Presbyterian
Women
At the Presbyterian Women Annual Meeting on May 5, 2025, the Life Membership was presented to Maggie Means and Dorothy Marsh. The awards were presented by Janie Jones with the families of Maggie and Dorothy both in attendance. Congratulations to Maggie and Dorothy!
Young Adults Connect at the Jumbo Shrimp Game
On May 8, a group of RPC young adults met up at the Jumbo Shrimp game. It was a great opportunity to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces, and spend time together outside of Sunday mornings. It was a fun and relaxed evening with a little something for everyone. We’d love to see you at the next young adult event; keep an eye on your email!
Maggie Means and family.
Dorothy Marsh and family.
From Your Pastor
Brian Lays
Dear Riversiders:
I am moving into this summer full of gratitude for the many Riversiders who make this church such a vibrant faith community. Having just celebrated the Be the Church campaign that was featured in the first half of this year, I’m amazed at how many folks put so much time, effort, and energy into organizing and coordinating such an ambitious initiative. For weeks now, I’ve been combing through feedback, making follow-up calls and visits, and reconnecting with Riversiders whom I haven’t seen in some time. The initiative’s goal of strengthening our connections with one another was certainly accomplished. Thank you to everyone who participated in this campaign, whether large or small!
I also enjoyed witnessing Maggie Means and Dorothy Marsh receive a lifetime membership award from the Presbyterian Women at their annual meeting this month. Both women exhibit the spirit of service to the church that has characterized the PW ministry for so many years. When I think of the faithful saints who have built our church into what it is today, I think of the Presbyterian Women first, with deep gratitude for their ministry.
The slower tempo of the summer is a good time for all of us to take a deep breath and ponder all that we are grateful for. Our stewardship committee will lead such an exercise at the church in the months ahead. We are calling it the Summer of Gratitude campaign, and the goal is simple–we want to say “thank you” as much as we can, to as many people as we can. Look for signs of gratitude in worship, in emails, and on social media throughout the summer as we celebrate all the hard work that our many members and friends do on behalf of Riverside. We have much to celebrate!
Gratitude is an important antidote to much negativity. It’s an alternative to feeling jealous of what others have, feeling anxious about what might be lacking, or feeling critical about whatever imperfections we might identify in the world around us. Gratitude reminds us that all that we have and all that we are comes from God’s gracious presence and provision.
This summer, in our individual lives and in the life of our church, let’s practice gratitude. Let’s lead with “thank you” and give thanks for all that God has done for Riverside, both for over a century and to this very day.
With gratitude for your partnership in ministry,
Pastor Brian
Greetings From Hale Scholarship Recipient!
Riverside’s Daisy & Eugene Hale Memorial Scholarship supports Florida residents pursuing theological education to become ministers in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Each year, Riverside provides money to help defray the cost for seminary students from Florida who are in the care of a Florida Presbytery. Our most recent Hale Scholarship recipient is Brennan Gagnon. Brennan’s home church is Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, and he is under the care of the Presbytery of St. Augustine. Brennan is attending Princeton Theological Seminary and he sends written updates on his journey. The following are a few excerpts from his last communication to those who support him.
“I hope you are as excited as I am about the recent time change. After a long New Jersey winter, I’m starting to catch glimpses of the light at the end of the tunnel. My time outdoors is increasing once again, allowing me to resume the activities that bring me joy. That the smell of spring and the rebirth of more-thanhuman life coincide with the Lenten season presents a fascinating and mysterious metaphor for the Christian life.”
“I am glad to say that, in many senses, I found the rest I needed over winter break. Jiu-Jitsu proved to be a positive new outlet for me, and The Lord of the Rings was a delightful escape. I also found time to study for and pass the Bible Content Exam. While this does not yet suggest I am equipped to preach, it does render me an excellent pick for your team the next time your local Applebee’s hosts Bible Trivia…
“As far as field education, my internship in NYC fell through because my potential supervisor became pregnant. Excited for her, I turned to the church I attend locally: The Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville. Papers are now signed, and I will be their Adult Education intern next year. I’ll also help lead Sunday worship, pastoral care, and spirituality. For this latter task, I am excited to put my recent CCL training to use as a facilitator of group spiritual direction.”
Summer WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Riverside Presbyterian Church
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS JUNE 1
An Unexpected Connection
My first time as a substitute delivering for Meals On Wheels found me walking up to a house in Riverside. On the porch sat a lady watching the world go by. She greeted me with a smile, and I told her I was with MOW. As I handed her the meal, I had the feeling that I knew her. After chatting for just a moment, I knew that she was a former member of the wait staff at a favorite food establishment that we used to visit regularly with our young sons many years before. She had always been so kind to us and engaging with our sons. I told her that I recognized her and that I was touched that she had waited on us so many times–that now, I had the opportunity to wait on her. Her big smile was a wonderful recognition of the moment. She thanked me, and as I walked away I was moved by the way God brings us together in unexpected ways.
