From Sunday 24 July until Sunday 11 September there will only be one service each Sunday from 10am to 11am. 

10am Services:
24th July – Riverside House
31st July – Riverside House
7th August – Riverside House
14th August – Tally Ho
21st August – Riverside House
28th August – Riverside House
4th September – Riverside House
11th September – Tally Ho

… then from 18 September we will be back to two services (10am and 11:30am).

Reminder: All these dates are available 24/7 via our website.

Published: Monday 11 Sep
Last Updated: Monday 11 Sep

On Sunday 10 July during the service Tim Chilvers gave an announcement that he would be going on Sabbatical during the months of August, September and October. We just wanted to include the details here again in case anyone missed the announcement. Tim has also sent an e-mail to all members of the church.

A number of years ago the Trustees at Riverside adopted a policy on Sabbaticals for the pastoral leaders in the church. The policy simply states that the pastoral leaders of Riverside should take a sabbatical every 7 years for their refreshment and rest.

2020 was Tim’s 7th year here at Riverside which meant that he was due a sabbatical. However, obviously, Covid interrupted things dramatically. The plan therefore is for Tim to take a sabbatical during the months of August, September & October. Tim intends to use this period to invest time in his marriage and family life. He is also planning to press in to God for what the future holds for Riverside. His hope is to also try to get some periods away, alongside potential retreats, mentoring and other refreshing things.

What Is A Sabbatical?
The principle of a sabbatical is similar to that of a weekly sabbath. In some respects, a sabbatical is an inconvenience, that is partly the point. It is a reminder that God is in control. In the same way that the purpose of a weekly sabbath is to stop our work and trust that God is in control, so too a sabbatical is a reminder that God is in control. The church, and the leader, are forced to rely on God! And, as we do so, we will find we grow in our faith as we discover that God is in control.

Why Should Church Leaders Get A Sabbatical?
You might say, why should church leaders get a sabbatical when other people don’t? It’s an important question. Most major denominations have sabbatical policies for their ministers because of the nature of the job. Sabbaticals are not a reward for long service. A Sabbatical is much mor like a pit stop in a formula 1 race, a refuelling for ongoing service. Frankly, the spiritual vitality and freshness of the leader has a direct impact on the life of the church and the people in the church. And so, just as Jesus took time out of the business of ministry to be with his Father, so too leaders need to do the same. A sabbatical is simply an extended time to do that for the sake of the church.

What Will Happen While Tims Away?
Practically speaking, the Leadership Team will carry on leading as normal under the leadership of Judy, Ado, Sarah, Nate, Julian and Ben, along with other staff and key leaders, including the Trustees. Riverside life will continue as normal. The things planned for the summer and next term are exciting, with lots to look forward to! However, it does mean that Tim won’t contactable as normal. However, his email address will be occasionally monitored by someone (on his behalf!) just in case there are any things that might get missed, which will then be forwarded on to other members of the team. Obviously, if you have any questions at all over the next few weeks, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. The best way to do this is via our website contact page or by e-mailing info@riverside-church.org.uk.

Tim would like to thank everyone for the opportunity to take a Sabbatical. We will be praying that God will continue to grow his kingdom in us all over the coming months. 

Published: Tuesday 26 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 26 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 2022-23 programme. For further information and to apply online please visit our website.

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

Published: 7 January
Last Updated: 8 July 2022

We are really excited to announce that we are planning a church-wide Weekend Away next year: Friday 19 May to Sunday 21 May 2023.

For al the details and to book your tickets please visit the events page. If you have any questions please contact us.

Watch the trailer video.

GET INVOLVED:
If you would like to join the Planning Team for the weekend please contact us via our website or e-mail info@riverside-church.org.uk

Published: Friday 13 May
Last Updated: Friday 10 June (Booking link added).

When we recently caught up with Mike, he told us about an international student in Birmingham who, when she got the chance to study overseas, prayed to God that she would like to stay with a Christian family, but also with her own self-contained apartment, and at a reasonable price! You could say that she was demanding, or that she was a woman of great faith. Her coursemates on her summer English language course told her that she was being completely unrealistic!

 Visit our blog to read the full story.

Published: Tuesday 26 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 26 July

Children’s Church: Groups will be meeting as normal at Riverside House & Tally Ho during the summer. However, there will not be any video or activity packs available via the blog until Sunday 18 September. However, if you need any resourses for ‘Church At Home’ with your group contact Sarah Thomson via e-mail: saraht@riverside-church.org.uk
Note: Children’s Life Groups will not be meeting during the summer.

