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As an Open and Affirming Congregation, we welcome all who seek to know God’s inclusive love. We welcome all--regardless of race, culture, sexual orientation, or gender identity--into the full life and ministry of the church.

We find unity in diversity. We have a spiritual grounding in commitment to outreach and social justice. We are a prayerful and energized group of diverse souls united in God’s spirit.

Riverside United Church of Christ held its first service in 2003, and moved into its current location in 2009. Riverside United Church of Christ is a congregation of the United Church of Christ. Our pastor is Rev. Linda Girouex, who proposed creating this church more than a decade ago and works each day to bring us closer to God’s vision for us. 

The Congregation meets at least annually to conduct the business of the church. The Core Team is

elected by the Congregation and meets throughout the year to implement the decisions made by the

Congregation. Each Core Team Member chooses an area of responsibility and organizes workers into a

Task Group to accomplish the goals of that area. Everyone who is new to RUCC is invited to join a Task

Group. Congregants of RUCC agree to faithful service, regular attendance, and financial responsibility

after an orientation period and formal commitment in a worship service. The Pastor serves on Core

Team and is the spiritual leader of the congregation. The Pastor also assumes the title of President of

our 501c3 nonprofit Riverside United Church of Christ, Inc. 

The Reverend Linda Dowling Girouex is the Pastor of Riverside United Church of Christ in Jacksonville, Florida. Ordained by the United Church of Christ in 2002, Rev. Linda is the spiritual leader and founding pastor of our congregation. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology after struggling against the sexism and homophobia of the denomination of her childhood and being received as the first woman candidate for ministry in the local presbytery in 1968.

In the years between seminary and ordination, she worked for Duval County Public Schools, Child Guidance, Daniel Memorial, and Lutheran Social Services where she advocated for and practiced counseling that combined spiritual, mental, and physical well-being with the struggle for social justice.

Linda is married to Susan Horne who is retired from teaching. Linda is also a sister, aunt, great-aunt, mom, and grandmother. She enjoys playing ukulele and guitar by ear and singing all the old songs.

Rev. Linda feels that at the heart of her call is her love of creating connections with others by sharing stories and the work she does as a bridge-builder in her local community that is her home town.