Stained Glass with Brian and Roger Maness [Sold Out]

Whether learning the basics or improving your skills, join us to build your own beautiful stained glass creations. If a beginner, you will learn to cut glass, apply lead or foil, and to solder in order to create one or more one-dimensional pieces. If you have prior experience, you will be able to create more intricate pieces, including larger panels, or three-dimensional pieces like boxes or kaleidoscopes. Everyone will leave with beautiful pieces, the fun of creative expression, and the resources to continue at home if you wish.

Talking Across the Table - Facilitating and Participating in Hard Conversations with Todd Tracy

What is it that we are never supposed to bring up in polite company? Religion and Politics, right? This idea might keep things “peaceful”, but at what cost? This class will make the assumption that the church can and should play a role in helping people enter into important conversations about difficult topics that impact all of our lives. Together we will explore creative ways to invite and engage these conversations, even with (or perhaps especially with) those with whom we disagree. Learn about what other communities have tried, explore and create new ideas for opening up conversations in your community, as we workshop leading these conversations together. Together we can “flip the table” and learn to talk about real things.

Traveling Communion Ware with Anne Stone

Join our journey and make a hand-built traveling Communion set that enables you to take The Table wherever it needs to go! You will be guided in how to make a travel-sized pitcher, chalice, paten and tray that can easily be transported to where you are called to minister. No experience necessary. Come prepared to create one-of-a-kind pieces you can share with your wider community.

Writing Liturgy

Step into a creative space designed for wordsmiths, worship leaders, and anyone who loves shaping sacred language. In this workshop, you’ll join fellow writers and creators to craft prayers, calls to worship, litanies, and more—sharing ideas, giving feedback, and finding inspiration in community. Whether you're a seasoned liturgist or just beginning to put prayers to paper, this is your invitation to explore the holy work of writing for worship. (Instructor to be announced.)

Gathering Around the Table: Cultivating Intergenerational Ministry with Nancy Myer & Kris Adler-Brammer

This workshop will explore the importance of shared meals and table-centered activities as a way to foster meaningful intergenerational ministry experiences. In many places in our members’ lives, they are divided by age. In the Church, we can all come together and learn from each other. We will spend the week creating spaces where folks can connect, learn, and grow together. We will share ideas for designing and implementing intergenerational events that foster belonging, build relationships, and deepen faith through hospitality, meals, storytelling, games, and creative activities.

Playing with Praygrounds: Cultivating Intentional Space in Worship for Kids with Lanie Sipes

Let’s flip the table on traditional children’s ministry together! As it gets harder to sustain Sunday School and the nursery due to sparse or overworked volunteers, limited resources, families attending less regularly, and/or kids showing a lack of interest…is God calling us to something new? Creating and cultivating a space for kids to intentionally engage in worship enriches the life of faith of children, their parents, and the whole congregation. Whether you are brand new to the idea of praygrounds or you already have one going in your congregation, you are invited to join as we think about how to meaningfully integrate the prayground into our worship spaces and services. We’ll learn about and dream up ways to intentionally connect our praygrounds to our time with young disciples (or children’s moment) and the worship/sermon theme each week. We’ll also share innovative resources and imaginative ideas…and we’ll even get to play while creating sensory bins, play dough mats, and crafts to use in our prayground spaces (yes, you will get to take your creations back home with you)!

Let's Play: Building Community through Recreation with Kris "Bubba" Brammer

** Recreation Leader Training Track **
This course focuses on everything related to recreation: the games we enjoy, the events we organize, the activities we design, and the underlying theology that connects them all. Throughout the course, we will not only engage in play together but also delve into the fundamental components of recreation, including how to plan and lead activities that foster community building.

From Chaos to Creation: Designing Unique Table Coverings with Darci McKinnon

Transform your table into a work of art! In this hands-on class, we’ll explore a variety of techniques to create unique table coverings using fabric and surface design methods. From layering textures and paints to experimenting with dyes, stencils, and embellishments, you’ll craft multiple iterations of table toppers, runners, or placemats that reflect your personal style. No sewing experience is needed—just bring your creativity and a willingness to play with color, pattern, and composition. Whether you're designing for everyday use or a special occasion, you’ll leave with beautifully customized pieces and plenty of inspiration! This class is perfect for anyone looking to add a personal touch to their home décor or experiment with new artistic techniques. Join us for a fun and engaging experience where fabric meets creativity!

Real Ministry, Artificial Intelligence with Josh Richard

AI is everywhere – sometimes exciting, sometimes terrifying, often misunderstood. This workshop will take an open approach to understanding AI’s capabilities, its ethical and theological implications in ministry, and how it can support creativity, connection, and community in the church. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or a tech enthusiast, come ready to explore how AI might ACTUALLY be useful in ministry – without losing our humanity (or our jobs).

I am a Leader teaching at this time

As much as I’d love to join one of these amazing classes led by my incredible colleagues, I’ll be teaching my own session! I’m really looking forward to spending time with a great group of people.

Rest and Recharge Time

This is an unstructured period set aside just for you. There’s no formal class, no program, and no expectations—simply space to rest, reflect, or do whatever helps you feel renewed. Take a walk, journal, pray, nap, or just enjoy some quiet. Use this time in the way that best supports your spirit and well-being.