Youth (Roc Solid): During the summer groups will only be meeting at our Tally Ho Gatherings (14 August and 11 September). Groups will NOT be meeting at Riverside House during the summer but Roc Solid are welcome to stay in the main hall during the service; worksheets will be made available. These worksheets will also be available via our blog.
Note: Youth Life Groups will not be meeting during the summer.

Published: Tuesday 26 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 26 July

A few of us at Riverside have begun to meet to pray for our Muslim neighbours for 1hour (bi- monthly) on the first Thursday of the month (7.30pm-8.30pm) via Zoom. We will next be meeting on Thursday 4 August.

If you would like to join us please sign-up here to receive the Zoom login details or you can contact Karamat directly via: 07980672886.

Upcoming Prayer Meetings:
Thursday 4 October
Thursday 6 October
Thursday 8 December

God has blessed our city with over 400,000 Muslims. They are to be found across all the wards of the city. Christians now have the opportunity to encounter Muslims and form relationships … at school, college and university; at the school gate; in the workplace; in a restaurant; at the bus stop; in the gym; out and about. 

Published: Monday 25 July
Last Updated: Monday 25 July

Old-Fashioned Postures For A Brave New World
Sunday 24 July to 4 September 

The world made me what I was. But faith makes me what I will be. The world is different now. And as we try and adjust to our new world, how should we live? Maybe it’s time to rediscover some old-fashioned ways of living that help us to thrive in this brave new world.

 “The ‘cult of me’ is proving very intoxicating and it’s a fast road to nowhere good.”
(Emma Barnett, BBC Journalist)

Published: Tuesday 19 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 19 July

As we come to the end of our first year of running Riverside Academy we want to say a huge thank you and well done to our wonderful 2021-22 trainees; Ella, Emily, Lydia and Francesca. From the moment they first arrived on the Academy programme they have fully immersed themselves in the life of Riverside Church serving with the Youth, Children’s, Alpha, Worship and Tech teams. We have seen them flourish and thrive in their own discipleship journeys and grow into Godly leaders who want to help draw others closer to Jesus. They have invested into so many lives this year and laid many foundations of faith in others, particularly in our children’s and youth ministry and through our Alpha course. We are very grateful to God for each of them. Please join us in praying for them in all the adventures that lie ahead.

Published: Tuesday 19 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 19 July

Male Actor & Workshop Facilitator: Performing and directing as part of Riverside Performing Arts, leading and planning workshop-based projects. The successful candidate will oversee the promotion and bookings relating to these shows. Within the team role, responsibilities are shared for grant and support raising, set design and writing shows and material.

Further information and Application Form: Visit our wesbsite.

For enquiries: Naomi Woodruff
naomiw@riverside-performingarts.org.uk
0121 442 2586.

Application Deadline: Thursday 18 August (Midnight)

Published: Tuesday 19 July
Last Updated: Tuesday 19 July

July: There will not be any Prayer & Worship Gathering in July (Cancelled).

Sunday 28 August: Our Worship & Prayer Gathering in August will take place as Prayer Walks in our Community Hubs. Meeting at 3pm and prayer walking until 4pm. Meeting places for each of the Community Hubs listed on the events page.

Published: Monday 11 July
Last Updated: Monday 11 July

On Sunday 14 August the Open Lunch Team invite everyone to enjoy a FREE summer BBQ.  It’s for anyone and everyone and their friends. You’re invited! No need to bring anything and no need to book online. Just come along and enjoy a wonderful meal together.

If you are new to Riverside, please know that the Open Lunch is held at
Riverside House (21 Alcester Road, Birmingham, B13 8AR) on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. If you would like more information please contact Mark Willott on 07818 329 754 or m.s.torrance@gmail.com

Published: Friday 15 July
Last Updated: Friday 15 July

You are warmly invited to join us at Gather; regular events at Riverside for anyone aged 18-30’s. We meet to have fun, share in bible study, discussion and to build connection with others.

Join us on Thursday 21 July (7.30pm to 9.30pm) for an opportunity to bring some questions about mental health to the leaders at Riverside.

If you would like to know more about Gather please contact us. Someone wil be in touch as soon as possible.

Gather Community Online:
You can also build community by following and getting involved with Gather on Instagram and/or Facebook.

Published: Monday 11 July
Last Updated: Monday 11 July

A Riverside Story:
This month we are re-launching ‘A Riverside Story’ within our blog. Over the coming months you can look forward to reading more stories from both individuals and ‘Team Spotlights’. These posst are simply a way of sharing our vision; to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond.

