Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest
James S. Currie, Executive Secretary
In 1949, under the leadership of Dr. Matthew Lynn (at the time on the staff of First Presbyterian Church in Houston), among others, the Synod of Texas purchased over 6800 acres known as Mo-Ranch. This year that camping and conference center, which succeeded the Westminster Encampment in Kerrville, celebrated its 75th anniversary. In reflecting on those who have served as presidents of Mo-Ranch, I began thinking about some of those whose labors behind the scenes contributed to making that place one that has supplied such pleasant and important memories for so many over the past threescore and fifteen years.
In re-reading parts of Bob Lively’s 1987 history of Mo-Ranch, By Streams of Water, I am reminded of prominent and influential persons in the history of the Ranch , names like Dan Moran, Ernest J. Nicklos, O.O. and Ruth West, Bill Henning, and Otis Moore, among many others. But then Lively closes this account of Mo-Ranch’s story by mentioning two persons many may not know, but both of whom played a crucial role in making the experiences of hundreds, if not thousands, transformative.
Both were “ranch managers”, that is, their job was the maintenance and upkeep of everything having to do with the physical plant. The first was Calvin Furr and the second was Bill Braun. Furr was hired by Ovid West and “could fix anything,” according to one summer staff employee, and was liked and respected by all. Bill Braun was a native of Kingsville and responded to a phone call in 1968 from his pastor, Rev. Mike Murray, when Bill Henning inquired about needing someone to succeed Furr. At the age of 25 years Braun learned the ropes well from Mr. Furr. According to Lively, when O.O. West returned to visit the ranch, he told Braun, “There are miles and miles of pipes and wires buried under this rock. And you know what? There ain’t no blueprints!” (p. 127).
But Braun’s gifts went far beyond maintenance and upkeep of the physical needs of the ranch. Lively recounts the ways Braun’s patience and grace had a profound impact on those around him, particularly those assigned to his tutelage, some of whom came with troubled backgrounds. He changed lives.
There are others who worked in the background over the years at Mo-Ranch whose gracious spirit, kindness, patience, and hard work contributed to those who happened to cross their paths.
Another long-time physical plant manager was Jack Hodges who worked at Austin Seminary for so many years, always responding to immediate needs, but rarely drawing attention to himself.
They are everywhere, but neither seek nor receive the recognition others might. Olivia Maldonado worked for over 45 years as the director of food services at the Presbyterian Pan American School. Carmen Gonzales, a Pan Am graduate, worked in that school’s office for over 40 years. Think of all the students they had the opportunity to meet, greet, and shape over those years. In all likelihood their names won’t be engraved on some plaque acknowledging their labors and influence.
Consider folks in your own church family. Where I worship Terry McKetta and Nancy Vanzandt are there almost every Sunday working behind the scenes to make sure after-church refreshments are available to welcome members and visitors alike, and sending out cards to those who have been ills or simply missed.
No doubt, those reading this column can come up with their own list of those who work behind the scenes, making sure that things run smoothly or that visitors are greeted or that dead lightbulbs are replaced or that correct liturgical paraments are in place.
In this Advent and Christmas season (or any season for that matter) we might do well to be on the lookout for those quiet, dependable activists doing those things that need to be done and do so with grace and humility. In their own way they are making history as much as anyone else.
In 1929 Lesbia Scott penned the words to a hymn that is in our Glory to God hymnal (#730) that reflects the “down-to-earth ordinariness of the holy people of God at all times and places” (see note beneath the hymn):
I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green:
they were all of the saints of God, and I mean, God helping, to be one too.
They loved their Lord so dear, so dear, and God’s love made them strong;
and they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake, the whole of their good lives long.
And one was soldier, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast:
and there’s not any reason, no, not the least, why I shouldn’t be one too.
They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still;
the world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus’ will.
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;
for the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.
The Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest exists to “stimulate and encourage interest in the collection, preservation, and presentation of the Presbyterian and Reformed heritage” in the Southwest. If you are not a participating member of the Society and would like to become one, the annual dues are $20 per individual and $25 per couple. Annual institutional and church membership dues are $100. Checks may be made out to PHSSW and sent to:
PHSSW – 5525 Traviston Ct., Austin, TX 78738.
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