Cold Days At The River

Oh Baby It's Cold Outside! The River is glad to hand out hats, mittens, and scarves to the ladies and kids that come to The River. We also offered free H1N1 shots with the help of the Downtown Clinic. We do take donations of hats, gloves, socks, bras, underwear, and umbrellas that can be dropped by The River anytime during our hours of operation- Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.

Rolling At The River! Calling All Bunco Players

Reserve your place now! The River will be holding a "Rolling At The River" Bunco Tournament Fundraiser on March 18, 2010 from 7-9 p.m. Participants will be treated to appetizers, bunco, prizes, and learn how The River helps women and children in need in the Tri-Cities. This event will be held at The River and the suggested cost is $25.00 per player. Call Stacy Larsen at

926-8111 to reserve seats.

Come and have fun rolling at The River!

The Mayor Visits The River

Johnson City, Tennessee Mayor Jane Myron visited The River today to judge our 4th annual Hand Turkey Coloring Contest. It was hard to pick the winners out of the beautiful 35 entries- but the winners are:

First Place: Doris Hall

Second Place: Anika Dyer

Third Place: Jennifer Norris

Honorable Mention: Buffy Vanoy

Opening Soon: The River- A Short Film

We filmed on Tuesday, November 17th. We will be having a red carpet premiere in December.

Mama Shirley after giving her line.

Shirley signs in before getting filmed.

Entry to our Film Set.

Keith Smith- the master of film!

The set.

4th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at The River 2009

We had an awesome day at The River! It was our 4th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner prepared by the ladies at Northpointe Community Church. Are you salivating yet? We had the best cranberry salad, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, and a roll. It was delicious!!!!

Our yummy dessert: individual pumpkin cakes with cream cheese frosting!

Susan and her ladies from Northpointe Coummunity Church and some of our River guests smile pretty for the camera!

We shared a special blessing of thanksgiving before the meal.

Melissa, Margaret, Leah, Tonya, Mary, Sheree, and Lisa enjoy being served.

Robyn, Jackie, and Dee.

Pam, Mary, Cathy, Mama Shirley, Pansy, Shirley, and Mary Jo wait to be served.

Mary chowing down.

Pam enjoying her lunch.

Wonderful Jamaican Meal for the Kickoff of Global Missions Week!

Anika grilling the jerk chicken on the grill. The smell was amazing!

Yummy Jerk Chicken on the grill- can you smell it?

Kitchen crew at FPC: Pat, Em, Anika, Dixie, Jahque, Heather, and Jerry.

Jahque and Jerry clowning around with the plantains!

Plantains- lots of fried plantains!

Stacy (the white, southern, Jamaican girl), Jahque, A.J., and Anika.

Jahque, A.J., Anika and Pastor Louis- The Jamaicans!

Marsha and A.J.

Happy Birthday To The River!

The River opened its doors 5 years ago on October 4, 2004. We had an Open House to celebrate! Here are five pictures from the Open House: The River turned 5 on October 4, 2009.

Part of the crowd gathered for the special balloon release during our group prayer.

Three smiling faces getting ready to eat their cupcakes at the Open House.

Lance and Shirley share big smiles at the Open House.

Marsha and Virginia serving punch at The River Open House Birthday Party.

Welcome to The River Ministry for Women

The River. A place where women come to listen, learn, laugh...and wash clothes.

The River

125 West Main Street

Johnson City, TN 37604

(423) 926-8111

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Director: Stacy Larsen @ stacylp@charter.net

http://www.fpcjc.org/

The River's Mission

The mission of The River is to create a safe place for all women to wash clothes and learn new ways to care for themselves and family through non-threatening hands on activities with a Christ-centered approach. The River provides a variety of services and a place for women to share life stories and prayer. As services are used, relationships are formed that allow us to assist them in all aspects of their lives. Like Jesus, we meet each woman where she is in life without judgement- just love and support. For some women, The River is a stepping stone to self-sufficiency. For most women, The River assists in meeting basic needs on a daily basis in a community of Christ. It is our hope that The River can bring new life!

Creation of The River

The idea for The River originated over a decade ago when Betsy Beaver was involved in a mother's Bible study group at First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City. "I thought other women could benefit from having a place to come together and talk and learn from one another," Beaver said. In 2004 a River Team was formed and with the help of church and community members The River was transformed from an empty and forgotten building in downtown Johnson City to a special place for women. The River opened its doors on October 4, 2004 and has served over 750 women and children.

Services Available at The River

• Women may wash 2 loads of laundry a day (we provide the detergent, bleach, stain remover and fabric softener sheets) for a quarter total. With the quarters, the woman are paying for their services, and learning to give because all quarters are donated to local charities. All laundry must be started by 1:00 p.m. and is first-come, first-served.
• The River is the only public place where a woman can take a shower in Johnson City during the daytime. We provide towels and travel-sized toiletries for each shower. Showers are first-come, first-served and no showers after 2:30 p.m.
• The River has daily devotions each morning at 9:30 a.m. This is a time of short Bible study and prayer. Each participant can share joys or concerns and each devotion ends with a group prayer. On the first Wednesday of each month, Pastor Louis Imsande of First Presbyterian Church performs devotions and communion is offered. We also have a "God Spot" Prayer Room where women can spend time alone with God.
• The River has a variety of events available each month for our guests. The Joyful Noise River Choir meets every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and sings at local churches, events, or nursing homes. Hearts and Hands meets the second and fourth Wednesday from 10-12 and offers the women the opportunity to work on craft projects ranging from flower pins to spiritual journals. The River also holds classes on cooking, sewing, health issues, and independent living skills.
• The second Monday of the month is free haircut day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Hair cuts are first-come, first served. We always have hair, nail and skin care products available in the salon area for primping! Everyone wants to look good!
• The River has a community garden that works on the "Little Red Hen" system: if you plant it, you get part of the harvest. We plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers and we also have the Martha Chase Memorial Garden where women can sit amongst the flowers and pray and enjoy nature.
• The River is able to share information about available community services that meet the needs of the women and children we serve. In addition, we provide a phone, a writing center to mail letters, computers, exercise equipment, sewing machines, irons, and an address for those that are homeless.
• Most importantly, The River offers love, support, friendships, and a safe haven for the women we serve.

Share a Helping Hand at The River

1. Time: Be a worker for the Lord serving at The River. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Stacy Larsen at 423-926-111.

2. Donate Money: Make a donation in honor or in memory of a loved one, or in support of The River. Please make checks or Money Orders payable to: The River- First Presbyterian Church and mail it to The River 125 West Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37604. All donations are tax-deductible. Consider The River in your long-term planning.

3. Pray: Please keep The River, our guests, and volunteers in your daily prayers.

4. Donate Items: We always need: Liquid Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Stain Remover, Fabric Softener SHEETS ONLY, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Lysol Wipes, Garbage Bags, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Individually Wrapped Snacks, Spray Deodorant, Liquid Hand Soap, Creamer, Sweetener, Razors, Shaving Cream, and Cleaning Supplies. Items may be brought to The River during hours of Operation.

5. Share a Skill: Do you have a special talent or skill to share with the ladies of The River? Please contact Stacy Larsen at 423-926-8111 to set up a class or event.