517-258-0038 | To care for UCC clergy and churches in Michigan.
517-258-0038 | To care for UCC clergy and churches in Michigan.
Church News You Can Use
As we journey through holy week, a special Holy Week newsletter is now available, featuring an article from our Conference Minister, Lillian Daniel.
Mitten Project: April’s In-Person Spring Event & Easter Resources For the Family
The March 2026 Faith Formation Newsletter shares Easter resources for the whole family, as well as important details for upcoming trainings and the first in-person event coming in the Spring of 2026 for the Mitten Project. Information regarding upcoming youth trips for the summer of 2026 include an important announcement about the German partnership and trip details.
Mar 06, 2026
This month’s newsletter shares a reflection from Conference Minister Lillian Daniel on the response of the
church in the wake of unprovoked violence. Palm Sunday Path is unfolding in Michigan as an event of public witness and nonviolent resistance. Congregational resources for your ministry are abundant; learn more about upcoming Mitten Project trainings, upcoming Association Spring Meeting information, new grants available to support clergy education, stewardship webinars, and details on the upcoming Women of Michigan UCC retreat event.
Lenten Resources Courtesy of the Mitten Project And Details on April’s In-Person Spring Event
The February 2026 edition of the Faith Formation Newsletter shares Lenten Resources from the Mitten Project, as well as important details for upcoming trainings and the first in-person event coming in the Spring of 2026 for the Mitten Project. Jenn Ringgold also provides a wonderful recap of the Michigan Conference Winter Youth Retreat, hosted by Haslett Community Church. Also in this month’s issue is information about the Leadership Fellows Program, designed for students entering undergraduate education, which includes a scholarship, annual retreat, and an international cross-cultural experience.
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”.
A Letter of Response To the Events Occurring in Minnesota
Michigan Conference Leaders Lillian Daniel, Lawrence Richardson, and Cheryl Burke share the grief and frustration voiced by clergy and faith leaders across the notion in this month’s Conference Minister newsletter.
As stated by the National platform:
“The United Church of Christ joins the faith community in strongly condemning the on-going actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement as it continues to bring death and violence to the streets of Minneapolis. The use of lethal force on unarmed and non-threatening individuals continues to result in loss of life and injury…”
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
General Minister and President/CEO, UCC
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.
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!
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