JULY-AUGUST CHILDCARE: We need your help
 
Every summer our regular RiverKids program takes a break to give our volunteers well-deserved time off and our leaders a chance to plan for another year of fun. Please sign up here to help with childcare. It's easy! All will be prepared for you—just come ready to engage and have fun with the kids!

We'll be offering a combined childcare for Preschool & Elementary during our worship service. Nursery room will be open for parents of babies and toddlers (Live streaming available). 

We will continue our RiverYouth programming throughout the summer and reserved 2 Sundays for Youth outings: July 3, Aug 7. Please be on the lookout for our emails and  further announcements. 

​Dear River Families,
It seems as though April flew by, especially with Spring break, Easter, State testing, and everything in between. Nonetheless, we wrapped up our Lent season and had a wonderful Easter celebration together. Do check out our YouTube Channel if you missed out on our Easter service. As we move into the beginning of the Summer, there are many exciting things coming up in and around the city, as well as at our church. Here are just a few things that may be of interest for you and your family:

This weekend is Mother's Day - Here are a couple of family friendly events to do.

• Visit the new playground nearby after church service this Sunday: The Battery Playspace 
• Mother's Day Garden Party at NY Botanical Garden - music, crafts, face painting, and garden party games like croquet, bean bag toss, giant chess, etc. 
• Family Fun Fest at Atlantic Terminal Mall - 25+ free kid-friendly activities from local community partners, include bouncy house, arts & crafts, games, dance classes, gardening, etc

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 

• One great way to celebrate is through reading! Asia and Pacific Islands are comprised of many countries and cultures, so I like this recommended book list as it categorizes the different regions and provides a short summary of each book. 

Upcoming Community Events at RiverNYC

• HIKING with Nick, next Saturday, May 14 (Indian Rock, Wanaque Ridge Trail Loop) -- Invitation open to adults and youth, RSVP by Wed, May 11.
• YOGA with Savannah, May 18 @6PM (Church Basement Lounge) 
• A great way to stay updated is to follow us on social media (links at the bottom of the page). You can also check out our weekly emails and Events Calendar for more information and RSVP. 

CHILD DEDICATION. At the River, we recognize parents' desire to dedicate their child to God and to invite God's blessings on their life. So if you have been thinking about dedicating your child at the River, we have reserved Sunday, June 26. Please contact me at amelia@rivernyc.org if you are interested. Feel free to invite your families and friends for this special occasion.  

Let me know if you have any question or concerns, I am always up for connecting with you.
Thank you for your partnership and participation in cultivating a welcoming and inclusive community of faith. 

With Gratitude, 
Amelia Cunard | RiverKids Director

After only two days of being in school, I received another message that a person in my child's classroom has been diagnosed with COVID-19, so the children need to be picked up and quarantined again unless we submit a negative result from the at-home kit by the next morning. My guess is that many of our families are experiencing similar things lately, but my hope is that the vaccine rollout and the new quarantine policy can provide a (small) sigh of relief and help us ride out this "strange" season.
If you find yourself with more at-home time or are simply looking for something new to do as a family, you may find these resources to be helpful: 

• Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing (Winter) by Sally Lloyd Jones.
  This is a great follow up to Caroline's message about partnering with God and becoming new again and again. It is a short Read & Reflect that you can do together as a family to wind down for the day. 
  
  
• Shapes Breathing Exercises
  When things become overwhelming and rough having a tool to help us pause and breath can be helpful for children and adults alike. I created these exercises to help removing the focus from the anger or anxiety outburst, and moving the attention towards a totally different activity that requires concentration and precision. 
  
  
• Lunar New Year: Craft and Cookbooks 
  The upcoming Lunar New Year (Feb 1) will probably still be different for many who celebrate it this year. However these resources may inspire new ways to celebrate at-home and to connect creatively with distant relatives. 
  
  

If you are coming this Sunday, please RSVP your attendance. This will help us plan, especially if you need childcare. In the meantime, please review our updated health protocols. To expedite our check-in process, you can email your (and your children's) vaccination card to mail@rivernyc.org.
The RiverKids/Youth volunteer team and I are looking forward to welcome your children in our classrooms again next Sunday, Jan 30.
​
Amelia Cunard | RiverKids Director

With the new surges of COVID cases, I understand how this new year can feel different. Our family started off the first week of 2022 with remote schooling and some worrying symptoms. Between the limited availability of COVID tests and ever changing guidelines, the next few weeks can be challenging and disruptive for many....However we can be hopeful. I am hopeful, as I am reminded: "...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
And while the spread of the virus in its many forms seems uncontrollable, we are not seeing the levels of mortality and disorder we experienced a year ago. The fact that many of us have taken the step to get vaccinated, get tested, stay masked, and stay home when sick, has helped all of us individually and as a community. So in order to continue to prioritize the health of our community and to make room for the various implications, we are making some adjustments: 
​

• We are resuming in-person service this Sunday, Jan 9th with CHILDCARE only. 
  RiverKids/Youth will resume our lessons on Sunday, Jan 30th.
  We want to give both our volunteers and families time to stay home and quarantine if they feel unwell, to get tested and booster shot as needed, and to get their children fully vaccinated if they are eligible -- Please review our health protocols, as we currently updated it and make sure to RSVP your attendance to help us plan.
  
  
• Stay tuned for more information. We will provide your children with some materials (digitally) in the following weeks to stay connected.
  
  

Last, but not least please let me know how to best help and serve your family and your children during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me or catch me in person on Sundays. I would love to connect with you. 
Thank you for your continued support and understanding. 

Amelia Cunard | RiverKids Director