Newcomers Class!
The next “Newcomers Class” for recent visitors will be Sunday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Sansbury in his office. This 1-session class is an opportunity for newcomers to hear more about this active and growing congregation. (And any children of newcomers can attend one of our children’s or youth classes during that hour.)
Moms Bible Study
MOMS BIBLE STUDY
Our Fall Bible Study will be Beloved Disciple: The Life and Ministry of John by Beth Moore. We will begin September 13, 2010 9:30 am – 11:45 am.
Stephen Ministry Training Begins
Stephen Ministry
Training begins!
The Stephen Ministry Leadership Team is very pleased to announce that a training program for a new class of Stephen Ministers will begin in late August. If YOU have been feeling a nudge to explore this ministry opportunity, please speak with one of the pastors or a member of the team by August 5 as materials must be ordered and reading begun before classes gear up.
A Stephen Minister commits to over 50 hours of training in listening and caring skills. S/he is then assigned, as the need arises, to a care receiver of the same gender as the care receiver walks through a life crisis such as bereavement, divorce, unemployment or family difficulties. Although not “counselors,” Stephen Ministers can provide a listening ear and a caring presence as a brother or sister in Christ. The care giver and care receiver meet at least weekly for as much as a year, although the length of the relationship is dependent on the circumstances.
A Stephen Minister makes a two year commitment to be available as a care giver, but may continue for a longer time. Stephen Ministers also agree to regular supervision meetings and continuing education with a Stephen Leader and a peer group. However, care receivers may be reassured that strict confidentiality is maintained by each care giver.
If you or someone you care about may need a referral to receive a Stephen Minister, please speak with one of the pastors!
If you are an inactive Stephen Minister and wish to return to “active duty,” please speak with any member of the SMLT.
Our Stephen Ministry Leadership Team is: Marcia Biggs, Ruth Ann Honeycutt, Beth Russell, Dan Sansbury, Carol Secord, Jim Secord, Diane Stocker, Connie West and Joe West.
Commons Renovations moving forward
“Thank you!” for all your gifts for the church renovations. To date, over $94,500 has been pledged and/or contributed! We hope to begin phase 1 (Commons area) of our renovation work later this summer, or early fall.
If you have not turned in your commitment cards, you may do so by completing a pledge card available in the Narthex and Atrium.
Fun in the Son 2010!
July 18-23rd, our High school students went to Jekyll Island, GA for a week at that fantastic event known as Fun in the Son. 
The theme this year was entitled Rescued, and it focused on our condition in sin and how Christ came to rescue us. With two different speakers, Sarah Prince, and Chap Clark alternating messages but reemphasizing the same truths, we had an 
incredible picture of what God’s ongoing work is in redeeming the world.
Of course, we also had afternoons of games, beach swimming, hang out times, and challenges. 
This was a fantastic trip and all of us are looking forward eagerly to next summer!
Party of Three (Usually Five)
During the summer, I’ve been getting together with around 3-4 students each week for a hang out time, ice cream, and some surprisingly in depth discussions. This week was hanging out with Lizzie and Laura. I’m sure neither of them will mind that this photo is on the church’s website!
Dear Rivermont Women,
Dear Rivermont Women,
Our June meeting was quite a treat! We had 30 women at Phyllis Belcher’s home for our prayer time, singing, and our last lesson in our Joshua study, led by Harriet New. I hope that all of you received a letter from me regarding our upcoming events in July, August and September. PLEASE complete the PW Information Card enclosed in the letter and drop it in the box in the Atrium or mail it to the church. This is how we will determine our circle membership and orders for our Bible study materials (Horizons study on Revelation – Apocalyptic Hope for Today OR a study on Psalms – Managing our Emotions). Extra letters and cards are in the Atrium.
I hope that you are as excited as I am about our upcoming retreat on Saturday, July 10, from 9:45 – 2:00, at Heritage Landing Clubhouse. It is our privilege to have Diane Stocker and Jan Krouskop lead us as we seek to know more about “Springs of Living Water.” We have limited seating and our last Sunday to register ($5) is on July 4. Pat Buffaloe and crew are preparing a salad and potato bar lunch – with real china, no less! Child care will be provided at church from 9:30 – 2:15. You may want to meet at RPC at 9:30 am and carpool with others from church. We hope to see you there!
