Community Groups
With a church as large as Middle, community groups are the way to get plugged in.
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 community offerings, and contact Ellise Tiralli if you’re wondering what small group might be best for you, or want to receive more information.
Children & Youth
To volunteer for Children & Youth programming please reach out here.
Sundays • 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. ET • Zoom
Kids Enrichment
Children are invited to join our weekly Bible class that explores the intersections of faith, love, and justice in age-appropriate ways. For questions, please email Elise Tiralli.
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Monthly Event
Middle Youth
Middle & High School
Grades 6+ are invited to engage in honest conversations and team-building activities to connect faith and justice. Throughout the year, we will explore topics on racial, economic, gender, and ecological justice. Middle Youth is a space that affirms and honors all gender identities and expressions. For questions, please email Elise Tiralli.
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Sundays • 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. ET • Zoom (Returning Sunday Sept 11 2022)
Village Chorus for Children and Youth
Ages 5+
The Village Chorus for Children and Youth explores a diverse repertoire from many cultures. Children learn the basic elements of vocal production, sing in various languages, and offer soul stirring music. There is no cost to participate but children should have a love for music, a strong desire to learn, and the ability to read. For questions, please email John Del Cueto .
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Parents & Caregivers
Caregivers Circle
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. Contact, Elise Tiralli.
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Youth
Community & Connection
Our young adults, which we define as 20-and-30-somethings, meet twice a month with Elise. This group gathers to discuss life and theology every 2nd Thursday and 4th Sunday, and will welcome you into our loving, inter-generational community that loves God and the world through acts of justice. Mark your calendar and let us know you’ll be with us. In the meantime, we encourage you to join our mailing list and Facebook page to be kept abreast of upcoming offerings.
Join our monthly mailing list for Young Adults offerings!
Join our Young Adults Facebook page!
Contact, Elise Tiralli.
Click to Join the Next Meeting!Adults
To volunteer for Adult programming please reach out here.
Wednesdays • 8-8:30 a.m. ET • Zoom
Pray to Rise
Join Rev. Jacqui Lewis, Ph.D. for a moment of love and prayer to start your day. Bring whatever you’re carrying and we’ll hold it together.
Click here to register and receive Zoom information!
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Mondays • 6:30–8:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Acting Class
Contact: Harold Slazer
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.
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Sundays • 10:00 – 11:40 a.m. ET • Zoom
Bible in the Middle
Contact: Rev. Catherine Torpey
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.
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Every Sunday 2 PM
Butterfly Outreach Ministry
Contact: ptmulcahy21@gmail.com
Volunteers gather every Sunday at 2 PM ET after worship services.
May 22 location: Sara Roosevelt Park, corner of 2nd Avenue and Houston.
Each volunteer will bring 5-10 completed sack lunches which will each include:
- a sandwich
- piece of fruit
- granola bar
- juice box or water
All of the lunches will be prepared in individual kitchens with gloves and face masks worn for safety protocols. Volunteers will be reimbursed for purchases through Middle Church’s outreach funds. We will distribute the lunches throughout Sara Roosevelt Park from Houston to Canal Street. Any remaining lunches will be distributed to Washington Square Park. Please email for more information or to sign-up.
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Thursdays • 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Creative Writing
Contact: Harold Slazer
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.
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¡Hablamos! Happy Hour
Contact: Bianca Michalczak
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.)
Email for more information!
1st Sundays • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Middle Out Loud
Contact: Elise Tiralli
A monthly small group with queer and LGBTQIA+ identified folks and committed allies to have fun, build connections, and discuss pertinent issues to our communities.
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Thursdays • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET • Zoom
New Adventures
Contact: Monique Fortuné
If you are retired, semi-retired, between jobs, or happen to have Thursday afternoons free, you are welcome. Share time with new friends, pray for your Middle family, and live into what adventures lie ahead! This group is primarily for seniors, generally age 65 and above, but open to anyone looking for community!
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2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Queer Black Men in the Middle
Contact: Keith Allen
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.
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1st Tuesdays • 6 – 7:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Reparations Task Force
Contact: Jocelyn Lieu
What are reparations? What are reparations for Middle Church? Why should people of faith care about reparations? What is the daily practice of repairing? How can we grapple with the Collegiate Church’s historical complicity to slavery and indigenous genocide? Join a group digging into Middle’s history to determine how we can begin to repair its harm.
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1st & 3rd Wednesdays • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET • Zoom
Ukuleliacs
Contact: Kaede Helck
This is a group of Ukulele beginners who gather to learn introductory chords and delight in making music together!
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Bi-weekly • 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ET • Zoom
Voter Reform Group
Contact: Elise Tiralli
Right now, and always, fighting for voting rights and ensuring fair and equal elections is God’s work. Our work Voter Reform Group focuses on voter registration and ending voter suppression, and mobilizing voters for elections. Together, we sent more than 50,000 postcards during the 2020 election!
We meet bi-weekly at 10 AM.
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Sundays • 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. ET • Zoom
Virtual Chat & Chew
Contact: Zoom link
Now that we’re in a virtual space every week, we don’t want to miss the opportunity to see each others faces and hear each others voices! Every Sunday we invite you to join us from 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. for a sermon talk-back, and opportunity to gather in community.
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2nd Thursdays at 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET • 4th Sundays at 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET • Zoom
Young Adults Small Group
Contact: Elise Tiralli
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.
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1st Tuesday of the Month • 1-2 p.m. ET • Zoom
Queer Lunch Break
Contact: Elise Tiralli
So many of us grieve the opportunity to connect with others during our lunch breaks in this COVID time — if we even take a lunch break! Join Middle staff for an intentional time of informal queer community as we nourish our bodies and spirits for an hour.
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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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