This Advent, we’ll gather each Sunday evening to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation - God entering creation and dwelling among us.

Through scripture reading, songs, prayer, and art, we’ll walk together through John 1 and the wonder of Christ’s coming.

Gatherings are Sundays, November 30 and December 7, 14, and 21, from 4:00–5:15 p.m. at A1 Acres, with a shared potluck meal on the final evening.

Find all the details at riverandway.com/advent2025.

Each year, the “Tuesday Night Ministry” at The Mission at Kern County hosts a special Christmas meal for our guests at the Mission. This year’s Christmas Celebration will be on Tuesday, December 16, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at The Mission Chapel (816 E. 21st Street), and we would love to invite our River & Way community to serve alongside the team that night. Families with children are welcome.

If you plan to come and serve, please text Henry (661) 204-0895 or Ann (661) 319-7093 and let them know how many are coming with you.

As part of the evening, we will also be giving each guest a small gift bag with some practical items for the colder months. We are inviting our church to help by purchasing warm socks and beanies (similar to the links provided below) and bringing them to our Advent Gatherings on December 7 and 14. We will collect them and pass them out at dinner.

Details at a glance:

Event: Tuesday Night Ministry Christmas Celebration
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 16, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: The Mission at Kern County – Chapel Building, 816 E. 21st Street
To Serve: Text Henry (661-204-0895) or Ann (661-319-7093) with your headcount
To Give: Bring new socks and beanies to Advent Gatherings on December 7 and 14

Beanie Ideas link

Sock Ideas link

This Advent, our featured “artists” are the kids of River & Way! We’re inviting all children ages 4 and up to be part of a simple, beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus through song and narration at our Advent Gathering on Sunday, December 21st.

We’ll hold a short Info Meeting after the November 2nd All Gathering during the start of the taco meal. Parents and kids can come hear what the program will look like, get song materials, and learn about rehearsal dates.

A few short rehearsals will take place in early December (details coming soon). Older kids are also encouraged to help lead, serve behind the scenes, or assist with directing.

This is a meaningful way for our kids to share the story of Christmas and create something together as a community.

To sign up or learn more HERE

or reach out to:
Michelle Wilcox – (661) 599-5387
Kiri Cohu – (352) 226-6821

This winter, we’re offering a Group Spiritual Direction gathering for women (ages 20 and up) who desire a quieter, more prayerful space to pay attention to God together. The group will be led by Ann Barrios. It will be a small circle where we learn what it means to be truly listened to and loved by others so that we can listen more attentively to God in our daily lives. Together we’ll practice prayerful listening and paying attention to how God is at work in our stories, our relationships, and our walk with Him.

Details:

When: 2nd and 4th Mondays, January 12–March 23
Time: meeting from 6:30–8:00 p.m. Optional snack and visit at 6:15 p.m
Commitment: Please plan to attend all six meetings
Childcare: Not provided
Location: Shared after sign-up

Sign-ups run from December 20 through January 10 or until the group is full. If more than seven women register, a wait list will be started for a future group.

If this kind of space sounds like something your soul is longing for, you’re invited to sign up and join us.

Registration Link Here

February 19 to 21, 2026 | Costa Mesa, CA

This February, a group of dads from River & Way will attend the Intentional Fatherhood Retreat in Costa Mesa. The weekend offers space to slow down, sit with Scripture, and receive fresh vision for life with God as fathers, husbands, and disciples. The teaching centers on knowing your story, building healthy rhythms in the home, and growing in the kind of presence and wisdom our families need.

A generous donor has offered to sponsor the retreat registration for up to 10 dads. We will share the cost of a group Air BnB. Travel and/or carpool details to come once signups are in.

If you want to be included, please sign up by January 4 to secure one of the sponsored spots.

Here is the link to the retreat details and “Intentional Fatherhood”.

Here is the link to let us know you’re in!

Thank you for your generosity in the work God is doing through River & Way. Here’s where we are so far this year: