We all have a story… whats your story? 

We would love for you to share your story so we can promote the power of Jesus being in peoples lives. 

To find out how you can get involved by sharing your story please visit our website. If you have any questions simply e-mail communications@riverside-church.org.uk  

Website Menu: Get Involved – My Story

Published: Sunday 30 June
Last Updated: Sunday 30 June

UPDATE | SUMMER SUNDAYS
From Sunday 23 July to Sunday 27 August Sunday Gatherings at Riverside House will be:

Morning – 9.30am
Evening – 6.30pm; though do arrive early at 6pm to enjoy free ice creams and refreshments together.

Please note:
# Sunday Gathering will resume at normal times from Sunday 3 September.
# There will NOT be a second service (11.30am) at Riverside House from 23 July to 27 Aug
# Tally Ho Gathering will still be 9:30am on Sunday 6 August and Sunday 3 September. On 6 August there will only be a creche provision due to our FUN DAY. See event page here. 
# Generations Services will be 9:30am at Riverside House on Sunday 23 July and Sunday 27 Aug.
# Communion will be on Sunday 23 July and Sunday 13 Aug.
# 

Published: Friday 14 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 18 July 

We Recommend:
Healing On The Streets (HOTS) Training

HOTS Teams provide a welcoming presence on our streets; offering prayer to anyone who would like it. The team are providing a training event at St Martins in the Bullring for anyone new who wants to be involved, you’d be very welcome. The training will be 9am to 3pm on Saturday 14 October.

SIGN-UP
# Click here to sign-up

MORE INFORMATION
# Contact David & Linda Isgrove (see your MyChurchSuite account if you dont have their contact details).
# Or for info about HOTS you can also visit: https://www.healingonthestreets.com/
# Additional Contact: togetherforbirmingham@gmail.com

_______

Birmingham is not just a city; it’s a community. A community where hope can be rekindled, and healing can be found on every corner.

Be the Change
Do you have a heart for prayer? A desire to see lives transformed right here on our streets? Join us on our mission to bring hope, healing, and God’s love to the heart of Birmingham.

Why Join?

Empower Lives:
Experience the profound effect your prayers can have in transforming lives.

Learn & Grow:
Enhance your spiritual journey with like-minded team members and guidance from experienced leaders.

Community Bonding:
Create lasting relationships and unite with a team passionate about making a difference.
Our Promise:

Support:
You’re never alone. With training and continuous encouragement, we ensure every team member feels valued and equipped.

Impact:
See the tangible change in our community as you stand in the gap, offering prayers, love, and support.

Growth:
Spiritual growth is at the core of what we do. As you give, you receive—more understanding, love, and connection.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5

Are YOU Ready?
Make your Saturdays count. Stand with us, hand in hand, as we embark on this beautiful journey of healing on the streets of Birmingham.

Our next training session is Saturday 14 October 2023, 0900 to 1500 (training in the morning, practical in the afternoon) at St Martin’s in the Bull Ring

SIGN-UP
# Click here to sign-up

Published: Tuesday 22 August
Last Updated: Tuesday 22 August

I’va Stitch Up

What could be better than a company telling you they can drastically reduce all your debts and help you escape from them?

Two of our clients this week sought our help due to having been sold an “Individual Voluntary Arrangement” (IVA) to try and solve their debt problem. In the Debt Advice sector, IVAs are suitable when a client is working and has a sufficient income to leave a surplus after their essential needs. Unfortunately…

You can read the full story in this month’s RMA Newsbite. To subscribe to RMA Newsbites please click here.

Published: Monday 31 July
Last Updated: Monday 31 July

The Riverside Pantry is in urgent need for drivers. Each Wednesday, from September 2023, food will need to be picked up from a warehouse in Nechells.

 # We are looking for 2 volunteers. One person to be a driver and a second person to help collect the food.

# It is preferable for the driver to have access to their own car that has a big boot.

# We are looking to set up a team of drivers.

 If you think you can help please contact:

Pantry Manager: Joyce Muigai
07494 275 575
joyceM@riverside-church.org.uk

Published: Tuesday 8 August
Last Updated: Tuesday 8 August 

Fourteen new and existing leaders have just completed the CPAS Growing Leaders  Course alongside some wonderful mentors. 

They have covered subjects like:
# Christ like character
# Developing other leaders
# Discerning future vision

We are immensely proud of all who have taken part and the roles that many of these new leaders are taking on in church life. 

