What We Do

The Mission and Social Justice Commission at The Riverside Church partners with staff in the shaping of Riverside’s social justice agenda. We seek ways to support the ministries under MSJ’s umbrella to pursue excellence in carrying out their missions, collaborating whenever possible with other ministries in the work of justice. We identify opportunities for the Riverside community to take action individually and collectively.

MSJ at a Glance

2021-22 Members with MSJ Offices and Liaison Assignments

Sumati Devadutt (MSJ Chair)
Victoria Anderson (Church Council)
Michael Barnes (Stewardship)
Derrick Biney-Amissah (Building & Grounds)
Frances Connell (MSJ Vice Chair)
Pamela Davis
Lissa Dodington (Secretary)
Rainer Engelken
Linda Fentiman (Budget & Planning)
Carol Fouke-Mpoyo (Nominating)
Susan Wersan

MSJ Meetings

The Mission and Social Justice Commission meets on the second Monday of each month from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm ET. Contact Sumati Devadutt for more information.

Latest Updates

Live Justice Now

Live Justice Now is Riverside's ongoing initiative to take action in response to the great need for truth, justice, and compassion in our world. Come learn about the latest justice news, activities, and actions you can take part in.

Learn More

Recent Videos

Pastor Anthony Williams Calls on Biden to Declare Violence a Public Health Crisis | July 15, 2021

Pastor Anthony Williams Full Press Conference on Violence as Public Health Crisis | July 15, 2021

MSJ: Anti-racist Day of Action

Safety for Whom? Racist Policing in Communities and Schools

Welcoming the Stranger: The Racial Impact of US Immigration Policy & the Call of the Church (part 2)

MSJ Ministries & Initiatives:

African Fellowship

Spiritual and social solidarity, education and activism with Africans and allies. Second Sundays 1 p.m. Convener: Yemi Abioye

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Antiracism Taskforce

Working to strengthen antiracism and interrupt and eradicate racism in our church, community and nation. Third Saturdays at 1 p.m. Convener: Pamela Davis

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Beloved Earth Community

Calls Riversiders to protest the climate crisis and care for the Earth through educational programs, greening the church, changing our lifestyles, and courageous political action. Convener: Alan Bentz-Letts

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Black Lives Matter at Riverside

Addressing systems that continue to relegate Black people to miseducation, low-paid jobs, homelessness and disproportionate arrest and imprisonment. Convener: Ruby Sprott

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Ecclesia Ministry

Monthly services in Marcus Garvey Park, offering an alternative for people who might not be comfortable in traditional church settings. Fourth Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Convener: Douglas Miller

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Latinx Ministry

Celebrates Latinx culture in all its diversity and lifts up spiritual, sociopolitical & economic issues of Latinx communities in the United States and abroad. Its Border Mission supports health and advocacy for Haitians and Dominicans. Convener: Arelis Figueroa

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Lift Every Voice and Vote

Informs Riversiders about elections and public issues before all levels of government. It also provides simple, ongoing opportunities to engage voters in underrepresented communities. Co-conveners: Sumati Devadutt and Rueben Martinez

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Maranatha

Seeks to foster greater understanding and equity for LGBTQIA people and their allies. Components include service, advocacy, scholarships and special events: Second Sunday after worship, September-June. Convener: Lisa Cooke

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Men's Class

Faith and fellowship building and educational programs that help build the church and a more just society. Open to all genders. Third Sundays 1 p.m. Convener: Tunde Aboyade-Cole

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Movies@Riverside

Sponsoring periodic film screenings as an entrée into social justice topics. Convener: Don Bickford

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Poor People's Campaign at Riverside

Confronting systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. Convener: Arelis Figueroa

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Prison Ministry

Advocacy and outreach on behalf of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, their families and their communities. Fourth Sundays 1 p.m. Co-conveneronveners: Jacqueline McLeod and Sheila Rule

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Sojourners

Friendship, practical support and advocacy for asylum seekers and other vulnerable immigrants held in immigration detention and post-release. Co-conveners: Frances Connell and Craig Lemley

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South Africa/Cuba Support Group

Support for healing in post-apartheid South Africa and partnership with IFCO/Pastors for Peace work in Cuba. Convener: Ruby Sprott

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Theatre of the Oppressed

“Forum Theatre” with people who face pressing social, economic, health and human rights issues, to activate and challenge. Sundays at 1 p.m. Convener: Jeremiah Drake

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Wellbotics

Robotics and mindfulness tutoring for resiliency of children and youth in challenging life situations. Convener: Dr. Pamela Davis

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Listen to daily Advent audio devotions

Mission and Social Justice

Quick Links

What We Do

2021-22 Members with MSJ Offices and Liaison Assignments

MSJ Meetings

Latest Updates

Live Justice Now

Recent Videos

MSJ Ministries & Initiatives:

African Fellowship

Antiracism Taskforce

Beloved Earth Community

Black Lives Matter at Riverside

Ecclesia Ministry

Latinx Ministry

Lift Every Voice and Vote

Maranatha

Men's Class

Movies@Riverside

Poor People's Campaign at Riverside

Prison Ministry

Sojourners

South Africa/Cuba Support Group

Theatre of the Oppressed

Wellbotics

Mission and Social Justice

Quick Links

What We Do

2021-22 Members with MSJ Offices and Liaison Assignments

MSJ Meetings

Latest Updates

11-18-21

November is Native American Heritage Month

10-27-21

The Glasgow Conference on Climate Change and the Build Back Better Bill

10-21-21

Solidarity Fast: Sunrise Climate Activists Hunger Strike for Reconciliation Bill

10-14-21

Call to Increase Our Public Investment in Children through the Build Back Better Legislation

9-9-21

National Appeal to Congress to Act on Climate

8-25-21

Put Your Faith Into Action: Help the People of Haiti

Live Justice Now

Recent Videos

Mission & Social Justice Events

MSJ Ministries & Initiatives:

African Fellowship

Antiracism Taskforce

Beloved Earth Community

Black Lives Matter at Riverside

Ecclesia Ministry

Latinx Ministry

Lift Every Voice and Vote

Maranatha

Men's Class

Movies@Riverside

Poor People's Campaign at Riverside

Prison Ministry

Sojourners

South Africa/Cuba Support Group

Theatre of the Oppressed

Wellbotics

Put Your Faith Into Action:
Help the People of Haiti