The Messenger September / October 2023

From Your Pastor

Brian Lays

Dear Riversiders:

As we embark on the fall season, I find myself feeling quite excited about the ministries that are happening here at Riverside! I’d like to share a window into three of these ministries with you:

1. Our Chorister program has resumed, with great new energy. As Matt has begun his ministry here, he has worked hard to make this music program available to the children at nearby elementary schools, and it is already paying dividends. He’s also outlined some long-term plans for a summer music program for kids, which is sure to strengthen our program throughout the rest of the school year. We’ve had a great response so far, and seeing children sitting with our adult choir on Sunday mornings again warms my heart!

2. The youth program has a new gathering called “Pickleball, Panera, and Prayer.” It takes place two Wednesday evenings a month, and in that order—the high school youth get together to play pickleball, and then they go to Panera where they eat and read through a devotional, ending in prayer. Lauren has “followed the energy” really well here: pickleball was a huge hit among our youth this past summer at Montreat, and they continue to enjoy the mid-week break for fun and fellowship. Just imagine how much pickleball we can play when the new Family Life Center is built!

3. Riverside has begun to host monthly Five Points merchant gatherings in Bittinger Hall, bringing together the business owners and leaders from our neighborhood to share ideas and voice concerns. Recent guests have included District 7 Council member Jimmy Peluso, and some JSO officers from the police department. Dana is already building strong relationships with our neighbors, and Windy’s grits casseroles make these gatherings even more special!

There’s more to celebrate throughout the pages of this edition of The Messenger. I’m grateful to serve on such an enthusiastic and energetic staff, and for the all the ways the vision for what Riverside can be is playing out among us!

Grace and peace, Pastor Brian

Montreat Women’s Connection

August 11-13, 2023

Fifteen women from Riverside and Woodlawn Presbyterian attended Montreat Women’s Connection 2023. The women enjoyed the keynote speaker Kate Bowler, as well as worship, workshops, mountain air, and the company of other participants.

“Montreat is always wonderful, and this visit was no exception, from the stellar worship leaders to the workshops. My favorite part of the trip was making some new friends and enjoying the fellowship with other women.”

-Judy Wingate

“Can you imagine having the beauty of Montreat, the amazing Kate Bowler, and the Black Mountain Craft Fair all in one weekend? Add to that an amazing group of women who spent the weekend sharing, caring, laughing, worshiping, and singing the most amazing songs all the way back to Florida and you will have the Annual Women’s Retreat weekend at Montreat, NC.”

-Dorothy Marsh

Welcome to Our New Members!

The following members joined since December 2022 through September 2023. In each future issue, we will share members who have joined since the previous Messenger issue.

Scott and Kathy Stanley

Steve Benz

Rev. Dr. Cindy Benz (affiliate member)

Karen Stiltz

Matson, Ashley, Emerson, and Henry Coxe

Christy Lane and Hayden Christian

Kamlyn Ammons

Abby Scott

Sydney Brammer

Evelyn Brown

Riverside Choristers

Matt Bickett

Our young Riverside Choristers (pronounced KOR-ih-sters) come together each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon to rehearse the week’s service music, improve their vocal technique, hone their music reading skills, build community together, and develop leadership sensibilities. The word “chorister” comes from 16th-century English to mean a young singer in a choir. Riverside Choristers, our children’s choir here at RPC, follows the Royal School of Church Music America model. Established by the best church musicians in England, the RSCM curriculum was brought to the US in the 20th century. Since then, hundreds of choir-training professionals in churches and schools have refined the methods and concepts of the RSCM America curriculum to provide a solid foundation for the Riverside Choristers to begin growing and learning. Be sure to come to the service on October 29th to hear their hard work as they help lead worship that day!

