Make sure to "View Entire Message" to see all the October News! | | bringing Michigan Conference UCC pastors and churches closer together and closer to God | | My Annual Meeting Stretch Marks | |
by Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel,
Michigan Conference Minister
Last weekend’s annual meeting was fantastic. I'm so proud of our board of directors, all the volunteers, the annual meeting planning team and our staff. Notes for next year: we have to clone everybody, so that everybody can be everywhere, doing everything, all at once.
Our two resolutions, one on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the other one updating our language and affirming our amazing history as the first Conference in the UCC to become Open and Affirming, were not superficial. They both involved meaningful, deep conversations. And as always, the things you think might be controversial may not be, and then other things come up hot, and you feel all the emotions and yes, you do always seem to end up debating the placement of a comma. Every person who makes a comment influences you in a different way, and this year that included our ecumenical guest from the United Church of Canada who jumped right in. As one of our pastors said at the pro microphone about one of the resolutions, he loves coming because he has to stretch when he learns new things. He had a particular position about some verbiage or terminology, but then he heard the different points of view, and he told us he was going home with his mind changed, feeling stretched.
His comment reminded me of the stretch marks that appear on a person’s belly during pregnancy and then don’t go away, but remain as evidence of a miraculous expansion. At first, after I gave birth, I wanted those stretch marks gone, but now I am proud of them. Stretching also reminds me of the work people do in physical exercise to build, recover or retain their strength. Of course, I also thought of the amazing stretching power of a rubber band, because I was already wound tight like that before the meeting. As a local church pastor for decades,I planned a big event every Sunday but I must be out of practice. Our annual meeting for me is like that big Easter service with a congregational meeting and a church fair on top of it and I take it really seriously. And just like in the local church, by the end, I’m always reminded that it wasn’t ever mine to begin with, because God loves a team.
Our two keynote speakers were fantastic and they both came from within the Michigan Conference. By choosing Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, Pastor of Fellowship Chapel and President of the NAACP in Detroit and Rev. Dr. Lawrence Richardson our own Associate Conference Minister, we went inward to the wisdom within the Michigan Conference because this is a really hard time for churches and for our nation. I felt like God was saying: no need for an outside expert this year, you've got your people. The feedback from last year’s annual meeting was that the workshop Lawrence did on church vitality should be a keynote for the plenary next year, so that was a no-brainer. Done! And then shortly after that, I was at worship at Fellowship Chapel at a difficult time for the country in early November, and I heard Dr. Anthony give a sermon that was a balm to my soul, prophetic and prayerful. It was a wise elder, putting our moment in the context of history and I knew I wanted some of that for our next annual meeting and boy, did we get it. From Biblical history of the ten commandments to political history and civil rights to the latest current events, we were reminded that there's nothing new under the sun. Yes, there is value in bringing an outside speaker, but at this moment, it felt empowering to resource each other, which we did with workshops led by lay leaders, pastors and conference staff, and it felt inspiring to be in community, which we did over good meals, libations, games and social time. And then there was the business of the church, which is led and carried by the board and our president, Liz Larrivee, but is always a massive collaboration once the Holy Spirit and all those people arrive. The officers sitting up front managing and moderating did such a good job, some having been called in at the last minute to do something entirely new (thank you, Vice President Steve Johnson) because here in the Michigan Conference, we really do cover for each other.
After last year in Traverse City, this year we were in the Detroit area, where the overall numbers increased 10% with 139 attendees. It’s always a different crowd based on which part of the mitten you meet at. This year our biggest jump was having 10 more churches attending than last year, and 9 more authorized clergy than the previous year. Another visible and audible change was the deliberate integration of intergenerational opportunities, which is a fancy way of saying kids and youth were included in new ways that made everything a lot more fun and stretchier.
So pastors, now is the time to add next year’s meeting to your calendar for Oct 1-3, 2026 so that you can make it a priority to be in covenant with the conference then. Churches, you are not limited in the number of people who can attend, so to anyone reading this, save the date but prepare to be stretched. As for me, I have some new stretch marks after this annual meeting and I am proud of them.
| | Annual Meeting Workshop Resources | |
Moving beyond not racist, becoming an ally of antiracism
A journey of truth and transformation
Pastor Michael Young
In this workshop Rev. Young dives deeper into the racism we inherited, both the personal and communal, as we work collectively to be an authentic antiracist presence in our circles of influence. Want to learn more? Read 5 Aspects of an Antiracist Congregation.
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Unified Committee on Ministry
Rev. Cheryl Burke, Rev. Lawrence Richardson, and members of the COM Team
Learn more about the inner workings of a Unified Committee on Ministry and the potential of working together to pool resources, streamline processes such as Search and Call, and communicate more efficiently to support all of our UCC congregations statewide.
