Family Conferences Return to Montreat

Dec 18, 2002 04:10 PM EST

MONTREAT, NC - Montreat Conference Center has realigned its family ministries program with several new conferences for 2003 designed to address the family's changing needs and faces.

Sponsored by the Montreat Conference Center and the Office for Family and Single Adult Ministries in the Congregational Ministries Division, the second annual "Gathering of Presbyterian Adoptive Families" will be held in Montreat, July 1-5, 2003.

Among adoptive families, there is no single predominant image or trend. Today's adoptive families are international and domestic, one and two parent led. They may be comprised of adopted children and biological children, who are multi-ethnic, multi-racial, or of single ethnicities. The aim of this second Montreat gathering, which the conference center envisions as an annual event, will be to examine adoptive issues within the context of "being church and being Reformed," as well as allow for celebration, connection and networking among Presbyterian adoptive families.

The Montreat "Clergy Couples Conference," a new entry in the 2003 schedule, will explore and address the challenges unique to couples in which both spouses are employed in professional Christian vocations. This first-known event specifically for Presbyterian clergy couples is co-sponsored with Union Theological Seminary/Presbyterian School of Christian Education. The conference, to be held July 2-5, 2003, will feature an exciting mix of those who have blazed the trails with years of experience, as well as those who are shaping new adventures as the latest generation of clergy couples.

"Presbyterian Families," the group formerly known as Presbyterian Mariners, will be introducing its new name at its first-ever Montreat conference, also scheduled for July 2-5, 2003. The event will be designed and planned by the 75-year old organization.

By Emily Ender