Advent
Advent Season: Transformed by Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy
This Advent, Middle Church invites you to journey with us as we reflect on how hope, peace, love, and joy can transform us. Even in heartbreaking times, in seasons of new challenge, and through the movements that are remaking our world, these sacred gifts remind us that God is still breaking in with possibility.
As you move through this season with your family, we invite you to bring these themes home. The Just Love Children’s Story Bible is a beautiful way to help little ones learn the story of Jesus through a lens of justice, inclusion, and fierce love. It is filled with stories and questions that open hearts, spark imagination, and give caregivers language to talk about faith in real and hopeful ways.
Hope
“Whatever affects one of us affects all of us. Injustice, poverty, bigotry—when one of us is wounded, we all are hurt. On the other hand, surviving and thriving with resilience, hope, and joy are also to be shared in the village that is our globe.’
– Fierce Love, Rev. Jacqui Lewis
ICNY’s Social Justice Conference: Religious Resistance to Authoritarianism
Join us on December 4 for a timely gathering on how faith communities resist authoritarianism and defend democracy today. This conference grounds Advent in courage and hope.
Register here
Just Love Kids
Beginning December 7 children in grades 3 through 8 gather upstairs during worship to learn, connect, and explore faith together. Their curiosity and community remind us of the hope that grows in our young people.
Middle Players Presents: The Mistletoe Murder of 1940
Join us on December 7 for a comic holiday mystery that brings joy, storytelling, and community. Laughter and creativity help us practice peace together. A light reception follows.
New New Yorker Community Partnership Dinner
Also on December 7 we gather with new New Yorker families for a warm meal and shared hospitality. This gathering builds peace through welcome, connection, and care.
PEACE
“Truth invites us to be honest about who we are, about our flawed-but-beautiful, broken-but-healing selves. Truth leads to reconciliation and peace; without truth, there is no peace.”
– Fierce Love, Rev. Jacqui Lewis
LOVE
“Fierce love breaks through tribalism to help humans realize an inextricable and irrevocable connection, and understand that the liberation, livelihood, and thriving of people and planet are tied up together.“
– Fierce Love, Rev. Jacqui Lewis
Holiday Caroling Singalong with the Butterfly Outreach Ministry
Join us on December 13 at Tompkins Square Park to sing carols, share hot drinks, and distribute lunches to our neighbors. Love comes alive when we show up in community.
Just Love Afternoon of Action
Join us on December 14 to assemble anti ICE kits, support Middle authors, and enjoy a holiday reading from Lauren Semmer. This afternoon centers love in action and community care.
Holiday Meal and Gifting with Housing Shelter Guests
Join us on December 18 as we welcome shelter guests with food, gifts, and radical hospitality. Sharing a meal together is one of the simplest ways joy fills a room.
Holiday Party with New New Yorkers
Join us on December 20 at Judson Memorial Church for a festive celebration with new New Yorker families. Music, treats, and togetherness create joy for everyone who attends.
Email Rev. Amanda for either event!
JOY
“When we take it to the streets, embracing our joy, it’s reflected back to us. Joy amplifies joy.”
– Fierce Love, Rev. Jacqui Lewis