Watch a short video about Unified COM.
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Training for Church Moderators and Lay Leaders
Rev. Dr. Lawrence Richardson and local church leaders
Rev. Dr. Richardson and experienced church leaders share their experience and advice in developing processes of lay leadership that will benefit everyone, including a review and practical applications of Robert's Rules.
Want to learn more? Read up on the speakers' resources and tips on how to run a meeting.
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Older Adult Ministries
Rev. Ruth Moerdyk, Rev. Sue Greenwood and members of the Faith Formation Mission Area Team
In this workshop Rev. Moerdyk addresses the needs of older adults in the life of the church. She discusses best practices and shares resources for meeting the needs of this important and growing demographic.
Learn more about the resources for this workshop here.
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The Michigan Conference Mitten Project
Jenn Ringgold, Program Director of the Mitten Project
Learn more by watching this video about Mitten Project and access slides from the workshop.
Applications for Cohort Funding are due 11.14.2025.
Cohorts and training opportunities open to all begin in 2026. All Michigan Conference UCC churches will receive 2026 resources in early 2026.
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4 Best Practices to Increase Giving in Your Congregation
Rev. Andrew Warner, Michigan Conference UCC Director of Finance and Development
Rev. Andrew Warner, CFRE, shared 4 proven ways to improve fundraising for your congregation. Review his presentation to learn more.
| | November 5 Leadership Lunch | |
Dying to Give? How Planned Giving can Impact your church
November 5, 2025 12:00 PM ET
November 5th Leadership Lunch:
Dying to Give?
Join Lillian in conversation with Rev. Andrew Warner, Director of Finance and Development in the Michigan and Wisconsin Conferences, to learn about ways that Planned Giving can impact the stewardship and budgeting process in local churches.
| | December 3rd Leadership Lunch: Abide in Advent time for church leaders to be in conversation with Conference Minister Lillian Daniel and Associate Conference Minister Cheryl Burke about living into the season of Advent with care and intention. | |
watch LIVE on YouTube @12noon
and watch recordings ANYTIME!!
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We know that churches are trying to find a balance between wide-open doors and safe spaces during worship. As a Conference, we took time during our Leadership Lunch on 10.01.2025 to offer Spiritual Care and Community in Troubling Times. First and foremost, we want to acknowledge how hard it is to be the church right now. Lament is a necessary practice for our clergy and churches before we can lean into the hope of caring for one another. If you need some sacred space to lay down church burdens, this is the video for you.
We have also collected additional preparation and educational resources for church leaders. Here is our previously recorded Leadership Lunch on Church Safety and Vandalism, as well as an Emergency Operations Template from our Disaster Ministries Coordinator and Best Practices for local church security from the National Ministries Setting of the UCC. Associate Conference Minister Lawrence Richardson has also compiled these Resources for churches considering armed security.
In all situations and circumstances, your Conference Staff is praying for you and prepared to answer your calls and questions about how to keep moving forward as the church in these troubling times. Peace be with you.
| | Online Media Training Resources | |
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
Your church email, website, and social media are extensions of your church in the digital space. Do you want to learn the basics of using digital media for ministry?
| | Watch this Level 1 Online Media Training video: | | If you want more than the basics, the Level 2 Online Media Training video is here: | | Here is a resource list you can use for Online Media Training in your congregation. | | Michigan Conference Mitten Project | | |
These 10 churches have completed 154 of 294 surveys:
First Congregational Church of Benzonia UCC 27
First Congregational UCC, Saint Clair 22
Saint Paul UCC, Taylor 18
Saint John UCC, Wyandotte 17
Douglas Congregational UCC 13
Edgewood United Church, UCC 12
First Congregational Church of Rockford, UCC12
First Congregational Church UCC, Union City 12
Saint John's UCC, Jackson 11
First Congregational UCC, Battle Creek 10
| | To date: (31%) 43 of 138 Michigan Conference UCC churches have had at least one person fill out the Worship Engagement Survey. | | | | The survey is intended for pastors, church leaders, parents, youth (ages 13-18), children (ages 3-12), and all others in Michigan Conference UCC congregations. We hope you will ask everyone in your local church to share their experience of worship in your local church setting! The survey includes a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions and should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. | | All responses are valued and will help shape the next steps in creating worship and ministry that reflect the gifts, voices, and faith journeys of all generations. Your responses are anonymous. Please be honest and know that there are no right or wrong answers. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey about the roles of children and youth in worship and congregational life. Share the QR Code | | Feel free to copy and paste any of this content into your local church bulletin or upcoming newsletter! Share the QR code during announcements. Email the survey link to your church leadership and families https://www.research.net/r/UCCMittenProject. Ask Jenn for a printable copy of the survey for folks who have trouble with the online survey or QR code. Share in any way that works!!! | |
Application for 2026 Mitten Project Cohort Churches OPEN NOW thru November 14, 2025
The calendar of events for 2026 Cohort participation can be found HERE.
