Last week, while looking over some reports on the summer’s progress, my mind fell upon a remark made to me in June by Montreater Frank Spencer, president of the Presbyterian Board of Pensions. Frank described Montreat Conference Center as not just a place, but as one of the largest, most extensive face-to-face ministries in the entire Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – perhaps the largest, Frank said, though he added that our friends down at Mo-Ranch, a 500-acre retreat, conference, and summer camp center located just outside Hunt, Texas, might justifiably claim the same distinction.
Almost certainly, you have heard about the flash floods that hammered central Texas last weekend, particularly along the Guadalupe River. While rescue teams saved many, more than 120 people have reportedly died from the flooding with more still missing. The region is home to many camps and conference centers, Mo-Ranch among them. Fortunately, the ranch’s leadership had evacuated low-lying areas of the camp nearest the river by the time the flooding arrived to their campus.
I quoted Frank above not to imply that Mo-Ranch and Montreat Conference Center are competitors; in fact, the opposite is true. The two institutions share a commitment to gathering people for authentic, face-to-face experiences that lead to deeper relationships with each other, into deeper relationships with our faith communities, and into a relationship with Christ. We also share people – people who lead, participate in, and support our activities – and I’ve heard from so many of them over the past few days. Overall, our shared ministry both serves the PC(USA) and reaches far beyond it.
And now, we share another experience. The torrential rains, the waters that overwhelmed riverbanks and altered sacred spaces and natural areas, the flooding that left families and neighboring communities in trauma and grief…for those of us in Montreat, the news reports feel not only tragic but painfully familiar.
As of today, Mo-Ranch remains closed until further notice. Tim Huchton, Mo-Ranch’s president and CEO, tells me that, while his staff is still assessing the capital damage, the expected loss in earned revenue could be significant as this is normally their busiest season of the year. I know that Tim and his colleagues are focusing right now on the needs of neighbors in the region, but also that the ranch itself will need our support. A portion of this week’s youth conference offering in Montreat has been dedicated to Mo-Ranch. I encourage you to join us.
Meanwhile, Jasiel Hernandez Garcia, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas, who just a few years ago was a seminary intern on our ministry team in Montreat, now leads the congregation’s response to the crisis. Among other needs, the church is serving as a reunification center for families searching for loved ones after the floods, providing spiritual and emotional care, and has set up a designated “Flood Relief” fund to help families affected by the floods cover expenses and acquire needed supplies.
To support Mo-Ranch and its activities in the near term and long term, you can go to this link on their website.
Donations to First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville can be directed here.
Thank you for considering.
When July 4th Falls on a Saturday…
Last week, I received a message from a Montreat cottager asking if next year’s Fourth of July celebration would be held on July 4th since in 2026 that day will fall on a Saturday. He noted correctly that such scheduling presents challenges for cottage rentals, which typically run Saturday-to-Saturday. Reportedly, others have asked the same question.
So, in those years when July 4th falls on a Saturday, why can’t we move our celebration and activities to Friday or Sunday?
When July 4th falls on a Saturday, it also lands directly adjacent to the Presbyterian Association of Musician’s second Worship and Music Conference, which ends early morning on the same day. Moving the parade and other activities to Friday, July 3rd would overlap with a full day of that conference, and Montreat simply doesn’t have the staff, the rooms, the roads, or the parking to accommodate both the holiday and this conference simultaneously.
As always, PAM’s conferees next summer will vacate the grounds as early as possible on Saturday morning to make room for the expected crowds in town, a considerable effort we greatly appreciate.
Finally, when July 4th falls on a Sunday, we move festivities to Saturday, July 3rd for religious reasons… but it would be best to move them anyway to make room for the next conference arriving Sunday afternoon.
Hope this summary helps, and apologies in advance for any inconvenience next year’s calendar may present.
With gratitude,
Richard DuBose
President, Montreat Conference Center