Lessons of Community, by Pastor Rebecca



A view of the main Montreat buildings and Lake Susan from the top of Lookout Mountain.

It was a wonderful week for me at Montreat. I love attending events with our youth that are run by other people, giving me the chance to simply focus on them rather than the next thing that needs to be done.

In the Stepping Stones class on Sunday, I shared a story with the group about our trip that especially connected with our conversations about who we are as a congregation and Paul’s guidance on being the body of Christ. In particular our conversations focused on who is the greater and who is the lesser member of the body.

Sarah Linnen blogged during our trip about the day that we climbed up Lookout Mountain and the ways she encountered God on our trip. I too had a few epiphanies on that climb (and the one we did the next day) but I encountered God not in the beauty of nature but in the beauty of the Body of Christ.

We climbed Lookout Mountain on Thursday morning, and were all a little taken aback by the steepness of the hill and the beauty of the landscape all around us. I appreciated so much their enthusiasm for taking on such a physically challenging feat, and was especially impressed with those who through their struggles up the mountain were determined to get to the top.

We had a very meaningful time at the top of the mountain – literally and spiritually we all had a mountaintop experience. They talk about Montreat being a “thin place” where heaven and earth meet. I am certain that God was with us on that mountain.

It was not until we were ready to head down the mountain that the trouble started. During the entire journey, I kept asking the boys to be more careful and mindful of their energetic means of getting up and down the mountain, reminding them that they were the strongest and needed to stay healthy so they could help get the rest of us down the mountain if something were to happen.

Wouldn’t you know, about half way down the mountain Holly twisted her ankle and though she tried to continue on her own,  JT, Andy and Billy carried her tiny frame down the mountain on their backs. While they had to switch off frequently, this was a perfect example of how in a community the stronger help the weaker and by doing so we are all built up as the body of Christ.

We all kept moving down the mountain (much faster than we had climbed,) and it was when we were almost at the bottom that the word was passed up that Jennifer had twisted her ankle as well, but by the time I got to the trail head she was at the car and they told me that it was pretty close to the bottom when she had gotten hurt. A couple of hours, two doses of Advil, some elevation and ice packs later both girls were on their way to recovery.

The next morning I agreed to climb the mountain one more time, earlier in the day, so that we could watch the sunrise over the mountains. I met up with Kate and Sarah at 5:45 a.m. and the three of us took off coffee, water, and granola bars in hand. It was again a beautiful moment on the top of the mountain, and I am so glad that I took the second trip up with them that morning, but the most profound moment for me happened towards the bottom of the mountain.

As we started our walk over high steps and gnarled roots Sarah pointed out to me the difficult spots where she had carried Jennifer down the mountain.  Now if you know Sarah just by seeing her around the church, you mostly know that she is very little. (Owen once asked her if she was a regular size person.) If you know her well you know that she plays rugby and is a pretty tough cookie. You might also know that just this spring Sarah had knee surgery from a rugby accident and wore a brace for a good portion of this spring.

It was in that moment, and reflecting on Paul’s words this Sunday that I was reminded that it is not always clear who are the weak and who are the strong, who are the greater members and who are the lesser. This spring when Sarah had just hurt herself, we went on a Senior High retreat and all of the youth helped her get what she needed and to make her comfortable. In that moment Sarah was the one in need of being carried. On that mountain it was Jennifer and Holly. Some day it will be JT, Andy and Billy.

This is what it means to be the Body of Christ, and I am so thankful that I had the chance to witness their care for each other. That Thursday morning when we first climbed the mountain, we were gone so long that we missed the morning Keynote address. The theme for the day was community – we may have missed the talk but we all learned the lesson.

Reflections from the Roadie, by Rich Reth

As I sit on the porch enjoying my morning coffee and anticipating the chaos that will ensue in just a few short hours, a thought raced through my mind. What if one of the shareholders asks ME how the week went?  I’m sure that there will be a youth service of some kind where the kids will share all of the great things that happened at Montreat.  As a congregation member, I would listen to each of the youth tell his or her story, and I would be thankful that the trip was a success.  But as a father, I would seek out the bus driver, because even though this person may appear quiet and focused on a single task, he is really in a position to see and hear all.