Detailed Proposal Instructions can be found HERE
During the Mitten Project, 48 churches will have the opportunity to receive $5000.00 in funding for local church project implementation. 12 Implementation Teams will be chosen each year in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. Find out more HERE
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In May 2025, the Michigan Conference received a grant of $1,250,000.00 from Lilly Endowment Inc. 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. Contact Program Director, Jenn Ringgold, with questions or for additional information. Email: jenn@michucc.org Google Voice: 571.258.2165
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Celebrating 2025 Funding for Local Churches
In reporting for the Annual Meeting, the total amount of grants allocated to local churches and clergy in 2025 from the Michigan Conference was $98,700.00.
Stay tuned for reports and updates from individuals and churches who received grants as they share the creative ways they are utilizing funding for vitality, outreach, technology, sabbaticals, and more.
The Unified Grant Application Form is on the Michigan Conference Website under Scholarships and Grants. Emergency funding is allocated as needed. Other applications are reviewed twice per year with deadlines of March 15 and September 15.
| | Additional Conference News | |
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
Upcoming Schedule & Worship Visits
October
October 2-4, 2025 Michigan Conference Annual Meeting
October 12, 2025 Preach - Bethel UCC, Manchester
October 18-22, 2025 Preaching and Lecture Series, Bentonville, AK
October 23-26, 2025 UCC National Board Meeting, Cleveland, OH
November
November 16, 2025 Preach - UCC, Midland
November 23, 2025 Preach - First Congregational UCC, St. Joseph
LINK TO 2025 - 2026 DATES
Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit
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Conference Transitions
The Conference Transitions feature appears in the monthly Michigan Conference Newsletter. Please share your transition information with commmunications@michucc.org
Searching Churches
- First Congregational UCC in Alpena is searching for a full-time pastor Details
- First Congregational Church of Chelsea is searching for a part-time pastor Details
- St. John's United Church of Christ in Grand Rapids is searching for a part-time pastor Details
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For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan click here
Ecclesiastical Council
- An Ecclesiastical Council is scheduled October 16 at 4:30pm for Rae Mieskowski at Newaygo Congregational UCC - 432 Quarterline St. Newaygo, MI 49337.
- An Ecclesiastical Council is scheduled October 26 at 3pm for Rosemary Gibson at First Congregational UCC - 211 W Spruce St. Harrison MI, 48625.
- An Ecclesiastical Council is scheduled November 16 at 3pm for Melanie Johnson at First Congregational UCC - 345 W Michigan Ave. MI 49007.
| | | Local Church, Mission Area Team, and Association News | | |
Fall Meetings:
- October 19th at 3pm - Grand West Association will meet at Newaygo Congregational UCC - 432 Quarterline St. Newaygo, MI 49337
- October 25th at 2pm - United Northern Association will meet at First Congregational UCC, 4920 Spring St. Onekama, MI 49675.
- November 16th at 2:30pm - South West Association will meet at First Congregational Church, 345 W. Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49007
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Scholarship Funding available Contact Jenn Ringgold jenn@michucc.org | |
OWL Training at Tower Hill
General Synod 35 just affirmed the faithful stewardship of sexuality education in the church and celebrated 25 years of using Our Whole Lives to do so.
Read More HERE and then register for the upcoming OWL Training at Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center!
7-9/10-12 Grade
November 7-9, 2025
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center
Register HERE
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Educate to Eradicate Hate:
Rise UCC has opened registration for their next E2EH (Educate to Eradicate Hate) event. Freedom in the 21st Century November 3, 6:30-8:30pm at Macomb Community College Center Campus.
Guest Speaker Professor Peter J Hammer
Register HERE to Attend
https://rise4loveandjustice.com/
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PIMAT offers SDPC Grant
PIMAT is proud to share the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference stands out as the premier gathering place to hear the prophetic voice of the church and the preaching of the Gospel.
This year the 22nd annual SDPC event will take place in Chicago Illinois from Monday Feb. 23rd
through Thursday February 26th at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
“Join us for a week of plenaries and workshops speaking to the conditions we face and offering
framing and real-world tools for emerging and seasoned faith leaders as well as social justice and community activists to navigate the issues of this present moment.”
If you would like to apply for scholarship funds, please complete the Application for grant approval.
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First Congregational Church Cadillac
Centennial Anniversary
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Congratulations to First Congregational Church Cadillac UCC as they celebrated their Centennial by hosting a music concert with local musicians and a history of the church in the Cadillac community on Saturday, September 13 followed by worship on September 14.
