Thanks to all those involved and all their hard work, I feel this was one of the best conferences.”
Shalom of Life
Jeremiah 29
A conference for women to come together, build relationships, worship and do fun activities
As people of faith, we have opportunities to mark these liminal spaces by recognizing that God is with us on the journey, giving us grace. We will spend the weekend reflecting on God’s presence in all the times of our lives – and in the midst of singing, prayer, worship, keynotes, workshops, and rest, we will mark those times and places of grace in our lives.
Each year, hundreds of women from across the region gather together for the Mo-Ranch Women’s Conference. Take a break from the busyness of life to recharge physically, mentally and spiritually. Conference activities include keynote presentations, worship, fellowship, recreation, free time and workshops.
- Create an inviting and safe environment for growth and renewal
- Hear God’s word through inclusive and intentional worship
- Reach a diverse cross-section of women by culture, age and background
- Celebrate and be good stewards of God’s creation
- Practice inclusiveness, radical hospitality and joyful fellowship
- Allow a place to reconnect with ourselves, God and each other
Mothers, daughters and granddaughters come together for a time of reunion and growth. Friendships that last a lifetime are made by women who would not have otherwise met.
Register today, space is limited! Lodging is first come, first served.
Keynote Speaker: Natarsha Prince Sanders (she/her/hers)
Natarsha is a preacher, teacher, and certified life coach who centers her work at the intersections between wholeness, education, and liberation. She enjoys facilitating spiritual and leadership development opportunities for people of all ages and providing emerging adults with the tools necessary to navigate their vocational journey. She has presented at national and international conferences and is most humbled to facilitate Bible study at the Doyle Community Center where she is a board member.
For 11 years, she worked as an educator in the state of North Carolina and three years as a district administrator. Natarsha has led staff training on racial identity, served as a camp chaplain at John Knox Ranch (Fischer, TX), and was the keynote speaker for the 2021 Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association’s Shaping Our Story gathering (Montreat, NC) and preacher at the 2022 Women’s Connection Conference at Montreat Conference Center. Natarsha has taught classes alongside professors Drs. Mindy McGarrah Sharp, William “Bill” Brown, Christine Hong and Kathy Dawson at Columbia Theological Seminary where she is a candidate for the Doctorate of Educational Ministry (DEdMin) degree.
In addition, she develops custom curriculum for churches, camps and a variety of community groups. Natarsha was commissioned by PC (USA) Special Offerings to develop the Children’s Activities and Lessons for 2022. She is a member of the 2021-22 Emerging Writer’s Cohort at Collegeville Institute and the 2021 recipient of the Rising Leader Fellow Award from Sojourners. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Schreiner University Women’s Leadership award for intentional exemplary leadership of others.
Presently, she is the Executive Director of Centering the Sacred, LLC, a platform where she, along with her spouse, Lorenzo Antonio Watson, share stories of their own faith journey experiences, while at the same time providing resources for others. When Natarsha is not teaching, preaching or writing you might find her on a nature trail or hiding away at Mo-Ranch (Hunt, TX), her home away from home, away from home.
Worship Leader: Emily Owen
Emily is a wife, mother and pastor who lives in the Wimberley area. She loves reading, hiking, crafting, cooking, and playing games with her boys who are 12 and 9. She is a big fan of camp and conference centers and gets to live full time at John Knox Ranch where her husband Henry is the director. She is thrilled to be the worship leader for the Women’s Conference at Mo-Ranch and is excited to spend time in this beautiful place, meet new people and hear their stories. Emily serves as pastor at Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Austin.
Chaplain: Liz Boulware Landes
Liz’s passion is helping people form and deepen their relationships with God. She’s committed to helping people make connections between worship and their day-to-day life. As a Christian educator, she focuses on teaching the sacred stories and how to question and integrate faith with life. She wants people of all ages to know is they are loved by God just as they are, and this will always be true – no matter what.
Liz grew up in Saginaw, Texas, where she graduated from Boswell High School. She attended Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX, for undergrad. During her time at Schreiner, she was actively involved in campus life and graduated with a B.A. in Religion. She earned her M.Div and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.
Liz has two sons, Liam (10) and Lincoln (7). Liam is a fourth-grader who loves piano. Lincoln is a first-grader and loves to explore the world. He also plays piano and is giving basketball a try. In her free time, she loves to be creative. She also loves exploring state parks, taking walks with friends and family, and reading a good book.