Turntables: Music in Ministry with Ray Landis

How can our music disrupt systems of oppression and dismantle white supremacy? How can our music be an act of resistance and nourish mutual liberation? How can our music fully welcome and engage all in beloved community? Throughout the week, come ready to: Create lyrics and music, communally and individually, that speak to the questions above! Engage with various sounds - sounds from nature, instruments you bring, instruments provided, and maybe even objects you never considered to be an instrument! No musical training is required, just creative curiosity! Explore through an experiential practice how worship music can emerge organically out of creative collaboration, curiosity and courage!

Mosaic Trays with Anne Stone

When you entertain, do you ever need an additional tray to serve others? It might be hors d’oeuvres or beverages or maybe just a piece to create more room at your table? Come join us and make a glass-inlaid mosaic tray to complement your next gathering, covered dish or just a special memory of your time in Montreat. No experience necessary. Come with ideas to fulfill your inner artist!

When God Wants You to Help Set the Table: Liturgical Art with CeCe Armstrong

Liturgical Arts are not limited in the efforts to include many in the worshipful experience. Let's set the table with writing, visual, and fine arts to glorify God and build authentic community. We will add a sprinkle of performance arts recognizing that we perform for an audience of One.

Where the Tables Are Already Upside Down: The Realities of Youth Ministry with Josh Sweeney

Youth ministry is full of flipped expectations, sacred disruptions, and surprising grace. In a world where young people are navigating identity, doubt, justice, joy, and everything in between, those called to serve them often find themselves standing in the middle of the mess—uncertain, hopeful, exhausted, and inspired. This workshop is a space for honesty, encouragement, and shared wisdom. We’ll explore the real joys and real struggles of youth ministry today, wrestle with what it means to lead with hope, and remind one another why this work still matters. Whether you’re new to youth ministry or have the t-shirt and the scars, come and be reminded: God is at work even (and especially) when the tables are upside down.

Brass Pendants: Flipping Guns Inside Out with Scotty Utz

Come turn gun parts into art! We will start with the inner magazine tube of a .22 rifle and make a split cross (Here is a link to what they look like: https://south.rawtools.org/product/brass-split-cross-pendant) and hopefully another pendant or two. We will be using propane torches and scrolling tongs and pliers along with a band saw and a polisher. It might get hot, loud and rowdy but we are sure to have fun as we flip the violence paradigm and transform guns into something beautiful.

Flipping Tabletops - Creating a Multi-Use Game Board with Leslie McCarthy

What can we do with a wood circle, wood pieces and parts, paints and dyes? Sounds like flipping tabletop games to me!! You will personalize with games of your choice and make storage for the game pieces. A little bit of play on a stand at your fingertips!

Tabletop Fun in a Topsy-Turvy World: Games Around the Table with Carl Horton and Lynn Turnage

** Recreation Leader Training Track **
In a world that feels flipped upside down, games can bring people together, spark joy, and create meaningful connections. In this interactive course we will play a variety of table games—board games, dice games, circle games, and activities requiring minimal or no materials. Whether you're looking for ways to engage communities, energize gatherings, or simply have fun, this course will equip you with an adaptable toolbox of games that work in any setting. Come ready to play and discover the power of games in a topsy-turvy world!

Bread Making: A Crumbly Class with Beth Gunn

The smell of bread baking is one that evokes warm, comforting feelings. We get to have that feeling all week! Bread making will range from quick breads to crackers to herby and crusty breads. As we learn about bread baking, we will come to understand how breaking bread together can indeed flip tables.

Flipping Outdoor Tables: Outdoor Cooking with Jay Banasiak

From the patio table to the picnic table to one’s own lap around the campfire, we have opportunities to cook, eat, & recreate together in the beauty of God’s great outdoors. We will flip through various methods of outdoor cooking, preparation, & recipes– including the grill, open fire, & dutch ovens– to prepare a variety of foods that will make you flip out. *Dinner-bell-clangs!* “Come and get it!”

Movies and Conversation with Sophie Maness

Let's explore movies together through a theological lens. Who gets invited to the tables in movies, who has a voice, who does not. What pearls of wisdom and grace can we find in all kinds of movies? Join us for popcorn, play and great conversation.

Table Time: Cooking and Hospitality with Deb Guess

Cooking together, preparing the tablescape, and then spending time with great food and conversation can be an amazing way to build community. We will share our stories, lots of laughter, and our family meal traditions while we team up to cook lots of different recipes, several with an unusual twist. No cooking experience necessary as long as you like to eat!

I am a leader and teaching at this time.

As much as I’d love to join one of these amazing classes led by my incredible colleagues, I’ll be teaching my own session! I’m really looking forward to spending time with a great group of people.

Rest and Recharge Time

This is an unstructured period set aside just for you. There’s no formal class, no program, and no expectations—simply space to rest, reflect, or do whatever helps you feel renewed. Take a walk, journal, pray, nap, or just enjoy some quiet. Use this time in the way that best supports your spirit and well-being.