Riviera Presbyterian Church - Miami, Florida

CELEBRATING OUR COVENANT CONGREGATIONS

This February 13th Riviera Presbyterian will be hosting the presbytery meeting for the Presbytery of Tropical Florida.  Members of this presbytery (which defeated Amendment B by 82%)  will gather in this recently remodeled, rededicated sanctuary beneath the brightly-colored mosaic glass cross and be welcomed by a Covenant Network congregation that has embraced, focused and broadcast that the good news of the gospel is for ALL.    In south Florida, Riviera Presbyterian Church is like a lighthouse that sits alone on a rocky shore.A Covenant Network congregation since 1997, the beginning of the movement, Riviera Presbyterian members told me that over the years the Covenant Network resources - studies, videos, conferences, newsletters - have been invaluable in identifying and understanding theology and encouraging them to express their inclusive approach to faith, individually and as a congregation with the leadership of their pastor, the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus.   Being a Covenant Network congregation has provided a link to a larger community of faith for a church in a presbytery where they are otherwise theologically singular.  Instead, Riviera’s members now consider their church to be “in the lead” in their presbytery, neighborhood and community as to what a “Welcoming Church” really looks like.Riviera members shared that the emphasis on faith exploration and on honoring individuals’ gifts of the Spirit have brought Riviera to a cohesiveness - an almost ideal community  - in a time when “inclusive” is often unfortunately only a banner word waved in church marketing campaigns.Lovingly described by its members, Riviera Presbyterian is a totally integrated congregation whose life in community is spiritual, educational and missional with active participation in local outreach as well as with a school in Nyeri, Kenya.  There is music and the arts in worship, including services based on the meditative Taize worship style and the use of two community labyrinths in “walking prayer”, guided by a trained labyrinth facilitator.   In mission, Riviera is actively involved with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, supporting their pastor’s work on the National Response Team of PDA.  Presently, the church’s longtime partnership with All Nations Presbyterian Church, a predominantly Haitian congregation in the North Miami area, has led to close ties which now call Riviera to compassionate support following the earthquake.  In mid-February, the Riviera congregation will host a fundraising concert, “Love Changes Everything”, and the congregation is working with All Nations and its own membership to support the emerging long-term recovery efforts.Whether gathering beneath the beautiful cross or in small groups, in daily life in workplaces, schools and  homes, for mission, study, fellowship and worship, the congregation of Riviera Presbyterian knows that they are a beacon of Christ’s love growing stronger in south Florida.Thanks to members Laura Fothergill, Richard Godbeer and Michele Ready and to Rev. Laurie Kraus for their input for this article.   Riviera Presbyterian Church is located at 5275 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33143.  To contact the church call 305-666-8586, or go to the website.