Parish Care

Parish Care Virtual Office Hours

If you need a listening ear or a word of counsel and encouragement in these challenging times, please contact the Parish Care Ministry clergy:

Rev. Lynn Casteel Harper: 

Email Rev. Casteel Harper

Rev. Dr. Debra Northern: 

Email Rev. Dr. Northern

Please email or call to schedule a time for a virtual meeting.

Clergy on Call

Pastoral Care is pleased to offer Clergy on Call when there is a life event or crisis which creates a need for pastoral care outside of regular office hours. Congregants may reach Clergy on Call by calling 212.870.6702, and a member of the clergy will respond as soon as possible.

Clergy on Call is specifically designated for Riverside members experiencing an emergency such as illness, death, accident, or hospitalization, as well as those who urgently require prayer. Please be aware that financial assistance and other social service related calls will not be responded to by Clergy on Call.

Pastoral emergencies during regular office hours may contact the Parish Care office 212.870.6909.

Matthew 5:4 Grief Support Group

A Grief Support Group for recently bereaved persons meets twice monthly; call 212.870.6909 for schedule and further information. 

Healing Activities at Riverside

The Parish Care Ministry has designated hours for any member who may need or wish to meet for pastoral counseling. In addition, there are upcoming events/activities specifically designed to promote healing during these days of challenge and uncertainty. These activities are important to our physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and we would love as many Riverside members as possible to attend at least 3 activities over the course of these summer months. If there is an activity you have a particular interest in and it does not fit within your schedule, please contact the Parish Care office and we will attempt to make additional arrangements. Click here to download a list of upcoming events

The Riverside Church holds funeral and memorial services for members, immediate family and friends of our faith community. We hold services in both the Nave and Christ Chapel, and offer spaces for repast gatherings. When a death has occurred, or is imminent, one of our ordained Riverside ministers will be assigned to that family to provide pastoral care. The minister will meet with family members, pray with them, and guide them in planning a meaningful service. The Director of Music assists families with music selections and the hire of soloists, if desired. Riverside clergy may also travel with the family to the final committal, when requested.

We’re pleased to offer this booklet to serve as a resource for those interested in scheduling a funeral or memorial service. It is also designed to answer some basic questions and provide resource information that will be helpful in planning a meaningful service:

Download the Riverside Funerals & Memorials Guide