As we sang together at Phyllis’s – “His faithful follower I would be, For by His hand He leadeth me,” may we be strengthened and comforted through these words.
With blessings and peace,
Jan Varnell
Rivermonters at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium
Rivermonters at the Presbyterian
Youth Triennium, July 20 – 24, 2010
by Lina Hart
Whenever anyone, who has gone before, hears that we’re going to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, they glow with excitement for us. You’ll hear… Imagine what it’s like when 4,000 youth from around the country and the world get together?! The worship experiences are phenomenal! It’s wild! Amazing!
I’ve heard about Triennium for years and have never had an opportunity or reason to attend. But this year, it’s working out that I can attend as a female advisor and our daughter Sarah was interested and eligible as a rising 10th grader. So we are thrilled to be going with a stellar group of high schoolers from around the presbytery. There will be 14 in our Presbytery of East TN delegation, representing the following churches – Erin, Farragut, Lake Hills, Mars Hill, Powell, Renaissance, Rivermont and West Emory. The Rev. Les Rust, pastor at Mars Hill PC, will be the adult male advisor.
All members of the delegation are expected to take part in the small group experiences as well as attend the energizers, plenaries, recreations times and worship services. We’ll be up at 7 and lights out at 11:30… so sleep may be rare. But we’re there to praise our living Lord with youth and leaders from all parts of the globe, make friends, grow in Christ and become motived for serving “For Such a Time as This.” Leadership this year includes Tony Campolo and Bruce Reyes Chow. Music is being led by The Great Romance – http://www.thegreatromance.com/ . Take a few minutes to see the video from the last PYT… it gives a better sense of what we’re going to experience: http://vimeo.com/5939329.
There will be a service of Commissioning on July 18th the Sunday before we head out (Laura Secord may also be commissioned that day, since she’ll be going but with a presbytery from Georgia). We value your prayers and appreciate all your support. Rivermont has paid for a third of Sarah’s registration and the Presbytery has paid another third for her as well as all of my registration and expenses.
2010 Honduras Mission Team returns home!
The theme of the 2010 Rivermont Presbyterian Church Mission to Honduras was: “Christo me ama” – “Jesus Loves Me.” With God’s help we prayed that each person we encountered would know this for themselves and believe this in their hearts as the Holy Spirit guided our words and deeds. It was truly a time of giving and receiving the love of Christ with God’s children in Honduras and in seeing the many ways that Christ has been at work in and through them.
Our team of 24 (plus one “Charlie the Church Mouse” stowaway) was both intergenerational and interdenominational. Mothers with sons and daughters; father and daughter; “newbies” and veteran mission workers; youth and “old timers” joined together to form a cohesive team. Many of our team members counted this summer as their third trip to the area!
The week long trip encompassed several mission initiatives:
Bob, Paul, Navidad and Joaquin completed the system on schedule.
Installation of a Living Waters for the World water system in Pena Blanca (initial plans made last year by New Hopers John Brandon and Shane Wilson and a January follow-up by Rivermonters Lisl Jackson and Laura Reid.
Carolyn and Jo ran clinics at four different villages, and Pan Am Health Services
Medical clinics for 5 days were led by team leader Dr. Carolyn Brannon-Snyder and her good friend and veteran mission worker nurse practitioner Jo Grant, a member at Woodland Park Baptist Church. Care and medicine was provided to more than 500 children and many moms.
Feet were washed, painted and stamped onto tee shirts
We held Vacation Bible School during each of the medical clinics, and at the Pan Am Health Center. The children loved the crafts–modeling magic was a big hit, and Crystal organized a very colorful project with interlocking figures that the children colored. Plain old coloring was popular every session. The final day at Pan Am, we painted the children’s feet and put their footprints on tee shirts. That was a hit with all of us!
A special night of friendship, fellowship, study and prayer as the women on the trip hosted a Women’s Dinner for about
Rivermont Presbyterian Women sponosored a dinner to honor women who work at Pan Am
guests – made possible by the support of the RPC Presbyterian Women.
