RIVERSIDE BLOG

Riverside News: May 2022

Featured News:

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Baptisms

We will be celebrating with members of our church family who have decided to get baptised during our Monthly Joint Sunday Gathering on 12 June.

If you are interested in getting baptised and would like to know more please contact us, we would love to here from you. Alternatively you could e-mail Judy Moore, our Associate Pastor, directly: judym@riverside-church.org.uk

Published: Friday 27 May
Last Updated: Friday 27 May

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RIVERSIDE ACADEMY

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.

UPDATE: Accommodation Needed
We are very much looking forward to welcoming our new 2022-23 Riverside Academy trainee cohort in September 2022, including trainees for both the Performing Arts and the Youth Work track. Whilst the Academy programme does not officially provide accommodation as part of the programme, we’d love to hear from you if you would like to consider hosting one of the trainees for their year here with us at Riverside Church. The programme runs from the middle of September 2022 until the end of July 2023 with 3-week holidays given at Christmas and Easter where most trainees will leave Birmingham to go back to family or friends. It has been wonderful seeing our current Academy cohort thriving during their time on the Academy programme and making such a difference in so many areas of church life all whilst developing their own personal faith and leadership. If you have a spare room and could consider being a part of this journey for someone then we’d love to hear from you. We’d also be happy to advise you on pricing etc based on previous hosts rates and practicalities. Contact Sarah Auger on saraha@riverside-church.org.uk or phone 0121 442 4484.

Published: 7 January
Last Updated: 22 April

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Job Advert: Finance Manager

We are recruiting for a Finance Manager. If you or someone you know may be interested please pass on the details that are available from our website.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Thursday 2 June.

The role of the Finance Manager is to provide our bookkeeping and financial reporting functions, supervising volunteers recruited to our team and adding support to colleagues in their service. Financial and personnel management promotes the stability and accountability of the church as it grows. The Finance Manager works closely with the Operations Director to maintain financial controls and the effective flow of transactions and resources where they are needed across the church.

Published: Friday 22 April
Last Updated: Monday 16 May (Deadline updated)

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Prayer For Ukraine

As we continue to pray together we are united in praying with churches all over the world for peace in Ukraine. To assist you as you  pray either on your own or with your group, we have included some resources from 24/7 prayer on our prayer page, or you can click here.

Published: 1 March
Last Updated: 4 March

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June Bank Holiday Weekend

On Sunday 6 February, The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. As part of the celebrations, there will be a 4 day bank holiday weekend. The bank holidays being on:

Thursday 2 June | Spring Bank Holiday
Friday 3 June | Queens Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday

Our Opportunity:
For many of us this will be a fun packed weekend. Within your groups or on your own, we encourage you to think about the opportunities we all have to share the love and hope we have in Jesus with your friends and family during this weekend. As you are celebrating you may wish to simply invite people to church. On Sunday 5 June we will be gathering together at Riverside House and on Sunday 12 June we will be at Tally Ho. See: https://riverside-church.org.uk/gatherings/

Resources:
You may find some of these resources from Churches Together useful. In particular, you may wish to order some copies of ‘A Life of Devotion’; a special 30-day Bible-based reading book created by UCB. It looks at subjects such as faithfulness, service and honour, and can be used for personal Bible study or Jubilee-themed events and street parties.

Published: Friday 6 May
Last Updated: Friday 27 May

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Riverside Youth: Raising Money for Ukraine

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

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Update: Riverside Foodbank

Riverside is being invited by Sparkhill Foodbank to become a satellite delivery point alongside our existing provision of Open Lunch, Money Advice, Stay & Play and Café.

We are very excited about this opportunity and a small team is forming to spearhead this. If you would like to be involved, please contact us (and selected ‘Foodbank’ from the list of options).

Published: Friday 27 May
Last Updated: Friday 27 May

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Milestone: Over 500 Podcast Uploads!

There are now over 500 talks that have been uploads to our church podcast!

Since launching the podcast on 13 September 2015 our Sunday talks have been played over 80 thousand times and are continuing to be listened to by people all over the world. Beyond the UK, our podcast is most listened to in the United States, China, Germany, Australia and Rwanda!

We would like to take this opportunity to say a particular thank you to Pete Hunt-Sealey who, since the very first day of us launching the podcast, has given a few hours of his time each Monday morning to edit and upload the podcasts to our Soundcloud channel. Thank you Pete for all the ways you contiue to serve the Lord within our church family!

If you would like to join our Communications Team (Podcast, Social Media, Website Design, Writing Blog Posts, Photography etc) please contact us.

You can access the poscast via the ‘Resources’ menu on our website or you can click here. 

Published: Friday 27 May
Last Updated: Friday 27 May

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Ministry Spotlight: Prayer for Muslim Neighbours

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.

