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Hello River-ites! We wanted to share some helpful information about our Sunday services, upcoming events, and other church programming/initiatives!
LINKS/RESOURCES
THIS SUNDAY (2/8)
UPCOMING SUNDAY EVENTS
New York Cares Coat Drive (Sundays, 2/8, 2/15, & 2/22)
We're partnering with New York Cares to collect new or gently used winter coats for those in need. Coats for all ages and sizes are accepted. You can drop off your coats during the service on 2/8, 2/15, or 2/22 or you can mail your coat to the River, as long as it gets to the church by 2/22. The collection bin will be in the entryway. Let's come together and gather as many coats as possible to help keep our community warm this winter!
Bagel Sunday! (NEXT Sunday, 2/15, after the service)
Stick around after the service NEXT Sunday, 2/15, to eat bagels and connect with members of the community!
Conversation Church: "40 Days of Faith" Kick-off! (Sunday, 2/22, after the service)
On Sunday, February 22 we will be holding a special conversation-based worship service. Some things will be the same (normal meeting time, opening and closing worship, separate programming for kids/youth). But, instead of a traditional sermon, we will engage in intentional and guided conversation with each other. We will use this service to kick off “40 Days of Faith” — what we call the season of Lent here at the River. The discussion questions Pastor Alison has selected will help us to begin thinking about this year’s theme, as well as how we may want to engage with faith in the weeks leading up to Easter. After the service, we will have our traditional Prayer Bracelet stations and "40 Days" Guides available. It’s going to be a meaningful season and we’d love to have you join us for the kick-off!
Pass the Mic! Preaching Cohort Interest Meeting (Sunday, 3/8, after the service)
Have you ever thought about the idea of delivering a sermon? Is there a specific Bible passage, personal faith experience, or spiritual topic that you are passionate about or that gives you a unique perspective on life and faith? If so, you are invited to join an interest meeting for Pass the Mic!, a new initiative that Pastor Alison is kicking off this year. Participants who join this preaching cohort will meet five times between March and June to learn how to craft a sermon, with the end goal of delivering the sermon during a Sunday service in July or August. At the River, we think it's important to learn from diverse perspectives and voices and one of those could be yours! If this sounds at all intriguing, plan to join the interest meeting to hear more about the process — you will not be committing to anything by attending! Pizza lunch will be provided. Childcare will be available upon request. For more information or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
Community Meeting (Sunday, 3/15, after the service)
Everyone — whether you are new to the River or have been around for a long time — is invited to stick around after the service on 3/15 for a Community Meeting! The church board will be sharing some important updates that you will want to hear so please put this date in your calendar and plan to be there. Pizza lunch will be provided. Childcare will be available upon advance request (to [email protected]). *Virtual* River-ites can reach out to Alison to join via a private meeting link.
New to the River? (Sunday, 3/22, after the service)
Are you new to the River and curious to learn more about the church's history and approach to faith? Or, have you been around for a while, but have some questions you'd like to ask? If yes, please join this informal discussion session with Pastor Alison and other church leaders. Pizza lunch will be provided. Childcare will be available upon request. For more information or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
UPCOMING MIDWEEK EVENTS
Queer LifeGroup (Relaunching Monday, 2/10, 7pm)
This group provides a space for LGBTQ+ folks (including those who are questioning) to come together and discuss topics at the intersection of faith and gender/sexuality/queerness as well as to support each other in navigating the often challenging journey at those intersections. To connect with group leaders or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
Arts & Culture: *Virtual* Creative Writing (Wednesday, 2/18, 7pm–8:15pm)
In our virtual meetings, we will explore various creative writing techniques, produce our own writings, and share our work. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, we will engage with different mediums, including video, text, images, the Bible, and more. If you are interested in trying out new writing methods, please fill out the Connection Card to receive additional information.
Arts & Culture: Paint & Sip “Still Life with a Twist” (Saturday, 2/21, 2:00pm-4:00pm)
Join us for a fun and relaxing evening of painting and sipping! Each event features a unique theme and an instructor who will share various techniques, including abstract art, surrealism, how to utilize shadow and light, as well as a comparison between different types of paint. We will provide cheese, crackers, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. This event is open to all skill levels and ages; however, please note that we will not offer childcare during the event. To join the group and receive additional details, please fill out the Connection Card.
