To support and care for those engaging in ministry with children, youth, and families

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Faith Formation Funday Monday

April 2026 Newsletter

 

2026 Spring Event Recap

Mitten Project Spring Event

Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center - Saturday April 18, 2026


As we planned for a full day of activities to build relationships and work together nurturing children in worship and prayer, we were unsure of exactly what to expect for our very first onsite Mitten Project Event. Even some of our cohort churches weren't exactly sure how to market this new type of gathering to families. The event was themed around The Gift of Baptism by Roger Hutchison, and included the story of Jesus' baptism from The Book of Belonging with the goal of helping participants of all ages notice God in nature.


The two learning objectives for the day were to 1) Practice multiple forms of worship and prayer with children in nature and 2) Interact with individuals of all ages from across the Michigan Conference. We spent time in nature storytelling, orienteering, exploring vernal pools, and experiencing God along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The staff at Tower Hill provided lunch for everyone and hospitality for those who stayed overnight. Families from cohort churches had the option to reserve rooms at no additional cost to them in order to help reduce barriers for participation.


Our original agenda was adapted to accommodate 95 registered participants. We ended the day having 78 people onsite; including 22 children (age 1-12), 8 youth (age 13-18), 15 parents and guardians, 10 pastors, 9 children youth and family ministry leaders, 14 church members. Every single thing about the day exceeded expectations.

As part of our work for the grant funding from Lilly Endowment Inc we had a mid-day formative check-in and a summative evaluation form after the event.


Highlights from feedback include:


"Being together in an intergenerational community. The joyful way adults and children commingled and played together!"

"Getting acquainted with so many wonderful people. Little and big."

"Our daughter talked about the vernal pool activity the whole drive home, and expressed excitement about talking about tadpoles in church"

"Creating artwork and storytelling between youth and adults"  

"The idea of prioritizing the voices and ideas of children, letting them answer first." 


Half of the evaluation responses included that meeting new people from across the Michigan Conference was their favorite part of the Spring Event.

Each Mitten Project Onsite Event will take place at a different location and have new programming and opportunities for worship and prayer with children. While we won't be back at Tower Hill, we sure hope that you will still plan to join us on August 1, 2026 from 10:00am - 3:00pm for the Summer Event. Special guest, author Kayla Craig, will be with us for the day, sharing breath prayers and spiritual practices for chaotic times. Location and registration coming soon!!!!


You belong, you are beloved, you are a delight

 

Mitten Project Upcoming Online Event

 

Pentecost and Summer Resources

Special Pentecost Resources from Illustrated Ministry

10 Pentecost activities for kids and families from Traci Smith

Planning Tips for VBS from buildfaith.org


Mitten Project Resources for Summer 2026

Ideas for use:   Summer or VBS curriculum.  Including nature in sermons that help kids understand.  Messages for All Ages.  Embodied spiritual practices.  Family activity days at church.  Nature Nights for All Ages

Ideas for use:  Free Activity Kit.  Messages for All Ages.  Conversation starter about the language we use for God.  Creation Care.  Liturgy ideas.  Art and poetry inspiration. Coloring sheets

 

Leadership Lunch - May 6 2026

Leadership Lunch: Ministry with Older Adults with special guest Kari Rennie from EHM Senior Solutions

May 6, 2026

12:00 PM ET


Join Conference Minister Lillian Daniel in conversation with EHM Senior Solutions and members of the Faith Formation Mission Area Team to discuss insights and opportunities for Ministry with Older Adults.

 

Plan for Summer Camp

 

Love of Children at the National Setting

The National Setting is building up a supportive network to sustain the work of children's ministry leaders and to support them with continued learning and resources to more effectively serve their children and families.


Read the April Newsletter HERE


Love of Children Resources

 

Networking and Resource Sharing

Networking Zoom Meetings for Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Leaders in the Great Lakes Region

1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 11:00 am ET click here


Upcoming Meetings:


May 7, 2026

May 21, 2026


links for meetings can also be found on the Michigan Conference UCC Calendar via the website

FIND A LIBRARY of Searchable Faith Formation Resources


Click HERE to access the online learning platform The Damascus Project Network.


  • Choose "Join" then use your Google, Facebook or other email to create a free account in the Damascus Project Network.


  • JOIN the Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leaders Cohort


  • Type any topic into the Search Bar to see recommended and verified resources from other CY&F Leaders


  • Networking Zoom meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 11:00am EST
 

The Michigan Conference received a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for $1,250,000.00 for the Michigan Conference Mitten Project: Knitting together children and adults in worship and prayer. The Michigan Conference Mitten Project is a 5-year program that invites congregations to engage children in worship, so that all of us, in each generation, can leave church more deeply connected with the spiritual and ready to find the sacred in our everyday lives.

 

Director of Faith Formation &

Mitten Project Program Director


Jennifer Ringgold (she/her) Why are pronouns important?


Office Hours: M-F 10am-3pm 

Google Voice ‪(517) 258-2165‬

jenn@michucc.org


"To believe is to care; to care is to do" 

Follow and tag the Michigan Conference UCC on Facebook and Instagram @michiganucc
Check out the Great Lakes Association of United Church Educators and UCC Youth Ministers Facebook Pages
www.michucc.org