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
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!
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!
This September’s Faith Formation Friday Fun newsletter has something for everyone. There is so much happening in the Michigan Conference and so many ways for you and your local church to connect, learn, and grow!
Find out about the Michigan Conference Annual Meeting Workshop offerings, the exciting work of the Mitten Project, online webinars, trainings, resources, and more!!!
Aug 05, 2025
Register for Annual Meeting Now! Early Bird Registration ends after August 10, 2025
Money should never be a reason for folks not to attend the Michigan Conference Annual Meeting. If you or your church would like financial assistance, please email Lisa Soulliere at lisa@michucc.org for preapproval of a discounted registration rate no later than August 30, 2025.
This August there is so much happening in the Michigan Conference and so many ways for you and your local church to connect, learn, and grow!
Find out about the Michigan Conference Mitten Project, register for Level 1 Online Media Training, plan for Annual Meeting, serve on the Board of Directors, Make-a-Will Month, and more!!!
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