News from the Mountain!
Hello from the Mountain Retreat & Learning Center!
With so much uncertainty currently on the horizon, let us take a moment to focus on what we are most grateful for in our lives and let this positive energy power us on to help create a brighter future. With this concept in mind, we invite all to our Grateful Gathering this Thanksgiving Weekend as we celebrate our gratitude and connect with new and old friends alike.
Looking for a great item for your congregation’s auction?
Come experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains! We’ve got a $600 gift certificate from The Mountain, good for 12 months, for your congregation! It’s a great way to raise funds and the certificate can be used towards personal retreats, registering for any of our amazing and insightful programs, and even MountainCamp!
To learn more, email development@themountainrlc.org
Here are the newsletter items for this month:
Grateful Gathering – November 27 – December 1
Make this Thanksgiving extra special and join us at The Mountain for a weekend of acknowledging and celebrating the gratitude in our lives. Even through challenging times, there is much to be grateful for – be it friendships, family, community, opportunities for expanding our minds, and all the wonderful and inspiring things that swirl through our lives.
We’re planning a fun-filled and informative weekend that will include a variety of workshops, such as making fire starter logs and learning how to make Fire Cider – a spicy, tart tonic that some say has a number of health benefits. We also have two concerts planned — Scottish ballads and stories, and the folk duo Friction Farm.
The Grateful Gathering is the perfect weekend for hiking through the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting with old and new friends, and enjoying all sorts of outdoor adventures. It’s a great opportunity to invite family and friends to share time together, and no one has to cook or do the dishes!
Learn more and register at: www.themountainrlc.org/event/
Senior High Fall YouthCONs
Youth CONferences are fun and entertaining weekend gatherings of Unitarian Universalist youth who attend as a part of a congregational sponsored group. CONs are planned by youth for youth and are supervised by Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) and advisors. Each CON provides opportunities for youth leadership and empowerment through building community, connecting with friends, and engaging in personal reflection and spiritual growth. Participants stay in our cozy cabins and eat together in our Dining Hall, which prepares delicious meals suited to individual dietary needs.
Senior High CON (9th to 12th grade) – December 13-15
Learn more and register at: www.themountainrlc.org/youth-
Stay Tuned for Music Week 2025!
This spring, join award winning singers and songwriters for a week full of instruction and performances amidst the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a great opportunity for budding performers and seasoned professionals to hone their craft and share their talents.
Dates and performers will be announced soon!
ANNOUNCING:
$50K Match for Annual Fund to Support Mountain Programming starting November 1st
The Mountain continues to thrive and create important programming for our visitors throughout the year, thanks to generous gifts from people just like you. Your contribution will help us continue our important mission of enriching lives, fostering an appreciation of the natural world, honoring the interconnectedness of all things, and inspiring people to build inclusive, meaningful, sustainable communities throughout their lives.
So far, we have already received $5,820.00 towards the match meaning there is only $44,180.00 to go in reaching our goal!
During this season of giving, please consider investing in The Mountain and encourage others who share Mountain values to invest in the work we do. There are many ways to contribute to The Mountain, a (501c3) organization, so your kind gift is tax deductible.
Check out all of the options:
• Cash Contributions Online or Onsite– Check, PayPal, Credit Card, and Cash
• Stock Transfer
• Donor Advised Fund
• Retirement Accounts — Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) or Qualified Charitable
Distribution (QCD), or IRA accounts (talk with your accountant to learn about the possibility of up to $100,000 which may be donated without tax exposure)
• Please reach out to us if you have other ideas for giving (development@themountainrlc.
______________
Join our team!
If you, or someone you know, is interested in a unique opportunity to work in an organization striving to make a positive difference in our world, then The Mountain may be the perfect fit!
Food Service Worker
We are hiring for all skill sets so come learn in the kitchen and serve good, delicious and healthy food to our guests!
Housekeeping
Work with housekeeping staff to clean and resupply guest rooms, meeting spaces and public areas in an environmentally friendly manner.
Farm Manager
Works with a team of staff and volunteers to manage our farm based on regenerative agriculture, with the intent of having a farm-to-table program; develop value-added products for sale; and provide a variety of experiential learning opportunities for guests.
Youth Program Manager
Works with a team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth through various experiences to learn about themselves and their world. This is done primarily through summer camp and CONferences throughout the year.
Visit our job board to learn more and apply at www.themountainrlc.org/jobs
The Mountain exists thanks to the engagement and efforts of people just like you ! We truly are grateful for the time you take every month to share our stories and upcoming events and programming. It means the world to all of us here at The Mountain and those who love this very special place.
tel. 828.526.5838
Connect With Us:
Mountain newsletter: sign-up at the bottom of the home page: https://www.themountainrlc.