Mark Harbison
Staff Updates at Riverside
Sam Myhre
We are excited to welcome Sam Myhre as the new Director of Facilities for Riverside Presbyterian Church and Day School. This position, in partnership with RPDS, is the first of its kind and has been created to help support and streamline the daily operations of our busy campus here at the corner of Park and Post.
Sam brings a wealth of experience in facilities management, most recently serving as a regional facilities manager for Solera Holdings, Inc. Familiar with school settings, Sam previously served as the Facility Manager for the North Florida School of Special Education. In addition to his facilities background, Sam also has experience in event planning and is passionate about ensuring that both church and school spaces are well managed, maintained, and ready to support the daily operations and activities at Riverside. Known for building strong relationships within the communities in which he serves, we are confident Sam will blend seamlessly into the Riverside community and positively contribute to the mission of both the Church and School.
Sam began on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. We are thrilled to welcome his expertise, care, and enthusiasm to campus, and we look forward to getting to know each other.
Tell us about yourself and your family.
I’ve been married to my wife Amy for seven years, and we have three kids! I’ve been working in facility management for the last six years.
Where are you from, and what sports teams do you support? I’m originally from Tallahassee, Florida, but have loved living in Jacksonville for the last five years! I’m a big FSU football fan.
What inspired you to join our church community and take on this role?
I was working in the corporate world most recently and really missed serving in a true local community. I’m excited for both the challenges and opportunities this role affords. Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or interests? I enjoy playing with our kids, reading, and exercising. Our family regularly goes on walks together. Coffee, tea, or something else entirely? I love drinking my espresso every morning!
Christy Lane
Christy Lane has been promoted to the Sexton position, effective April 21, 2025. Over her two years with us, Christy has learned a great deal about the job and has demonstrated a strong ability to do the work. She works hard, and her upbeat, friendly attitude is another significant asset she brings to the position. We welcome Christy to her new, full-time role. Christy is the first female Sexton at Riverside!
In the weeks ahead, Christy will be working with our new Director of Facilities, Sam Myhre, to determine our custodial coverage and staffing needs.
A Resource in Our Neighborhood
Joyce Cailor
There is a wonderful resource right here in our Riverside neighborhood that is helping more and more people every week–the Trinity Food Pantry. Do you know about it? It’s staffed by volunteers from several different churches and operates out of the house on Park Street that’s adjacent to Trinity Lutheran Church. I discovered the pantry three years ago and have volunteered there ever since on Thursday afternoons. When I first started at the Pantry shortly after it reopened following the pandemic, it was open just once a month. As more people discovered us and spread the word, it soon was able to operate every other week on Thursdays, 4:00 to 6:00 pm and on Fridays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. As food prices escalated more recently, families and individuals found it harder to make ends meet, and many experienced food insecurities. We needed to help more. Our leader, Mark Baker, worked hard to secure more food donations from corporate sources, small businesses, and local food drives so we could be open every week on Thursdays and Fridays. We know our Pantry is making a positive difference!
My experience working with my “teammates” every week is gratifying to me in so many ways. I love being involved with an organization that helps so many people. I now know many of our clients on a first name basis and enjoy talking with them about their families and lives. They may not live close to me, but they are my neighbors, and I always try to greet each person with a smile and cheerful conversation should they feel like talking. Although my job is just to give folks their pre-packed bags of food and help them make extra food selections if available, it’s so much more. Everyone always expresses thanks for what they receive, and at the end of my day at the Pantry, I’m always thankful that I could be there.
Three Field Days in March
As part of our partnership with local public schools in the Children's Enrichment Workshop, RPC provided equipment and a couple of volunteers for Field Days at Central Riverside Elementary, Fishweir Elementary, and West Riverside Elementary. Students from Darnell Cookman and Riverside High Schools provided the bulk of student volunteer leaders for all three Field Day events. Field Days provide a day of fun, outdoor activities such as sack races, tug of war, parachute games, bucket stack, and so much more for all students to enjoy. This year was particularly sunny and cool for each school's Field Day–a trifecta! Thanks to Arden Brugger and Bud Para for sharing their time and talent at West Riverside Field Day this year.
