Our Church hosted an Easter Egg Hunt in April.  We packed over 5,000 eggs and scattered them over the church lawns. Children of all ages were invited to grab as many eggs as they could.  Parent bags were also given to each family who attended.  These bags had various resources to help explain the true meaning of Easter to kids. One hundred fifty invitations to our Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday services were handed out.

Church members went Christmas caroling throughout the neighborhood surrounding our Church in December.  People were invited back to the church for hot chocolate and cookies.

Our Mom and Me group has been meeting for seven months now. We have a wide range of toys and activities for the children to play with and Lisa has brought crafts for the holiday seasons! The last few meetings we’ve had some new faces and it has been fun getting to meet new people!

Continue to have monthly gatherings and have about 5 to 8 women show up.  Occasionally we will have a new person show up.  In February the ladies made Valentine's cards for the nursing home in the area.

To become a member of River Valley Church each individual must meet the following guidelines.

• Attend River Valley Church for at least 3 months.
• Prepare a written personal testimony of faith and share it with the church's Elders.  May also share testimony during a worship service.
• Attend a membership course that review's our church's doctrine and history.
• Sign the Doctrinal Statement and the church's current constitution.
• Serve in the church.

Join us on Sunday Mornings and explore what it means to be a True Disciple.  Pastor Joel will preach from various passages throughout the scriptures to teach us what a True Disciple looks like.

Pastor Joel would like to invite everyone to come together and pray for the needs in our Church and discuss what next steps the church should focus on as a church plant. More information will be listed in the bulletin soon!!

Czech Republic Update from Sean and Sarah Smith

Missio Dei is a term that means that we are active participants in the mission of God; it is his mission and we are invited and called to participate by his Spirit, through Jesus, and the grace of the Father.

We have truly felt the immense joy it is to be invited into God’s mission over this past season. Through a trip to Macedonia to visit a ForMission student, we held a front-row seat to see how God is moving through our student, Nikol, to spread the gospel throughout the youth of the capital city, Skopje. We were able to encourage her, meet with students she works with, and speak with her about different struggles and joys she experiences in ministry. Please pray for Nikol, that she would continue to thrive while living on mission in Skopje, and that God would work through her mightly.

Shortly after our trip to Macedonia, we held a Missional Retreat for our ForMission students in Budapest, Hungary to provide space for them to rest and reflect, give opportunities for cultural analysis and cross-cultural service, and spend time together in community. After serving in a sports’ ministry near Budapest during the retreat, one student said, "I do the same ministry in my country, but the way God works through this ministry here is so different. It's amazing to see God working in different ways!" Please pray for our students as they come to the end of the academic year, that God would continue to grow them as they study, to love God with their heart, mind, and strength.

As we have continued with teaching students online and leading student support groups, we have also met with individuals in Ostrava to disciple them. Andy, a student Sean meets with regularly, recently began discipling another student in his youth group because Sean challenged him to disciple someone. Jana, a highschooler Sarah has been reading the Bible with, has said that she had never learned to study the Bible inductively before, but can see that it’s very useful. Please pray for Andy and Jana to continue growing in their walk with Jesus, and to in turn disciple others.

In addition to this usual ministry, God invited us into ministry that we had not expected, through providing a safe place for two Ukrainian refugees, Alona and Lika, to live for four weeks. As they lived with us, we had the joy of speaking to them about the gospel, about God's heart for justice, and was able to model what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus. Now that they have moved into their own, temporary apartment, Alona wants to meet with Sarah to read the Bible together, saying "I want to be closer to God." Please pray for Alona and Lika, that they would come to know Jesus as their Savior, and that He would be their peace!

Thank you for joining us and partnering with us as we join what God is doing to draw people to Himself!

Q Place Update from Nancy Klaassen

Nancy has been busy helping Q Place to develop more new materials and workshops for helping to equip Christians to facilitate small group discussions so spiritual seekers can discover the truth about God and the Bible.

We developed a Church Leader Webinar to give pastors and church leaders the full picture of the 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations. These practices can help our churches to gain everyday skills that build trust,
even when different viewpoints are involved. Christians can also learn how to engage in meaningful conversations about God in ways that feel natural. And the church will be able to spread outward by relating with people like Jesus did…and see many more come to know Him! Let Nancy know if you want to start a group where you can learn these simple practices for stronger relationships both inside and outside the church.