Why do we follow the RSCM America curriculum? Our participation in the RSCM America program connects our children’s music ministry to the larger Church. There are thousands of church music programs across the US and England (and as far away as Australia!) that focus their energy on the same skills and repertoire through the RSCM program. By joining our efforts to theirs—like one voice joining a choir of thousands—we become both supported by and supportive of our musical brothers and sisters all over the world. This also gives our Choristers in Jacksonville the opportunity to connect with other young musicians through RSCM Summer Courses and meetings, where choristers from all over the country meet together to improve their skills and make new friends. These ties produce tangible results in our weekly rehearsals and in our monthly worship services with the Choristers.

The Choristers ministry at RPC is important to our mission of deeper engagement with the Riverside community. We invite young singers from throughout the neighborhood, offering them a church community that they might not otherwise find on their own. When we open our doors to children in our neighborhood through the Chorister program, we reaffirm our aim of being a welcoming community. At the same time, our participation in the RSCM America curriculum helps us to maintain worship excellence. The Choristers program at Riverside Presbyterian Church helps us to live out our commitments to hospitality and excellence in worship.

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Pastor Brian Lays

Why do we (or don’t we) pass the offering plates after the Affirmation of Faith?

The portion of the service that follows the sermon is about our response to having heard God’s word read and proclaimed. We respond in many ways— we confess our faith in the Affirmation of Faith, we give of ourselves and present our gifts to God at the offering, and we are sent forth into the world with a commission and blessing during the charge and benediction. If the first part of worship is about gathering to hear God’s word, the second part of worship is about going forth in response to having heard God’s word.

The collection of the offering is a “spiritual act of worship,” which acknowledges that all we have ultimately comes from God. We aren’t doing God a favor when we give our support to the ministries of the church. We are returning to God what is already God’s, and we praise the God from whom all blessings flow. In short, collecting the offering is an act of worship.

When the pandemic arose, we suspended the passing of the plates. This was first of all a safety issue, but we discovered that it didn’t have a negative impact on giving. Your generosity continued through the pandemic and beyond, and much giving to the Church today is done online or by mail, rather than placed in the offering plate on Sunday morning.

As we returned to worship and attendance rose, some members were eager to resume passing the plates. They expressed that it is important to include the tangible act of giving to the context of worship, and it is a teaching moment for children to learn about generosity. Others wondered why we should resume passing the plates since giving remained strong, and noted that it can be distracting during the offertory to pass the plate, especially since on empty rows people sometimes have to stand up and walk the plate across the row.

The Worship Council wrestled with this question for a while, and determined that in mid-October, we should resume passing the plates. We will continue to offer the QR code in the bulletin so folks can give online during the offertory, and I suspect that most giving will continue online. Still, the didactic and spiritual importance of collecting an offering in worship outweighs the more practical reasons to forego the collection.

While the question may be revisited at any time, for now we are glad to resume this spiritual act of worship!

Would you serve as an Usher?

We are in need of more ushers to help pass the plate! If you are willing to serve weekly / biweekly / monthly, please scan the QR code, email hello@rpcjax.org, or call (904) 355-4585.

Neighbors for 47 Years!

Edge City in Five Points

Born and raised in Sweden, Gunnel Humphreys shares and spreads her European style, splash, and splendor in Five Points. Her shop, Edge City, has been a go-to for graduation dresses, artful women’s wear, and affordable gifts for birthdays, holidays, and any occasion. Edge City continues to be an institution and a destination in Five Points proper. Drop in, say hello to Gunnel, and look around and find something fun to buy in her shop.

- Pastor Dana Riley

“You never know when you start a business what lies ahead of you. After almost 47 years of going to Edge City in Five Points I am reflecting on those years, unfortunately without my partner, Tom. It’s been a wonderful life experience. I have always had very warm feelings for Five Points with its ups and downs, and I always walk home with a smile! People are so incredibly kind and complimentary. I hear wonderful stories every day of how much we have meant to people going through my store. I would never plan to move away from this area, my adopted home.”

- Gunnel Humphreys

Join a Seasonal Small Group

Starting the Week of October 15

All About Matt Bickett

Matt joined the RPC staff in August 2023 as our Director of Music Ministries and Organist.

Tell us about your hometown.