Matthew 25 Lending Library
RPC is a Matthew 25 (M25) congregation of the PC(USA). In Matthew 25, Jesus makes clear that what we do and how we treat others matters to God. Matthew 25 provides the foundation and framework for the missions of RPC. The three focus areas of the Matthew 25 initiative include: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating poverty. Responding with wisdom and discernment, we educate ourselves and work together to make our community more compassionate, more inclusive, and more just.
We have an amazing resource that informs and challenges us in our work: the Matthew 25 Lending Library. It is located in Bittinger Hall, inviting us all to sit, browse the collection, and check out a book! Our Lending Library was established because of the generous donation of Carl and Barbara Zacheis of a very comprehensive collection of books focusing on historical issues of race and inequality and our responses to racism today.
As we approach Juneteenth, here are some suggestions and comments from Carl for relevant reading, depending on what you may like to read at the moment:
Race Against Time: A thriller. A true life story by an investigative newspaper reporter. Hard to put it down.
Same Kind of Different as Me: An introspective work. A modern–day slave, an international art dealer, and a dedicated woman who brought them together. If you have ever spent any time either working at Sulzbacher or thinking about Sulzbacher, this is mandatory reading.
The Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson the Lincoln Memorial, and the Concert That Awakened America: 20th–century event. The Story of Marian Anderson and the events leading up to her performance at the Lincoln Memorial.
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom: This should be required reading of all students of U.S. history, either high school or college. He was so well-liked that he probably would have been our president, if he wasn't Black.
Check out a book from the Matthew 25 Lending Library (located in Bittinger Hall) TODAY! If you'd like more information about the work of the Matthew 25 and the Community Outreach Committee, please contact dana.riley@rpcjax.org.
Observing Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, over 250,000 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received news of their emancipation two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, marking a significant milestone in American history. This pivotal event commemorated the birth of Black Independence Day, a celebration embraced by African Americans across the nation. Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s, and the legislation making it a federal holiday was signed into law by President Biden in 2021. While Juneteenth doesn't eliminate structural racism in America, recognizing it as a federal holiday is a crucial step toward bringing the rich history of Black Americans into the center of both our history and identity. (https://capitolhistory.org)
Two meaningful ways to observe Juneteenth :
A full list of community events will be shared at the beginning of June (flyer in office and via email)
• Time of Prayer and Meditation: Thursday, June 19, 11:00 am-1:00 pm, RPC Sanctuary, 849 Park Street; Prayer stations will guide your time of personal reflection.
• SAVE THE DATE! A Book and a Brew, Thursday, June 26th, 5:30-7:00 pm at Aardwolf Brewing Company, 1461 Hendricks Ave. 32207. This will be a time to join in conversation about a specific book challenging us to think and act further. The book will be announced soon! (Aardwolf offers sodas and other non-alcoholic drink options.)
RPC & RPDS on the Annual RAP Home Tour
On Saturday and Sunday, April 12th and 13th, the sanctuary of RPC and the Mary Lou Davis Family Life Center were featured sites on the annual Riverside Avondale Preservation Home Tour. We showcased our beautiful OLD sanctuary and the NEW addition to our campus–the Mary Lou Davis Family Life Center.
By the end of the weekend, we had greeted and welcomed approximately 400 visitors to RPC and RPDS. Our guests were genuinely delighted and inspired by our campus and the welcome they received. The spirit of hospitality of our greeters invited questions and connections. Visitors stepped into the sanctuary with audible gasps, remarking on the beauty and tranquility of our amazing space, maybe also experiencing some amazing grace. Some of these visitors may return to our campus as church members and school families, but, for now, we can feel confident that we gave them a positive, engaging experience with our church and day school.
The Neighboring Collaborative provided the coordination and lots of the personpower for the event with additional support and involvement from church members, church staff, and day school volunteers. Special thanks and appreciation are extended to all of our greeters and site leads: Fran Aenchbacher, Elaine Akin, Gary Bowers, Arden Brugger, Joyce Cailor, Mary Coxe, Katie Fackler, Lauren Fitzharris, Deana Green, Julie Handley, Steven Judd, Ben Ketchum, Pat Mason, Jane Miller, Tavia Mullen, Bud Para, Kathy Para, Bill Proctor, Dana Riley, John Sapora, Laura Silva, Sarabeth Soule, Jessica Stevenson, and Lynn Thompson.
Riverside Handbells Attend Festival
Five members of the Riverside Handbell Choir attended the Florida Handbell Festival in Brandon, Florida, March 21-22, 2024. Mary Jeanette Howle, Katie Eberly, Judy Ratcliffe, Elisabeth Day, and Dave Tuttle were five of the 175 people who came from 27 different bell choirs in Florida and Puerto Rico.