A few people at Riverside meet to pray for our Muslim neighbours for 1 hour every 2 months. If you would like to get involved, please visit the events page of our website for further information (navigate to ‘Upcoming Events’). The next prayer meeting is on Monday 6 June, 7.30-8.30 pm.

Reminder: You can also keep up-to-date with all prayer activity within our church family via the Prayer Page on our website.

Published: Friday 27 May
Last Updated: Friday 27 May

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Riverside Performing Arts Are Recruiting

Riverside Performing Arts are looking for the role ‘Lead Actor’. The role will include 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.

For further information and to apply visit our website.

Published: Friday 20 May
Last Updated: Friday 20 May

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Production Team Night

Our Production Team Nights are for anyone who serves (or is interested in serving) as a part of our Tech & Production Team. Whether it be sound, visuals or cameras this evening is for you! This is a great opportunity for those wanting to trial being on one of these teams and by coming along it doesn’t mean you’re making a commitment to being on team. Just come along, have fun and check it out!

We are so aware of just how crucial the work of our Production Team is in enabling us fulfil our mission in helping people get to know Jesus, and we are just so grateful for all the individuals who pour out so much serving in this way.

We look very much forward to welcoming you. For further information please visit the event page.

Published: Friday 20 May
Last Updated: Friday 20 May

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The Power of a minute

A warm welcome and a time for refreshments at our Sunday Gatherings creates space for people to feel at home in our church family. It can allow a few minutes for:

# A newcomer to decide that they would like to visit again.
# Someone to be invited to join a join a group; that then changes the course of their life!
# An encouragement from a friend.
# A parent or guardian to enjoy a few minutes of calm and adult conversation.
… and so much more!

None of this could be possible without our incredible Welcome and Refreshments Teams who serve as part of our Hospitality Ministry. We need more people to join these teams so if this sounds like something you would like to get involved with, please sign-up using this link. Someone will then contact you to provide further information etc.

Reminder:
Starting on Sunday 5th June, for the weeks we gather together at Riverside House, refreshments will be served in the small courtyard from 11am until 11.45am (between the two services). Everyone is welcome to stay after the first service or come early to the second service to have a drink, biscuit and catch up with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you there.

Published: Friday 22 April
Last Updated: Monday 16 May

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Welcome Sarah Thomson

We have recently welcomed Sarah Thomson into our staff Team. Sarah has started as our Head of Children’s Ministry. Below is a little welcome introduction from Sarah:

Hello! I’m Sarah. I live in Kings Heath, I’m married to Rob and we have three children – Ezra, Caleb and Lily.  I’ve been part of Riverside Church for around 12 years having first connected with the church through coming to Stay and Play as a new mom.  As a church, we are so blessed to have lots of children and young people and I love the energy and richness they bring.  I’m excited to begin supporting our amazing children and families, both in church and in the community, and would love to hear from you if you’d like to be involved. You can reach me at saraht@riverside-church.org.uk.

Published: Friday 13 May
Last Updated: Friday 13 May

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The Riverside BIG Weekend Away

We are really excited to announce that we are planning a church-wide Weekend Away next year. More details will be released soon but for now, please put the date in your calendar – Friday 19 May to Sunday 21 May 2023.

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 13 May

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A bIt of fun for everyone

Starting this Sunday (8 May) we will be posting a fun riddle in the chat on YouTube for a few weeks. We will post the riddle at approx 9.45am – 15mins before the start of the service. We encourage you to play along, especially if watching with your group. We hope you enjoy these and who knows.. we may even start a leader-board! Enjoy!

Who (or what group) will win each week? …

We please just ask that you don’t google the answer! That’s no fun at all! ????

Get Involved:
If you would like to help welcome people to our online services each week on YouTube please contact us or sign-up to the Online Moderators Team here (select communications) to find out more information. We currently only have two people running the chat each week! Any help is much appreciated.

Published: Friday 6 May 2022
Last Updated: Friday 6 May 2022

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New Teaching Series

Our new teaching series will start on Sunday 24 April: The Story of US.

According to a study from University College London, nearly a quarter of us have experienced a complete breakdown in a significant relationship during the pandemic. Friendships have been stretched; families have been fractured; romances have struggled. Yes, over the last 2 years many of us know that our relationships have taken a serious hit. This important teaching series is all about those relationships. Rooted in the biblical book of Proverbs, this is a chance to reflect, rebuild and refresh all our relationships in this post-pandemic world.

‘The crisis of Covid has distanced us from each other. We see anew how far apart we are. The result must be a new way to bring us together.’ (Jon Yates)

Ahead of this series, we encourage you to complete this Relationships Healthcheck.

