Social Justice Ministry

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?    Micah 6:8

CCR Social Justice Ministry is a group of parishioners who have responded to the Episcopal Church’s policy for action to fight racism and discrimination within and beyond the criminal justice system. The Ministry — a multicultural group of CCR parishioners — has provided opportunities for the parish to learn more about racial injustice in the United States and to take concrete actions in support of justice.  

We have done that through book discussions and forums addressing social  justice issues in our society as well as providing information from our associations with other social justice groups and projects. This has led us to engage in advocacy activities that invite our congregation to carry out the Baptismal Covenant call to "strive for justice and peace".    We maintain a Google group listserv,  CCR Social Justice Ministry, to enable communications on social justice activities and issues within and beyond the church.  All are welcomed to join this listserv by clicking HERE and sending an email requesting to be added.

Becoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic Racism For Individuals

We invite you to join several members of the CCR Social Justice Ministry in a free online course offered through ChurchNext:  Becoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic Racism For Individuals.  You may register any time. The course content of six 25 minute recorded sessions is available starting Monday, January 31st.
Designed for study over a period of six weeks, the curriculum explores how systemic racism has been integrated into U.S. culture from the very beginning as well as the Episcopal Church’s history of active participation in systemic racism. The Social Justice Ministry hopes to have a zoom discussion during Lent.  Look for a future announcement! 

 

The images below reflect previous activities of this ministry. 

Click on an image to view full size

BLM vigil

Jim Crow

Mass Incarceration

Justice March

Deep Denial

Black History Month Forum

BLM vigil

Selma

Redlining

Antiracism

Bishop Curry

BLM vigil

NY Health ACT forum

March for Justice

NY Health ACT

 

ASSOCIATIONS

We have affiliations with the following social justice groups and projects:

Diocesan Anti-Racism Initiatives
All members of Christ Church Riverdale are encouraged to visit this website where information is available on workshops and events that can help people become aware of how the sin of racism impacts all of our lives, and how we all unconsciously and consciously participate in racist systems.

Enslaved Peoples Project
CCR is one of the community organizations represented on the Task Force. Through our LISTSERV and church communications, information is provided to the congregation on offered public events.

Building the Beloved Community
Christ Church Riverdale, as a member of this interfaith initiative, associated with the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC), receives educational material and request to support FHJC advocacy initiatives.. FHJC serves all five boroughs of New York City and the seven surrounding counties of Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester with the purpose of eliminating housing discrimination, promoting policies that foster open, accessible and inclusive communities, and strengthening enforcement of fair housing laws. 

Diocesan Reparations Committee
The New York Diocesan Reparations Committee leads the diocesan-wide effort to respond to the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its aftermath of segregation and discrimination. From time to time, the Social Justice Ministry invites the congregation to participate in programs sponsored by this committee.