Merry Christmas from Riverside!
Merry Christmas from our whole team here at Riverside! What a year 2021 has been! We are so grateful for all that God has done in and through this year, as we welcomed many people back to the camp property for Christ-centered camp experiences. Here are some updates this December on how we're living out our mission here at Riverside, "To know Jesus Christ and to make Christ known to all."
Fall Retreats Wrap-up!
From September to the end of November, we hosted 42 different retreats onsite, a combination of: Riverside programmed retreats, outside ministry retreats, silent retreats,
family retreats, and ministry leader retreats. We're so grateful for the opportunity to serve and minister to so many different people throughout the year, all centered around our desire for people to encounter the extravagant love of God found in Jesus Christ. If you're interested in booking a fall retreat with Riverside next year, I suggest you do it now as space fills up!
Retreat Center Remodel.
On November 6, we welcomed a large group of volunteers from Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona to begin the inside demo work and wow, they worked hard! In one day, they accomplished almost all the interior demo work. Work continues to progress well, thanks to our awesome year around staff and volunteers. If you have skills and time to offer for helping with this remodel project, which we are needing to have done by the end of January, please reach out to Chris! What will the new remodel include? All new windows, flooring, lighting, drywall, and pine ceilings throughout the building; larger remodeled bathrooms on each wing; remodeled and reconfigured sleeping rooms (will now be 4 larger rooms to be used as summer cabins/year around space and still include a private guest suite with private bath); remodeled full kitchen; great room with a corner wood fireplace, coffee bar/serving area, large television, new lighting, and french doors opening out onto the back deck; new entrance with lobby sitting area and coat closet. We're excited to see this space be used for many more years to come for youth camp, family retreats, youth group retreats, and more!
Giving Tuesday and Christmas
We had a blast at our 3rd annual Giving Tuesday Event at Riverside on November 30! Over 200 people joined us throughout the night for delicious food, great fellowship, Christmas Carols, and more, all to celebrate the birth of our Savior and support the continued ministry of Riverside! Our goal for the day was $25,000, which would release $25,000 in matching funds-and we exceed the goal for the day with over $30,000 in giving; praise God!
You might be wondering how close we are to our year end goal of $425,000 (click here for more information on the year end campaign)-and I'm excited to give you an update! We have had 421 gifts made/committed by churches and households, for a total of $284,031 as of December 8! Praise God! Your giving at year end not only helps us secure this new piece of land, but also helps propel us into 2022 and beyond, continuing the expanding Christ-centered camping ministry of Riverside. Thank you for your generous giving, prayers, and support!
Merry Christmas.
As we near the end of 2021, and in this season of Advent leading up to Christmas, I encourage you to pause. One of the beautiful things about camp, is it often is a place where we intentionally pause, individually and corporately, to simply recognize the gift of God's presence. Immanuel, God with us. Whether at home or traveling, at work or at school, remember to pause and give thanks for the great gift we have in the birth of our Savior. From all of us here at Riverside, God's great blessings to you this Christmas, and we look forward to all that God has for 2022.
God bless you!
Chris and the Riverside Team
