Christmas Flower and Greenery Thank you + Dedications

Advent and Christmas are seasons filled with symbolism that aid our hearts and minds in the preparation for, and celebration of, the coming of Jesus Christ. Evergreens have long been symbolic of life and growth, and early Christians decked their sanctuaries with the boughs of evergreens as a promise of new life, and as a sign of the hope that followers of Christ will live forever.

What fun it was to bring this tradition to Riverside this holiday season with our inaugural Greening of the Sanctuary event. Members of the congregation and staff enjoyed donuts & wassail while they hung wreaths, garland, and many a handmade bow. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and added a festive natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.

These beautiful symbols of Christmastide were made all the more special because they were donated by members of the congregation in memory of, or thanksgiving for, loved ones and ministries they wished to honor. Thank you!

The chancel flowers on the reredos were given by Linda and Michael Fisher, Laura Lee Corbett, Michael Medill Fisher and Charity Lee Fisher in loving memory of Leonard Lee McLucas and Margaret Cox McLucas and arranged by the Flower Committee The flowers, wreaths, and greenery throughout the church were arranged by members of the congregation & staff and given by Heather Campbell in honor of parents Donald and Virginia Campbell and grandparents William & Blanche Campbell and Eric & Helen Hill Mary Coxe in honor of the Cotchaleovitch Family Katie and Michael Fackler in honor of Mary Coxe Wayne Gac in honor of RPC Sue Haehnell in honor of RPC Lori Wexler in honor of RPC

Carl & Barbara Zacheis in honor and memory of current, retired, and deceased church musicians Ryan Ashley in loving memory of J. Paul & Ruth Ashley and W.G. “Buster” & Geneva Black Julie Handley in memory of John H. Handley Patty Knight in memory of Leonard Pavelka and Allan Knight Maggie Means in memory of Norma Lockwood Bud and Kathy Para in memory of John Phillip Bliss The Ragsdale family in memory of Charlie Ragsdale Jaimie Smith in memory of Diane W. Smith The Stafford-Duga family in memory of Donald & Katherine Lynn Jon & Cindy Thompson in memory of Bryan David and Diane Tuttle in memory of loved ones Dr. Warner and Sherrie Calvert Webb in memory of Shirley Cox Webb, Carolyn Kirkland Webb, Leon L. Calvert III, and Patrick James Webb Judy Wingate in memory of Owen K. Wingate The Huber Family Paul Mahoney Will & Crandy Wheeler