2025 Retreat: Be Bold
September 5-7
Montreat, NC
Cost:
$90 per adult (ages 12+) plus lodging
$70 per child (ages 5-11) plus lodging
$55 per child (ages 4 and under) plus lodging
Retreat Details
Schedule
Lodging
Keynote Speaker
Workshops
Free Time
FAQ
Retreat Schedule
Friday Night
6:30-8:00pm: Registration & Community Building
8:00-9:00pm: Opening Gathering
9:00pm: Late night in the Lobby
Saturday
(Childcare, birth-preK, provided 8:30-12:15, 1:30-3:45)
7:30 – 8:30am: Breakfast
8:45 -10:00am: Keynote
10:00 -10:45am: Chatter Groups
11:00am – 12:15pm: Workshops
12:15 – 1:00pm: Lunch
1:45 – 2:40pm: Keynote
2:45 – 3:30pm: Chatter Groups
3:30 – 6:30pm: Free time
6:30 – 7:00pm: Dinner
7:15 – 8:15pm: Barn Dance (no evening childcare)
8:15 – 9:15pm: Campfire
Sunday Morning
(Childcare, birth -preK, provided 9:15-11:00)
7:30-8:30am: Breakfast
8:45am: Worship rehearsal
9:15am: Group Picture – Assembly Inn front steps
9:30am: Chatter Group closing act
9:45am: Worship
Lodging
*Note – lodging fees are separate from retreat fees*
Lodging is available at Assembly Inn, which has hotel-like accommodations, as well as a dining room and group meeting space. When you register, you can choose a private bath or an adjoining bath (fees differ for each). Space is limited, so register early!
Lodging Options in Assembly Inn (for two nights):
- Two rooms, connecting bath: $380
- One room, private bath (various bed sizes available): $220
- Second adult staying in room: Free
- Child(ren) (birth-5th grade) staying in room with parent(s): Free
- Youth (6th grade and older) staying with another youth in Assembly Inn: $110
We don’t want cost to be a barrier to participation; scholarships are available to help offset the cost. If financial assistance would allow you to participate in the retreat, please fill out a request form, or email a staff member. All scholarship requests are kept confidential.
Keynote Speaker, Mary D. Williams
Mary D. Williams is a gospel singer, historian, and educator who grew up in nearby Garner, NC. With a powerful voice that instantly commands your attention, she takes you on a journey through time and the trials of black Americans using the vessel of music. With a blend of traditional gospel songs, slave spirituals, and social-change anthems, she demonstrates how music sustained slaves, empowered those who sought freedom, and energized the Civil Rights Movement. Drawing on the story of Exodus from Scripture, she will lead us as we explore what it means to “Be Bold” – leaving behind the familiar in search of something more faithful.
Saturday Morning Workshop Choices
Infants – Pre-Kindergarten
This age group will spend time together playing and enjoying the company of other UPC children. Parents of 4-year-olds can register their child for this group or can choose a workshop below that is open to 4-year-olds that might fit their child’s developmental stage.
Facilitators: Montreat Staff
Location: Updike Child Care Building
Pottery
Whether you are a beginner or have frequently worked with clay, you can create a wonderful keepsake of the weekend. If you want to do another morning workshop, the pottery studio will be available for pottery fun during our afternoon free time for all ages (with a parent present).
Facilitator: Sarah Peters
Location: Currie Craft Center, Upper level
Open to 6th grade and older (younger artists can enjoy pottery with their parents during the afternoon free time)
Fused Glass
Fused glass is done by putting together pieces of special glass and placing them in a kiln so the glass melts together to form the final product. Participants in this workshop will be able to use their creative “juices” to make either an ornament or a sun catcher. There is no glass cutting involved – it will all be cut. You do not need any special skills – just the desire to come and be creative!
Facilitator: Carol Wilhelmi
Location: Currie Craft Center, Lower Level
Open to 4th grade and older (4th and 5th graders will be matched with an adult buddy if parent is not present.)
Scavenger Hunt
Have fun with your church family while testing your knowledge of key places around the heart of Montreat! Clues will lead you from place to place.
Facilitator: Karen Vandersea
Location: Gather in upper lobby of Assembly Inn by the fireplace
Open to all ages; Kindergarten and younger should have a parent present
Gate Trail Walk
This is an easy walk from the lake to the gate along Flat Creek. There are nature information placards along the trail that discuss what may be seen along the trail. Total length is 1.9 mi out and back.
