Adult Programs
At Middle we want you to thrive and find community. Explore a wide array of ministries available to you!
Our groups range in size, meeting structure and location, but all value deep connection and the desire to build, organize, and sustain ourselves as we work to bring about love and justice in the world.
Read below for an overview of our programmatic offerings, and contact Elise Tiralli if you’re wondering what community group might be best for you, or if you’d like to receive more information.
Wednesdays • 8-8:30 a.m. ET • Zoom
Pray to Rise
Join Rev. Jacqui Lewis, Ph.D. and Rev. Ben Perry for a moment of love and prayer to start your day. Bring whatever you’re carrying and we’ll hold it together.
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Sundays • 10:00 – 11:40 a.m. ET • Zoom
Bible in the Middle
Explore scripture through the lens of Love. Period. Clergy and lay teachers create a safe space for asking the questions in our hearts, and seeking answers for a life of faith today.
Contact: Rev. Catherine Torpey
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Mondays • 6:30–8:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Acting Class
Grow your acting chops and your public presentation skills in a safe and joyful environment. Work on scenes, monologues, movement, dance, music, as you develop and workshop pieces together. Led by Middle member Harold Slazer.
Contact: Harold Slazer
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Thursdays • 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Creative Writing
Move your ideas from your imagination to the page in a supportive, creative, and fun environment. Learn from colleagues as you share your work with one another.
Contact: Harold Slazer
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1st & 3rd Wednesdays • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET • Zoom
Ukuleliacs
This is a group of Ukulele beginners who gather to learn introductory chords and delight in making music together!
Contact: Kaede Helck
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Every Sunday 2 PM
Butterfly Outreach Ministry
Butterfly Outreach Ministry makes a difference for our food insecure neighbors in the Lower East Side. Due to the December 2020 fire that destroyed Middle’s building, Butterfly Outreach Mission (BOM) is without a kitchen and relies on committed volunteers to keep a vital food ministry afloat. We meet every Sunday at 2:00pm at the LES Comm-Unity Fridge (602 East 9th Street, corner of East 9th Street and Ave B). We will provide Middle Church & BOM branded stickers for you to put on your sandwiches.
Here’s how you can assist:
BOM volunteers will purchase groceries (for reimbursement) and assemble bag lunches to be distributed on any Sunday afternoon during our ministry season. We meet at the LES Comm-Unity Fridge and then walk into Tompkins Square Park, offering bag lunches to interested New Yorkers throughout the park.
Bring 5 or more homemade lunches consisting of:
- Sandwich
- Fruit
- Soft granola bar/snack
- Water/juice box
- Something sweet (optional)
- Paper napkin
Foods that are easier to chew are popular with many of our neighbors who are food insecure. Soft bread, applesauce, mandarins, etc. Include our branded Middle Church and BOM stickers, date and the basic ingredients of your sandwich (e.g., PB & J, Turkey & Cheese, Bagel & Cream Cheese) Add notes of encouragement on or in each lunch bag: “You are loved” or “Have an awesome day.”
Safety Protocols: Remember to wear disposable gloves while assembling lunches. If you are feeling under the weather, please do not participate until you’re well again. We also honor the buddy system when distributing in city parks.
Reimbursement: Middle will reimburse all volunteers for BOM purchases. Please keep all receipts from your specific BOM purchases to submit with our easy online form: https://forms.gle/8KU9CLrANqrXSA4o9. We need a receipt for reimbursement.
This is a wonderful way to connect with folks at Middle while offering a crucial service to the neighborhood. Please email fellow Butterfly, Patrick Mulcahy for more information or to sign up.
Contact: Patrick Mulcahy
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¡Hablamos! Otra Vez!
Our Spanish language social club! Through monthly discussion, lectures, food, film and art, we’ll explore our collective voice on the issues facing our Latinx community. ¡Ven como tú eres! (Come as you are! All levels are welcome.)
For more information, please email one of the facilitators.
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2nd Mondays – 7:00 – 8:00 PM • Zoom
Queer Connections
Join others in the LGBTQIA2S+ community to engage in restorative justice, community building, and discussion at the intersections of queerness and faith. Facilitated by Elise Tiralli & Angela Martenez.
Contact: Elise Tiralli
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2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Queer Black Men
Queer Black Men in the Middle redefines the intersectionality of black gay spirituality and experience. Our mission is to unconditionally love, affirm and support queer black men through honest dialogue and thought-provoking content that creates and renews our commitment to ourselves and to our community.
Contact: Keith Allen
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Thursdays • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET • Zoom
New Adventures
Our adventures are about growth, celebration and learning – especially from one another! Decades of life experience give us a variety of perspectives as we explore current and historical social and cultural topics, as well as personal events, joys and concerns. Our open, loving and safe space provides opportunities for multiple points of view. The weekly virtual gatherings can have an agenda or be spontaneous – and there’s always time for fun, laughter and companionship. We look out for each other in our shared virtual community, which encompasses the US, Canada, and beyond, within our beloved Middle family. New members are always welcome.
Contact: Beth Ellor
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2nd Tuesdays • 6 – 7:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Reparations Task Force
This group examines Middle’s own history of colonization, Indigenous exploitation, and Black enslavement to help us think about how we can use the resources generated by white supremacy—from which we still benefit—to create a more just world. To create continuity in this work, the group is closed to open membership. Interested parties can contact one of the co-chairs to schedule a conversation.
Contact: Kristin Bebelaar
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Bi-weekly Sundays • 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ET • Zoom
Voter Reform Group
A strong democracy depends on civic engagement and a commitment to pluralism. We come together every other week to learn, discuss, and share our individual perspectives on elections and political issues affecting our communities and nation. Importantly, we use this group to take action. We register new voters and mobilize voters for every election. We encourage members to become poll workers and monitors, and to take action on voting rights and other justice issues. We engage in nonpartisan postcard writing campaigns to encourage people to vote and remove any financial barrier so that all citizens can equally participate. Together, we send thousands of cards and letters and amplify our impact.
Contact: Claudia Slacik
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Sundays • 12:45 – 1:30 p.m. ET • Zoom
Virtual Chat & Chew
As the late, great writer, director, and actor Ozzie Davis once said, “Let us gather to affirm our eachotherness.” Chat and Chew is an opportunity to connect each Sunday for a sermon talk-back, poetry reading, or engaging conversation.
Contact: Monique Fortuné
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3rd Sundays at 7-8pm on Zoom & IN-PERSON GATHERINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Young Adults
Join other 20- and 30-somethings to engage the connections between real life, faith, and justice. Share stories, ask questions, or wrestle with career and relationships in a safe and supportive space.
Contact: Elise Tiralli
Click to Join the Next Meeting!Volunteer & Serve
If you’re interested in volunteering or serving for adult or children’s programming, click below!
Join
Do you yearn to not just belong, but be celebrated for exactly who you are? Do you want a community of folks committed to radical love and justice? Wherever you live, you can call Middle Church home.
Give
This movement needs you! We need your time and talent, but we also need your resources. Make a contribution today and help us be midwives to love and justice.