Middle Hour
(On hiatus for the summer starting May 25)
Middle Hour: Learning, Connection and Fun for All Ages on Sunday Mornings
What is Middle Hour?
During this 2024-2025 program year we have been trying some new ways to help us deepen our connections to each other. One of these new ways is an experiment called MIDDLE HOUR.
Why Middle Hour?
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.
Tell Me More!
Middle Hour takes place during the program year (taking a hiatus when we return to one Sunday service during the summer). It is only available in-person. Unfortunately we can’t offer Middle Hour on Zoom.
We strive to have at least one offering for adults each week, as well as Fun & Friends for kids.
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!
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 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!
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])**
What’s Coming Up in Middle Hour?
May 11 – “Honoring the Complexities of Mothers’ Day”
Led by members of our Care Team.
It’s a joyful day for some people and a painful day for others. How can we hold all the complexities and honor them?
May 18 –
Pop-Up Membership Joining Session
Led by Rev. Christina
Have you been wanting to join the Fellowship as a member, but keep forgetting to contact the ministers to do it? Now’s your chance!
Budget Information and Listening Session
Led by our Governing Board
We will have our annual meeting on June 8 to vote as members on the upcoming program year’s budget. Come see what the Board will be proposing.
SUMMER HIATUS
We begin our summer schedule of one 10:00am service and no Middle Hour on Sunday, May 25.
We will return to two services at 9:00am and 11:00am, with Middle Hour at 10:10, on September 14, 2025.