How would I describe this event in one word?  The first single world that comes to mind is “circus.” Thermal-nuclear disaster is technically two words even though it sounds like three when you say it.  But think about a circus and what is really happening: Three rings, entertainers and animals performing feats to the wonderment of the audience.  But closer- there is a “Ring Master”, directing each act, many of which occur simultaneously.  The performers are often attempting acrobatic maneuvers that seem impossible to the crowd, but are completed with skill and precision. 

Our three rings were comprised of two houses, less than a mile from each other, and the convention area, about 1 ½ miles farther down the road.  It is easy to imagine houses close together in a one mile span. But typographically these houses are separated by nearly 500 vertical feet on a curvy, twisted, spaghetti like road that makes babies cry and lesser men weep for their mothers (but as a driver, I digress.) 

Pastor Rebecca directed our schedules and maintained proper decorum, but our “performers” were not that at all.  Yes, there were several amazing feats that occurred and of which I have been either sworn to secrecy not to divulge or wisely know that an investigation by Montreat Police would take at least an hour and I don’t have that kind of time to waste.  What I experienced was not a performance at all, but true Christ-like compassion among the youth.  There were polite, courteous responses and communication to another.  There was a “caring” shared amongst the group that gave the impression that we were more like family than friends. 

The “Ta-Da” moments at a real circus were “God” moments for us.  Time and time again I witnessed sincere Christ-likeness among our youth.  Now the reality of it is that when nearly 20 people, some of whom had no real connection with each other prior to the conference, live together – “the fur flies.” But those instances were rare.

It was an honor to be a “roadie” for the Montreat Youth Conference.  Thank you for trusting me with your kids.  I had fun!!!

Our Last Day at Montreat, by JT and Jennifer Schwartz

JT and Jennifer Schwartz

Searching for a signal to find what God has in store for us has been the goal from the beginning of our youth retreat this year at Montreat. . Today has been extraordinary yet saddening to realize that our wonderful trip is coming to a close. We have been blessed with a great youth group, and a great place to grow together. Back home groups have been one of the ways we matured together. Playing games and laughing has been a regular occurrence at the Banes Bed and Bible.

Outside of the youth group we have grown closer to God in small groups.  Small groups were especially depressing today, because we grew so comfortable and friendly with each other, and today was our last and final goodbye. On the flip side our small groups helped us to look at the different signal’s god shows in our lives every day. We were very blessed as a youth group to have every single person with a great small group.

Tonight we are looking forward to a very spiritual lakeside candle vigil. We are hoping to gain closure on this magnificent trip, but also realize that Montreat doesn’t have a specific beginning and ending. This great place doesn’t give one all the answers and signs about God. Montreat only gives us building blocks that help us to grow in our faith.

Finally J.T. would like to thank you, the reader and supporter. I know that I led the charge to come to Montreat, and I appreciate that I had so much love throughout the church. This amazing trip would not be possible without the grace of our church family. We cannot wait to get back and share our stories with the congregation.

Just the way God made it by Sarah Linnen

I saw God, today... and yesterday.
When I told my friends back home about heading out to North Carolina this week, the comment was almost always "Wow! It is so beautiful out there!" but I never could've prepared myself for the beauty I was about to experience.

Waterfalls. We see pictures. We see them from a distance. We dream of them. However, most people never imagine that they would be handed the opportunity to swim underneath one. On our way home from the planned activity of sliding down a natural waterslide, we decided to take a pitstop on the side of the road just to steal a glance of a waterfall. As all the girls piled out of the van, we noticed that there were people in the pool surrounding the waterfall. With no discussion, we bolted for the water. Shoes were flying off, towels were thrown onto rocks, and we jumped in. The water was shockingly cold and the trek to the waterfall was trecherous with slippery rocks. At first, we were so cold we didn't want to immerse ourselves and swim out to the falls; we thought we'd settle for a picture with the waterfall majestically behind us. After the picture was taken, I took a look over my shoulder and said to myself, "SARAH! Are there waterfalls in Indiana?! You go back out there!" I listened to that voice in my head, turned back around,  and braved the cold. As soon as my entire body was submerged in the water, I was running on adrenaline. I swam my hardest out to the falls, and when I realized I wasn't going to be able to make it treading water alone, I switched my goal to be the rocks I could hop to get underneath the falls. This was an adventure. I swam, I jumped, I climbed, I hopped, and then... I made it. I was standing underneath a waterfall. The world seemed to disappear. No one seemed to be around me. There was no sound except for the water. My hand reached out to feel the enormous pressure the water was exerting- and there it was. Water. Pure water. Large drops were falling onto my fingertips, and small, misty drops were spraying my face. Water was all around me, and the only way to describe it was that I felt like I was water. I was completely connected to the falls, to the rock I was standing on, and to the water my feet were dunked in. Time had stopped. When it began again, I realized that I had just experienced God. There is no way to describle the beauty of this moment... just that it was God.

