NEW PHONE NUMBER 517-258-0038 | To care for UCC clergy and churches in Michigan.
NEW PHONE NUMBER 517-258-0038 | To care for UCC clergy and churches in Michigan.
Church News You Can Use
Feb 05, 2026
Tools, Books and More Books – For Your Ministry
This month’s newsletter featured two exciting reads for your ministry. One has been around for some time and was featured in February’s Leadership Lunch. The Black Utopians by Aaron Robertson is a reflection “on a diverse array of Black utopian visions, from the Reconstruction era through the countercultural fervor of the 1960s and 1970s and into the present day.” This novel showcases, among other things, a well-known and highly regarded UCC Congregation known as the Shrine of the Black Madonna. While diving into the journeys of several individuals, Robertson shows the power of the enduring fight against systemic racism.
Among an array of congregational resources, upcoming Mitten Project trainings, and new grants available to support clergy education, Conference Minister Lillian Daniel also debuts her own novel, to be released on April 6th, 2026. Defrocked – Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church is a story of accountability and redemption, where Daniel reminds us that “the ditch is the place to which the gospel speaks most deeply”.
Feb 02, 2026
Mitten Project Resources, Trainings, and Upcoming Youth Trips to Washington, D.C. and Germany
The January 2026 edition of the Faith Formation Newsletter shows a strong start to all things Faith Formation, including several upcoming trainings for the Mitten Project. It’s the perfect time to read about the resource kits sent out to all Michigan Conference UCC Congregations, and We are also excited to include links to network and resource sharing at the national level, as well as educational course offering through the Damascus Project learning platform.
Don’t forget about the upcoming Summer trip for Youth to Germany! The Application deadline is Sunday March 15, 2026 at 9:00pm.
There is also the Summer Advocacy trip to Washington DC coming up in July! The Application deadline is Sunday February 22, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Jan 07, 2026
Making a Fresh Start in 2026
2026’s first issue of the Monthly newsletter is all about making a fresh start! January’s Leadership Lunch highlights the literary works of UCC clergy and author, Molly Baskette, as she speaks about starting new in the midst of hardship. A brand new year marks the official beginning of the Mitten Project, and you can get all the latest updates, resources, and plans for that in this issue or at the Michigan Conference Faith Formation webpage. Conference staff members, Andrew Warner and Lawrence Richardson, are also offering educational opportunities coming this spring, including a free webinar series on stewardship and a low-cost course offering on Digital Media through the Damascus Project learning platform.
Jan 07, 2026
The final issue of 2025 Faith Formation Newsletter is here and full of resources for the inaugural year of the Mitten Project. Read about the resource kits sent out to all Michigan Conference UCC Congregations, and sign up for the upcoming pastor training in February! We are also excited to include links to network and resource sharing at the national level, as well as educational course offering through the Damascus Project learning platform.
Dec 09, 2025
Abiding in Advent
In keeping with our commitment to hope, peace, joy, and radical love, this month’s newsletter contains Advent resources—such as the Abolition Advent Calendar, Trans Advent, and materials from UCC Advent resource list, which provide a guiding framework of reflection and encouragement during this season. If you are looking for a fresh perspective for Christmastide, you will find somethin g good here!Don’t forget to read on for updates on the Mitten Project, upcoming Youth Winter Retreat, and more local church news!
Dec 09, 2025
This issue of the Faith Formation Newsletter shares wonderful updates from our Faith Formation initiatives. For the local churches with the top numbers of Worship Engagement Surveys completed and churches with the top percentage rates based on membership totals, they received the good news that they will be reimbursed for their Annual Meeting Registrations for this year! We are also excited to share initial data from the preliminary findings of the Worship Engagement Survey associated with the Michigan Conference Mitten Project. This undertaking will shed light on how to best connect our churches with valuable resources for youth and family ministry. Finally, Jenn Ringgold shares engaging networking and resource-sharing opportunities from the Damascus Project, Youth Leadership Symposium, and Leadership Fellows Program.
Nov 09, 2025
CLERGY SPOTLIGHT: Rev. Dan Barnum-Steggerda shares his woodworking and crafting hobbies as creative ways to bless his local community for the holidays.
Resources that Keep On Giving
November’s Newsletter is overflowing with ideas to bring joy to your congregation and community for the upcoming holiday season. Look forward to the 2026 Winter Retreat for ALL Michigan Conference Youth grades 6-12, celebrate with Union church as they honor their 145th Anniversary, find new ways to give a radical welcome to new faces in your congregation, and learn about how the Michigan Conference can help your ministry with grants and scholarships!
Important Dates:
Don’t Forget to check out the Michigan Conference YouTube Channel for leadership lunches, online trainings, and a wealth of resources for your life and ministry.
Oct 30, 2025
October 2025 Newsletter
Dive into this Faith Formation resource for updates on the Worship Engagement survey, the Mitten Project, Youth retreats, and networking opportunities. Additional trainings organized by the Damascus Project and the National United Church of Christ setting are included! All of this great content is organized into one convenient article by Jenn Ringgold, Program Associate for Youth Ministries and Program Director for the Mitten Project.
Oct 08, 2025
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
This October newsletter contains resources from the Annual Meeting workshops. Free articles, slide decks, graphics, and other resources address the needs in our Michigan congregations today. Topics include Lay Leader and Moderator Training, Anti-racism, Unified Committee on Ministry, and The Mitten Project. There is so much happening in the Michigan Conference and so many ways for you and your local church to connect, learn, and grow!
Oct 01, 2025
This September’s Monthly newsletter will bring you up to date on the latest trainings, Ecclesiastical Councils, Churches in Search, and Annual Meeting Workshop Offerings. Don’t miss it!
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