Published: Tuesday 8 August
Last Updated: Tuesday 8 August

Riverside Performing Arts are overjoyed to announce the appointment of Lydia as their new Actor & Workshop Facilitator. Here’s a little more about her:

Hello! My name is Lydia van Dijk and I will be joining the Performing Arts staff in July! I recently graduated from Regents Theological College after studying Theology and Performing Arts. I love all things creative – singing, playing piano, painting, writing, etc.!

An interesting fact: I am Dutch, born and raised in Amsterdam in a loving family with one sister. However, I have also spent time overseas, specifically in Australia.  
I am excited to join your church and get to know all of you. 

Published: Friday 28 July
Last Updated: Friday 28 July

The Bereavement Journey is a FREE 7-session course for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way. By means of a series of films and discussion groups the course will gently guide you through the most common aspects of grief, enabling you to process the implications and discern next steps. Available either online or in-person. 

The next courses start:

# Tuesday 5 September – Online 
# Wednesday 6 September – In-Person

The 7th session is an optional where faith questions are addressed. The first 5 sessions are about different aspects of bereavement.

More detail available via the events page of our website. 

Published: Monday 31 July
Last Updated: Monday 31 July

Riverside Performing Arts ‘ReAct Summer Intensive’ and ‘ReAct Xtra’ events will be starting soon! Please join with us as we pray:

# For everyone involved with running these events.
# For those who are coming for the first time who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus
# For those who have faith; that they will really see God work through their lives during this time.

ReAct Summer Intensive – Week 1
Mon 31 Jul to Fri 4 Aug

ReAct Summer Intensive – Week 2
Mon 7 Aug to Fri 11 Aug

ReAct Xtra Summer
Wed 30 Aug to Fri 1 Sep

Published: Friday 26 May
Last Updated: Friday 28 July

Join in with our new Teaching Series: ‘Lifehacks’: 6 Sessions from Sunday 23 July to Sunday 27 August. Dont forget to follow the Teaching Series section of this blog for all resources including Life Group questions, youth resources and transcripts.

Lifehacks:
Sometimes we need a steer on how to navigate uncertain days. But sometimes it’s tricky to know what the best decision to make really is. A wise leader once said that very few decisions we face are about wrong & right, but rather they’re often about what is wise and unwise. In the ancient book of Proverbs we discover how to be truly wise, and then we catch a glimpse of what that wisdom looks like in our everyday lives. Join us over the summer as we explore some ancient lifehacks in an out of control world.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
(Proverbs 1:7)

“Failure is being successful at the things that don’t matter.”
(Anon)

“Deep down [we all] know the primary exacerbator of burnout isn’t really email, or Instagram, or a constant stream of news
alerts. It’s the continuous failure to reach the impossible expectations we’ve set for ourselves.”
(Anne Helen Petersen)

Published: Friday 30 June
Last Updated: Friday 30 June

We want to say a huge thank you and farewell to our 2 Academy trainees Michelle and Zac who officially finish their time with us at the end of July. Alongside the leadership and discipleship programme they have both undertaken as part of their Academy year they have also been involved in a specialist pathway. Michelle has spent the year working with Riverside Performing Arts on the drama pathway and Zac has been working alongside John Goodliff as part of our Youth pathway. It has been a delight to see the ways they have both served, encouraged others and grown in their own faith and leadership during their time with us and we are excited for all that lies ahead for them. Michelle will be returning to Dorset to begin an MA in theology and Zac will be staying around at Riverside volunteering with our youth team and RMA whilst also hopefully beginning training in counselling. Please do pay for them both in all the new adventures they have in store.

If you or someone you know might be interested in joining Riverside Academy click here to find out more. 

Published: Tuesday 18 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 18 July

Riverside Academy is a dynamic leadership focused gap year programme for 18-30’s who want to give a year to discover God’s purpose for their lives. Specialising in a chosen track of either Performing Arts, Children’s Work, Youth Work, Worship or Administration trainees will be able to develop and use their gifts and talents within a focussed area of church life.

Alongside their specialist track trainees also have weekly discipleship and leadership training and a mentor from within Riverside Church who will journey with you throughout the year.

We encourage you to watch and share this video.

Applications are now open to join the Academy 2023-24 programme. For further information and to apply here. 

Additionally, for further information or for a prospectus and application pack you can also e-mail Sarah Auger: saraha@riverside-church.org.uk.

Published: Wednesday 31 May
Last Updated: Wednesday 31 May

NEW NAMES FOR KIDS GROUPS
We’d love to relaunch our Kids Church Groups in September with new names! We have four groups (Preschool, Infants, Year 3/4 and Year 5/6) so get the family involved and tell us your best ideas!

