 Dear River Families, How are you? I hope you and your loved ones are doing well and have been enjoying the nice weather we've been having. As the city is re-opening and we are moving into a new normal, I find myself getting excited and nervous at the same time, so I hope some of the information I have been looking at can be helpful for you too. Making our way out of the pandemic will be more of a process and I am grateful to know that we are doing this together. Parenting and managing families.
Travel tips and safety.
Summer camps and fun things to do as NYC is re-opening.
The last year has certainly presented challenges for us to meet as a community, but as we are transitioning, I would like to bring connection back into focus. As we approach Pentecost (May 23), and the weeks that come after, RiverKids will be listening to stories about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the early church, and the spread of the Good News. We will be exploring the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering, connecting, and uniting us as a church community. We will pray, chat, and encourage each other until we are able to safely meet again in person...very soon!! (please be on the lookout for our exciting update on the church space) Also, I am always up for connecting with you and your family, so if you want to chat 1-on-1, or have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to hear from you! Amelia Cunard | RiverKids Director
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 One of the biggest seasons in the church Calendar is coming up! Sunday, Feb 21 is the first Sunday of Lent or the 40 Days of Faith, as we call it at the River. It is the time when we, as a church, press into our spiritual lives and prepare for a big celebration on “Resurrection Sunday” which falls on April 4 this year.
This year’s Riverkids/Youth theme is “Ways to pray”. It has always been my desire to create room for our children to recognize God’s presence in their life and respond to this recognition. One of my earliest memories about prayer happened when I was 6 years old. I was woken up one night by my sister’s cry. She had a nightmare. My dad came into our bedroom and led us in prayer. His response to our fear that night stayed with me throughout the years, even during my skeptical times. Author Lacy Finn Borgo of "Spiritual Conversations with Children" believes that our spiritual life and relationship with God cannot be separated from our childhood experiences. When children have listening and prayer companions, whether that would be parents, siblings, or friends in the community, who hear, acknowledge, and encourage their early experiences with God, it creates a spiritual footprint that shapes their lives. So, for this reason, I would like to invite our families to embrace this season together with the community - Here are just a few ways to engage:
And as always, I am always up for connecting with you and your family, so if you have any questions or concerns, or just want to chat 1-on-1, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to hear from you! Looking forward to an exciting season with your family. Amelia Cunard | RiverKids Director  Hi River families! Join us this Sunday on Zoom as we kick off the first day of Advent. We have some exciting things planned including a new sermon series and weekly meditation for all (Available on the River blog & RiverNYC App). We invite adults, youth, and children to respond in ways that they see fit:
Amelia Cunard  For many families, this year has turned out much differently than expected. We are faced with uncertainty in so many different aspects of our lives. As the holiday season draws closer, traditions may change and events may continue to unfold in unpredictable ways.
Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach, explains that we can help our children cope with uncertainty by accepting that uncomfortable feelings are not "bad" and do not need to be avoided. Recently, I had to break some difficult news to my son. Typically, in anticipation of his reaction, I would point out some silver lining with the hope that it would lessen his pain (and possibly mine too). However, I've realized that this often only leads to protests and arguments that neither me nor my son actually enjoy participating in. In her recent sermon, Alison Noll, our Assistant Pastor, reminded me of Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." So, that day I decided to just sit with my son and make myself available for chats. It seems to me that staying engaged with emotions is not only helpful, but could make the difference between thriving and just getting by. To help us move through the variety of uncertainties, while welcoming this festive season, here are some practical suggestions for families:
Amelia Cunard | RiverKids Director  Dear River Families,
How is the summer treating you so far? After months of remote learning and quarantine, I and the kids very much welcome the change of pace and routines. However, summer is long and hot, and this one comes in the middle of a pandemic. So, before the thought of needing to keep my kids positively engaged and consistently enriched throughout the summer starts to overwhelm me, I am reminding myself that God cares for our children, and my inadequacy will not deter His/Her good plan for them. Meanwhile having fun is just as important as self-improvement! So I have gathered some resources that I hope can take the edge off a little bit for all of us parents this season: Going Outdoors
I Would Love to Connect With You! Sometimes the hardest thing for me is not finding things to do, but gathering the energy to do them, especially after our routines are being turned upside down due to the pandemic. I find connecting with other people gives me just enough accountability to stay engaged and motivated. So, if you are feeling like you could use a 1-on-1 connection with a fellow parent during this interesting time, please email me. We can either chat online or outside. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Happy Summer! Amelia Cunard | Riverkids Director |
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