Series Outline:

24 APR – I am not me without you
01 MAY – Friendship in an age of romance
08 MAY – Disappointment in an age of longing
15 MAY – TALLY-HO GATHERING
22 MAY – Marriage in an age of obsession
29 MAY – Singleness in an age of isolation
05 JUN – Faith in an age of public difference
12 JUN – TALLY-HO GATHERING
19 JUN – Legacy in an age of the immediate
26 JUN – Sex in an age of entitlement
3 JUL – TALLY-HO GATHERING
10 JUL – Honouring parents in an age of independence
17 JUL – Parenting in an age of expectation

 

Published: Friday 8 April
Last Updated: Friday 22 April

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ChurchSuite: Did You Know?

Did you know?
When you sign-up for an event either through our website or your ‘My ChurchSuite’ account, you have the opportunity to save the event to you personal calendar!

How?
Here is how to do it:

Website:
# Go to our website events page: https://riverside-church.org.uk/events/

My ChurchSuite:
# Go to ‘My Events’ in your MyChurchSuite Account

Then:

# Select the event of interest and click ‘Sign-up’ & ‘Confirm’

After you sign-up there will be a confirmation page with some icons at the bottom. Click:
# Google icon (To save to you Google Calendar)
# Calendar Icon (To download and then upload the event to another calendar).

More infomration can be found in the ‘MyChurchSuite User Guide‘.

Published: Friday 6 May 2022
Last Updated: Friday 6 May 2022

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Date Changes: Monthly Joint Sunday Gatherings

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to change the date of our Monthly Joint Sunday Gatherings in May and June:

# 1 May has changed to 15 May 

# 5 June has changed to 12 June

Please make sure to share these changes with everyone in your group.

Published: 18 March
Last Updated: 18 March

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Riverside Money Advice Newsbite

Forced into debt!

Why should some wrong dates put someone into £2000 of debt? Find out with this month’s newsbite from Riverside Money Advice.

Further Updates:
#Welcome to Sam Roberts – This week we welcome Sam Roberts to the Riverside Money Advice team, taking over the office administration from Karen Hester.
# Appointment volumes are soaring – 68 people are receiving direct face-to-face help this month alone, despite down-time for Easter holidays.
#FREE Cafe – Our free café runs on Wednesdays 10am-2pm at Riverside House and you are welcome to pop in – it’s all free, and a great way for you to see what is happening, enjoy free coffee/cake and even bring along any paperwork and ask for help you need.

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

Published: Friday 29 April
Last Updated: Friday 29 April

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Women's Walk in Clent Hills

Come and walk in the Clent Hills – Saturday 21st May from 10.15am – 12.30pm.

 

1.5 hour walk with a stop halfway at the Fountain Pub in Clent for Coffee, tea, or cold drinks. We will meet at Walton Hill Car Park ready to start the walk at 10.15am. For further information please visit the events page.

 

SIGN-UP: Please sign up so we know how many to expect (you can cancel at any time).

 

We look forward to meeting up with you soon.

Published: Friday 29 April
Last Updated: Friday 29 April

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We Recommend: Science and Faith in the Second City

Throughout this year there will be various talks held across Birmingham provided by the ‘Science and Faith in the Second City’ project. These talks, led by scientific experts, are designed to equip Birmingham-based churches and Christian organisations in evangelism and discipleship by showing how science and the Christian faith can work well together.

On Tuesday 24 May Dr Ruth Valerio will be talking on the subject: Why Climate Chnage Matters. We encourage you to invite your friends and family to this event.

This event will also be livestreamed for free. Please choose ‘Livestreaming’ when booking in. For further information and to register for the event go to: scienceandfaith.co.uk

Published: Friday 29 April
Last Updated: Friday 29 April

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Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common, our discovery of God and his amazing love. 

We are on a journey together to ‘help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers’. 

Upcoming Events:

Full information about all the upcoming events at Riverside Church can obtained from the events page of our website. You can filter via ‘Featured‘, ‘Monthly‘ or ‘Weekly‘ or you can also view ALL events and filter by category using our ‘Church Calendar‘.

Some information in these ‘Riverside News’ blog posts is only available through your ‘My ChurchSuite‘ account. Got questions? Need access? Please click here or e-mail: info@riverside-church.org.uk

‘My ChurchSuite’ is a great resource that we use to keep everyone in our church family connected and informed. We use it for our church contact and address book, serving and ministry rotas, and it is a simple way for everyone to discover and sign-up for groups, teams and upcoming events. You can listen to latest podcasts, manage your giving donations and even more! It is available 24/7 online from any devices or web browser.

If you would like to submit content for ‘Riverside News’ blog posts please complete our ‘Communications Request Form‘ or e-mail: communications@riverside-church.org.uk by 11am on a Friday. Please remember to include any website links, images and full contact information.

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