Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 we are not currently meeting in person.  But you are invited to join our OnLine services at the River YouTube Channel.  In addition please join our weekday "Read & Respond Blog" where we are reading through the book of Psalms together as a community during the season of Lent.  You can also stay connected on our Facebook page along with our Instagram and Twitter accounts.  And, of course, you can always reach out directly by contacting us at prayer@riverNYC.org.  

Although we can't be together in person right now, we can still connect.  We would love to hear from you!

New Sermon Series:  How Do I Think About . . . ? We'll be looking at a wide array of interesting topics including Controversial Issues, Poverty, Salvation and more.

Feb 14 - Feb. 22 River Goes to India:  We're sending a small team to New Delhi, India to work with our partners there: ASHA.  Asha is an NGO which has been serving people in the slums of New Delhi, India since 1988.  The River has been sending over teams since 2014.  Stay tuned to our adventures by following us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter where we'll be posting pics & videos.

Sunday, Feb. 16 - All-Together "Brunch Church" Service:  Once in awhile we change things up a bit and do this different type of gathering where we bring in some tasty food from Au Bon Pain and gather our whole community together (kids included!) for a fun and interactive church-around-the-table. We've found that it's a nice change of pace and a great way to connect!

Saturday, Feb. 22 & March 7 - Working Moms Group in Battery Park City:  Are you a mom who works outside of the home? With the busy demands of work & home, it's not easy to find time for ourselves. But we have found that carving out a little space to connect with others and God helps life go better. You're invited to give it a try! Fill out a Connection Card at the Sunday service or an e-Connection card on the River NYC app for more info.

Wednesday, Feb. 26 - Ash Wednesday: In the traditional church calendar this is the day that kicks off the season of Lent (the 6 weeks that lead up to Easter on April 12).  At the River, we use this season to lean into experiencing more of God’s goodness and spiritual power in our lives and in our community.  We call it "40 Days of Faith." Stay tuned for more info!

Saturday, Feb. 29: Father's Heart Food Ministry:  Every month we get a group together to serve at The Father's Heart Ministries, which has been operating a food pantry/soup kitchen in the East Village since 1998. We'd love for you to join us! For more info you can mark your Connection Card on Sunday for more info or submit an e-Connection Card via the River app. Learn more about Father's Heart here.

​Saturday, March 7 - River Family Group: This gathering provides a space for families and children to connect. We begin a pot-luck dinner (kids included) and then time of sharing and discussion (childcare provided). We meet in Park Slope but families from anywhere are welcome! For more information or to RSVP please fill out a Connection Card at the Sunday service or an E-Connection Card on the River NYC app.

Sunday, March 8 - All Church Meeting: Do you consider the River to be your "home church"?  Please mark your calendar for our important yearly gathering and report on all that's happening at the River.  Lunch & childcare will be provided.  Please RSVP for childcare with amelia@riverNYC.org

Sunday - Jan. 5:  Charles Park kicks off a new sermon series with a message entitled Unconditionally: Be Happy!   He says, "How about this for a New Year's resolution:  Be Happy with myself, with others and with God? There are 2 ways to approach self-change. The first is, 'I accept myself as I am AND try to improve.' The second is, 'I HAVE to improve or I feel worthless and unhappy with myself.'  The difference between these is a difference between heaven and hell.  Literally.  Spiritually.  What would a resolution to Be Happy look like?  Why would it be important?  How can I make it happen?"

Sunday - Jan. 12:  Sara Furste continues the "Unconditionally" sermon series about learning to speak, and comprehend, the different languages of love.

Sunday - Jan. 19:  Lunch Discussion w/Caroline.  You're invited to join Pastor Caroline Park for an interactive dialogue about the Bible.  We'll be looking at the stories of creation from Genesis 1 & 2.  How can we thoughtfully interact with the scriptures?  It's open to all but space is limited and an RSVP is required.

Wednesday - Jan. 22:  Blue Ocean Book Club.  Here's an opportunity to gather around a table for a home-cooked meal and to enjoy meaningful conversations about life & faith.  Pastors Sara & John Furste host this 4 week casual get-together in their home. Each evening includes making a simple meal together, eating dinner, chatting about the book "Blue Ocean Faith" by Dave Schmelzer which describes the River approach to spirituality.  It's open to all but space is limited. Please email sara@riverNYC.org for more info.

 All Church Meeting - POSTPONED. Do you consider the River to be your "home church"?  The please plan on joining us for our important yearly gathering and report on all that's happening at the River. Stay tuned for a new date to be announced soon.

Thursday - Jan. 30:  7 Principles for Making Relationships Work.  Get all the info here. 

