The MessengerMay 29, 2016VOLUME 22 ISSUE 22

Page 3Christian Education

Page 5Community Life

& Sulzbacher Volunteers

Page 7Community

Outreach

Page 6 College /

Youth

Pages 8-9 This Month’sBirthdays &

Calendar

Page 2Music

& More

June 2016

Page 4Global Outreach & Peacemaking

Be a DiscipleWe welcome everyone Jesus welcomed.

Exodus 23:9...you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Dear Riversiders,

On May 18 the Session received the report from the Dreams for Riverside Committee and I want to thank that great committee of Bud Para, Chair, Amy McGeorge, John Adams, Jim Riley, Deana Green, and Piper Spohr for leading us through the “Holy Conversations” needed to give us direction. I also want to thank you for your prayerful and thoughtful input. In true Riverside fashion you provided lots of opinions and suggestions the committee took to heart in developing their recommendations. As Presbyterians we govern ourselves “representatively.” That is, our representatives (Ruling Elders) are called to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit while also being open to the members’ voices. The more healthy the church the more open and inclusive is this process. However, this does not mean we are completely democratic, with each member having a vote. Ultimately the Session must decide. So, please pray for their process to be led by the Spirit of God as they deliberate and vote on these opportunities before us over the next few months. By the way, the “Dreams for Riverside” Committee got it’s name from our stewardship emphasis by the same name last fall. Then, you were asked to provide any suggestions for Riverside Church you thought we should consider regarding worship, outreach, education, community life and stewardship. (In all there were over 150 and the list is available on the website, rpcjax.org/connect). Since then we have dispersed them to the specific committees to be discussed and acted on accordingly. My hope is that by September we will be able to share with you what the Session has done with each item, as well as the decisions the Session has made regarding the specific Dreams for Riverside report mentioned above. As always, it is a joy to serve such a healthy and robust congregation who “searches thoughtfully, serves passionately, lives joyfully, following Christ.”

Peace,Steve

Read the full Report from the Dreams for Riverside Committee on our website: www.rpcjax.org/connect or pick up a paper copy in the church office.

This Month’s Free Community Concert

Sunday June 26 5 pm

Church Sanctuary

Music Ministry

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FINANCIAL UPDATE as of APRIL 30, 2016

Pledged Revenue Budgeted.............. $537,500

Pledged Revenue Received.............. $537,074

Excess or (Shortfall)......................... ($ 426)

Concert of American & Patriotic

MusicAfter the

concert,dinner will be in Kissling Hall.

Cost of dinner is a Breadbasket

Donation. SUMMER CHOIR REHEARSALS

You’re invited!

When? Sundays, July 3 - August 21 at 9:15 am

Why? To prepare for Sunday worship

Where? Choir room, sanctuary basement

Who? All singers. Please talk to Lois Gurney if you are interested.

What does No Thursday night rehearsals!this mean? No week-to-week commitment!

A Wonderful Chance To Sing If You Enjoy Making Music• A great way to meet new people. • Come, sing and decide whether you would like to

join a choir in the Fall. No robes required.

Music News June 2016Music Reading Class :

Rising 4th graders thru high school

June 13 -16 12 pm to 2 pm Bittinger HallLearn the basics of reading music. Theory and practice. Bring a sack lunch. Sign up on iRiverside.

Chancel Choir Celebration Choir

Handbell Choir

Instrumental EnsembleAncient City Brass Soloists

July 4th Celebration Patriotic Concert & Dinner

Sunday June 26 at 5 pm Sanctuary

Performances by:

Invite and bring neighbors, friends and family.

After the concert, enjoy a fried chicken dinner with all the “fixin’s” in Kissling Hall. Please RSVP on our website or to the church office if you will be having dinner with us.

NEW CHOIR ROBES! Hooray! After more than 40 years, the music ministry is purchasing new choir robes! We are excited about their arrival and plan to celebrate by wearing them on Rally Day August 28.

