Caring for Our Members

by Pastor Ruth Elswood

I recently came across a term that Brian McLaren used about the church of the present day and the future. He says that churches must be “schools for love,” placing “love of God, neighbor, self, and all creation at the center.” 1 Riverside’s deacons aim to be schools for love in many different ways. We have two new initiatives that clearly show that we are a “school for love,” our Care Pals initiative and our Homebound Communion program.

Every one of our members who are homebound have now been paired with a member of the congregation, or an entire Riverside family, who will write cards, make phone calls, send email messages, and visit with them. This kind of personal connection with a caring fellow church member is so very important to someone who has attended church all their lives, but can no longer be in regular physical contact with friends and church family. It is truly an expression of the love for neighbor that Jesus taught us to show one another. Thank you to those who have signed up for Care Pals. There will be another opportunity to serve in this way later in the year.

Another way Riverside is helping our homebound members to stay connected is by taking communion to those who can no longer come to church. Some of our deacons, elders and pastors are taking the bread and cup to those who request to be served at home. A short liturgy is read, an extension of the Lord’s Supper liturgy heard in church, and prayer is offered, as the elements are served. As with Care Pals, this program keeps every member connected to the life of the Riverside community, and is a warm and deeply meaningful demonstration of our love for our neighbor. 1Center for Action and Contemplation website, https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-school-for-love-2020-01-03/

RPC Youth

May 7 was Confirmation, Senior, and Youth Sunday!

Thank you to the 23 Lunch Buddies!

What a busy Sunday for RPC’s youth! We were led in worship by our youth, welcomed our confirmands into the life of the Church at Riverside, and recognized and blessed our high school seniors. Thank you

RPC youth for all the time you all spent planning and love your poured into leading! Check out these pictures from Youth Sunday/Confirmation Sunday/Senior Sunday!