*+-This Week At Montreat -+*

By coming to Montreat this year, I have been able to grow not only as a person, but as a Christian. The best part of Montreat us going to small groups. With small groups I was able to meet many new people, and also discuss the topics of worship from the keynote that we had just seen, and also the sermon from the night before. The more we discuss these things the more they stick in our heads and help us to understand what we had heard. The theme this week is "The World is on Fire." This phrase can either be used in a positive way or in a negative. When the week started off the leaders of worship used it in more of a negative way, so they showed all of the bad and detrimental events going on in the world (such as Global Warming, Violence, Racism, Sexism, etc.)
The great thing about worship at montreat is that they are able to give the phrase "The World is on Fire" a positive side too. They described how The World is on fire with God's love and how everyone should be able to spread/start the fire within ourselves - and help put out the negative fires in our world. I feel that by coming to Montreat this week I have been able to learn more about being a Christian and also how to go about living my life in a positive manner.

-Todd Hughes

Free Afternoon in Montreat

Today we had a free afternoon; so we decided that we would venture up to Asheville. We did some window shopping around town and we found the Mast General Store and we just had to look around. I left there with my pockets a pound and a half heavier. In the Mast General Store there were barrels after barrels of candy which I was unable to resist. We then proceeded to continue our journey in Asheville for the next four hours. On the way back to Montreat we were serenaded by the Forest Hills Church youth members that were singing to the songs on the radio. We got back to Montreat and had a little bit of time to get ready for communion. We were all putting on our best clothes and headed town to communion. It was a wonderful service to be a part of. The minister talked about his saints that he uses as mentors. These were people that in some way or another truly impacted his life. He asked us to think about who some of our saints are. His saints were Martin Luther King Jr., Dorthy Day, and Oscar Romero. When communion ended we went back to what we have been doing all week... playing rummy.

yours truly
Mr. Patrick Brittain

Wensday Afternoon, Spencer DeSpain

So far, Montreat is amazing! I love the people and the environment here...it's almost like an addiction. I always look forward to coming every summer and it is the highlight of my summer. Montreat is honestly the most amazing place to be. My relationship with Jennifer Hughes, Todd Hughes, Patrick Brittian, Hannah Howell, and Jeanette Quick has gotten so much closer, it's the best bonding place. Until Montreat I never really talked to much anyone, now, I'm actually talking to everyone, including everyone from Forest Hill's youth group. If I had to pick one favorite thing about Montreat, it'd have to be the bonding and the small groups...and the food is amazing too. :) But the one person that I would like to thank out of this whole expierence and for helping us go to Montreat possible, Jeanette Quick. She's probably the best DCE, (Director of Christian Education) we've had in a while. She's like my second mother, so thanks. But otherwise, Montreat is incredible. So, I'll see everyone Sunday morning.

Much Love,
- Spencer DeSpain.

hannah wednesday in montreat!

Whats up fellow Presbyterians! Everyone is having a great time here in Montreat :) In Montreat we wake up and go to keynote at 9. Keynote is where we bascially sing and dance. Then we go to small group which is a group of 30 random kids or adults from diffrent churches around the country. Small group time is usually 2 times a day but today we only have small group in the morning, so were going to Ashville! Each year at Montreat there is a theme, the theme this year is world on fire so the worship is all about fires, like fires in the world and how might might not be able to prevent world wars but how we can help put out local fires...we can all work towards eliminating racism, sexism, poverty, greed, and many other issues that keep our brothers and sisters in harms way.

Hannah Howell

Monday Night. Spencer DeSpain

Well, so far everything is fantasitc. The house is beautiful, absolutely wonderful. I love the youth of Forest Hill's Presbyterian, they're great and very welcoming. My favorite part is the small groups, there's about thirty in each small groups, and I love it so much. Everyone is so helpful and very energetic. I definatly don't want to leave, but I'm pretty sure that everyone waiting for me back home want's to know how it went. Overall, I love Montreat. I'm pretty sure for my summer job, will be working at Montreat, so, thanks to everyone for sending me here.


Love, Spencer DeSpain.

Montreat Youth Conference

Hey all - our adventures with the high school youth continue as we enjoy Montreat w/ our friends from Forest Hills Presbyterian Church (shout out to Beth Utley!). Check out the montreat website for a glimpse into the theme, conference leaders and music. You might even see our beautiful mugs up there! We have a small group this year, but our kids and adults are having a great time!

Posted by Jeanette