Volunteer & Serve
Our faith reminds us that we are inextricably bound together; our liberation is linked to each other. Tied up together. We are the hands, feet, and heartbeat of God.
Volunteers power our movement of love and justice. Together, we create Middle Church. There are many ways to get involved; this page is a great start, and listening to announcements in worship for one-off opportunities. For more information about volunteer opportunities, email our team and the appropriate staff member will be in touch.
Sundays and Special Events
Ushers
Did you know that people decide in the first SEVEN minutes whether they’ll return to a church? Our ushers are first-in-line to offer fierce love and gracious welcome to newcomers and members alike.
During worship, virtual ushers welcome and greet people in our digital spaces while in-person ushers greet them at the door. Please sign up below:
Instructions for Digital Ushering
In-Person Ushering: Dianne Galashaw or Elise Tiralli
Online Ushering: Ben Perry
Get Involved!
New York continues to receive new neighbors from our Southern borders…
Migrant Mutual Aid
Here are 3 ways to get involved
- Email Rev Amanda to be added to a Rapid Response Signal Text Chain. From time to time we hear about evictions, sweeps, and other things that need rapid attention. This Signal chain is the best way to respond.
- Middle partners with Judson Memorial Church’s Radical Hope Mutual Aid Center every Monday. Volunteers are needed to set up the space, interact with migrants, set out food, prepare food, clean, and other tasks that arise. Volunteer shifts are: 9:00-12:00, 12:00-3:00, and 2:00-6:00. Email Micah Bucey to sign up for a shift. If you’d like to go with someone from Middle, email Deborah Berg McCarthy to coordinate!
Sundays
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.
Get Involved!
Thursdays | 7pm-8:30pm
Jerreise Johnson Gospel Choir
The gospel choir rehearses in person every Thursday evening from 7pm-8:30pm, and also has a Zoom option for those who are unable to attend in person. For more information or to join, please contact John Del Cueto..
Get Involved!
Sundays and Events
Youth & Children Programming
Love working with kids? Volunteer to help our community raise the next generation of revolutionary lovers. Offer your time and wisdom at field trips, special events, Bible studies, Christmas pageants and more!
Get Involved!
Virtual Prayer Circle
Middle Prays
Are you called to pray for middle Church and her members, our city, country and world? This group is for you. Each week, you’ll receive a prayer request from a Deacon, and then you can pray on it throughout the week.
Get Involved!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.