#middlechurch

[explode-this]

(A note: please know that when I share sermons from my church, I’m not here to proselytize. I am an agnostic and the furthest thing from an evangelist; I don’t believe in forcing my own exploration of deconstruction and faith onto others, but I do like to share what I find valuable. Middle is an interfaith universalist church that has a central message of love and even uses extra-canonical texts, something I’ve never before been encouraged to read and understand for myself by any other church. In this particular service the sermon, communion, and call to join were all delivered by trans men—Middle doesn’t just pay lip service to “acceptance,” they pass the mic over and listen. ♥️ )

[explode-this]

My church did a selection of songs from Jesus Christ Superstar for Palm Sunday and this was a joy to watch as it streamed live. Reverend Natalie goes OFF and I LOVE it lmao ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ Ivan Anderson, who played Jesus, did an amazing Gethsemane too:

[originalgladiatorcollective]

#MerryChristmas It's all about the Babe!

[explode-this]

I don’t quite remember how I found Middle Church but they’ve been revolutionary in terms of showing me a congregation whose faith is overwhelmingly in favor of human beings and making the peace we want on earth a reality, not just washing our hands of atrocity and turning towards an afterlife for hope. They welcome everyone but also show massive love to and for their queer brethren. I never thought I’d ever want to be near a church again but I watch the stream every Sunday and this sermon was bang on. Reverend Ben is an amazing speaker with great insights. I don’t throw Christian content out there willy nilly—so many of us have been personally hurt and damaged by people wearing the name of Christ, but these folks are just… real. Really real. They’ve also been participating actively in pro-Palestine protests and call genocide what it is. I love them ♥️

[changoblanco]

I knew about the fire but still shocked to come around 7th st and see the church like this. #middlecollegiatechurch #middlechurch #eastvillage #nycstreets (at Middle Collegiate Church) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNfcLhMBZKB/?igshid=oejfvp9oa5o1

[originalgladiatorcollective]

Diagonally across from the business entrance to #middlechurch is the former location of Bar Virage restaurant... which has fallen victim to #vandalism since the eatery closed (Ugh! Such a #blight on the #neighborhood!). I fear that unless the exterior of the building gets power washed, the #realestate agent identified in the last photo won't be able to make a lease deal. Don't even think about telling me the economy is booming. #2ndavenue #easyvillage #vacancywoes https://www.instagram.com/p/B73r0ehhfjU/?igshid=1hbh9uf6rrahn

[originalgladiatorcollective]

Justice is really love in calculation. Justice is love correcting that which revolts against love.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[originalgladiatorcollective]

Justice is really love in calculation. Justice is love correcting that which revolts against love.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.