• Kelley Weber and Greg Durham will lead the new Contemplative Track, helping you learn and actually practice contemplative practices.
• Jessica Vazquez Torres will lead the new baking track. What is more renewing and enjoyable (and delicious) than creating culinary delights?
• Sarah Akin will lead the new Mixed Track, where you’ll sample yoga, hiking, and contemplative practice.

And of course, if you’d rather create your own solo track (bring some books or simply watch the creek flow by), you’re welcome to do that too. It’s a no-lose situation: there are very few if any more beautiful places in Spring than Western North Carolina.

Want to learn more? Check out https://montreat.org/events/renewal-2025.

*If you’re a newbie, you’re welcome too, and we’ll have loaner equipment available and a patient veteran to help you learn.