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 News & Updates

Call to Action: Riversiders’ Participation in the Poor People’s Moral March on Washington DC on June 18, 2022

Join us! Riverside is organizing travel to the Poor People's Moral March on Washington DC...

Poor People’s Campaign: Moral March on Wall Street & To Washington

Poor People's Campaign events - 4/11: Moral March on Wall Street & 6/18: March to Washington

Poor People’s Campaign Art Build / Sign Making Session

May 29 & Jun 5: Support MSJ and the Poor People's Campaign in this sign making ...

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 ...

Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Earth Day is celebrated by billions around the globe every April 22 to promote awareness for ...

Updated Anti-Racism Task Force Resources

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

MSJ Co-Signs Call to Revise US Afghanistan Policy

Riverside's MSJ Commission proudly joined 80+ organizations in signing onto a letter...

Riverside Lift Every Voice & Vote Campaign

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

Roll Up Your Sleeves New York: Vaccine Campaign for Black Communities

Riverside is partnering with Roll Up Your Sleeves New York to promote COVID-19 vaccination.

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

Movies@Riverside

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

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

Contact this ministry

Wellbotics

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

Contact this ministry

May Series: Teach Us to Count Our Days

Mission and Social Justice

Quick Links

What We Do

2021-22 Members with MSJ Offices and Liaison Assignments

MSJ Meetings

Latest News & Updates

Call to Action: Riversiders’ Participation in the Poor People’s Moral March on Washington DC on June 18, 2022

Poor People’s Campaign: Moral March on Wall Street & To Washington

Poor People’s Campaign Art Build / Sign Making Session

Beloved Earth Community’s Monthly Newsletter: Save Our Future

Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Updated Anti-Racism Task Force Resources

MSJ Co-Signs Call to Revise US Afghanistan Policy

Riverside Lift Every Voice & Vote Campaign

Roll Up Your Sleeves New York: Vaccine Campaign for Black Communities

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 News & Updates

Call to Action: Riversiders’ Participation in the Poor People’s Moral March on Washington DC on June 18, 2022

Poor People’s Campaign: Moral March on Wall Street & To Washington

Poor People’s Campaign Art Build / Sign Making Session

Beloved Earth Community’s Monthly Newsletter: Save Our Future

Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Updated Anti-Racism Task Force Resources

MSJ Co-Signs Call to Revise US Afghanistan Policy

Riverside Lift Every Voice & Vote Campaign

Roll Up Your Sleeves New York: Vaccine Campaign for Black Communities

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