News from Living River

There is so much going on at Living River! We host school groups for CEC programs, host our own retreats for a variety of people and plan summer camp programs! Check back often to learn a little bit about what is happening at Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba! 

​Partnership and planning, especially with the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley (PSL)  remain foundational in our disciple making and outreach efforts as Living River closes out 2018 and welcomes 2019 as a vital year in implementing our mission and ministry.

Living River in 2018

• Americorp’s National Civilian Conservation Corp with its 10 young adults spent the month of January at Living River working on its trail system, garden and disc golf course, making all safer and more accessible and enjoyable.
• The Cahaba Environmental Center received the “Educator of the Year” award from the Cahaba River Society on Feb, 1, 2018 for its outstanding contribution to community education.
• Spiritual formation and leadership development programs:
  • Pastor’s Day Retreat- April 17, 2018 with Revs. Nick Reed and Betty Angelini
  • Summer Camp
  • Daycamps offsite
  • Elementary Children Retreat on Veteran’s week end
• Continuing Fundraising for a swimming pool, adult lodge and operational needs through the Continuing the Joy Campaign
  
• Living River in September of 2018 welcomes Jenny Thagard as the new Executive Director. She comes to us with a great amount of experience in education and camp life! Learn more about Jenny on our staff page.
  

Living River ended 2017 with significant hallmarks that promise to bear much fruit in 2018:

• Lauren Allred was called in November 2017 as the Director of the Cahaba Environmental Center (CEC), Living River’s public and private school educational arm.  Lauren is a Ruling Elder from First Presbyterian Church of Anniston.  The camping ministry of the PSL was influential in Lauren’s calling through her attendance of Gulftreat as a camper, camp counselor during the nomad years and a Spiritual Formation Director during Living River’s 2017 summer camping season.  Lauren previously taught at the Donoho School in Anniston and earned a Master of Science in Education with a focus in Elementary education.  Lauren already has demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm for building partnerships with community agencies and stakeholders.
• Living River and Cahaba Environmental Center received grant support from two PSL church affiliated foundations:
  • A 3 year grant from the Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation to  provide an educational experience to 500 students from marginalized communities to the Cahaba Environmental Center
  • From the Southminster Presbyterian Church Foundation for Ministry a grant to support education and retreat to middle and high school students and their leaders on a faithful response to bullying and suicide.
• Financial donations received throughout the year and accelerated at the end of 2017 as well as increased attendance at 2017 summer camp and school year CEC programs resulted in a stronger financial picture at year end 2017 with the goal of financial sustainability.