The Mountains are Calling

Join your partners from the United States and Canada for a week of retreat, renewal, and relaxation in the mountains of North Carolina. Montreat Conference Center, a national center of the Presbyterian Church (USA), is hosting the Annual Conference for the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA) for the first time! We encourage you to bring members from all areas of your ministry for professional development and collaborative learning.

Montreat Conference Center, established 1905, is nestled in a 4,000 acre cove in the Blue Ridge Mountains about thirty minutes from Asheville, North Carolina. Montreat offers PCCCA participants private or semi-private accommodations in Assembly Inn and dorm-style accommodations in Reynolds Lodge. Please join us on November 8-13, 2015. See y’all there!

Theme: Hand in Hand

Exodus 13:21; Mark 1:18

Our theme is to encourage us to live out our faith in the world in which we live, work, and worship. Walking hand in hand with those we serve, our partners and those we seek to serve, we are living witnesses to the world.

Sunday: Hand in Hand
We go together hand in hand. Wherever we are called to go, God is going to be there.

Monday: Hand in Hand... with our Communities
Where 2 or more are gathered I am in your midst. You are not alone. How do we engage our current Communities (churches, camper families, boards) to reach out to those we seek to serve? God prepares you. You have the gifts, the tools needed, and something of value to share.

Tuesday/Wednesday: Hand in Hand... with Sites and Denominations
We are all God's workers, we have one purpose and it is God who makes it grow. Our impact can be stronger when we work together; we can be better prepared for the future by broadening our definition of partnerships.

Thursday: Hand in Hand... with Community Partners…
When we take God’s hand, the boundaries of our ministries are limitless. What happens when we expand the vision for our ministries and follow where God leads? If we think beyond our borders we change the world. When we hear the needs of our neighbors near and far, our faith becomes action.

Pre-Event #2

November 6th-8th, 2015

The Basics of 501(c)3 Incorporation for Outdoor Ministries

The Church is changing rapidly. Governing organizational structures that once made sense when the church had resources to support ministries to a high level, are changing. Mid-Councils are re-aligning and reorganizing to more effectively use and manage the resources they have available for ministry. With this in mind, any outdoor ministry with an eye for a sustainable future is also asking questions about alignment, organization and what role they play in the future of the church.

Are you in the best position to face the future?  Does your current governance model provide the flexibility you want and put the responsibility for sustainability in the right place? Is incorporation a path you have considered?

Beginning to consider a different future for your ministry often raises more questions than answers. Many of us have thought about pursuing this conversation for years but just didn’t know where to start. Some of us are in situations where we need to make big changes or risk closing in the near future. This pre-event is designed to help get you started – to get you ready to lead others through this conversation.

Join us as we discuss what incorporation means for your outdoor ministry and the ministry of your governing body. What are the benefits and challenges of incorporation? What are the experiences of others who have incorporated their ministries? What are the basic steps to take to move the conversation in boards and presbyteries towards incorporation? What are the steps to actually legally incorporate? What should be included to ensure connection with your denomination regardless of governing structure?

Incorporation is not the “silver bullet” and is not the right course for every outdoor ministry. Regardless of the path you choose, this pre-event is guaranteed to get you thinking about the future and to give you the resources and connections you will need to get unstuck and leading towards the future.

The pre-event will begin with dinner on Friday, November 6 and will conclude with lunch on Sunday, November 8. If you would like to see the preliminary schedule for this program, you will find it here.

If you should have any questions about the content of this program, please contact Brian Frick at Brian.Frick@pcusa.org.

Registration, Meals, and Lodging

The registration fee for this pre-event is just $100 per person due to a generous sponsorship by the Office of Camp and Conference Ministries of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Meals are $55 (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch). We also have the following lodging options for your two-night stay:
Assembly Inn (single occupancy, private bath) $140
Assembly Inn (double occupancy, private bath) $70

Airport Transportation

Shuttles are available for those who fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) for just $20 roundtrip. We just ask that you schedule your arrival by 4:30pm on Friday. If you are departing on Sunday the 8th and want to take the shuttle back to the airport, we ask that you book your flight to leave no earlier than 2:30pm. If you are staying for the whole conference, we will run shuttles on Friday the 13th from 5:30am until 3:00pm.

