August at Riverside
[caption id="attachment_263" align="alignleft" width="211" caption="Riverside Church Washington, DC"][/caption] While things slow down around the church in August, the truth is, plans are in process and work continues. The pastor is working on a slate of bible study and reflection opportunities to present in the Fall after Labor Day. Weddings are taking place (congrats Blair and Norbert!), trustees are overseeing property, deacons are overseeing member care, an ordination is being planned for September (congrats Robin!), and In Session is working to fill backpacks with school supplies to children in our community and church who need them. By the way, please help In ...
Wake up, wake up, wake…
We have all seen the movie or television show where someone is in a coma. Maybe the character was in a car accident or suffered a stroke. These shows can be quite intense as we empathize with the family surrounding the hospital bed of their loved one, waiting to see if they will ever talk again. But for a moment, put yourself in the place of the person in the coma. There are some questions I want to ask that pertain to the study of scriptures and history and I think if you can imagine having awakened from a coma, you ...
To Give or Not To Give: Online Contributions Has Arrived!
The first summer of July is around the corner. This is a fluid time for church since many members will be on the road, taking vacations and a much needed respite from ordinary time and routines. But the church is still here and we are still at worship so.... *When you are in town and can worship, please do so. Your presence in the congregation is not only a blessing to yourself, but a blessing to others. *Whether you are in the sanctuary on Sunday or not, make an effort to contribute to the financial support of your church. Allow me to speak ...
HVAC & The Ark of the Covenant: Pastoral Reflections
The challenges of air conditioning maintenance have got me thinking about the Ark of the Covenant. What challenges about HVAC (Heating Venting And Air Conditioning), you ask? The fact that our main unit has some bad switches that must be replaced so that for a few weeks now we have been trying to trouble shoot where the problem is in the system and why it cuts off at times. This past week-end, it would not turn on at all and you may have noticed that our heat indexes for the week have been hovering around 100°. You can guess what an ...
Deacons & Trustees Meeting June 26
Deacons and Trustees meet the fourth Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. Please keep your leaders in your prayers. Deacons always take time to pray for congregants so if you have a prayer concern, let your deacon know or the chair of deacons or pastor. If you do not know who your deacon is, please let Deacon McCullough know. Trustees always take time to check the status of operating systems and the church property and to receive a financial report from the treasurer. Please keep them in prayer and if you have a concern about the property or finances, ...
Sit down, I’m trying to see the game!
Baseball is a beautiful game, if you can see through the throngs of people streaming in the aisle to and from the concession stands. “Did you come here to eat or watch baseball!?” is what I wanted to shout. I had taken Kirsten to her first major league game and my first trip to the Nats’ stadium and spent a tidy sum for third base side seats in section 15, row UU. Decent seats right on the aisle. But much of the game was impossible to see because apparently thousands of persons pay outrageous sums to eat ...
Third Sunday Wave
Most of us have been in a stadium, auditorium or room when someone initiated the "human wave." People stand up and raise their arms in synchronized fashion, kind of like synchronized swimming but not. The third Sunday at Riverside is like that. We have a lot of energy that moves through the congregation that ratchets up the excitment and joy of being part of our church family. For one thing, we have our Koinonia ("fellowship") Lunch right after service. What a great time to deepen friendships and hang out together and eat great food. After lunch, City Sites tours some ...
Featured
August at Riverside
Riverside Church Washington, DC While things slow down around the church in August, the truth is, plans are in process and work continues. The pastor is working on a slate of bible study and reflection opportunities to present in the Fall after Labor Day. Weddings are taking place (congrats Blair and Norbert!), trustees are overseeing property, deacons are overseeing member care, an ordination... [Read more]
Wake up, wake up, wake…
We have all seen the movie or television show where someone is in a coma. Maybe the character was in a car accident or suffered a stroke. These shows can be quite intense as we empathize with the family surrounding the hospital bed of their loved one, waiting to see if they will ever talk again. But for a moment, put yourself in the place of the person in the coma. There are some questions I want... [Read more]
To Give or Not To Give: Online Contributions Has Arrived!
The first summer of July is around the corner. This is a fluid time for church since many members will be on the road, taking vacations and a much needed respite from ordinary time and routines. But the church is still here and we are still at worship so…. *When you are in town and can worship, please do so. Your presence in the congregation is not only a blessing to yourself, but a blessing... [Read more]
HVAC & The Ark of the Covenant: Pastoral Reflections
The challenges of air conditioning maintenance have got me thinking about the Ark of the Covenant. What challenges about HVAC (Heating Venting And Air Conditioning), you ask? The fact that our main unit has some bad switches that must be replaced so that for a few weeks now we have been trying to trouble shoot where the problem is in the system and why it cuts off at times. This past week-end, it... [Read more]
Deacons & Trustees Meeting June 26
Deacons and Trustees meet the fourth Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. Please keep your leaders in your prayers. Deacons always take time to pray for congregants so if you have a prayer concern, let your deacon know or the chair of deacons or pastor. If you do not know who your deacon is, please let Deacon McCullough know. Trustees always take time to check the status of operating systems and the... [Read more]