If you would like to contribute to this purchase, please put in the “memo” section on your check “Purchase of choir robes”. Thank you in advance!

COMING IN THE FALL - Children’s music ministry!

Watch this space for exciting news.

Christian Education

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A BIG THANK YOUOur Sunday School teachers share so much love, time and energy to help educate our children, youth and adults. We cannot say thank you enough. The following are the people who volunteered to teach all year:

Godly Play with preschoolersSarah CotchaleovitchSarah TraugerHeidi Joy Howard

KindergartenJudy and George GabelPat SetzerBeth Touchton

1st GradeNancy WarnerBookie ZeiglerPaul Heeg

We Have Great Summer Sunday School - Something for Everyone

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

RIVERSIDE HISTORY: Fun Facts and Stories about our History Together• June 5 Jack Hazard has been at Riverside for over 80 years. His parents and grandparents were founding members. Come and hear his stories.

• June 12 George Gabel will talk about growing up at Riverside during the time of Dr. Albert Kissling.

• June 19 Suzanne Tomlinson was headmistress at RPDS and is a member of our church. She will share the history of the school and church.

• June 26 Jean Grant-Dooley will share about the history of outreach at RPC.

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL-SERVICE PROJECTSEach Sunday youth will be involved in a service project. Some Sundays they will help the younger children and some Sundays they will do a project on their own. Youth are also invited to take part in the choir during Sunday School.

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL-SERVICE PROJECTSEach Sunday children will work on a service project for a local group or for members of our own church. Children will make placemats for Meals on Wheels, make cards and gifts for the pastors to take when they visit church members, and much more. Rising K-5th will meet in Education Building Room 304. Preschool children will meet in Williams Building Room 102.

Nursery Provided

2nd/3rd GradeStacey HalkovitchDick SchwalbeRyan Prince

4th/5th GradeMarc and Jane Courtney DavisErin RaynorStephanie VerlanderRob and Clare Charnley

6th/7th GradeMandy AlvarezMark and Stuart Harbison

Confirmation (8th Grade)Jessica AndesDiane TuttleChris Wrenn

High SchoolTracy TouseyLynne MatsonMark Rosenberg

AdultEd Pratt –DannalsRev. Joe Meux

Global Outreach & Peace Making

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AWARDS FOR RIVERSIDEJoyful song and prayers of praise filled the sanctuary at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church as the members of ICARE celebrated their accomplishments for the 2015-16 year. Several Riversiders were in attendance and enjoyed the fellowship with people of faith from across Jacksonville.

Our church received three awards from ICARE: 1. The “Listening Process Award”, which

recognizes the work of listening to each other about the issues facing our community.

2. The “New Member Award” (our first year back in ICARE).

3. The “Nehemiah Award” for achieving an increase of over 25% in our participation.

While there is much work yet to be done in making Jacksonville a truly just, fair and compassionate city, it is appropriate to give thanks to God for what has been done and the network of love and faith that is growing. Special thanks go to Dana Riley and Lisa Williams for leading Riverside’s work with ICARE. Their passion and commitment inspire others to care!

The Riverside Session, spearheaded by the Global Outreach and Peacemaking Committee, sees a spectacular immediate opportunity to assist hundreds of women in Haiti to pull themselves

out of desperate poverty. Twin education initiatives of Fonkoze, “Alfa Bon” (basic literacy) and “Jesyon Biznis” (business skills), offer clients specialized, practical instruction that will form the foundation for successful management of their micro-enterprises.

There is a need for $25,000 to fund this proven effective program for 500 women and 34 training monitors in the area of Po Mago, in northern Haiti. We have received a $12,500 matching gift already! So now it is our opportunity to accept the challenge and provide the other $12,500. Our goal is to accomplish this in a very short amount of time, just a few weeks.

