Service & Advocacy Teams

The Service & Advocacy Ministry Committee encourages and mobilizes Mountain Rise members and friends to actively respond to God’s call to serve people in need and advocate for justice, peace, and harmony in the world. We strive to serve with love and invite you to join us in our mission. The Service and Advocacy Committee includes several Teams/groups.

Universal Justice Team

The Team for Universal Justice seeks to work for justice for people in areas selected by the team. Currently these include the Palestinians, immigrants, Native Americans, and mental health of children. In pursuit of these goals we educate the congregation on justice issues, advocate for the above groups in the political system and, when possible, take direct action.

A group of people hold a colorful banner reading

Green Team

The Green Team believes in helping all life to be protected and flourish and encourages all faith communities to take responsibility to actively create a just and sustainable future by supporting personal and systemic change. Our Green Team members have promoted a Green 15 List of Actions to reduce personal greenhouse gas emissions, conducted a church energy audit and reduced our church’s gas and electric use, and set up an outdoor composting facility. Our members work in numerous environmental community groups, including the Rochester Area Interfaith Climate Action, and participate in climate conferences. We also keep track of the environmental positions of our elected representatives.

Two people hold signs for a sustainable future and a church. A historical red brick building is in the background.

Honduras Team

The Mountain Rise UCC Honduras Team engages with members of our sister church, Iglesia Cristiana Viviendo en Amor y Fe, located in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Viviendo en Amor y Fe (VAF) is a Christian community of faith that walks the walk of Jesus serving the many needs of the neighborhood in which they live while advocating for equality, justice and peace. Mountain Rise supports VAF financially and has sent two groups to Honduras as well as hosted a group from VAF that visited Mountain Rise. Our relationship continues to strengthen the faith of both churches.

A group of people smiling outdoors near a brick building. One person holds flowers. The building has a

Salem Clothing Team

Salem United Church of Christ in downtown Rochester, NY offers takeout bag lunches weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays to their guests. Our Mountain Rise UCC Salem Clothing Team collects, sorts, and then provides free quality used clothing to these guests once a month. For many people who are homeless this is a critical means of basic support.

Four people are joyfully folding and sorting clothes in a room filled with shelves and storage boxes, creating a lively atmosphere of teamwork.

Open & Affirming Group

Since 1996 Mountain Rise UCC has been designated as an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation because we have made a public covenant to welcome into full life and ministry persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Our Open & Affirming Group carries forward this legacy by continuing to educate our congregation about current LGBTQ+ issues, by creating a safe and affirming space, and by standing with the LGBTQ+ community as allies.

Persons march in a festive parade carrying a rainbow banner reading

A group of people sings in a church with candles and flowers. A person stands facing them, conducting the choir.
A group of people in a park setting near a picnic table covered with clothes, with trees and a stroller in the background.
A person wearing a hard hat works on a construction site, crouching near a building's foundation. A shovel and tarp are nearby.