The final concert on Saturday afternoon featured music played by Tin, Copper, and Bronze (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) bell choirs. During the two-day festival, ringers rehearsed pieces according to their skill levels. In between rehearsal times, people could attend workshops for sight reading, bell maintenance, and related topics.
Recently At Riverside
Presby Pickleball will be held EVERY Wednesday in June and July! Join us from 5:30-7:30 pm in the Family Life Center. No experience needed; all skill levels welcome. Nursery available.
April’s Worship and Wonder service focused on different aspects of Holy Week. One of the activity stations was palm cross making.
On May 4, 2025, we celebrated the Be the Church campaign with a lunch after worship. Reports were available on each table including the most talked about topics; a word of thanks to all of the connectors, team leaders, and committee members; and a note from Pastor Brian regarding next steps. Copies of the report are available in the Church Office.
RPC along with Michael’s family (pictured) celebrated Michael Lane’s retirement on March 30, 2025, with a lunch, slideshow, and words from Glenda Collier, Steve Goyer, Bill Hoff, and Tom Are.
The Third Thursday Lunch Bunch kicked off on May 15 was the first meetup. This group of 65+ Riversiders meets monthly for lunch with Riverside’s Pastors. The next meetup is June 19 at The Cummer Café at 11:30 am.
Some of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders participated in a church-wide scavenger hunt at the end of April. They ended their time together with ice cream at Waffle Cone across the street from RPC. In March, these 3rd–5th graders went bowling and played laser tag!
2024–2025 College Secret Pals Revealed!
College Student Secret Pal
Jack Adams
Kate Adams
Emmanuella Althuis
Louie Body
Durham Branch
Tilson Branch
Jacob Campen
Caroline Cavendish
J.P. Coll
Olivia Collins
Chapman Davis
Pru Davis
Coral Day
Josh Dryden
Robert Elrod
Charity Fisher
Grady Gillam
Fabrizio Gowdy
Patrick Green
William Green
Jane Gray Hager
Megan Halkovitch
Caroline Harding
Jacob Huber
Catherine Hunt
Luke Jenkins
Adrian Krunic
Reagan Lane
Quentin Lockwood
Christian Matson
J.D. Matson
Noah McDonald
Davis Meux
Olivia Meux
Ford Milne
Jack Raynor
Bo Rose
Lainey Rose
William Rosenberg
Ben Sandlin
Jessica Shipp
Eli Stevenson
Andy Swiercek
Julia Swiercek
Frances Thoburn
Tyler Twilley
Johnny Vodenicker
Will Walker
Norma Farnell
Judy Wingate
Marsha Humphries-Mixon
Mike Crumpler
Jean Spyksma
Jean Spyksma
Lisa Taylor
Lisa Taylor
Rebecca Creed
Lauren Scott & Brian Lays
Paul Mahoney
Sarah Cotchaleovitch
Marcy Moody
Arden Brugger
Norma Farnell
Dorothy Marsh
Bud Para
Jean Grant-Dooley
Jane Borelli
Katie Fackler & Anne Mesrobian
Jaye Lee Adams
Bookie Zeigler
Mary Elizabeth Ballentine
Fran Aenchbacher
Margot Wrenn
Bruce Smathers
Dave & Debbie Pierson
Elizabeth Meux
Virginia Zeigler
Heather Davis
Mary Jeanette Howle
Leigh & Carter Rosenbloom
Heather Campbell
Julie Handley
Susan Schilling
Molly Davidson
Jean Grant-Dooley
Diane Tuttle
David Tuttle
Betsy Dunlap
Kathy Shuke
Mary Coxe
Tripp Means
Cory Meyers
Maggie Means
John Humes
Mary Elizabeth Ballentine
Mary Elizabeth Ballentine
Thank you to the Secret Pals who corresponded with almost 50 college students this year! What a gift to our students to be supported and encouraged throughout the school year.
849 Park Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204-3394
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THE MESSENGER (USPS 466-960) is published bi-monthly by the Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park Street, Jax. FL 32204-3394 (904) 355-4585
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Join Us for the Summer Sizzler
Sunday, June 29, 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Everyone is invited for a fun-filled evening at RPC, including a Bold City Brass concert (5:00 - 6:00 pm in the sanctuary), food trucks, inflatable games, outdoor activities, open gym, $1 scoops of Waffle Cone ice cream, and more!
SUNDAY, JUNE 29
5:00 - 7:30 PM CONCERT AT 5:00 PM
Summer Sizzler
A fun-filled evening at RPC!
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