Middle Hour
10:10 – 10:50 am CT in-person
Middle Hour: Learning, Connection and Fun for All Ages on Sunday Mornings
FUN & FRIENDS FOR KIDS
During Middle Hour from 10:10-10:50 am, our nursery will be open for our youngest friends, ages 6 months to 4 years.
Fun & Friends will be a supervised play, games, and art space for our kids ages 4K through 5th grade (approximately ages 4-10). Older kids are invited to attend coffee hour or one of the adult Middle Hour offerings.
Fun & Friends will include art options, crafts, games, and relaxed play time (as requested by the children and parents themselves).
**In response to requests in the RE spring survey, we are excited to offer a socially-focused opportunity for children during the middle hour called Fun & Friends. Fun & Friends is a supervised time for play, games, and art for our kids ages 4K through 5th grade (approximately ages 4-10). Older kids are invited to attend coffee hour or one of the adult Middle Hour offerings. Our nursery will be open for our youngest friends, ages 6 months to 4 years.
We Need You! To make this happen, we need several adult volunteers who are willing to supervise the Fun & Friends room or the nursery on a rotating basis. Fun & Friends volunteers do not need to be teachers, regular RE volunteers, or have any experience! Anyone over the age of 18 (and at least 21 for the nursery) who can pass a background check is welcome to apply. Contact Ms. Kim or Ms. Jill if you’d like to help out in this way! ([email protected] or [email protected])**
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
*SUNDAY COFFEEHOUSE* 9:00 am
The Sunday Coffeehouse Service will return, at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. More details about Sunday Coffeehouse Service can be found linked here. Children are welcome to attend the service, or there will be non-programmed childcare available from 9:00-10:00 am.
*MIDDLE HOUR* 10:10 am
Middle Hour will be between services from 10:10-10:50 am. We know it’s not a full hour, but this 40-minute time will allow us to have: additional coffee hour and chatting time, “Fun and Friends” structured play time for kids (who told us they want more time to play!), and an opportunity every Sunday for adult education and connection!
*TRADITIONAL SERVICE: NEW TIME* 11:00 am
Traditional Service will happen in the sanctuary, with regular age-appropriate Religious Exploration classes for children and youth, at 11:00 am.
What is Middle Hour?
As we look ahead to the 2024-2025 program year we’re going to try some new ways to help us deepen our connections to each other. One of these new ways is an experiment called MIDDLE HOUR.
We will begin this experiment on Sunday, September 15 and commit to Middle Hour through the end of December, 2024, and will assess whether it should continue after that.
Why are we making this change?
As we look ahead to the 2024-2025 program year we’re going to try some new ways to help us deepen our connections to each other. We have heard from you that you value adult opportunities, learning and connection. We have also heard from both families and kids that they, too, want more time for bonding and play and that adults need childcare to be able to participate. Finally, we know that Sundays are when most people are available to participate, and that coffee hour is lovely but not the best way for many people to connect with others.
What about Zoom? Can I participate from afar?
As of right now, our Middle Hour offerings will be only in-person. If, at some point in the future we determine that we can accommodate some hybrid offerings, we will consider that at that time.
What sorts of offerings will be held?
Who will lead the offerings?
Our goal is to have one adult offering for learning or connection each Sunday during Middle Hour. The Legacy Room will be used for these offerings, with the option to use the Brown Room if we have the opportunity to host two offerings on one Sunday.
Some offerings will be led by our ministers, staff, or lay leaders, but others will be led by groups, committees, or individuals.
If you or your group/ committee has been itching to offer some learning or connection opportunities or to reach more people, this is your chance! Contact Rev. Christina ([email protected]) about how to sign up for a Middle Hour slot to present your offering.
Offerings must be:
- Appropriate for adults or youth 6th grade and older.
- Open to the whole congregation, including visitors (no private committee meetings, etc.).
- In line with the Fellowship’s mission, vision, and UU values.
- Approved by a member of our staff.
Examples of Middle Hour adult offerings will include:
- Conversations about the service themes
- Justice learning or action opportunities
- Theology or other classes
- Creative practices
- Parent engagement (OWL orientation, “talking to your kids about” series, etc.)
- Newcomer orientations or conversations
- Spiritual practices – meditation, yoga, pagan rituals, prayer, etc.
- Religious Exploration volunteer or other leader trainings
- …And more!