Facilitator: TBA
Location: Gather in lower lobby by front desk
Open to all ages (but not stroller friendly)
Yoga
All levels welcome. Participants should bring a yoga mat or towel.
Facilitator: Martha Nelson
Location: Assembly Inn 1 & 2 (to the right of front desk)
Open to 6th grade and older
Group Games & Team Building
In this workshop we will learn some fun new games to play as a group, grow closer to each other as we engage in a variety of team building activities, and just have plain old fun together! If you enjoy laughs, activity, and recreation, this is the workshop for you!
Facilitator: Tristan Wall
Location: Jeffrey Room (234)
Open to 4th grade and older
Creek Exploration
Come explore nature, wade in the creek, and maybe we will even try our hand at fishing! You will want to wear shoes that can get wet.
Facilitators: Donald McMillan & Chris Medley
Location: Gather in upper lobby of Assembly Inn by the piano.
Open to all ages, although probably best suited for ages 4 or 5 and up; children 8 and under will need a parent with them.
Sacred Songs – Sacred Stories
Join our Keynoter, Gospel Singer Mary D. Williams, for a workshop on song and story. Learning a handful of the Spirituals, participants will examine the lyrics more closely, gather insights on how these songs have encouraged the singer in different ways throughout history and then consider how these songs still speak to situations in our own lives.
Facilitator: Mary D. Williams
Location: TBD
Open to 6th grade and older
Collage Quilting
No sewing necessary for this group project. Participants will be working together to create a collage quilt to hang at UPC reflecting our retreat theme.
Facilitator: Carolyn Schwarz
Location: TBD
Open to Kindergarten and up (as long as they can cut fabric and use glue!); children 8 and under will need a parent with them.
The Bible from the Underside
Like all things, Scripture looks different depending on your perspective. Those who enjoy great privilege inevitably see the Bible differently from those who view it from the margins of society. In this workshop, we will consider a handful of Bible stories from the standpoint of the disadvantaged and disinherited, asking ourselves “how does this text proclaim liberation for God’s most vulnerable children?”
Facilitator: TBD
Location: TBD
Open to 6th grade and older
Saturday Afternoon Free Time Options
Hiking Lookout– Hike up Montreat’s famous Lookout Mountain. It’s a moderate hike, about 45 minutes up and 30 minutes down with great views of the valley. The first part of the trail is a gentle uphill slope through an area rich with wildflowers. For those who wish to continue to the top, be prepared for challenging steep slopes and some scrambling up boulders for the 700 ft. elevation gain. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning view. Bring water and be prepared for the weather. Many additional trails are available. Find a trail map at check-in!
Pottery – Create your own Montreat keepsake out of clay. Open to all ages during free time, although children in 5th grade and younger must be accompanied by a parent. Currie Craft Center, upper level.
Football Game – Cheer on the Tar Heels in the Lobby area at game time (time TBA)
Black Mountain Trip – Would you like to go with a group to explore Black Mountain? Sign up in the Lobby.
Sabbath – Take a holy nap in your room or have some good conversation with friends on a Montreat porch. Take extra time to recharge your batteries.
Retreat FAQ
Q: Is this retreat for families only?
A: No! UPC members of all ages and stages of life attend the congregational retreat. This event is a chance for all in our church to spend time in community together. We have options that everyone can enjoy no matter your age, and we’ve found that unique bonds are created across many generations during this weekend.
Q: How are the accommodations?
A: We sleep in the Assembly Inn hotel, which was recently renovated. It’s a beautiful stone building at Montreat Conference Center, where they cater to all ages and have all the creature comforts we’re used to having.
Q: How’s the food?
A: Montreat’s Galax Dining Room offers a variety of options at meals. There’s always a bountiful salad bar. If you have concerns about allergies, please note it in your registration, and we’ll make sure you have specific allergen information.
Q: I’m not sure we can afford to attend. Is there financial assistance?
A: We have a retreat scholarship fund to help with costs. We will work with you to determine how we can best meet your family’s needs when covering lodging and retreat costs; there’s no special formula. Click here to fill out a request form, or you may email a church staff member. We will communicate with each family on an individual, confidential basis.
