Freedom Rising: The Fierce Urgency of Now

No matter who wins the Presidential election in November; no matter which political party has the most power, we—good people of moral courage and fierce love—must save ourselves.

On April 4-6, 2025 in New York City and in online, Middle Church and Freedom Rising partner to offer The Fierce Urgency of Now.

We’ll convene preachers and poets, activists and artists, writers, and all those wrestling with unjust systems of oppression with one question in mind: Where do we go from here, together?

Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. said,

“We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.

Get your ticket now, for $99, our lowest price for this conference made affordable by donations and grants.

We will honor this price until Election Day, November 5, at 11:59p.

We believe in the power of love. Period.

Need Care?

You are not alone. Whatever you’re carrying, we will hold it with you.

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Help Middle Rise

Help us rebuild our church and invest in Just Love. Period.

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Worship with Us!

Experience a celebration as diverse as a NYC subway that feels like a warm hug.

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Freedom Rising: The Fierce Urgency of Now

On April 4-6, 2025 in New York City and in online, Middle Church and Freedom Rising partner to offer The Fierce Urgency of Now.
We’ll convene preachers and poets, activists and artists, writers and all those wrestling with unjust systems of oppression with one question in mind: Where do we go from here, together?

Learn more

Sermon | Lament | Rev. Dr. Damaris D. Whittaker

Sept ’24 Congregational Meeting

Celebrate

Read Our 2023-2024 Impact Report!

We’re so proud of what you accomplished last year! Watch our Fall Congregational Meeting to hear from church leadership about where we’ve journeyed—and where we’re headed.

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NOW ON CIRCLE!

Online Worship!

Missed this week’s worship live, especially getting to chat with everyone?

Online Worship Celebration is moving to Circle directly after worship every Sunday. You can watch on your own schedule and not lose out on the option to chat with your community about your experience.

Learn More

Pre-Order NOW!

The Just Love Bible by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis

In a bold and inspiring new storybook Bible for children, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Rev. Dr. Shannon Daley-Harris join a long line of sacred storytellers and question-askers. For thousands of years, people have told stories, sung songs, asked hard questions, and shared experiences to learn about God and how to live as God’s people. The big message of the Bible is that God loves us and created us to love God and each other, to do justice, and to love kindness. In The Just Love Story Bible, children and families are invited to open their imaginations, take hold of their belovedness, and understand that all people on earth deserve to be loved and to have dignity, equality, and justice.

Pre-Order Now!

Be a part of the RISING

Help Middle Rise

After a devastating six-alarm fire in 2020, Middle Church is called to the rising. Learn how you can be part of this urgent opportunity to rebuild our church and invest in Just Love. Period.

 

Rise With Us

Get Involved

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.

Get Involved Today!

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.

December 5, 2020

A six-alarm fire spread from the building next door and destroyed our beautiful sanctuary. But no fire can stop revolutionary love! Learn how we’re rising from the ashes, and what you can do to help.

Find Your People!

Middle hosts small groups for everything from beginning ukulele lessons, to Queer Black Men in the Middle and our Voting Reform team. And all of them have options to gather virtually! Join the groups that best fit your passion, and the love you want to offer the world.

Liberative Learning

How do you change the world? First, you change yourself. Part of how we fulfill our commitment to God’s gospel of liberation is by training leaders with the skills you’ll need to bring freedom wherever you go. Thousands have participated in our digital courses. Will join them?

What We Believe

Middle is on a mission to reclaim and reframe Christianity—to realign our faith with Jesus’ teaching and take it back from the folks who have stolen it. We do this work joyfully, fueled by the Spirit, and strengthened by the community we create with one another.

Watch & Learn

Middle’s worship is a joyful, diverse celebration that gives a taste of what heaven feels like—an experience to soothe your soul and fill you with God’s liberatory fire! Every week is different, but what remains constant is how we tell the story of love through transformative art.

Do Justice

Faith comes alive when our love radiates outwards. At Middle, we’re committed to building an intersectional movement that both addresses the particular needs of different communities and unites us in common solidarity. This is God’s work, and we hope you’ll join us in it.