As we begin to prayerfully reflect upon and celebrate the joy and hope we have in Jesus this Easter, please start to think about what you could be doing together in your groups. As you discuss Easter celebrations with friends and family please do signpost people to our next in-person Alpha Course starting Sunday 24 April.

Upcoming dates for your diary:

Shrove Tuesday – 1 March
Start of Lent – Wednesday 2 March
*Spring School Term Ends – Friday 8 April 
Palm Sunday – 10 April (Joint Gathering at Tally Ho)
End of Lent – Thursday 14 April
Good Friday Service – 15 April
Easter Sunday – 17 April (Generations Services at Riverside House with Baptisms)
Alpha Course – Sunday 24 April
*Summer School Term Starts – Monday 25 April  

More details about all the Easter events happing at Riverside, including information about an online RPA Easter performance, coming soon to the events page of our website.

Published: 24 Feb
Last Updated: 24 Feb

We are so sad that we have to say farewell to Melody as she leaves her role as Head of Children’s ministry with Riverside Church. Though at the same time we are so thankful for the years she has worked with our children and families across the community. From working with Stay & Plays, running Energise holiday clubs or weekend aways, partnering with Riverside Performing Arts in schools and providing fantastic resources and activities for families and so much more. We know there are so many lives that have been changed for the better because of her investment and love poured out. Melody (and Ben) will continue to be part of the Riverside church family, which we are so pleased about. Do keep her in your prayers as she continues to recover from covid and prayerfully seeks out the next steps.

Published: 24 Feb
Last Updated: 24 Feb

Our ‘Monthly Prayer Gatherings’ have been such an encouragement for so many of us. We wanted to let everyone know about a slight change. At future prayer gatherings there will be a greater flow of both worship and prayer. The format will be very similar but in light of this, we have changed the name to ‘Monthly Prayer & Worship Gatherings’. We look forward to seeing you soon.

 Next Prayer & Worship Gathering: THIS SUNDAY (27 February)  

Published: 24 Feb
Last Updated: 24 Feb

There is now a FREE weekly drop-in café at Riverside that runs every Wednesday (10am to 2pm) at Riverside House. All welcome and freshly baked cakes and biscuits are also available. It runs alongside the Riverside Money Advice Team in the hall. We therefore invite people to discuss any financial matters, and to bring any paperwork that they have received, that may be worrying them. People can be seen without needing an appointment. The range of issues Riverside Money Advice can now providing help with is listed below:

Adult Social Care

• Attendance Allowance
• Benefits Checks
• BCC Change of Circumstances
• BCC Discretionary Housing Payment
• Blue Badge application
• BRUM Account creation with BCC
• Budgeting help
• Carer’s Allowance
• Council Tax Support
• Council Tax Query
• Court Orders
• Debt Advice
• DLA Application
• DVLA interaction
• Equity Release
• Foodbank support
• Grants Applications
• Health record / GP notes
• HC1 form for help with dentist / optician costs
• Housing query
• Housing benefit
• Identify Proof
• Job Centre interaction
• Mortgage Query
• Pension Forecast and queries
• PIP Applications and queries
• Power of Attorney
• Self-employment
• Severn Trent “Big Difference” scheme
• Signposting
• Student Finance
• Supplier comparison
• Tax Code / Tax queries
• Tax Credit Query
• UC Application
• UC Change of circumstances
• UC50 Health Assessment
• Utility billing
• Warm Home Discount
• Will making

Published: 24 Feb
Last Updated: 24 Feb

The prayer room at Riverside House will be open every weekday (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm each day) for anyone wanting to use the room to help focus their prayers. You can book a 1hour timeslots via your ‘My ChurchSuite’ account or via our website. Everyone welcome during the week .

In line with our Covid-19 Safety Information, we are only allowing two people into the room at any time. If two people are booked into the room, we ask that you both please wear a mask. We have hand sanitiser and masks available inside the room.

If you do not know where the room is, don’t worry. Someone can show you where to go when you arrive. (It is the room next to the staff lunch/kitchen area).

