The camp and conference center in central Alabama plans a full day of celebration, and the public is invited
by Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba | Special to Presbyterian News Service
Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba is celebrating two milestones on Oct. 20. (Contributed photo)
LOUISVILLE — On Oct. 20, a full day is planned for a pair of milestones for Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba in Montevallo, Alabama.
Ten years ago, Living River opened its doors. Twenty years ago, the new Marvel Slab, a former mining road, was removed from the middle of the Cahaba River on Living River’s property, allowing the river to flow freely after 35 years.
The day-long celebration on Oct. 20 celebrates these two events as part of the Fall River Fest at Living River. The event is free, including meals. People are invited to come and go or stay all day.
Scheduled activities include:
9 a.m. — Guided fossil hike, guided painting by the lake and fly-fishing lessons
11:30 a.m. — Lunch
12:30 p.m. — Meet and learn with Cahaba partners
1:30 p.m. — Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Marvel Slab Dam from the Cahaba River
2:30 p.m. — Worship service
3:30 p.m. — “Back to Natives” animal show with the Alabama Wildlife Center and a presentation on the book “Southern Rivers” by its author, R. Scot Duncan
5 p.m. — Live music, dinner and games; celebrate the 10 years of Living River programing; and a guided hike of the Peters Trail
6 p.m. — Closing campfire and s’mores.
According to Living River’s website, the sale of the property at two sites allowed the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley to purchase a unique and important site on the Cahaba River near Montevallo as a location for a new camp and conference center. A board of directors was appointed by Sheppards and Lapsley’s Presbytery Council and Living River became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization associated with the presbytery. The Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley encompasses PC(USA) churches in Central Alabama.
Living River’s mission is to steward a sacred space on the Cahaba River for connection to self, others, nature and God. Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba, Inc., is a camp and retreat center located on 440 wooded acres in both Bibb and Shelby counties and is surrounded by 4½ miles of one of the most biodiverse stretches of the Cahaba River, which is in turn one of the most biodiverse rivers in North America.
Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba is at 2000 Living River Parkway in Montevallo, Alabama. Learn more about the Fall River Fest celebration here.
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