The Holidays, The Biltmore & You...

At Lutheridge+Lutherock we have many traditions. One of our very favorites is our "Biltmore Excursions" during the month of December. Mmmmm, yes it is not only fun, it is an adventure in Beauty, History and Architecture. Leave the world behind for just a little while and become guests of Lutheridge and the Vanderbilts. Imagine the Biltmore Estate all "Done-Up" for the holidays. Trees, Decorations, Music and the holiday glow of thousands of twinkle lights. Oh yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. It is a feast for the eyes.

So here is the deal, you arrive on a on Friday evening after dinner. Enjoy a quiet evening with hot chocolate around the fireplace.
After breakfast on Saturday, travel to the Biltmore Estate on your own, or with new friends from Lutheridge, to tour the house. Visit the winery, farmhouse, and many other features of the 8,000 acre estate. Have lunch on your own at the Bistro or Deerpark Restaurant. Save some time for Christmas shopping in Downtown Asheville and the Grove Arcade.
Return to Lutheridge for dinner. We will have a fire going for you to roast marshmallows and reflect on your day. A storyteller will tell some stories and we will sing some songs together.

Sunday includes breakfast at Lutheridge, optional worship at Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, and time to relax at Lutheridge or go back to Asheville for more Christmas shopping before returning home.

NEW FOR 2009! The Biltmore Estate has opened four new rooms; these rooms have been closed to visitors for nearly 100 years! One of the newly-renovated rooms is the Louis the XV room where the Vanderbilt's only daughter, Cornelia, was born in 1900. It is also in this same room that Cornelia gave birth to her two sons, George Cecil in 1925 and William Cecil in 1928. The Estate also has a new audio tour that includes these new rooms.

Now is the time to register for this special holiday adventure.
December 4-6 or 11-13 (Friday-Sunday)
December 1-3 or 8-10 (Tuesday-Thursday)
We look forward to sharing this unique holiday experience with you.
Log onto our website www.llmi.org or
give us a call at 1.828.684.2361
We look forward to hearing from you.

The Buzz...
"Cool crisp weather in a Christian atmosphere. I was able to enjoy a taste of the spirit of Christmas and meet friendly people from different places. It was just a relaxing experience."

"This is wonderful - An affordable, comfortable, good place to stay with great food so that we could also afford to go to the Biltmore. I really love that you opened this up to us. It could become an annual tradition!"

Ski LEAP 2010...

Winter can be a magical time of year here in the mountains of North Carolina. The skiing is great, the sunshine is bright and the pine trees add a certain grace to this very special time of year. At Lutheridge+Lutherock we have created some amazingly fun programs to embrace this very special season.

Let us do all the work of coordinating ski rentals and lift tickets and enjoy our group rate discount! We also supply group building games, an evening campfire, and youth-friendly worship. Come on Friday evening. Enjoy an early breakfast and all day Saturday on the slopes. End the day with supper, fun and worship then have a good breakfast on Sunday before traveling home. Adults must accompany and supervise youth. Groups are responsible for transportation to and from ski slopes. Lutheridge guests ski at Wolf Ridge. Guests staying at Lutherock will ski at Sugar Mountain.


So here are the details, sign-up soon as space is limited.

Lutheridge Dates: January 8-10, 22-24, 29-31, February 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21, 2010 (all Friday-Sunday); January 16-18, 2010 (MLK Weekend: Saturday-Monday)

Lutherock Dates: January 8-10, 29-31, February 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21, 2010 (all Friday-Sunday)

NEW Three-Night Option for Ski LEAPs!

Come to Lutheridge on MLK Weekend (January 16-18, 2010) or Lutherock over President's Day (February 12-14, 2010) and stay for two or THREE nights.

Because of the demand from groups to come up a night early or stay a day later, we now have the option to add an additional night to your Ski LEAP weekend for only an extra $30 per person! This rate includes the additional night lodging, an early breakfast and dinner (if applicable), and LLMI will handle all of your skiing reservations. So come to Lutheridge on Friday and ski at Wolf Ridge for two days!

Please contact Kara Ridenhour at 828-684-2361, ext. 304 or kridenhour@llmi.org for questions and information regarding Ski LEAPs.

Please contact Suzanne Delap at 828-684-2361 ext.309 or email for availability, deposit policy, and information regarding additional ski-related costs.

November Faith-Alive Retreat...

New this Fall -- Faith Alive Retreat! CHRISTIAN VOCATION: What God is calling you to do with your gifts and your life!

CHRISTIAN VOCATION
Friday - Sunday ~ NOVEMBER 13-15, 2009

Middle School and High School youth will hear that God has a plan for them ~ and learn how to listen and discern God's will for their lives. Pastors are not the only ones called by God. Martin Luther taught that ALL work is holy when done with integrity. Our goal as Christians is to discover the best way to use the gifts that God has given us to build up God's kingdom here and now. Bible study, gift inventories, creative exercises, and practice in active listening will help young people claim their unique abilities and explore ways to use them to God's glory. This retreat will REDEFINE "SUCCESS" with an emphasis on service over self, inspiring students to make a difference in the world. The teacher for this retreat is Pastor Mary Canniff-Kuhn, Lutheridge Program Director.

Pastor Tim Canniff-Kuhn, LLMI Interim Vice President, will lead a Faith Alive Retreat on CHRISTIAN VALUES the same weekend. Middle School youth will explore Jesus' values and compare them to our own. This retreat has received rave reviews from kids and adults each time it has been offered.

Faith Alive retreats also give middle school and high school youth a true camp experience including games, skits, stories, songs, campfire and creative worship. Lutheridge counselors provide supervision and add their own faithful witness and joyful attitude to the experience.

Encourage the young people in your family or congregation to become the adults God wants them to be. Let these retreats help FAITH come ALIVE in new and exciting ways.

Visit our website for more details or to register online!