Music Leader: Grace Roberson
Grace is a native Texan who was born and raised on the beach in Corpus Christi. After studying acting and directing in college, she moved to Austin and is currently the Associate Director of Youth Ministry at Covenant Presbyterian Church. She has been coming to Mo Ranch since she was born and considers it to be one of the most spiritual places she knows. She has been serving as a music leader for various youth conferences for the last 8 years and can think of no place or role that feels more like home. In her free time, Grace loves hiking, being outdoors, reading, and discovering good music, movies, and food.
Conference Director: Dana Mayfield
Rev. Dana Mayfield is Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church, Lubbock, TX. Born in Del Rio, reared in Marble Falls and San Angelo, Dana is a True Texan. Though she daydreams about it, she really cannot envision living anywhere but Texas. Dana loves to read novels, especially series, and would like to be a good gardener. For now, being an okay gardener is fine. Mo-Ranch is holy ground for Dana, as this is the place where she allowed God’s claim on her life to be heard.
Conference Co-Director: Laura Fitzgibbon
Laura Fitzgibbon, Women’s Conference 2023 Co-Director / 2024 Director
Laura is a second-career pastor who earned her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Prior to a call to ministry, Laura earned an MBA, also at SMU, and worked in the technology industry for 10 years. Despite two graduate degrees from SMU, she can still be found cheering on their rival The Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University where she received her undergraduate degree. Laura lives in Plano, TX with her husband of 29 years, Pete. Laura has a passion for travel, trying new cuisines and running. Last but not least, her life is managed by her three furry children, cats Loki, Chai, and Comet. She has been coming to Mo-Ranch for more than 15 years and has many special memories including of time with her mother at family retreats with St. Philip Presbyterian.
Accompanist: Susan Terry
Susan is excited to be at Mo Ranch for her first time! She is a lover of nature and animals and a co founder of a non profit, OurWatch which uses horses as co facilitators with first responders. Music has always been a big part of her life and looks forward to making music with each of you.
Cost & Housing
Hotel/premium: $390
Group: $350
Commuter: $250
Commuter: (excludes lodging, includes meals and tuition)
Under the age of 40 or non-Texas resident: $295
Rates include tuition, meals and housing. After receiving your registration, a member of our team will contact you within seven business days to confirm additional details such as housing requests (roommates), dietary needs, t-shirt sizes, etc.
Hotel & Premium group housing*
*space is limited
Pheasant Run | Wynne/Flato Lodge | Casitas | Chicken Roost | Gatehouse | Triplex Apartments | Wynne Apartments | Braun House | Nicklos Place
Group housing:
Guest Lodge | Milk Barn | River Dorm Apartment | Log Lodge
Reservations
Conference participants will be housed on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you wish to secure exclusive use of a standard group housing option, your church or group must pay housing costs for the minimum number of guests. Housing costs are approximately $140 per person. If not, you agree to be housed with other conference participants.
For example, if you wish to be housed in Log Lodge with a minimum of eighteen people, but only have fifteen committed, you must be willing to share the space with three other people or pay $140 each for the unused spots. Please give us a call to learn more about housing minimums, if you are interested in securing exclusive use, or have any other questions about housing options. Our phone number is 800.460.4401 ext. 242.
Scholarships are available! Click here to learn more.
Cancellation
Full refund minus administrative fee up to $75 per person will be made if cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to the conference. There are generally no refunds for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the start of the event nor any applying of the amount paid toward other charges or future conferences.
What to Bring
Bring a Bible, notebook, flashlight, hair dryer, rain gear, and other seasonally appropriate clothing. Linens are provided. Bring shoes suitable for Mo-Ranch’s rocky, uneven terrain.
Transportation
Mo-Ranch is 90 miles one-way, or a 2-hour drive from the nearest airport (San Antonio/SAT), allow 3 hours travel/check-in time for departures. We recommend generally scheduling arriving flights before 3 p.m. and departing flights after 3 p.m. to be sure you do not miss any of your event. If you are in need of shuttle service to Mo-Ranch, call Kars for Hire in Kerrville at (830) 890-8200 at least 15 days in advance to arrange transportation from San Antonio International Airport. Directions to Mo-Ranch
Ropes Course
This conference will include a selection of our ropes course elements. To read a description of each element, click here.
Bookstore
Make sure to stop by the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly bookstore during your conference to pick out a souvenir, including a specialty Women’s Conference tumbler!
Questions
We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.