We have continued to offer a 7-week coaching opportunity to train Christians in how to start a group for spiritual seekers. Q Place coaching will equip you to lead a seeker group that is a safe place for discussion and discovery for everyone. These groups are conveniently offered online, where experienced coaches will walk alongside you. Nancy is one of the coaches and would love for you to join a coaching group! We have new coaching groups starting in June.

And Q Place’s small group approach will reconnect your people in church small groups, and position them to move outward as they learn how to facilitate inductive Bible study discussions. Nancy was involved in developing the Thriving Groups Workshop, where Christians can learn how to feel confident as group facilitators even when they aren’t “experts”, everyone in the small group has powerful “Aha!” moments as they discuss Scripture, see it for themselves, and apply it to their lives, and groups can stay safe even when people have different perspectives.

Four facilitators from River Valley Church used these skills to facilitate Discovery meetings where we invited people to online group discussions about God and the Bible. These online groups felt safe during the pandemic and we were blessed to be able to offer 2 sessions every 2 or 3 months.

With summer coming up, we are developing bite-size ideas for being hospitable and reaching out in your neighborhoods. These Hospitality cards will be hot off the press soon.

Sabrina (Compassion Child) Update from Mikki Dudley

Sabrina has graduated out of the Compassion program!  The church began sponsoring her in 2010 and she has faithfully attended activities at the center, participating in workshops and classes and investing in her future.  In her last letter to us she said that she learned many life skills including macrame, embroidery, cooking and pastry.  She also learned to respect one another.  She is still going to school for her life goals.

Coffee Connection- May 6th @ 9am

Kids Church- May 8th, during the worship service

Mom and Me playgroup- May 13th @ 10am

Quarterly Congregational Meeting- May 15th, after the morning worship service.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Kids Church- May 22nd, during the worship service

Sunday Morning Worship Service and Picnic-Outside- May 29th 

(weather permitting)

Coffee Connection- June 3rd @ 9am

Kids Church- June 12th and June 26th, during the worship service

Coffee Connection- July 1st @ 9am

Kids Church- July 11th and July 25th, during the worship service.

Other Upcoming Events (additional info will be sent out once dates and times are finalized.

• Men's Dinner
• Partnering with another EFCA church in Kankakee to host a youth sports program/ and or VBS this summer.
  

Church Constitution Committee

Church Parsonage Remodeling Committee

Sunday morning greeters

Audio/Visual presentation

Sunday morning Hospitality

Cleaning

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Our Church hosted a Back to School Bash in August donating over 200 bags full of school supplies for kids to use for the upcoming school year.  Hotdogs, chips, drinks, and sno-cones were available to everyone there. Jumping castles and obstacle courses were a huge hit with all the kids. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a huge success.

This year members of the church handed out over 165 bags of candy to kids in neighborhoods throughout the city of Ottawa. The goal was to distribute to more kids in the city than just the neighborhood around the church property. Each bag contained  candy, an invitation card to our church and a postcard invitation to some of our upcoming events!!

River Valley Church started a Mom and Me playgroup in October.  One new mom and her two children attended the group. The playgroup is a time for moms to come and meet new friends while letting their kids play in a safe environment. Please see Erin Love or Lisa Badal if you have any questions.

On October 21, the church hosted its first Men's Dinner. 12 (men and boys) attended the event. Food prepared by 5B's was purchased from a local fundraiser and served. Steve Carr led a discussion on prayer. Plans are in the works to host another event soon!!

Coffee connection is a time of fellowship that is open to the public that provides the opportunity to meet new people. Coffee Connection meets on the 1st Friday of each month.  Coffee, tea and treats are provided!!! Please see Mikki Dudley if you have any questions.

To become a member of River Valley Church each individual must meet the following guidelines.

• Attend River Valley Church for at least 3 months.
• Prepare a written personal testimony of faith and share it with the church's Elders.  May also share testimony during a worship service.
• Attend a membership course that review's our church's doctrine and history.
• Sign the Doctrinal Statement and the church's current constitution.
• Serve in the church.

The following individuals have met all of these requirements, and River Valley Church has welcomed them as new members!

Bill Peterson

Karen Peterson

Pam Kruswicki

Kathy Hardee

Czech Republic Update from Sean and Sarah Smith

This fall was a great start to the school year! This is the first year that our college is full - with three classes. Our students are from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Albania. We were able to meet in-person for our first week-long class intensive for ForMission college, and everyone was able to come.  We often heard students talking with one another, sharing ministry tips and strategies, and encouraging one another. In between the intensives, we are meeting in online weekly small groups, which focuses on personal formation, ministry formation, missional formation, and spiritual formation.