This month we are hearing from Mel Lynch who helps spearhead a drop-in venue called ‘The Well’. Using craft, stories, cake(!) and other activities together, The Well provides a safe space for women and a place to build long-term relationships.

Recently Mel told us about a local lady who came to visit. She revealed herself to be a survivor of modern slavery, exploitation and people-trafficking. Read more: visit blog post.

Published: Friday 8 July
Last Updated: Friday 8 July

There are loads of things happening this Summer for the children and young people at Riverside:

Riverside Performing Arts: Elmer’s Walk Show & Sports Days – Sat 9 July & Sat 23 July.
ReAct Summer Week 1 – Sorry, Fully Booked.
React Summer Week 2 – Mon 1 Aug to Fri 5 Aug
Generations Service – Sun 28 Aug
ReAct Xtra – (Summer Intensive Performance Club) – Tue 30 Aug to Thu 1 Sep.

And don’t forget…

Riverside Stay & Play
Mondays & Tuesdays during term time. (10am to 11:30am). Read more.

Youth Activities:
Every Friday. Read more.

Published: Friday 10 June
Last Updated: Friday 10 June

WHAT IS FORGE?
Forge cultivates missional community by identifying, developing, and training missional leaders, teams and practitioners. Forge trains ordinary people to become missional and thrive in whatever context to which one is called. This may be in pioneering new things, church planting, working in and through an already existing church, or serving in a local community, professional or relational network. The cost of Forge is £495 for the year. This includes all costs of the training, coaching, and resources that participants will be given.

HOW IS THE COURSE DELIVERED?
Through a 10-12 month programme involving missional training, practice-led coaching, personal development, the forming of a supportive learning community, and networking events, Forge is operating in missional centres across England and Wales to help birth and nurture the missional church, using zoom workshops.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
You can join one of the FREE 1 hour ‘Taster Sessions’ that will introduce you to the Forge Training Programme: Taking Risks in Mission. These are all online webinars via Zoom.

Friday 15 July: 1pm to 2pm

Monday 18 July: 8pm to 9pm

USEFUL LINKS:

# Watch Trailer 

# Sign-up for FREE Taster Session

# Read More: Visit FORGE website

# Download FORGE brochure

Published: Monday 4 July
Last Updated: Monday 4 July

Although Healing On The Streets (HOTS) had to stop because of Covid we are restarting HOTS specifically for the Commonwealth Games with the aim to be a welcoming presence on the streets and to offer prayer to anyone who would like it.

If anyone wants to be involved in a small or large way you’d be very welcome. We are running a two day training event at St Martins in the Bullring for anyone new who wants to be involved. The training will be 9am to 3pm on Saturday 25th June, Saturday 23rd July and Monday 1st August.

We hope then to have enough people to cover the two weeks of the Commonwealth Games (28th July to the 8th August), meeting to pray around 11am and then going out from 12pm each day if possible.

Please complete this form if you want to join us for one of the training days.

You can also watch this video update from David & Linda.

Published: Friday 25 June
Last Updated: Monday 27 June (Video link added). Friday 15 July (Date added)

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. Our next commuion together will be THIS SUNDAY (3 July).

To help everyone plan for communion, we appreciate that you/your group may need to buy some juice/wine and bread for ‘Church At Home’, upcoming dates can be found in a few easy ways:

#1
On the Gatherings Page of our website; the images for our Sunday Gatherings will have a small graphic added to highlight that it will be communion.

#2
On the Gatherings Page of our website; upcoming dates are also listed in the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQ) section.

#3
Communion dates will now also appear as ‘featured’ events when you login to  your ‘My ChurchSuite’ account.

Published: Friday 1 July (First published 11 Feb 2022)
Last Updated: 1 July

Join us for two helpful evenings to discuss Sexuality, as part of our current series ‘The Story of US’ on Sunday 10 July & Sunday 17 July (7:30pm to 9.30pm).

The evenings, which are both in-person at Riverside House or Online on Zoom, will contain a mixture of input and discussion. They are ticketed events for the Riverside Church family only, and so please reserve your free ticket below. Once you reserve your ticket you will receive an email with the Zoom links if you need them.

*N.B. It is important that you attend BOTH evenings, as either evening will be incomplete without the other!

Inevitably, due to the subject matter, not all of the content will be appropriate for all ages. As such, we leave it to the discretion of parents and guardians.

Book Your Tickets

Published: Friday 24 June
Last Updated: Friday 24 June

If you have not yet received an invitation to join ‘My ChurchSuite’, or you have forgotten your password, please simply contacts us via our website or e-mail info@riverside-church.org.uk Someone will then be in touch.