Forty percent of Fonkoze’s clients are completely illiterate. They cannot function successfully in their efforts to support their families unless they gain basic literacy and business skills. Fonkoze’s founder says, “You cannot just give a poor woman a loan and walk away; you need to support her to ensure that the loan translates into viable livelihood.”

To contribute to this special project with Fonkoze and help reach the goal of $12,500, you may send a check (payable to Riverside Presbyterian Church with “Alfa Bon” in the memo line) to the church office. Your contribution WILL help to transform families and communities in Haiti in amazing ways.

ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE

Com

mun

ity L

ifeSulzbacher Volunteers

Did you know that RPC cooks and serves dinner every month at the Sulzbacher Center?

Thank you to all who cooked and served the meals this past month!

• MEDITATION GROUPS •

The meditation groups will not be meeting the next two months but will start again

on Sunday July 31. The meditation room is always open when the church is open.

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COOKSSue HaehnelElla JonesSusan HumesPat Setzer

SERVERSJulie HandleyJoe & Elizabeth MeuxSharon ClelandShirley FlynnDan & Nancy WarnerRobert & Kris Littell

Thank you! Painting Art Show…

Thank you to the artists who submitted paintings and drawings to the “I Paint My Dream” Art Exhibit; Lola, Heidi Joy and Noela Rose Howard, Debbie Grisnik, Lois Gurney, Steve Goyer, Kathy Stark, Lisa Williams, Richard Skinner, Kay Armstrong, Virginia Zeigler, Heather Campbell, Parker McEachin, Clay Boone, Quentin & Aleydis Lockwood, Debbie Cusick and Dale Child.

We loved the variety of water colors, acrylics, oils, etc. We all enjoyed going through the shows and learning more about each other from the artistic creations as well as reading the artist statements.

Next Display: Family Heritage! Here at Riverside, we’re all about Family. Do you have family heirlooms that have been passed down for generations that you would like to share with your church family? If so, we would love to display them. Start thinking about what you would like to share.

More information and registration forms will be available soon.

The exhibit will be from August 21 - 26 in Bittinger Hall.

We need your help!Patriotic Concert & Dinner

A fried chicken dinner with all the fixins’ will be served in Kissling Hall following the annual 5 pm Patriotic Concert on Sunday June 26. If you are able to assist with the setting up or planning of this event, please contact Jan Nicholas.

Please RSVP for the dinner on the church website or in the church office.

Holy Grounds Coffee Ministry ON VACATION

(for the Summer months!)We greatly appreciate the efforts of all our Coffee Angels who made sure the pots were full and treats were out.

Thank you to these Holy Grounds ANGELS:

Marlene GoodwinKathy ParaJan CarrTony MorrowDavid BreedloveJudy & Chuck Davidson Jan & Marcie Kibili

Jessica StevensonJoel & Debra MacEachinRyan PrinceElise & Matt PolitoPat MasonKay & George ArmstrongPatsy Galliard

We’ll be back in September! If you’d like to lend a hand with Holy Grounds, please contact Jan Nicholas.

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RPC Youth Summer GatheringsJune 15 - Wednesday, 6:30 pm • At the Althuis’ house (Ortega) • All 6th-12th graders invited. Dinner provided. Bring your swimsuit!

July 21 - Thursday, 6:30 pm • At M Shack Riverside• Let’s eat dinner together! Bring money for food! • There will be some chances to win a free milkshake!

August 10 - Wednesday, 6:30 pm • At Burrito Gallery Riverside• Let’s eat dinner together! Bring money for food!

Remember: We do NOT have Sunday night Youth Group in the summer.

Congratulations...• to all of our 12th graders graduating from high school!• to Gray Creed, Richard Harbison and Trent Newton on receiving the Eagle

Scout Award.

Sunday School in the summer...9:00-9:45 amYOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL-SERVICE PROJECTSEach Sunday youth will be involved in a service project. Some Sundays they will help the younger children and some Sundays they will do a project on their own. Meet in Room 304.

