When Kathy Lowe Hart came to Mo-Ranch in 1976, she immediately fell in love with its beauty.
“The whole ambience of the Mo complex and the rugged beauty of the land and river were imprinted on my heart from the very first visit,” she said.
That year, she visited Mo to attend a church retreat with her home church, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Dallas.
She remembers being just as impressed with the facilities as she was with the nature.
“The original architecture was gorgeous, and I immediately fell in love with the Austin stone and wrought-ironwork,” Hart said.
Since then, Hart was a regular at the Music and Worship Conference, attending almost every year between 1980 and 2016.
“Working with so many distinguished clinicians through the years made a huge impact on my life as a church musician,” she said. “Having conversations with Helen Kemp, Jane Marshall, Eric Nelson, Mel Bringle and countless other world-class musicians really influenced me.”
Hart now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and while she hasn’t been able to visit Mo since 2016, she misses it dearly.
“I lived in the Dallas area for 56 years, but what I miss most about the Lone Star State (besides friends) is Mo-Ranch,” she said. “Second to that is bluebonnets. I’m determined to make it back there.”
Hart, who is now a member of White Memorial Presbyterian in Raleigh, says it is her passion for Mo that inspired her to support its ministry.
“Mo is one of the Presbyterian Church’s greatest gifts to the world, and I want to keep giving back to a place that has given so much to me and holds such a special place in my heart,” she said.
She is now a retired church musician and serves as a deacon in her church. Up until this year, she ran a singing ministry that visited those who are homebound, but due to the current state of the world, she is sending everyone homemade cards. Hart has two grandchildren who live in Rhode Island and she enjoys keeping up with them via FaceTime.
Her advice to people thinking of supporting Mo is simple.
“If you love the legacy and unique qualities of Mo-Ranch, please consider being a sustaining giver and/or Circle M Club member,” she said. “Mo is a true jewel in the crown, and we must honor and nurture it for generations yet to come.”