# To login to ‘My ChurchSuite’ visit ‘Members Login’ under ‘Resources’ on our website or save the below link into your browser favorites: https://riversidechurch.churchsuite.com

# Useful Link: My ChurchSuite ‘Getting Started’ User Guide

Getting Started: Why should you use My ChurchSuite?

Hello, my name is Russell. I am the Communications Officer here at Riverside. I am continuing to update our website so that it is our ‘Content Hub’; so everyone can easily take their ‘next step’ as we journey and grow together as a church family. So why do you still need access to ‘My ChurchSuite’? This is a question I get asked a lot; you may find the below useful:

Website: Use it for things like …
# View and sign-up for upcoming events.
# Check out latest information about our Sunday Gatherings
# Get Connected: Sign-up to join a Group
# Get Involved – Join a Team, Donate, Pray
# Access our blog – ‘Teaching Series Resources’, ‘Riverside News’ etc
# Access various Resources like our podcast and YouTube channel etc
# … and so much more!

‘My ChurchSuite’: Use your account (for much of the above) and also…
# Search for someone in our church address book
# Access your serving and ministry rotas (even arrange a swap!)
# Manage your giving donations
# View and update your details, privacy & communications preferences
# Parents & guardians can manage their children’s information
# … and so much more!

Published: Friday 1 July
Last Updated: Friday 1 July

Help us give out £200 to as many people in hardship due to rising living costs that we can reach

We’ve partnered with Birmingham City Council to distribute up to 40,000 £200-chunks of emergency support for households in need. Do YOU or someone you know, qualify?

You can read the full story in this month’s RMA Newsbite and find out how to receive this help, and more. To subscribe to RMA Newsbites please click here.

Don’t Forget: The café drop-in runs every Wednesday in term-times from 10am-2pm, at Riverside House.

Published: Friday 1 July
Last Updated: Friday 1 July

We run Kids Church groups for 0-11s during Sunday gatherings as well as Life Groups for school years 3-6 during the week. We play games, worship together, make things, pray, do activities, read stories from the Bible and have lots of fun!

We would be thrilled to have you on our Kids Team! You can choose which age group you’d like to work with – from babies to 11 year olds, and you are likely to serve just once a month. You’ll be part of a fantastically supportive team, any training you need will be provided and you can try it and see how it goes with committing long term. You don’t need to be a parent, or a teacher, or have had any experience with children at all.  You can’t be too old, or too young, or too new. Just be yourself and see what happens!

 To find out more click here and select ‘Children’s Ministry’ or contact our Head of Children’s Ministry (Sarah Thomson) directly via: saraht@riverside-church.org.uk

Published: Friday 24 June
Last Updated: Friday 24 June

Thanks to the Celebrating Communities Fund and funding from Birmingham City Council, Riverside Performing Arts present FREE performances and sports day activities afterwards for the whole family to enjoy on Saturday 9th July and Saturday 23 July. Tickets are free but there is a maximum capacity. Click links below for more information.

Event Page – Saturday 9 July (Church of Columba, Moseley)

Event Page – Saturday 23 July (Selly Manor Museum, Bournville)

Did you know? All the latest event infomration is available 24/7 via the Events Page on our website. 

Published: Friday 17 June
Last Updated: Friday 17 June

Watch trailer video.

Enjoy a dazzling evening of musical numbers from the classics such as Fiddler on the Roof and Phantom of the Opera as well as some modern hits including Hamilton and The Greatest Showman that will spark fun for the whole family. Performances from the RPA team alongside a host of special guests! Upon arrival, you will be gifted a free glass of wine (or non-alcoholic fizz) as well as some food nibbles for you to sit back, relax and be swept away into your favourite songs from the shows.

All of the money raised is going towards the vital work Riverside Performing Arts do in local schools and communities – raising awareness and tackling issues of internet safety, sex and healthy relationships, modern slavery, county lines, bullying, the topic of mental health and more.

Invite your family and friends as this promises to be a night to remember!

When: Friday 15 July (7pm to 10pm).
Cost: £10 – Book Here.

See you there! 

Published: Fri 10 June
Last Updated: Mon 27 June (Trailer video added). 

A few weeks ago the youth at Riverside, during Roc Solid and Miff, were challenged to raise as much money as possible in a month for us to donate to Ukrainian refugees. The youth have led amazing projects including a bake sale, a mini triathlon and a group have done a sponsored walk. During the May half term a group will also be doing a sponsored bike ride to Stratford and back; you can donate to this bike ride via this link. 

On behalf of all of us a Riverside, well done Riverside Youth!

Published: Friday 27 May
Last Updated: Fruday 27 May