Earlier this fall, our Director of Church Relations, Susie Burns, shared that she will be concluding her time at Montreat in order to accept a call as Pastoral Resident at First Presbyterian Church in Hartsville, SC. There, she will eventually be ordained in the PC(USA). During her long tenure with us, Susie has facilitated trips for thousands of people as they came to experience Montreat. Her passion for this place, for youth ministry, and for providing outrageous hospitality has made a lasting impression on the landscape here.
Susie's willingness to go the extra mile (and in some cases, the extra 100 miles) to ensure a group is able to attend a conference while feeling seen and valued is something that we will continue to benefit from moving forward. Watching Susie at a youth conference check-in is like watching a family reunion — the hugs and tears she shares with each leader are both genuine and reciprocal.
Embodying Hospitality in Action
Susie has been a living example of one of Montreat’s core values: Embodying Hospitality. We believe that we are called to love others as Jesus loves us all, and that our witness is grounded in welcome and belonging. Susie has shown us what this looks like in practice — greeting every person as someone created in the image of God with great capacity for growth and transformation.
Her ministry has never been about simply processing registrations or managing logistics. It's been about creating moments where young people and their leaders feel truly seen, truly known, and truly welcomed. That kind of hospitality doesn't happen by accident. It comes from someone who believes deeply that every person who walks through our doors matters, and who is willing to invest the time and energy to show them that they belong here.
Tanner Pickett, Montreat’s vice president for communications, spoke fondly about Susie saying, “I have learned a lot working with Susie, and I think we, as an institution, have benefited tremendously from her time with us. I've been grateful for her support all these years and hope we can count on it moving forward.”
Susie, we'll miss you — and so will the many groups who are used to being greeted by you when they arrive. Thank you for all you've done for Montreat and for the countless lives you've touched!
Questions About Youth Conferences?
As Susie transitions to her new role, we want to make sure you know how to reach us. For questions about youth conference registration, please contact us at youthreg@montreat.org or reach out to Daphne Waggener or Hope Barker. We're here to help and look forward to continuing the legacy of hospitality that Susie has established.
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