Leadership

Paul Fogg has been director at the Calvin Center (Hampton, GA) since 2007. Prior to his current position, he was director at Geneva Center in Indiana for 8 years. Paul has been active in PCCCA Consultants Network since 2002. In the last several years, he has helped guide Calvin Center through the incorporation process including talking with presbytery leaders, developing a covenant agreement, getting the final approval of presbytery, and then living into the new corporation. From the filing of forms to the property survey, appraisals, and transfer of deed, Paul is happy to share his experiences.

Bedford Holmes has been the Executive Director of Zephyr Point Conference Center (Zephyr Cove, NV) since 2008. Bedford was previously Executive Director of Tilikum Center for Retreats (Newberg, OR) for eight years. Prior to that, he was the Director of the Pine Cove Institute of Wilderness Studies, Dean of Students at All Saints Episcopal School, and Associate Director of Pine Cove Christian Conference Center – all in Tyler, Texas (but not at the same time!). Zephyr Point is an incorporated center connected to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Bedford brings his rich experiences and understanding of non-profit governance to our conversation.

Brian Frick serves as the Associate for Camp and Conference Ministries for the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.). Brian conducts multiple consultations with outdoor ministry boards and leadership as well as close communication with Presbytery Executives and church leadership, much of which relates to governance issues. Brian provides a view for the politics of outdoor ministry and Presbyteries and the common challenges and opportunities faced by all levels of leadership in the church.

Schedule

• Sunday
  08
  Nov
• Monday
  09
  Nov
• Tuesday
  10
  Nov
• Wednesday
  11
  Nov
• Thursday
  12
  Nov
• Friday
  13
  Nov

FAQs

Can you tell me more about Montreat Conference Center?

The Montreat Conference Center is one of three national conference centers affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The conference center is under the management of the Mountain Retreat Association, which formed in 1905 and is a church related institute. For over 100 years, Montreat has been a place set apart for those who journey here seeking a closer relationship with their Creator.
Montreat is located in a 4,000-acre cove of the Blue Ridge Mountains, within 30 minutes of Asheville, North Carolina.
For more information about Montreat visit www.Montreat.org.

What is there to do at Montreat Conference Center?

Montreat Conference Center offers a variety of outdoor recreation. Lace up your hiking boots and explore more than 40 miles of hiking and walking trails. Children will the Robert Lake Park playground. If shopping is more your cup of tea, visit the Montreat Store, your headquarters for snacks and soft drinks, groceries, toiletries, the latest Montreat logo-wear, CDs of conference speakers, fishing licenses and more. Or, support and encourage artisans in developing countries around the world purchasing unique gifts and home décor items at Ten Thousand Villages.

What temperatures should I plan for?

Well then, We recommend layers. The weather at Montreat in November can bring just about anything, but typically temperatures range between the low-to-mid 40s F (4-7° C) at night to mid-to-upper 50s F (12-15° C) during the day. Relatively mild weather allows visitors to enjoy the conference center year-round. Casual, informal clothing, an umbrella, a sweater, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Can I bring my family to the conference?

Yes, the conference offers a special rate for spouses who do not attend workshops. During the week, there is also a special program for children and youth. We call it Camp PCCCA. You can learn more about this program on the Camp PCCCA page.

Where can I access wi-fi?

Montreat Conference Center offers wi-fi access in the Assembly Inn, Galax House, Way Out Building, Anderson Auditorium, Moore Center, Left Bank Building, the Huckleberry, and the Presbyterian Heritage Center. Glen Rock Inn, Winsborough, and Reynolds Lodge do not have wi-fi.

Do I need to bring my own linens, towels, and hair dryer?

Montreat Conference Center will supply all linens (i.e. sheets, blankets, towels, wash clothes, etc.) for conference attendees. Fresh linens and daily room cleaning service are provided. Montreat does not supply hairdryers. However, the Assembly Inn Front Desk does sell commonly forgotten items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. The Montreat Store does carry snacks, drinks, over the counter medicine, etc. For all other items there is a pharmacy five miles down the road.

Can I bring my shotgun or my pet ferret?

Montreat Conference Center is a smoke free and gun free campus. We also ask that you leave all pets at home unless they are here to work.

Fees and Registration

Registration Fees    

Registration Closed

Cancellation Policy
Prior to October 14th, all but $100.00 will be refunded to you. After this date, the entire fee is nonrefundable. If you need to cancel or change your registration, please contact the conference registrar, David Edscorn, at registrar@pccca.net.

Scholarships
Financial assistance is available for the conference. Please contact PCCCA Board President, Elise Bates Russell at elise@campjburg.org. Just write her a note and let her know the reason for the request. PCCCA scholarships are normally limited to the registration fee for the event.