Update from Church Council

With the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, Riverside has been open to new ways of offering theology into the world. With our capacity to invite people to be present online, we have an entirely new way of impacting and reaching the wider community.

We have discovered the power of technology in connecting people through online worship, live stream worship, zoom communion, youth worship services, zoom coffee times, book studies, book club meetings, pastoral care conversations, council/congregational meetings, and prayer groups.

Accordingly, on September 15, 2021, Riverside’s Council formally approved the online service as our third worship service. The format of the online service will be revisited in the future and any changes will be communicated to the congregation.

In-person attendance for most churches will not return to pre-COVID levels any time soon. In an effort to reach as many people as possible there are four different options for worship at Riverside. We offer in-person worship services at 8:44 and 10:30, the 10:30 livestream service, and of course the online service.

This past Sunday, there were 131 views of our online service, 86 views of the livestream 10:30 service, 23 people attended the 8:44 in-person service and 21 people attended the 10:30 in-person service. It is important to provide different options for worship engagement. No one service is more important than another. Choose a worship opportunity that works for you.

Bill Gray, Council Chair

Faith Development, Radical Welcoming, Wellness