Holston Presbytery
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| In October 2004, the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City opened the doors to a new ministry called The River. The River’s mission is to create a safe place for women—most on low incomes and living in assisted or public housing, with a friend, or on the streets—to come, wash clothes, and learn ways to care for themselves and their family in a nonthreatening environment. An opportunity to do two loads of laundry a day for 25 cents each leads to the use of other facility services and relationships with the staff, which nurtures a hope that can make a difference in the quality of their lives.
The idea for The River originated over a decade ago when church member Betsy Beaver, involved in a Mother’s Bible Study Group, saw the need for women to have “a place to come together, talk, and learn from one another.” Not until early 2004 did she and the other River team members—Stacy Larsen, Kelly Kirkpatrick, and Malcolm Blowers—become an organized group. Once their work began, the team was blessed with an outpouring of interest, donations, skills, and support from the church and the community. In less than a year a vacant downtown building owned by the church was transformed into a bright, cheerful space for women to meet, listen, learn, laugh, and pray. The River served over 150 women and children in the first four months of its existence. The staff of over thirty volunteers, led by director Stacy Larsen, has reaped many blessings from the women who have shared their stories. Sixty-six churches and 8,805 members make up Holston Presbytery. Holston Camp & Retreat Center in Banner Elk, North Carolina, is supported by Holston and Abingdon Presbyteries. Within Holston’s bounds are Presbyterian-related King College in Bristol and Tusculum College in Greeneville. |
 Presbytery Staff Rev. Rich Fifield, executive presbyter/stated clerk Bob Millard, director of planned giving Kim Hammond, finance manager/treasurer Paulette H. Thompson, office manager/communications director Susan Smith, director, Holston Area Resource Center Jim Kirkpatrick, director, youth/young adult ministry Chanda Reis, secretary, youth/young adult ministry Craig Bell, director, Holston Presbytery Camp & Retreat Center Patsy Laster-Ford, office manager, Holston Camp & Retreat Center Peggy Crump, food services manager, Holston Camp & Retreat Center Wayne Smith, building and maintenance manager, Holston Camp & Retreat Center PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Elder Sandra Posey, DEDO Paul Potts, FDN Elder Dosie Powell, NMD |
 Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely (Ps. 139:4). |
 Ps. 32, 130, 139, 148 Esth. 1:1–4, 10–19 Acts 17:1–15; John 12:36b–43 |
