Riverside United Church of Christ

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

One of the most beautiful things about God's creation is that it was never designed to be monochrome.

Take a look outside: oceans, sunsets, wildflowers, birds, and even Florida's famous evening skies. Creation is full of color, diversity, and wonder. Why would humanity be any different?

This Pride Month, the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ celebrates our LGBTQ+ siblings and gives thanks for the gifts, leadership, faith, and love they bring to our churches and communities.

We know that for many people, finding a church where they are fully welcomed has not always been easy. That's why we continue to proclaim a simple but powerful message: there is room for you here.

Not because we all look alike.
Not because we all think alike.
But because God's love is bigger than our differences and stronger than our fears.

So this June, may we celebrate the diversity of God's people, continue the work of justice and inclusion, and remember that every person is created in the image of God.

Happy Pride Month from the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ. 🌈

05/27/2026

Remember this!

🍃 Braver Than You Believe

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
— A.A. Milne, Winnie‑the‑Pooh stories — spoken by Christopher Robin. (From The House at Pooh Corner, 1928.)

There’s a quiet wound many of us carry from the faith spaces we grew up in: the belief that our fear made us weak, or that our questions made us unfaithful. Some of us were told that if we were truly spiritual, we wouldn’t struggle. But this gentle line from Milne reminds us of something truer — that courage often lives beneath the surface, waiting to be named with kindness rather than shame.

Jesus never scolded people for being afraid. He never demanded they “be stronger” or “try harder.” Instead, He met trembling bodies and overwhelmed hearts with presence. He reminded them that strength grows in relationship, not performance. His way was always compassion first, clarity second.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
— Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

If you’ve ever been told your fear disqualifies you, hear this: Jesus never asked you to pretend. He simply promised to stay with you as you learn to trust your own God‑given courage again.

What part of you is longing to be spoken to with this kind of gentleness today?

🤟 Royce

05/18/2026

04/05/2026

Sunday April 5, 2026. Easter Sunday. Rev. Linda Girouex, “Yours is the Glory, Resurrected One”

02/24/2026

Join in!

Lace up and step out with us this autumn to raise funds for combatting the AIDS epidemic and helping those impacted by it.

02/09/2026

I want to announce to you all that after twenty-three years of ministry, I will be retiring as pastor of Riverside United Church of Christ on June 7, 2026. I have loved being your pastor, and I have loved our church. Love and hugs, Rev Linda.