Mission and Social Justice

The Riverside Church’s Mission and Social Justice Commission, as agents of God’s justice, healing, and love, strives to transform individuals, communities, and systems burdened by racial, social, economic, and environmental oppression.

JULY 2024: Join the Beloved Earth Community Ministry on Thursday, August 1st at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Faith communities and leaders will gather at Citi Plaza, 388 Greenwich St. to urge Citibank to cease funding fossil fuels. Banks, including Citibank, are financially supporting coal, oil, and gas companies that pollute our communities and harm our planet. It’s time to bring our faith and moral voices directly to Wall Street.

This family-friendly event welcomes both adults and kids. All are invited to join. The event will feature food, drinks, music, and an Art Station where participants can fill out prayer cards or create drawings of their vision for a safe and healthy planet.

For more events during Faith Week contact chelsea@greenfaith.org

 

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Join the Mission & Social Justice Commission’s Democracy Focus Group in shaping democracy with your innovative ideas! Let’s transform faith into action throughout June, July, and August 2024. Embrace this opportunity to create a significant impact within our community and beyond.

 

MSJC Summer Action Announcements

Quick Links

What We Do

Mission and Social Justice (MSJ) at Riverside is comprised of the MSJ Commission and nine ministries that work to identify and address specific areas of great human need. MSJ collaborates with the Poor People’s Campaign, a national fusion movement dedicated to societal transformation. Together, we address interconnected injustices such as racism, poverty, militarism, ecological devastation, and distorted religious nationalism. In alliance with Reclaim Our Vote, MSJ conducts impactful activities like postcard writing and phone banking to amplify our collective voice for change. Join us in shaping a more just and equitable world. MSJ focuses their work in three areas where 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 ...

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MSJ Focus: Earth

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

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MSJ Focus: Equity

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

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MSJ Comission

2023-24 Members, Officers, and Liaison Assignments

Rev. Mira Sawlani-Joyner (Minister of Justice Advocacy and Change)
Takisha Brown (Administrative Assistant)
Pamela Davis (Chair)
Derrick Biney-Amissah (Vice Chair)
Gary Bogle (Secretary)
Milly Akinsulu
Victoria Anderson
Sumati Devadutt
Lissa Dodington
Rainer Engelken
Arelis Figueroa
Janette Kemp
David King

MSJ Meetings

Join us on the second Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8 PM ET. Email us for more information.

Community Partners

MSJ collaborates with the Poor People’s Campaign, a national fusion movement dedicated to societal transformation. Together, we address interconnected injustices such as racism, poverty, militarism, ecological devastation, and distorted religious nationalism. In alliance with Reclaim Our Vote, MSJ conducts impactful activities like postcard writing and phone banking to amplify our collective voice for change. Join us in shaping a more just and equitable world.

MSJ Ministries & Initiatives

African Fellowship

Spiritual and social solidarity, education and activism with Africans and allies. Second Sunday at 1:30PM Convener: George Fillie-Faboe

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Anti-Racism Taskforce

Working to strengthen antiracism and interrupt and eradicate racism in our church, community and nation. Fourth Sunday at 7PM Co-Convener: Contact:Carol Fouke-Mpoyo

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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. First Saturday 1PM Convener: David King

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Ecclesia Ministry

Offering an alternative for people who might not be comfortable in traditional church settings. Fourth Sundays at 2PM at Marcus Garvey Park Food prep: Fourth Sunday 10:00 am Assembly Hall kitchen (RSVP in advance) 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. Second Sunday at 1:30PM Convener: Arelis Figueroa

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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 1:30PM, September-June. Convener: Mace Anderson

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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 PM 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 1:30PM Convener: Sheila Rule

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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. Third Saturday 1PM-4PM Convener: Jeremiah Drake

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News & Programs

Updated Anti-Racism Task Force Resources

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

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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 ...

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Sharing Fund and Densford Fund

Through the Sharing Fund, The Riverside Church pledges 10% of its annual offering from its members ...

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Volunteers Needed! Ways to Volunteer to Help Asylum Seekers Including “Bus Migrants”

   

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MSJ Videos

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Assotto Saint: His Life and Legacy | June 15, 2024
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Black Manifesto Memories with Riversider Hylda Clarke & Rev. Adriene Thorne
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Black Manifesto Memories with Riversider Hylda Clarke & Rev. Robert Polk
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55th Anniversary of Black Manifesto: A Call to Reparations with Jennifer Jones Austin
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The Bible’s Role in Settler Colonialism: A Focus on Palestine and Beyond
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The False White Gospel by Jim Wallis
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Mission & Social Justice Events

6:30 PM

Sunset Soiree

Wednesday, July 24

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6:30 PM

Mission & Social Justice Commission Meeting

Monday, August 12

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1:00 PM

Beloved Earth Community

Saturday, September 7

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1:30 PM

Maranatha Meeting

Sunday, September 8

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6:30 PM

Mission & Social Justice Commission Meeting

Monday, September 9

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1:30 PM

Men's Ministry Meeting

Sunday, September 15

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1:30 PM

Prison Ministry

Sunday, September 22

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1:00 PM

Beloved Earth Community

Saturday, October 5

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1:30 PM

Maranatha Meeting

Sunday, October 13

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6:30 PM

Mission & Social Justice Commission Meeting

Monday, October 14

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1:30 PM

Men's Ministry Meeting

Sunday, October 20

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1:30 PM

Prison Ministry

Sunday, October 27

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1:00 PM

Beloved Earth Community

Saturday, November 2

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1:30 PM

Maranatha Meeting

Sunday, November 10

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6:30 PM

Mission & Social Justice Commission Meeting

Monday, November 11

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1:30 PM

Men's Ministry Meeting

Sunday, November 17

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1:30 PM

Prison Ministry

Sunday, November 24

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1:00 PM

Beloved Earth Community

Saturday, December 7

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1:30 PM

Maranatha Meeting

Sunday, December 8

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6:30 PM

Mission & Social Justice Commission Meeting

Monday, December 9

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1:30 PM

Men's Ministry Meeting

Sunday, December 15

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1:30 PM

Prison Ministry

Sunday, December 22

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1:00 PM

Beloved Earth Community

Saturday, January 4

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1:30 PM

Maranatha Meeting

Sunday, January 12

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