Spring Renewal Group (Launching Wednesday, 3/4, 6:30pm-8:30pm)
This limited-time small group will offer a relaxed, supportive space to grow in agape love through intentional goal-setting, spiritual conversation, and prayer. Over six bi-weekly sessions (March through early May), participants will set personal goals in three areas — love for God, love for others, and love for self, check in on progress together, reflect on meaningful faith topics, and encourage one another in a confidential, welcoming environment. Expect tea, cookies, thoughtful discussion, and space to grow together this spring season. Dates: 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29, & 5/13. Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm. Location: River NYC. To connect with Shepherd or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
RIVER GROUPS/GATHERINGS:
The River has many groups/gatherings that meet on a regular basis! Joining a group is a great way to feel more connected to the River community and to build meaningful relationships. Below we've listed some upcoming meeting dates. For more information on group descriptions and meeting times/locations, please check out our website. To connect with group leaders or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
LINKS/RESOURCES
- Last Sunday, Alison Noll continued our sermon series "Jesus's Parables: Meeting God Through Story," by preaching on "The Parable of the Talents."
- To see a list of the songs we sang during our time of worship please check out our website!
- Parents of kids/youth in our RiverKids/Youth programs may be interested in checking out recent lesson plans on our website! Please email Amelia or Maddie for the password.
THIS SUNDAY (2/8)
- Time & Location:
- You are invited to our service THIS Sunday (2/8), at 10:30am in Midtown Manhattan (15 W. 39th Street, 9th Floor)!
- We'd love for you to join us in-person or online!
- Sermon info:
- This Sunday, Pastor Emeritus Caroline Park will preach on "The Book of Deuteronomy: A God-Inspired Human Text."
- RiverKids/Youth:
- RiverKids and RiverYouth will be holding their normal programming during the service. Please email Maddie ([email protected]) and/or Amelia ([email protected]) if you have any questions!
- After the Service:
- River Roundtable: Join us after the service for our next River Roundtable! During the service, Caroline Park will preach on the topic “The Book of Deuteronomy: A God-Inspired Human Text.” Caroline will explore how the Bible can inspire acts of courage, love, and resistance to oppression — as it has many times in history — and at the same time can inspire terrible violence against humanity in other cases. During the Roundtable discussion, there will be space to ask Caroline questions and to continue exploring this topic together. Pizza lunch will be provided. Childcare will be available with advance RSVP. Upcoming Topics: 3/1: Faith, Service, & Advocacy. 5/17: Faith & Sexual Ethics.
UPCOMING SUNDAY EVENTS
New York Cares Coat Drive (Sundays, 2/8, 2/15, & 2/22)
We're partnering with New York Cares to collect new or gently used winter coats for those in need. Coats for all ages and sizes are accepted. You can drop off your coats during the service on 2/8, 2/15, or 2/22 or you can mail your coat to the River, as long as it gets to the church by 2/22. The collection bin will be in the entryway. Let's come together and gather as many coats as possible to help keep our community warm this winter!
Bagel Sunday! (NEXT Sunday, 2/15, after the service)
Stick around after the service NEXT Sunday, 2/15, to eat bagels and connect with members of the community!
Conversation Church: "40 Days of Faith" Kick-off! (Sunday, 2/22, after the service)
On Sunday, February 22 we will be holding a special conversation-based worship service. Some things will be the same (normal meeting time, opening and closing worship, separate programming for kids/youth). But, instead of a traditional sermon, we will engage in intentional and guided conversation with each other. We will use this service to kick off “40 Days of Faith” — what we call the season of Lent here at the River. The discussion questions Pastor Alison has selected will help us to begin thinking about this year’s theme, as well as how we may want to engage with faith in the weeks leading up to Easter. After the service, we will have our traditional Prayer Bracelet stations and "40 Days" Guides available. It’s going to be a meaningful season and we’d love to have you join us for the kick-off!
