Rev. Martha Shiverick

Faith Hero: St Francis

The Rev. Gerry Gregg died this past year.  There is no reason why you would know him.  His pastorates that I am aware of were outside Chicago and in Columbus Ohio.  Gerry was a man who never liked the spot light, a person who felt called to a ministry of promoting social justice issues, and

Fisher of people

‘And Immediately They Followed’

In a few moments I am going to read you an absolutely fantastic story from the Gospel of Mark.  Mark is thought to be the oldest of the Gospels and it is, as you know, the shortest one.  The Gospel writer was not one to mince words and there is an immediacy and urgency found

Justice

“Here I am Lord, But Don’t Call Me!!!”

It was the tradition at the high school my daughter Nonie attended to give a speech during senior year.  It is an awesome experience in that the students get to speak in front of all their peers and teachers.  It might be the only time in the student’s life that they are given this opportunity. 

Looking Not at The Darkness but Towards the Radiance

This Sunday in the Church calendar can be celebrated in two ways.  A church can either celebrate Epiphany, when the Magi visited the baby Jesus bringing gifts from afar or we could celebrate Jesus’ baptism by John in the river.  Both are important events in the life of Jesus and next year, the way the

BUT, All Babies are Special…

I really wrestled with the sermon today.  It is New Year’s Eve day…. an auspicious day in the year where we reflect on these past 365 days, the events, the joys, the sadnesses, the gains, and the losses, and we look to the future and the hope it may bring.  And, it is a day

Riviera Presbyterian Church in Miami, Fl

Earth Care Congregation Pledge

Riviera Presbyterian is the only church in our Presbytery to be an Earth Care Congregation and one of only 140 within our denomination. The Earth Care Pledge: Peace and justice is God’s plan for all creation. The earth and all creation are God’s. God calls us to be careful, humble stewards of this earth, and

Presbyterian Church in Miami, Fl

How the Progressive Faith of Riviera Presbyterian Church Helps Advance Women’s Rights

Female leadership is on the rise! How is your congregation helping create equality for women? Did you know the Native Americans had one of the most egalitarian societies ever? Yes, many tribes alternated between female and male leaders. The males were appointed to lead in times of war, and when peace was achieved the women

gay friendly church in Miami, FL

How Riviera Church is a Leader & Example to Other Progressive Churches

The Presbyterian Church has always been an inclusive denomination. Rooted in the humble 16th-century teachings of John Calvin, the Presbyterian faith was carried to America in 1789 by a handful of devotees. Today our organization contains some 1.8 million members who participate in more than 10,000 congregations across the country. And as always, our progressive