KIDS CHURCH needs YOU!
We’ll continue to provide Kids Church sessions for 0-11s over the holidays. We’d love to have some extra help so that our team gets a break so let me know if you’d be up for helping one Sunday. It’s fun, I promise!

MOVE-UP SUNDAY
Children will remain in their existing groups over the summer and will move up in September – we’ll be in touch with consent forms for the new year.

UPCOMING… DONT FORGET:

FUN DAY!
BBQ, bouncy castle, candy floss, faceprinting, ice cream!
When – Sunday 6th August, 12-4pm
Where – Riverside House
What – Open lunch with a difference! All are welcome and we’ll be inviting our wider family from Stay and Play, Money Advice and Pantry. Let us know if you can help, or just come along!

KIDS WEEKEND AWAY 2024!
Save the Date!
When – 15th-17th March 2024
Where – Pioneer Centre, Kidderminster
What – A weekend away with outdoor activities, faith and fun for children in years 3-6.
Bookings open in the autumn!

I hope term ends well and that you find time to do some of the things you love this summer. As ever, let me know if there’s anything you’d like to chat about.

Blessings,

Sarah Thomson
saraht@riverside-church.org.uk

Published: Tuesday 18 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 18 July

Evening services now take place at Riverside House (6:30pm to 7:45pm).

# Why are we doing this?
Our intention is that these evening services will provide space for more people to gather and attend in-person, to encounter Jesus and form community.

# What will they look like?
The evening services will look and feel very similar to our morning services. However, the room layout will provide a more open relaxed space to be together for worship and fellowship. Jus like our 11.30am services, our evening services will not be livestreamed and there wont be any additional groups for kids or youth.

# When?
These will be every Sunday apart from the first Sunday of the month. The pattern therefore will be:

– 1st Sunday – Tally Ho Gathering in the morning (9.30am) & Prayer & Worship Gathering at Riverside House in the evening (8pm).

– All other Sundays in the month: Gatherings in the morning (9:30am and 11:30am) and evening (6.30pm); both at Riverside House.

Note: Prayer & Worship Gatherings will therefore be changing to the first Sunday of the month.

Published: Friday 10 March
Last Updated: Friday 30 June

We meet to pray together on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.45pm online (via Zoom). Note: Occasional meeting happen in-person at Riverside House.

Using information from Open Doors’ prayer magazine and from a number of websites dedicated to persecuted Christians, we pray for individuals we know of who are suffering, for communities that are under attack, for perpetrators of persecution and for organisations like Open Doors who provide support and assistance. Open to all, with regular attenders from a variety of churches.

On Tuesday 1 August we will meet online and our prayers will include a man from from a Muslim background in Uganda whose life is in danger after he accepted Jesus into his life at the funeral of a teenager who had been killed by Islamic terrorists. 

Dont forget to visit the Prayer Page of our website for all prayer events and updates.

SIGN-UP: 

You are invited. To come along simply click here and Vaughan Thomas will then contact you with the Zoom details. For the Zoom link you can also email Vaughan via vandethomas@blueyonder.co.uk

Published: Friday 30 June
Last Updated: Friday 30 June

We are thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable Fun Day! It’s time to celebrate the joy and warmth of the season with a day filled with exciting activities, laughter, and cherished memories. Mark your calendars and get ready for an incredible event that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

Please do invite your friends and family along.

When: Sunday 6 August (12pm-4pm)

Where: Riverside House
21 Alcester Road, Moseley, B13 8AR

Cost: FREE

# No need to book. Just turn up and enjoy the fun.

Activities:
BBQ: 1pm
Games Room
Stalls
Bouncy Castle
Face Painting
Craft Table
Screening of ‘ELMER’
Prayer Tent
CANDY FLOSS
ICE CREAM / LOLLIES

Event Contact:
Sarah Thomson
(Head of Childrens Ministry)
saraht@riverside-church.org.uk

Published: Friday 30 June
Last Updated: Friday 7 July

Prayer is the engine room for the church. As we pray we are choosing to trust God and step forwards in faith for what he has called us to.

We would love for at least one person from each household to join our next Prayer & Worship Gathering on Sunday 6 August (8pm to 9.30pm). For further details please visit the event page. 

Visit Prayer Page: 
You can visit our prayer page to view all upcoming prayer events. 

Published: Friday 28 July
Last Updated: Friday 28 July

Join us straight after the morning service for the Women’s World Cup Final on the big screen at Riverside House.