Riviera Presbyterian Church is a spiritual community engaged in joyful worship, transformative education and active service, reflecting the path of Christ.

This mission statement was developed by a group of Riviera members who met in October 2002 to develop a strategic plan for our community. One result of the strategic planning retreat was the formation of three task forces – focused on worship, membership growth and marketing. Most importantly the strategic plan has provided a framework for our ongoing work together. The process is designed to help us be more intentional in communicating our purpose– to be Christ’s presence in our community.

Joyful Worship

110 worshippers gather. Sofia, having recently learned to walk, canvasses the sanctuary greeting those who have gathered. She often joins the choir processional. Tracy, our resident actress and drama teacher, opens worship with greetings and announcements of particular interest. The acolyte, sneakers untied, climbs the steps of the chancel and lights the candles – and worship begins. We revel in the diversity and inclusivity in our family – young and not-so-young, experienced and “rookie” Presbyterians, families, single people and couples. Our blended worship includes contemporary music and “old favorites”, traditional and not-so-traditional liturgy and opportunity for personal and corporate prayer.

Sermons engage the congregation – encouraging us to act. We are blessed with the talents of many ministers – either as parish associates or as friends of the congregation. Each minister contributes to the worship life of our congregation – sometimes as worship leader or as preacher.

Transformative Education

Sunday school happens each Sunday – adult Bible study, classes for children of all ages, special series on topics like “affluenza” (consumerism in our society). One of the adult classes recently completed a study of the Gnostic gospels and continues to study cutting edge issues of Christian theology and identity. Another adult class addresses the needs of members who are returning to church after many years of absence. After 9/11 the adult class studied Islam and invited a local Imam to preach. Interfaith worship continues to be important in our congregation in an effort to broaden our understanding of our neighbors. On Wednesday mornings, a group meets for study on the week’s lectionary.

The senior high class will spend the coming year learning about other religions in order to become better ecumenical and inter-faith partners in a pluralistic world. The middle school youth have formed the Deacons of the Everglades. They camp together to facilitate learning about and protecting the environment. A small group met for 2 years (in some congregations it only takes one year!) to complete the Disciple bible study. We traveled to Montreat to participate in the peacemaking conference and to develop strategies for being peacemakers in our own community.

Active Service

We strive to live into the example set by Riviera members in the past. Riviera has long been known for its emphasis on social justice and its willingness to take a sometimes unpopular or non-traditional stance on issues. We continue our active outreach and our efforts to provide a welcoming congregation for all persons. This effort has enriched our congregation and caused us to work for justice in the greater community by supporting efforts such as Save Dade.

Following the example set by a local Methodist congregation; we adopted the Linking Heart and Hand program and created small groups focused on short-term service opportunities. Over the past couple of years, these groups have worked on the Living Wage effort, peacemaking, children’s issues and domestic violence. We are currently in partnership with The Thelma Gibson House, an agency providing services to homeless people and HIV/AIDS and hepatitis screening to residents of West Coconut Grove.

We operate a small retail store with SERRV products – created by artisans in third world countries who are paid a fair price for their work. Profits from this effort support hunger initiatives in our church and our community. Additionally, we operate a food pantry to provide immediate assistance to neighbors in need.

Laurie Kraus , our pastor, is a member of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team. She contributed her time after 9/11 and is currently providing spiritual support to a congregation suffering the result of a fire that destroyed their property. Many of our members serve our denomination as well – as Presbytery committee members and as commissioners and resource persons to General Assembly.

We are blessed with an intern, Laura Fothergill, whose focus is the development of justice ministries.

At Riviera, we continue to look for opportunities for joyful worship, transformative education and active service. We invite you to visit our website at www.rivierachurch.org