Children, Youth & Family Programs
Children and Youth search for a spiritual identity all their own. At Middle Collegiate Church, we create a safe space where they can question, express, and explore their concerns about identity, responsibility, friendship, peer pressure, and how God fits into their lives.
At Middle Church, we know that we have a role in raising socially conscious, revolutionary lovers. We use Biblical narratives and other stories to teach values such as kindness, love, service, caring for others, generosity, living in community, and the importance of creating a just world. We use the arts extensively to enhance how children and youth learn, and we embody intersectional, progressive theology in all that we teach our young folks. And, more often than not, they end up teaching us quite a deal, too!
We provide both weekly, biweekly, and quarterly offerings for the entire family! Our offerings are hybrid.
For questions, please email Elise Tiralli. You can also subscribe to our monthly Families newsletter and join our Facebook group where we post interactive videos and crafts.
Interested in volunteering with our youth programming? Click here.
Sundays • 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. ET • Zoom
Kids Enrichment
Contact: Elise Tiralli
Grades K through 5th
Children are invited to join our weekly Zoom Bible class with Ms. Alesha that explores the intersections of faith, love, and justice in age-appropriate ways. Young folks are encouraged to ask questions and actively participate in their own learning.
Join the Next Meeting!
MONTHLY EVENTS
Middle Youth
Our cohort engages in education, social events, and service-learning projects that encourage us to examine the world and systems around us, while building connections to relevant topics for our teens. We are working to rebuild our youth program; please reach out with interest.
Sundays • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Village Chorus for Children and Youth (VVCY)
Ages 5+
The Village Chorus for Children and Youth is part of the Freedom Summer program and meets in person every Sunday from 1pm-2:00pm. We also have a Zoom option available. It is unique in that it welcomes children starting at the age of 5 and goes all the way up to 18 (senior in High School). This set up allows the younger children to learn from the older, and the older children/youth to mentor the younger children. In addition to this inherent learning system, we explore a diverse repertoire from many cultures. Children learn the basic elements of vocal production, sing in various languages, and perform music that is both engaging and transformational. There is no cost to participate but children should have a love for music, and a strong desire to learn. For questions, please email John Del Cueto
Zoom
Raising Revolutionary Children
Contact: Elise Tiralli.
Parents & Caregivers
Conversations and community at the intersection of parenting, faith, and the belief that we can raise a just, liberated, and ethical generation. We provide quarterly opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage staff and each other. We provide quarterly opportunities for parents and guardians to engage staff and each other. We have also started periodic meetups for those with pandemic babies (born ‘20-’23). Reach out to get plugged in, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter for updates.
Email Elise!
Freedom Summer
Contact: Elise Tiralli.
Inspired by the CDF’s Freedom School, Middle’s Freedom Summer is a free, week-long camp every August for grades K-5 to engage in conversations, workshops, and activities around love, justice, and liberation. For updates on when applications for participants and volunteers will open for 2024, subscribe to Elise Tiralli’s monthly newsletter.
Email Elise!
Every November
Children’s Multicultural Book Fair
Contact: Elise Tiralli.
Middle Church is committed to childhood literacy and showcasing the range of identities, faiths, languages, and lived experiences of our beloved New Yorkers. This beloved annual event features titles for purchase, ranging for Grades 0-8th and features live author readings, raffles, music, and activity stations. We always need volunteers, so reach out to Elise if you’re available to serve OR subscribe to Elise Tiralli’s monthly newsletter for updates! This year, Book Fair will return to its inception-date seven years ago – Sunday, November 12th, 2023.
Email Elise!Upcoming Children & Youth Events
Join any of these fabulous upcoming events for kids & families!
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.
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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.