I grew up in Portsmouth, Ohio. It is on the southern border along the Ohio River, 100 miles upriver from Cincinnati. Just across the river is the start of the Country Music Highway in Kentucky. People think of Ohio as solidly Midwest, but I could see Billy Ray Cyrus’s hometown in Kentucky from my front porch.

You just spent a year in Germany. What were you studying?

I was an exchange student studying theology and philosophy at the University of Tübingen. I did quite a lot of traveling. I went to the original Oktoberfest in Munich, which was overwhelming. Over Christmas Break, I did a tour of Scandinavia. My favorite part was a trip to the French Riviera around New Year’s. It was warm, and people were swimming in the Mediterranean. Not me, though! I did a little wading.

How do you like Jacksonville? Any favorite spots so far?

I am liking it a lot! Brew is one of my favorite spots. I like the Five Points neighborhood in general; it’s vibrant and walkable. I really enjoy walking at Memorial Park. It seems that almost everyone I’ve met is involved in the city beyond just living here. They’re involved in the arts, government, or community.

When you’re not at the organ, what do you like to do with your time?

I really like watching movies on the big screen, reading, and taking walks. I am a sunset watcher. I like experimenting with craft coffees and specialty coffee brewing at home. I like staying up to date with Marvel movies, and I also enjoy collecting from the Lego architecture series.

What aspect of your ministry are you most excited about right now?

The excitement around choristers, from the kids and the volunteers. It feels like something big is on the horizon.

What’s your favorite day/season of the liturgical year?

I really like the Transfiguration, because it’s so strange. It’s a unique story with interesting visual imagery and funky tunes that go with it. I know it seems dark, but I also love Good Friday.

Riverside Reflections

Pastor Lauren Scott

Questions play a huge role in our faith. By asking questions and wrestling with answering questions, we are more deeply and fully engaging with our faith.

In Sunday School, the youth have been wondering and wrestling with questions related to who God is. Some of these questions include “What does God look like?”, “What are some words you would use to describe God?”, and “Can God be surprised? If so, what would a surprise party for God look like?”.

In Youth Group, the youth have been discussing the theme of “journey,” and, particularly, they have been reflecting on their journey here at Riverside. For example, “Why do you come to Riverside?”, “What does it mean to journey alongside one another?”, and “What do you need for your journey?”are all questions we have thought about and will think about.

We invite you to ask yourself these questions or find a friend and wrestle with these questions together (afterall, we’re called to journey together and share our faith with one another!). Riverside’s youth are insightful, creative, and brilliant. It is a gift and joy to journey alongside each of them as we continue to ask and wrestle with questions together!

The renovation of the new youth spaces on the 3rd floor of the Education Building is almost complete! New flooring has been installed, lights have been raised, walls have been moved and painted, and more! While we had to say goodbye to one mural, there are plenty of walls for new ones. We can’t wait for the grand reveal!

Merchants of the Month

RPC highlights and supports three Five Points neighborhood merchants each month. This is a great way to get to know our neighbors and to spread hospitality by shopping with them.

September - Hawkers, Hawthorn, and Edge City

October - Bark on Park, Cuisine 76, and Jane Doe Boutique

Row

Row

College Students all have Secret Pals!

Mary Elizabeth Ballentine

Arden Brugger

Bitsy Body

Heather Campbell

Clare Charnley

Sarah Cotchaleovitch

Mary Coxe

Rebecca Creed

Mike Crumpler

Norma Farnell

Jean Grant-Dooley

Darlene Hampton

Julie Handley

Stuart Harbison

Anne Reid Hawkins

John Humes

Elizabeth Jolley

Lissa Kiser

Dorothy Marsh

Lynne Matson

Anne Mesrobian

Marilyn Noon

Bud Para

Randy Parks

Debbie & Dave Pierson

Carol Proctor

Pam & Ron Roberts

Leigh Rosenbloom

Neil Schoenberger

Kathy Shuke

Ann Smith

Kathy Stanley

Jessica Stevenson

Karen & Stephanie Stiltz

Kristin Swiercek

Lisa Williams

Alexis Woods

Lisa Taylor