God showed Himself to me again this morning, as we hiked up Lookout Point on the campus of Montreat. The walk was long, the walk was steep, the walk was dirty, and the walk was gorgeous. As we got higher and higher up in the mountain, the trees continued to thin out and rays from the sun would shine through the trees and make the dew on the leaves glisten. The rocks and the roots we climbed over made the hike much more adventurous, and gave the explorer in me a thrill. When we got to the top, my mouth dropped at the awe-striking views I was experiencing. I couldnt help but to stand on a rock and spread my arms, just to make myself as big as possible, yet still feel so small. The view from the peak overlooked Montreat and gave the most beautiful portrait of the mountains. As far as I could see, there were tree-covered mountains. No telephone poles. No skyscrapers. No houses. Nothing. Just nature the way God created.

The past two days God has revealed Himself to me through His creation. The beauty of the water, the beauty of the rocks, the beauty of the trees, and the beauty of the mountains. Life is Good and God is Good.

Photos from our trip so far...

Here is just a sample of some of the images from our week so far at Montreat!

Heading out last Saturday at 6:00 a.m.

Ready for our work day at the Black Mountain Home for Children and Youth

They each wrote a word describing the personal gift that they would be bringing to the worksite, and then tied it into a bracelet around their wrists for the day.

Weeding the grapes!

Ready for the opening program on Sunday night in Anderson Auditorium.

Recreation outside in the evening!

Hanging out and having fun at one of our houses.

Waiting in line for worship...what a great site to see!

Day 3 at Montreat, By Billy Bartels and Ross Hannon

Jack Mader, Ross Hannon, and Billy Bartels

from Billy....This was the third day of Montreat. Today we talked about finding ones self and answering the question "Who am I?". This sounds like an easy task, but after talking about what Jesus went through to be himself, I realized how difficult it was for him. We talked about Jesus' temptation and how we can stand up to the distractions in our lives that take away from Gods presence.

The mountains of Montreat are amazingly beautiful. The culture of Montreat is one filled with joy and thankfulness. I have felt rejuvenated and very peaceful, and it has only been three days! I am looking forward to the week to come with happiness, but I know Iwill be sad to leave the friends I have made here.

from Ross...I do feel that I have grown spiritually these past three days. Between the discussions in our small groups and the sermons of Bruce Reyes-Chow, I have definitely felt a stronger feeling of God's presence. Without the distractions that life back home brings, I know that I will be able to recognize any signal that God decides to send me.

Every morning, I cannot wait to see what God has planned for us. Thankfully, these past three days have been truly amazing. I hope that the rest of this week brings more spiritual growth to myself, the Sunnyside senior high youth group, and the other youth groups here at Montreat.

Day 2 at Montreat - Meeting our Small Groups, by Annie and Abbie Russell

Annie Russell, Kate Mader and Abbie Russell

Our second day at Montreat was our first full day being part of the youth retreat. Most of the day was spent getting to know our small groups. Each group is made up of about twenty people from different churches. We all get to spend the week together getting to know more about each other and growing in our faith. Each small group also has an adult leader that starts our conversations and helps us learn about being a better Presbyterian.

Today in our small groups we played name games and learned about the theme for this week which is searching for the signal. We learned that we are called to seek out signs from God, but to also be signs for God in the world.

We are meeting people from all over the country. In our small groups there are people from: South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, Michigan, Chile, and Washington D.C.. There is even another group here from Indiana!

We are looking forward to the rest of our week! Who knows what adventures we will have.