Sunday, Feb. 9 - Newcomers Lunch.​  Are you new (or just new-ish :) to the church?  Pastors Sara & John Furste would love to invite you to their home for a relaxed chat over a pizza lunch.  We'll tell you the story of how the River got started and how we became a church that's fully LGBTQ-inclusive while being fully centered on Jesus.  Mark your paper or e-Connection card for all the details.

Hoodies for High Schoolers Fundraiser - We are partnering with the Leadership & Public Service High School in an incentive program for high-performing students.  Check the Sunday program for all the details.

Saturday, Nov. 9 & 16 - Parenting Workshop:  Emotion Coaching.  Based on the research by Drs. John & Julie Gottman, this program helps parents and caregivers increase emotional awareness and communication skills.  Get all the details here.

Sunday, Nov. 10 -  Dr. Charles Park speaks at our Sunday service.  He says,  "Faith has a reputation for being an enemy of reason - but what if faith can actually help us overcome our biases and think more clearly, with both conviction AND open-mindedness?"  Join us at 10:30AM to hear how faith can make life better.

Sunday, Nov. 17 - Newcomers Lunch.  Are you new (or new-ish) to the church?  Pastors Sara & John Furste would love to invite you to their home for a relaxed chat over a pizza lunch.  We'll tell you the story of how the River got started and how we became a church that's fully LGBTQ-inclusive while being fully centered on Jesus.  Mark your paper or e-Connection card for all the details.

September:  Keep an eye out for our new post card mailing...it's a great time to invite a friend to the River!
Wednesdays in October: New small group kicks off -  Life Redesigned 
Sunday, September 29: Guest speaker Dr. Kiran Martin from Asha-India.
Wednesday, Oct. 2: River Hangout in TriBeCa -- open to all
Thursday, Oct. 3:  7 Principles for Making Relationship Work Class kicks off.
Sunday, Oct. 6 -- Dr. Charles Park begins a new sermon series: How Can Faith Make Life Better?
Wednesday, Oct. 9 -- Blue Ocean Book Club begins
Sunday, Oct. 13:  Charles Park speaks
Sunday, October 20:  Venida Rodman Jenkins speaks
Saturday, October 26:  Join our team as we serve at the Father's Heart Food Pantry
Sunday, October 27: Caroline Park speaks

for more info check out the Sunday program or contact us:  mail@riverNYC

We've got a great line-up speakers joining us this month:
8/11 - Melinda Jean Louis:  River leader and Board Member and mental health professional
8/18 - Val Snekvik:  Former host of the Blue Ocean Podcast
8/25 - Lydia Shiu:  Pastor of Reservoir Church in Cambridge, MA

Got Lunch plans?  After the services we'll be heading over to Clinton Hall Beer Garden (just around the corner) for a casual post-church hangout.  They have tasty food & drink with free games and a fun atmosphere for adults and kids alike.  You are invited!

Summer is here and, while most groups & classes are on break, there are still LOTS of ways to connect @ the River!

• 7/6 -- Saturday:  Women's Hangout Beach Outing to Jacob Riis Park.
• 7/7 -- Sunday:  All Together - Brunch Church Service @ 10:30AM.
• 7/10 -- Wednesday, Blue Ocean Book Club begins at the Furste's place.
• 7/14 -- Steve Watson from Reservoir Church joins us as a special guest speaker for our Sunday service!
• 7/14, 21 & 28 -- Lunch Outings -- After Sunday services we'll be heading to Clinton Hall Beer Garden for a casual post-church hangout.
• 7/27 -- Serving Those in Need - We're heading to Father's Heart food pantry/soup kitchen in the East Village.
• 8/3 -- River Picnic Party on Long Island @ the Fowler's Place.  Big fun awaits!
• New Web Content Available NOW -- Check out Pastor Perspecitve - Meet Sara

Please fill out a Connection Card on Sunday or email us at mail@riverNYC.org for details.

With the school year winding down, we thought it'd be great to celebrate with some special activities for the kids & youth.  On Sunday, June 30 our Youth will be heading out with Alison for a special treat and our kids will kick-off the summer season with movie and snacks.  Have your children come with a stuffed toy and, if they choose, in pajamas for a "video night" on the 2nd floor with "Ferdinand". 

Easter happened back on April 21  but did you know that, traditionally, Easter is not just a one day celebration but a whole SEASON?  Yep, in the liturgical church calendar it's known as "Eastertide" and it runs for about 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday.  To lean into this special season, we've begun a new sermon series called This Changes Everything!

• John kicked off the series with lessons from the Gospel of Mark (listen here) 
• Then Caroline followed with 2 great sermons about capturing new vision for our lives (listen here).
• Peter Eavis continues on June 2 with a message about Calling.
• Sara has come up with a great "Eastertide Exercise" which is a twist on the daily examen.
• And the RiverKids&Youth are creating masterpieces for our upcoming Pentecost Art Show/Asha Fundraiser on June, 9.