Sean is leading tutorials for students also, which focuses on things such as how to learn better, how to help others in their churches catch the vision for being mission-focused, and how to do better research. Sean has also been meeting with a student each week. Last year, this student had a very difficult time balancing his studies and ministry, turning in assignments, and was often very discouraged. By the end of the summer, he was given a choice - either he needed to quit going to ForMission, or he needed to repeat the year. Sean had met with him throughout the summer and continues to meet with him weekly. He encouraged the student to repeat the year, because we see so much potential in this student. Now that he has begun the school year, his entire demeanor has changed. He feels built up and motivated to learn. He recently told Sean that, even though he took these classes before, he is learning much more than he did last year - like the material is coming alive! It has even begun to affect his ministry. He was asked to give a talk at an evangelistic event and he said that, although he was nervous, he had an incredible response - everyone (non believers included) stood up an clapped at the end, many in tears, saying they were moved by what he said about God. This student then used a reflective practice we use in the school to begin to process how the Holy Spirit worked through him so that he can participate with the Spirit again the next time he was asked to give a talk. It has been an honor to walk alongside this student.

Sean has been able to meet with a local leader of a house church weekly to both practice Czech and to disciple him. Sarah has been able to meet with a few girls from our church and to encourage them, pray for them, and help them process what they are learning in the Bible.

We are so thankful for River Valley's partnership in this ministry of empowering and equipping young leaders in Central and Eastern Europe. It is truly an honor to be an extension of your congregation here!

Q Place Update from Nancy Klaassen

On October 2, Q Place facilitators and participants gathered at River Valley Church for a retreat. Our goals were to provide a refreshing environment for all, to equip facilitators, to present the Gospel to anyone who doesn't know Jesus, and to have an uplifting and encouraging time together. God helped us meet those goals as 28 people met in the fellowship hall. We watched skits, participated in discussions at our tables, worshiped in song, heard from God's Word, prayed on our own for an extended period of time, ate together, and received training.

In addition, Q Place has a new workshop opportunity for people to be trained in facilitating Q Place Bible discussions in church small groups. The workshop is called How to Lead a Thriving Small Group Bible Study. This workshop is available for any small group leaders from any churches, including River Valley Church. The training helps Christians learn how to lead thriving small group studies so they can grow in community and in Scripture--and also be in a better position to start groups with seekers who are outside of churches.

Sabrina (Compassion Child) Update from Mikki Dudley

Sabrina Primrose Joseph was born 4/23/2000 in Haiti.  She lives in the coastal community of Pierre Payen which has approximately 16,300 residents.  Our Church started sponsoring her in 2010.  She is now 21 years old and is attending university.  She is learning graphic design and other computer functions.  She lives with her father and helps out with household chores such as sewing, washing clothes, and carrying water.  At the Pierre Payen Child Development Center she learns Bible teachings, medical care, health instruction, educational classes and recreational activities.  Mikki Dudley has been corresponding with her since 2016 and has received 3-4 letters each year.  Covid 19 has slowed her studies at university, but she is excited about taking her classes online.  She may graduate out of the Compassion program this next April.  Mikki is sure  that  the Compassion Program, especially learning about Jesus, and the support and correspondence from River Valley Church has helped her through some very difficult times in Haiti.  She has suffered through poverty, hurricanes, earthquakes, and political strife, but is still excited about her future.   

Coffee Connection- November 5th @ 9am

Thanksgiving Lunch-Plan to stay for a time of Thanksgiving and Fellowship after the service.  Please bring a dessert to share.  RSVP to gayle.swart@myrivervalleychurch.org

Bible Study- November 9th @ 7pm in the fellowship hall. Zoom options are available if needed.

Mom and Me playgroup- November 12th @ 10am

Kids Church- Starting November 14th,  during the worship service. Please see Kathy Hardee or Lisa Badal about serving in this ministry.

Bible Study- November 16th @ 7pm in the fellowship hall. Zoom options are available if needed.

Coffee Connection- December 3rd @ 9am

Mom and Me Playgroup- December 10th @ 10am

Kids Church- December 12th, during the worship service

Lessons in Carols- December 19th, during the service