Pass the Mic! Preaching Cohort Interest Meeting (Sunday, 3/8, after the service)
Have you ever thought about the idea of delivering a sermon? Is there a specific Bible passage, personal faith experience, or spiritual topic that you are passionate about or that gives you a unique perspective on life and faith? If so, you are invited to join an interest meeting for Pass the Mic!, a new initiative that Pastor Alison is kicking off this year. Participants who join this preaching cohort will meet five times between March and June to learn how to craft a sermon, with the end goal of delivering the sermon during a Sunday service in July or August. At the River, we think it's important to learn from diverse perspectives and voices and one of those could be yours! If this sounds at all intriguing, plan to join the interest meeting to hear more about the process — you will not be committing to anything by attending! Pizza lunch will be provided. Childcare will be available upon request. For more information or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
Community Meeting (Sunday, 3/15, after the service)
Everyone — whether you are new to the River or have been around for a long time — is invited to stick around after the service on 3/15 for a Community Meeting! The church board will be sharing some important updates that you will want to hear so please put this date in your calendar and plan to be there. Pizza lunch will be provided. Childcare will be available upon advance request (to [email protected]). *Virtual* River-ites can reach out to Alison to join via a private meeting link.
New to the River? (Sunday, 3/22, after the service)
Are you new to the River and curious to learn more about the church's history and approach to faith? Or, have you been around for a while, but have some questions you'd like to ask? If yes, please join this informal discussion session with Pastor Alison and other church leaders. Pizza lunch will be provided. Childcare will be available upon request. For more information or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
UPCOMING MIDWEEK EVENTS
Queer LifeGroup (Relaunching Monday, 2/10, 7pm)
This group provides a space for LGBTQ+ folks (including those who are questioning) to come together and discuss topics at the intersection of faith and gender/sexuality/queerness as well as to support each other in navigating the often challenging journey at those intersections. To connect with group leaders or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
Arts & Culture: *Virtual* Creative Writing (Wednesday, 2/18, 7pm–8:15pm)
In our virtual meetings, we will explore various creative writing techniques, produce our own writings, and share our work. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, we will engage with different mediums, including video, text, images, the Bible, and more. If you are interested in trying out new writing methods, please fill out the Connection Card to receive additional information.
Arts & Culture: Paint & Sip “Still Life with a Twist” (Saturday, 2/21, 2:00pm-4:00pm)
Join us for a fun and relaxing evening of painting and sipping! Each event features a unique theme and an instructor who will share various techniques, including abstract art, surrealism, how to utilize shadow and light, as well as a comparison between different types of paint. We will provide cheese, crackers, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. This event is open to all skill levels and ages; however, please note that we will not offer childcare during the event. To join the group and receive additional details, please fill out the Connection Card.
Spring Renewal Group (Launching Wednesday, 3/4, 6:30pm-8:30pm)
This limited-time small group will offer a relaxed, supportive space to grow in agape love through intentional goal-setting, spiritual conversation, and prayer. Over six bi-weekly sessions (March through early May), participants will set personal goals in three areas — love for God, love for others, and love for self, check in on progress together, reflect on meaningful faith topics, and encourage one another in a confidential, welcoming environment. Expect tea, cookies, thoughtful discussion, and space to grow together this spring season. Dates: 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29, & 5/13. Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm. Location: River NYC. To connect with Shepherd or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
RIVER GROUPS/GATHERINGS:
The River has many groups/gatherings that meet on a regular basis! Joining a group is a great way to feel more connected to the River community and to build meaningful relationships. Below we've listed some upcoming meeting dates. For more information on group descriptions and meeting times/locations, please check out our website. To connect with group leaders or to RSVP, please fill out the Connection Card.
- Arts & Culture Ministry
- Book Club (with Anton) | February Selection: Thr3e
- Group Spiritual Direction
- LGBTQ+ and Friends Fellowship | 2/11 (Weds.), 7:00pm | Allies are welcome to join!
- Queens Community Gathering 2/13 (Fri.), 6:00pm
- Queer LifeGroup 2/10 (Tues.), 7:00pm
- River Sports
- River to Mountain
- Upper West Side Group | 2/17 (Tues.), 7:00pm
- *Virtual* Wednesday Lunch Group | 2/11 (Weds.), 12:15pm
- Women's Group | 2/13 (Fri.), 6:30pm
