Rivers United Church is saddened to report that Sheila Deforest will not be staying with us after she is ordained this spring. Sheila has been a blessing to us over the last two years. She has given us new life and direction. We wish her well as she continues her journey.

Rivers United will keep its designation as a Supervised Ministry Education Site Church as we begin the search for another Candidate to come and spend time with us.

Announcements

• June 23, 2023, will be a special day for our church family. This will be Sheila Deforest’s last service with us. The service of word and music will include communion and a liturgy to mark the end of the covenant. Worship will be followed by a Farewell Reception (cake!) in Friendship Hall. Please join us to say “good-bye” to a very special person.
• There will be no Sunday worship services between June 30 and September 1 inclusive. Services will resume on September 8, 2024. Arrangements for funeral services can be made through Debbie Johnston or Tara Bray.
• Pulpit supply is in place for the fall. Our local people will take turns, but we are happy to announce that others, such as Rev. Barb Jardine from Brookdale, Rita Friesen from Neepawa, and Julie Hutton from Minnedosa will also be preaching.
• Sincere thanks to the five members of the Lay Support Team: Heather Lamb, Lesley McFadden, Barb Sveistrup, Karen Cullen, and Alastair McFadden. This Team came together to provide feedback and encouragement to Sheila when she first joined us in the fall of 2022. Their job is now done! 
• Since March, RUC has provided a gathering space for the Step 2 program, offered by the Assiniboine North Parent Child Coalition. This program will continue in the fall.
• We are proud to be the home of the Rivers Nursery School. May the teachers and children have a fabulous summer break! See you in September!
• Plans are in the works for a Family Carnival to be held tentatively on September 21, 2024. Stay tuned for more details.
• Proceeds from the fall Thrift Sale will be divided evenly between Riverdale Harvest and the Northern Ministers Crisis Fund (a United Church initiative to provide training and relief for greatly overworked northern ministers). We are gratified that we are able to make these meaningful donations.
• Rivers United people will be delivering Meals on Wheels in September.
• Starting on July 1, 2024, Re. Barb Jardine will serve as the Pastoral Charge Supervisor for Rivers United Church.
  
• Rivers United is pleased to announce that the repair and replacement of our four stained-glass windows is complete. This ambitious project was undertaken by Prairie Studio Glass out of Winnipeg, and the cost will be covered by a generous bequest from the late Don McFadden, a dedicated member of this church family for his entire life.
  
• AA meetings are being held in the basement of Rivers United Church on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
• A quilt is hanging on the south wall in Friendship Hall. This quilt was made by the congregation of Rivers United Church to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the United Church in 1940. The quilt became the property of Rev. Wallace and Mabel Donogh when they left this church in 1944. Through some quirky circumstances, the quilt has returned home. It contains the names of all those who were members of this congregation in 1940. It is a real gem! For a more detailed description of the quilt, please go to the About Us page of this website.