What We Do

Mission and Social Justice at Riverside, led by Rev. Nyle Fort, is comprised of the MSJ Commission and fourteen ministries that work to identify and address specific areas of great human need. MSJ identifies opportunities for the Riverside community to express their faith through social action, and its guiding principle is collaboration between all ministries, commissions, church bodies, and the broader community outside the church. In January, 2022, MSJ identified three focus areas where the work of its ministries could make a positive difference: Democracy, Earth, and Equity.

MSJ at a Glance

Our Three Focus Areas

MSJ Focus: Democracy

One of three focus areas of Riverside’s Mission & Social Justice ministry, Democracy amplifies our civic ...

MSJ Focus: Earth

One of three focus areas of Riverside’s Mission & Social Justice ministry, Earth is our meaningful ...

MSJ Focus: Equity

One of three focus areas of Riverside’s Mission & Social Justice ministry, Equity is our effort ...

Welcome Rev. Nyle Fort, Minister of Justice, Advocacy, and Change

Rev. Fort is an ordained minister, faith-based organizer, and activist-scholar committed to both the sanctity of ...

Racial Justice is on the Midterm Ballot

Demand racial equity and an end to systemic racism in New York City government.

Facing a Crisis, Seeking a Humane Solution: Immigration Justice Now

Learn about how you can support immigration justice, welcome and invest in immigrants, and end immigration ...

Volunteers Needed! Help Asylum Seekers Being Bused to NYC from TX

Learn how you can help asylum seekers from Texas being bused to NYC.

2022 Maranatha Christmas Party

Dec 10: COST: $30.00 per person 6pm Cocktail & Social Hour 7pm Dinner 8pm Entertainment & ...

Beloved Earth Community’s Monthly Newsletter: Save Our Future

Beloved Earth Community, a MSJ ministry of The Riverside Church, calls Riversiders to protest the climate ...

Updated Anti-Racism Task Force Resources

Download the latest resources and toolkits from Riverside's Anti-Racism Task-Force.

Riverside Lift Every Voice & Vote Campaign

Let's get out the vote! We're working to ensure everyone is heard in NYC, in the ...

Members & Meetings

2022-23 Members, Officers, and Liaison Assignments

Sumati Devadutt (MSJ Chair)
Derrick Biney-Amissah (MSJ Vice Chair, Building Committee Rep.)
Lissa Dodington (Secretary)
Milly Akinsulure
Victoria Anderson (Church Council)
Michael Barnes (Stewardship)
Gary Bogle (Nominating Committee Rep.)
Frances Connell
Pamela Davis (Budget & Planning Rep.)
Rainer Engelken (Liaison Young Adult Ministry)
Susan Wersan (Representative to Institutional Affiliations)

Minister of Justice, Advocacy and Change

Rev. Nyle Fort

MSJ Meetings

The MSJ Commission meets on the second Monday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Email us for more information.

Recent Videos

Polls Need Souls

Erasure: The Otherization of Queerness (JusticeAid Fall Forum)

The Riverside Church at the 2022 Moral March on Washington

"We Shall Overcome" | Regina Tate

MSJ: Anti-racist Day of Action

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

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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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 the final season of Be Still and Go

Mission and Social Justice

Quick Links

What We Do

Our Three Focus Areas

MSJ Focus: Democracy

MSJ Focus: Earth

MSJ Focus: Equity

Latest News & Programs

Welcome Rev. Nyle Fort, Minister of Justice, Advocacy, and Change

Racial Justice is on the Midterm Ballot

Facing a Crisis, Seeking a Humane Solution: Immigration Justice Now

Volunteers Needed! Help Asylum Seekers Being Bused to NYC from TX

2022 Maranatha Christmas Party

Beloved Earth Community’s Monthly Newsletter: Save Our Future

Updated Anti-Racism Task Force Resources

Riverside Lift Every Voice & Vote Campaign

Members & Meetings

MSJ Meetings

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

Prison Ministry

Sojourners

South Africa/Cuba Support Group

Theatre of the Oppressed

Wellbotics

Mission and Social Justice

Quick Links

What We Do

Our Three Focus Areas

MSJ Focus: Democracy

MSJ Focus: Earth

MSJ Focus: Equity

Latest News & Programs

Welcome Rev. Nyle Fort, Minister of Justice, Advocacy, and Change

Racial Justice is on the Midterm Ballot

Facing a Crisis, Seeking a Humane Solution: Immigration Justice Now

Volunteers Needed! Help Asylum Seekers Being Bused to NYC from TX

2022 Maranatha Christmas Party

Beloved Earth Community’s Monthly Newsletter: Save Our Future

Updated Anti-Racism Task Force Resources

Riverside Lift Every Voice & Vote Campaign

Members & Meetings

MSJ Meetings

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

Prison Ministry

Sojourners

South Africa/Cuba Support Group

Theatre of the Oppressed

Wellbotics

Mission & Social Justice Events