Featured speakers at the worship service included the Mayor of Cadillac, Tiyi Schippers, who read a proclamation celebrating the presence and ministry of the church in Cadillac. In addition, clergy who had served the church in the past, and friends and family members of deceased clergy also relayed their appreciation for the congregation. This was all capped off with a luncheon and historical presentation of the church after the worship service on September 14. The minister of Cadillac UCC is the Rev. Dr. John Doud.
| | Salem UCC Farmington Celebrates 150th Anniversary | | Salem UCC in Farmington, MI marked its 150th Anniversary with a celebration service and luncheon on September 28th, 2025. Complete with a special musical ensemble, 3 guest speakers representing past pastoral leadership, and interviews of longtime members of Salem, the day's activities focused on celebrating the perseverance of the church and the continuing ministry of "Carrying the Light" into the community today. Distinguished guest speakers included Rev. Debbie Schueneman, Rev. Greg Larsen, and Ruth Schultz (daughter of the late Rev. Carl Schultz). | St. Paul's UCC Watervliet Celebrates 175th Anniversary | St. Paul's UCC in Watervliet, Michigan celebrated its 175th Anniversary on August 17, 2025. Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel was present for the festivities of one of our oldest E and R churches in Michigan and met one of their distinguished members who recently celebrated her 104th birthday. | |
We Want to Hear from YOU!
Use THIS FORM to share your
joys, concerns, news, events, and resources
with the Michigan Conference UCC!
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Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
and TAG us @michiganucc
so we can like and share your posts!!
| | Wider-Church UCC News, Events, and Resources | | |
Book of Worship Update Survey
Who is the UCC - today and tomorrow?
Pilgrim Press
The UCC's identity—our history, our ways of being, our sense of community—is expressed uniquely through the Book of Worship.
Our collective identity grows & shifts with every new church start or merger, with every service of ministerial authorization by an Association, and with every General Synod vote to affirm a full communion agreement.
So who are we as the UCC today?
What kind of community do we want to be tomorrow?
And how should our Book of Worship reflect our evolving identity?
We seek your input!
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Surveys are available now on bookofworship.org for all users of the Book of Worship and will remain open for feedback through December.
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Information is also available on bookofworship.org about the submission of new content for potential publication in the updated Book of Worship.
- We look forward to your input, with great appreciation!
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Thriving Congregations Initiative Grant
Want to learn more about this grant? Churches that complete the program will develop a strategic plan, implement new projects/ideas, increase partnerships with the surrounding community, and receive a stipend to jumpstart their identified idea/project.
It includes the following:
• Over a 9-month period, the pastor and at least 2 lay leaders from each
church will be guided through three learning modules
• Each module covers a period of 3 months
– One session per month with ‘between session’ assignments
– Coaching
– Workshops
• The first session is in person, all remaining sessions are completed via
zoom as a cohort or independently in church groups
– Additional in person sessions scheduled as required
Program Overview
• Churches that successfully complete the program will:
– Develop a strategic plan
– Implement new projects/ideas
– Increase partnerships with community, non-profits, civil, social
and other church non-profits
– Receive a stipend to jumpstart their identified idea/project
Complete the Application here. All applications are due by October 10th, 2025.
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Does your church need a website? Or maybe you have one, but it’s outdated?
UCC Everywhere (UCCE) is a program at the national setting of the United Church of Christ that builds easy-to-use, affordable, and modern websites for local churches. Their team helps you get everything set up so there’s no hunting for the tools and programs you need. Knowing that many churches have tech-savvy members, you can either put in the content yourself or work with our team for an additional fee to finish the setup. They also have tutorial videos to teach you how to make changes and offer ongoing customer support.
Check out the UCCE website for First Congregational UCC of Onekama then visit ucceverywhere.org to learn more or reach out to Customer Support Specialist, Aidan Spencer, via email at ucceverywhere@ucc.org or phone at 216.736.2185
| View learning opportunities for the Fall and Winter from the Center for Transformational Leadership of the Southern New England Conference of the UCC HERE | | Upcoming Stewardship Webinars | | |
Decreasing Your Tax Burden and Increasing Your Impact Webinar
Oct 15, 2025 03:30 PM
This webinar empowers attendees with strategies that ease tax burdens through effective charitable giving, ensuring their generosity goes further and supports the causes they care about.
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Two way Giving: Life Income Agreements That Pay You
October 23 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30pm
Join us for an insightful webinar exploring how charitable gift annuities and charitable
remainder trusts can turn a heavy tax burden into an opportunity for lasting impact.
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equipping pastors and congregational leaders
through ministries of support, guidance, and leadership development
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