Watching the photo print
Each family that visited the clinic, as well as each woman at the Women’s Dinner, received a family photograph – taken, printed and immediately distributed to each mother (if we had electricity at the clinic site!) For many, this may be the only family photo they have.
A time of growing in faith as the team experienced God at work in and through us and in and through our Honduran friends. We grew closer to God and to each other as we shared, prayed, sang and worked together during the week. Each day began and ended with devotions by team members, prayers and songs as we gave thanks to God for this marvelous opportunity.
Youth Workers
Our team members visited Honduras June 5-12; they are: team leader Dr. Carolyn Brannon-Snyder along with her son and daughter Sam and Jenny and her niece Susanna Starling; nurse practitioner Jo Grant; LWW workers Lisl and Paul Jackson and Bob and (daughter) Laura Reid; Myra Sanderson and son Ethan Brand; Jane Gillespie and daughter Shelby; Judy Slagle and daughters Jessica and Catherine; director of older adult ministry Carol Secord and daughter Laura; brother and sister team Will and Lizzie Ruch; Katie Andrews; Lacy Taylor; director of children’s ministry Crystal Fallesen; and interim associate pastor Diane Stocker.
Many members and friends who did not go on the trip were essential to its success:
Our Mission Committee, Jack Danner – chair
Our Congregational Care Committee, Ruth Ann Honeycutt – chair
Our Presbyterian Women, Jan Varnell – moderator
Our senior pastor Dan Sansbury who allowed three staff members to be away at the same time!
Dr. Brannon-Snyder’s many patients who donated toys
Friendship Baptist Church, which donated toys
Our youth group and many friends who packed thousands of pills.
The donors of medicines and toothbrushes for the children
Our members and friends who upheld us in prayer as we served.
And there were those in Honduras whose aid and partnership were invaluable:
John & Marta Chater
John and Marta Chater, owners of the lodge El Cortijo del Lago; Marta arranged for our clinic trips through her many church contacts and they both assisted in innumerable ways.
Our Living Waters for the World partners, especially Navidad and Joaquin, who will be the primary operator; and Henry and Carolyn who are with Salt and Light Ministries.
Life would have been much more difficult without our wonderful translators: Sara, Iveth,
Iveth
Shanell, Kenia, and Tania
Tania
Sarita and Shanell
We give thanks to God for this amazing experience!
PW Happenings!
Greetings to Rivermont Women!
It was good to see all of you Rivermont Women at the Spring Fling – especially those who are not able to attend on Monday mornings! We thank you for your “tightly wrapped cakes” which were taken to Moccasin Bend for celebrating birthdays with the patients. Many thanks to Susan Jennings for her leadership in this event.
Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for Monday, June 14th, at 10:30, at the home of Phyllis Belcher – 4916 Meadow Trace Lane. Harriet New will lead us in our last in study in Joshua. PLEASE join us, even if this is your first time this year! The lesson, lunch ($5.00), and time of fellowship should fill each of us with God’s promises and re-assure us of His faithfulness! Childcare will be provided at church, from 10:00 – 1:00. There is a sign-up sheet in the Atrium or please call/email Jan Varnell at 875-2387 or djvarnell1@bellsouth.net.
On Saturday, July 10th, we will have an opportunity to meet together at the Heritage Landing Clubhouse as we celebrate the “Springs of Living Water” for our Women’s Retreat. We’ll gather at 9:45 and conclude at 2:00. It promises to be a day of enlightenment and reflection as we share the story of Jesus and the woman he meets at the well. Registration will be on Sundays June 20, June 27, and July 4. The cost is $5.00. Childcare will be provided at church, from 9:30 – 2:30.
As we continue to pray for our own family, friends, and those within our congregation who have special needs, may we also lift up our nation and this world, asking for peace and understanding for one another.
Shalom,
Jan
P.S. The PW Coordinating Team is in prayer and at work for organizing ourselves a little differently next September. Please pray as we seek His will in determining our study and leadership for 2010 – 2011.
June Calendar
Monday, June 7 – 10:00 – COT Meeting in Session Room
Monday, June 14 – 10:30 – Joshua Study and lunch at Phyllis Belcher’s
Monday, June 21 – 10:00 – Prayer Time
Monday, June 28 – 10:00 – Prayer Time
