Middle Hour
Learning, Connection & Fun for All Ages on Sunday Mornings
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What is Middle Hour?
Middle Hour is the time between our 9:00 am and 11:00 am Sunday services (from 10:10-10:50 am) during our program year between approximately September through May. There is no Middle Hour during the summer. The goal of Middle Hour is to provide time for adults to participate in adult enrichment opportunities, learning, and connection, while our children to connect and play in Fun & Friends.
Our Adult Faith Formation Team helps coordinate the adult Middle Hour offerings. Offerings include presentations by committees and teams, ways to engage in justice-making, spiritual or creative practices, discussions about theological or ethical issues, and more.
Almost every week, one of our music programs will be rehearsing in the sanctuary as well. All are welcome!
Fun & Friends for Kids
Fun & Friends will include art options, crafts, games, and relaxed play time (as requested by the children and parents themselves). Approximately once per month, the Joyful Noise Choir rehearsal will be held in lieu of Fun & Friends and we hope all young people will participate.
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! (kim@fvuuf.org or jill@fvuuf.org).
What’s Coming Up In Middle Hour?
January 25
- “Rising Together” Continued
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Dan Van Sickle.
February 1
- Important! UU the Vote – AASD School Referendum Information – Lee Snodgrass, State Assembly Representative and Greg Hartjes, Superintendent of the Appleton Area School District will present information on the need for the upcoming public school referendums to offset school funding deficits.
- “Living on the Ebb” February service theme – Join this Sunday’s lay worship leader to discuss the theme of the month and our earth teacher, tide pools, and how you too can be inspired by these ideas and symbols. You will also have the opportunity to add to your home altar.
February 8
- Poetry as a Spiritual Path – Join Cathy Cofell, beloved Fellowship member and Appleton’s Poet Laureate, for a session exploring poetry as a spiritual path. This Middle Hour session is a “teaser” for her 90-minute workshop on Feb. 15 at 4:00 pm.
- Resilience – Join members of our Care Team to explore ways that we can foster resilience in our lives, especially when dealing with physical, emotional, or life struggles.
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary.
February 15
- TBD
- Joyful Noise all-ages choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Tam Masters.
February 22
- Poverty by America – Join members of our Essentials: Food and Shelter for All JAM as we delve into Matthew Desmond’s provocative book, Poverty by America. This essential read examines the systemic roots of poverty in the United States and challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths about wealth and privilege. Desmond offers compelling insights that push us to rethink how our society views poverty and the policies that perpetuate it. This discussion promises to ignite thoughtful dialogue and inspire collective action. All fellowship members and friends are welcome to participate in what we hope will be a transformative experience. Don’t miss out! You are welcome to attend even if you haven’t yet read the book.
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary.
March 1
- Let’s Get Engaged! – Join members of our Engagement Hub Team to learn all the ways you can find connection, support, and involvement here at the Fellowship. No pressure, just information (and ring-pops).
- “Seen & Unseen” March service theme – Join this Sunday’s lay worship leader to discuss the theme of the month and our earth teacher, mycelium (mushrooms), and how you too can be inspired by these ideas and symbols. You will also have the opportunity to add to your home altar.
March 8
- TBD
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary.
March 15
- TBD
- Camp Singers rehearsal in the sanctuary with Tam Masters.
March 22
- Wisconsin Supreme Court Primary Election Info – Join members of our UU the Vote team to learn more about the upcoming election to choose potential justices for the WI supreme court.
- Joyful Noise all-ages choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Tam Masters.
March 29
- TBD
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Rick Bjella.
April 5
- “But What If We Did?” April service theme – Join this Sunday’s lay worship leader to discuss the theme of the month and our earth teacher, geese, and how you too can be inspired by these ideas and symbols. You will also have the opportunity to add to your home altar.
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Rick Bjella.
April 12
- TBD
- Joyful Noise all-ages choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Tam Masters.
April 19
- TBD
- Pop-Up Membership Joining Ceremony – for anyone who feels ready to join the Fellowship as a member and hasn’t had the chance, join us during Middle Hour or after the 2nd service. Led by folks from the Membership Team.
April 26
- Earth Day with members of the Green Sanctuary Team.
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Tam Masters.
May 3
- “Community in Bloom” May service theme – Join this Sunday’s lay worship leader to discuss the theme of the month and our earth teacher, sunflowers, and how you too can be inspired by these ideas and symbols. You will also have the opportunity to add to your home altar.
May 10
- Newcomer 101 – Join folks from our Membership Team for an informal information and Q&A session for anyone who is new to the Fellowship or still feels that way.
- Fellowship Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Rick Bjella.
May 17
- UU the Vote: Midterm Elections – Members of our UU the Vote team are already looking ahead to the midterm elections and want to help you begin thinking about what issues and candidates matter to you.
- Joyful Noise all-ages choir rehearsal in the sanctuary with Tam Masters.