If you would like to help refresh the prayer areas in the room we would love to hear from you. If you are interested please contact Amanda Smith via: ahjsmith29@gmail.com

Published: 18 Feb
Last Updated: 18 Feb

As we look forward to Spring Half Term, we want to let you know about some exciting things happening at Riverside!

Watch video.

Tuesday 22 February – ReAct ‘Play in A Day’ (School years 1 to 6). We are going to be doing some dancing, some games and just having a lot of fun. We will also be doing some musical theatre and we will be putting on a play at the end of the day. For more information and to book your place click here.

Thursday 24 February – ReAct ‘Play In A Day Xtra’ (School years 7 to 11). You will get to do lots of different things including  learning about different theatre techniques, we will play lots of games and have loads of fun. At the end of the day we are going to have a showcase about mental health. For more information and to book your place click here.

Childrens Weekend Away – If you are also going on the ‘Riverside Children’s Church Weekend Away’ we are sure you will have an amazing time! It’s set to be a great weekend.

Published: 15 Feb
Last Updated: 15 Feb

Upcoming Course Dates: 
Tuesdays 7.30pm to 9.30pm (1 March to 5 April 2022)

The Bereavement Journey is a 6-session online course for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way. By means of a series of films and online 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.

The 6th session is an optional session where faith questions are addressed, where the first 5 sessions are about different aspects of bereavement.

Published: 14 Feb
Last Updated: 14 Feb

Upcoming Dates: 
13 Feb, 20 Mar, 15 Apr (Good Friday), 8 May, 26 Jun

As part of our worship during our Sunday Gatherings we regularly take communion together. This is a time to join with millions of other Christians in this ancient practice, reminding ourselves of the sacrifice Jesus made.

We are making improvements so that it is easier for you to know when we will be having communion. When watching at home either by yourself or in your group, we appreciate that you may like to ensure you have some juice or wine and some bread.

# Communion dates will now appear as ‘featured’ events when you log into your ‘My ChurchSuite’ account.

# The images for our Sunday Gatherings on our website will have a small graphic added to highlight that it will be communion.

# Upcoming dates for communion are available from our website in the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section of our Gatherings Page.

Published: 11 Feb
Last Updated: 11 Feb

We are very excited to say that Riverside Stay & Play is flourishing with new parents and guardians joining each week. We are therefore working to build up the team so we can further support local communities. If you would be able to give us a few hours on a Monday or a Tuesday morning or to enquire further please visit our website. You can also contact Judy Moore via: judym@riverside-church.org.uk

Published: 11 Feb
Last Updated: 11 Feb

In previous news updates we announced the sad news that Melody Pearson, our current Head of Children’s Ministry, will be leaving our staff team. Please pray for Melody. She is now in her 6th week of post Covid illness and is still experiencing chronic fatigue and breathlessness. She is especially saddened that her illness has fallen in her notice period. She is very keen to return to work to see the children and families before her contract ends.

Published: 11 Feb
Last Updated: 11 Feb

Watch Video

FORGE helps equip & mobilise the people of God to participate in the mission of God. They run an 11 month programme that is accessible for people from all walks of life – Christians growing in their faith and passionate about exploring ways in which they can more fully engage in missional living.

You are invited to join a FREE ‘Taster Session’ online from 8pm to 9pm on either Wednesday 16 February or Wednesday 9 March to explore ‘Taking Risks in Mission’.

You can find out more information by visiting the forge website.

Published: 7 Feb
Last Updated: 7 Feb

Based on the success of the last men’s gathering back in November, we’re hosting another one – this time with pizza!

Book now for the chance to have fellowship and hang out with one another over food on this relaxed evening. We’ll also be hearing from you on the challenges you face at the moment and opening up some discussion on how the men of Riverside can best support one another well. 

Choose your meal and drink when you book your £5 ticket and come along on the 5th of March, at Riverside House. Feel free to bring your own alcoholic drinks as well!

See you there!
Riverside Men’s Team

Published: 4 Feb
Last Updated: 4 Feb