Reid on the Run

Just like the roots of a plant ensure its growth and future, the roots of Reid memorial presbyterian church are its children. All ages, races and lifestyles are welcome at Reid Memorial and  the youth ministries invest deeply in each individual child to prepare them for life.

On February 2, Reid Memorial will host the 8th annual Reid on the Run to benefit Young Life of Augusta who has been a vital part in the faith journey of many youth in the area for 60 years, including the life journey of Sarah Catherine Rhoads.

The first thing that stood out to Rachel Norris when she first met Sarah Rhoads was that Sarah was confident in who she was and in who she created to be.

Rachel writes, “Sarah was invited by some other Lakeside girls I knew and quickly became a regular at our weekly activities at Young Life of Augusta. Her joy and love for life, even with the everyday pressures of being a high school student, made her stand out from her peers and one of the many reasons why I wanted to become a Young Life leader. I wanted to invest in real life relationships with high school girls and help them…”

Rachel adds that Sarah made it easy to lead by example because of the way she lived her life and how she spent her time. Some of Rachel’s favorite memories include sharing the same birthday as Sarah. The girls were able to make the time to have frozen yogurt together and share their special day. They would also ride together to and from Young Life events and talk about life’s ups and downs. Rachel also has fond memories of watching Sarah defy her fears while jumping on to the lake trampoline at Windy Gap, a Young Life Camp in North Carolina. Rachel adds, “I was blessed with the opportunity to develop a relationship with Sarah through Young Life. I could truly call her my friend.”

Rachel thanks the Reid Memorial church body for loving Sarah so well and giving her a church family and says, “I am so excited that this year’s Reid on the Run will honor sweet Sarah and thankful that part of the proceeds will benefit the Young Life’s ministry that both Sarah and I loved.”

Born in 2001, Sarah Rhoads is the daughter of Joy Maple and the late Alexander J. Rhoads. She is survived by her brother Bennett and her sisters Abby and Caroline. She is also survived by her grandmothers, Bonnie K. Maple and Carol J. Rhoads. Sarah attended Lakeside High where she participated in several school activities and clubs. She was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Cross Country Team (who recently ran in an All Star Cross Country Meet in Atlanta and made special shirts with I RUN FOR SARAH print), Track and Field Team, Miss Lakeside Pageant and the Buddy Club. In addition, she was actively engaged in Young Life Augusta, Social, Inc. and Love Unlimited.

Along with her family, Sarah attended Reid Memorial and she was engaged in the life and ministry including Sunday school, youth group, VBS, ‪Sunday night‬ youth worth leadership and in various mission trips and retreats. Sarah’s love radiated to all who knew her and inspired her to leadership in the larger church.

Put on your tennis shoes and bundle up as the city runs for Sarah and Young Life of Augusta ‪on Saturday, February 2.‬ The race begins at Reid Memorial at 2261 Walton Way. Registration and check in ‪begins at 8:30 a.m.‬ on the church lawn. All runners and walkers are encouraged to participate in this fun, family friendly event. For more info, contact ‪Reidontherun@reidchurch.org‬.