CHOIRYouth are also invited to take part in the choir during Sunday School. Meet in the Sanctuary Basement for practice at 9:00 am (sing in 10:00 am service).

Community Outreach

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We Need Your Help!Whether it be for 1 hour, 1 day or every day…

Here are some ways how….1. Recruit volunteers for the many jobs needed!2. Donate used equipment, like bats, balls, & especially gloves!3. Help with registration of the children each day4. Lead a group of children with skills training5. Share a devotion with the children followed by snack time 6. Be a dug-out team manager when we break into games7. Sit in the stands for “clap & cheer,” a great way to show support for the

kids!8. Assist in the making of the lunches at the church, or deliver the sack

lunches to the park9. Help with monitoring lunch, trash pick-up and equipment loading

We end the RBI season with a FREE outing to the SUNS Baseball game on Wednesday July 27 for all the participants, families and volunteers – and everyone receives a T-shirt to show our Riverside pride! Please contact Jan Nicholas at the church office to be involved, 355-4585 x25. Thank You!

RPC Sponsored CEW Field Days at Local Elementary Schools

Riverside Presbyterian is a very special church to all the children at Central Riverside, Fishweir and West Riverside Elementary schools! For the past 13 years, Riverside has provided the equipment and volunteers for these schools’ Field Days! Sixteen play stations were available for all the students as they rotated their way through the games, relays and challenges provided for them by Coordinator Merle Lear and RPC volunteers Kristin Swiercek, Pat Setzer, Rebecca Langer, Jon Thompson, Arden Brugger, Dana Riley, Jean Grant-Dooley, Sarah O’Linn, Breanna Sooter, Mandy Alvarez, and Bud Para. Thank you CEW Field Day Volunteers!

A note sent after last year’s program: “By the way, I have been wanting to say a heartfelt thank you to RPC for another great RBI this year! What you all do is such a generous gift to the community. I love knowing that my daughter is in a safe place with great people. She is being active and healthy, while also learning some character education and spiritual development all at the same time. Not to mention how flexible and convenient you make the camp for busy families. We loved the Suns game as well. So, hats off to you for another great year and my great appreciation for all you do.” Kelly

2016 marks the 15th year of Baseball with Riverside Presbyterian! Dates for this year’s program at Murray Hill Park will be:

Week 1: June 20-June 23 Week 2: June 27-June 30

Only 2 weeks are planned for this year due to the availability of coaches and volunteers, and it’s hot out there in July!

Mission of the Month RBI – Reviving Baseball in the Inner City

June Birthdays 2016June 1Althuis, NoahEshelman, RobbieLeach, Juliana

June 2Creed, Rebecca

June 3Ball, LyssaSharp, BobShuke, FrankSmall, MikeSpuhler, MaryTeachey, Edna

June 4Harrell, MartinMcDuffie, ElizaNygaard, Patricia

June 5Andes, JessicaBooher, WinkieCavendish, ShellyCunningham, CeciliaKosakowski, JohnPowell, Nancy

June 6Burns, SusanHarrell, MicheleRobbins, Dena

June 7None

June 8Edwards, JenLeuthold, SarahLevinge, Jeanie

June 9Dunlap, BetsyEdwards, Josh

June 10Collier, GlendaHager, BillMcGeorge, Kellen

June 11de Bauernfeind, MargieMcDonald, Ben

June 12Campbell, Jeff

June 13Jones, DavidTrice, Waller

June 14Bryan, Mary AnnCrumpler, CarlIvie, GlennMcCullough, StephanieReddick, GennyTaylor, Will

June 15Cousar, JimKuntz, MitziThompson, Cindy

June 16Arko, SusanBond, JimStewart, Lindsay

June 17Bliss, AlanJohnson, StaceyLockwood, Sarah

June 18Adams, JohnPilcher, EmilyWilliams, Sharon

June 19Kramer, MelindaMattia, Anne

June 20Brosche, AnnaRiley, JimRobison, RachelSwiercek, SamTutwiler, GrahamVance, BrentWebb, Sherrie

