Our Future: An Important Update
from The Riverside Church

Rev. Dr. Amy Butler and the Riverside Church Council are announcing that after five years of leadership, Pastor Amy will not be renewing her contract as Senior Minister. As Pastor Amy’s contract has approached its end, both she and our congregational leadership have been prayerfully discerning how best to fulfill the work of God in the world to which they are called.

We are proud of the work of the church during the five years that Pastor Amy has been with the Riverside Church. Our beautiful, beloved congregation is vibrant and growing, and our programs are setting the model for resourcing the needs of the progressive Christian community.

We are pleased to have acquired McGiffert Hall from the Union Seminary, which for the first time in our history allows us to have access to our entire two city block campus. We look forward to continuing congregation-wide discernment about its future use.

For its nearly 90-year history the Riverside Church has played an important role in the national conversation about faith and justice, and that tradition continues.

Both the Riverside Church Council and Pastor Amy are deeply thankful to the staff and the congregation for their worship and their work during these past five years.

The Council thanks Pastor Amy for her leadership and asks all congregants to pray for her continued ministry as a leader in the progressive Christian world.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Mitchell
Chair of Church Council

Pastor Amy Butler

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have spent five years leading the Riverside congregation.  I love that beautiful, beloved congregation and I believe that when we love each other, we can change the world.” -Pastor Amy Butler

Dear Riverside Church Family,

I join the Church Council in saying that you are foremost in our thoughts after this week’s announcement and our main priority as we create our vision for the Church’s future.

I am deeply honored to have been asked to take on the role of interim Senior Minister while we conduct a broad-based search for a permanent successor. We will be including you in the process for selecting our new Senior Minister. Please stay alert for live updates regarding the process and timeline once the search has begun.  Thank you for your incredible involvement in Riverside thus far, and for all you do to continue to support our strong community.

Our future is bright, and our mission has not changed. We continue to be an interdenominational, interracial, international, open, welcoming, and affirming congregation. We continue to believe and say whoever you are: you are safe here. You are loved here. You are welcome into full participation in our life together.

You will hear from me often, and in return, I invite you to share your feedback on how to continue Riverside’s mission. Feel free to approach me with your questions and concerns at any anytime. My door is always open, and we are all here for you. I look forward to seeing many of you at this Sunday’s service.

Sincerely,

Rev. Michael Livingston
Interim Senior Minister