June 21Fox, FinianHarding, WillManson, KaySetzer, RexWolff, Dan

June 22None

June 23Althuis, AnnaMorris, JinxRoot, Fran

June 24Ball, SusannaLobello, AmeliaLockwood, JohnPilcher, DottieStory, Jack

June 25Forrester, MacHolmes, KayKerr, Cullen

June 26Ball, ElisabethBrittle, AnneStrickler, BetteTomlinson, SuzanneWallace, Nathaniel

June 27Bath, BarbaraBoree, GavinCotten, MikeDavis, CarolineWalton, Edward

June 28None

June 29Davis, GardnerFlynn, AmiWard, Cameron

June 30Wilson, Ben

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RecurringEvents / Meetings

June 2016Sundays

9-9:45 am Sunday School9:15 am Chancel Choir Practice10 am Worship

Every Tuesday7 am Men’s Small Group (TP)

(Will continue through the summer)

Every Wednesday10:30 am Stained Glass (EB 101)6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal (SB)

(ENDS 6/22)

Every Thursday10 am Friendship Bridge (Bittinger)6:15 pm Celebration Choir Practice (CR) (ENDS 6/23)7 pm Chancel Choir Practice (CR/SB)

Every Monday, Friday and Saturday - No recurring church events / meetings scheduled this month

LEGEND:

EB: Education BuildingTP: Thompson Parlor (EB 200)LIB: Church Library (EB 203)KH: Kissling HallCR: Choir RoomSB: Sanctuary BasementUG: Park St Underground in SB

During the Month of June 2016

What’s Happening This Month

Special Events EVENT DATE/TIME LOCATION/RM

Painting Art Show Thru 6/5 Bittinger Hall

VBS - Surf Shack June 13-17, 9 am KH, BH, EB

Summer in the City June 13-17, 9 am YH & Offsite

Outdoor Challenge June 17-23, 8 am Offsite

One Jax Metrotown June 20-23, 8 am EB & TP

RBI Week 1 June 20-23, 9 am Offsite

Massanetta 2016 June 20-25, 8 am Offsite

Mission Trip: Food June 26-30, 8 am Offsite(Tallahassee)

RBI Week 2 June 27-30, 9 am Offsite

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NOTICEThe elevator in the Education Building will be out of service

from June 27 - July 2

MeetingsDATE/TIME EVENT LOCATION/RM June 1 Wednesday 4 pm Property & Maintenance TP

June 6 Monday 7:30 pm Young Adult Women’s Small Group Mary Elizabeth Ballentine’s House

June 7 Tuesday6 pm Community Life Comm Mtg TP7 pm Tradition House Board Mtg Library

June 9 Thursday9:30 am Children’s Ed Comm 310-31111:30 am Adult CE Comm Library5:30 pm Serving at Sulzbacher Offsite

June 12 Sunday11:15 am Young Adult Brunch Burrito Gallery

June 13 Monday 7:30 pm Young Adult Women’s Small Group Breanna Sooter’s house

June 15 Wednesday7:30 pm Session Library

June 20 Monday1:30 pm Memory Care TP

June 26 Sunday5 pm Patriotic & American Music Concert Sanctuary6 pm Dinner following Concert KH

June 27 Monday7:30 pm Young Adult Women’s

Small Group Offsite

Periodical Postage Paid

RIVERSIDE MESSENGER (USPS 466-960) is published weekly by the Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park Street, Jax. FL 32204-3394 (904) 355-4585 Periodicals Postage Paid at Southside Blvd. Business Mail Entry Unit. Jax. FL 32216-9651 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to RIVERSIDE MESSENGER 849 Park Street; Jax., FL 32204-3394

Address Service Requested

849 Park StreetJacksonville, FL 32204-3394

Psalm 1:3

NOTICEThe elevator in the Education Building will be out of service

from June 27 - July 2