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bringing Michigan Conference UCC pastors and churches closer together and closer to God

Registration discounts for MIDs (members in discernment), new pastors, and clergy new to Michigan along with support scholarships are available.

Read the Updated 2026 Resolution Policy

Immanuel Scholarship Application

The Michigan Conference UCC funds seminary and multiple path opportunities for Members-in-Discernment through the Immanuel UCC-Detroit Scholarship Fund. Apply now for 2026-2027 funding. NEW in 2026 - ONLINE APPLICATION and scholarship details.

Application Deadline for MIDs and Continuing Education Applications is May 1, 2026 at 5:00pm

ONLINE 2026 APPLICATION

Faith Formation & The Mitten Project

Mitten Project Spring Event

April 18th, 2026 10:00AM- 3:00PM ET

Training is for all ages to engage in worship and prayer with children in nature.

2026 Parent and Caregiver Training

May 31st, 2026 2:00PM ET

This Zoom training opportunity is specifically designed to share data and research with parents and caregivers of children age 0-12, and invite them to engage in the Mitten Project.

Parents and Caregivers Register for May 31, 2026

Additional Conference News

The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister

Upcoming Schedule & Worship Visits

April

12th: Preach - St. Paul UCC, Chelsea

May:

2nd: Covenant Association Spring Meeting Keynote - Zoom Only

31st: Preach The First Congregational Church, Ann Arbor

LINK TO LINK TO 2025 - 2026 DATES - 2026 DATES

Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit

April 22nd Webinar: "Testimony"

Join Andrew Warner in this month's free stewardship webinar! Stewardship season may be the only time churches engage in the practice of testimony and miss an opportunity to encourage more storytelling from lay leaders and congregants.

Together for Tomorrow: Planned Giving in Your Congregation

Price range: $0.00 through $25.00

Synchronous gatherings on June 17th and July 15th, 2026 from 6:30-8:00 PM CST and coursework on the Damascus Project Learning Network

This course is designed to help you with understanding and utilizing planned giving in your congregation. With Rev. Andrew Warner, CFRE, Michigan Conference Director of Finance & Development.

DUE SOON: Yearbook Due

April 10th

Learn more about what is needed for the Yearbook HERE. The last day for churches to report their yearbook information is April 10th.

Please submit your data as early as possible to avoid delays if you need assistance.

General Synod Delegates:

May 9th Meeting

All General Synod Delegates, a special meeting is being held to elect an Associate General Minister to an unexpired term. Following a thorough search process, the Board has nominated Rev. Jennifer Sowell for this role. The formal call letter is available on the General Synod website and more information is available in these stories from UCC news.

Conference Transitions

The Conference Transitions feature appears in the monthly Michigan Conference Newsletter. Please share your transition information with commmunications@michucc.org

Searching Churches

Emanuel UCC in Manchester is searching for a 3/4 time Bridge pastor Details
Park Church in Grand Rapids is searching for an Associate Pastor Details
First Congregational Church of St. Joseph is searching for a full time Children, Youth and Family Director. Details

For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan, click here

Ordinations & Installations

Union Church will celebrate the Ordination and Installation Service for Melanie Johnson on April 19th, 2026 at 3pm, located at 206 W Randall St Tekonsha, MI 49092
An Installation Service for Dan Robinson will be held on May 3rd 3-5pm at Zion St. Joe UCC located at 3001 Veronica Dr, St Joseph, MI.

Ecclesiastical Councils:

An Ecclesiastical Council for Danny Montejo will be held on April 26th 3pm-5pm (during the GWA Spring meeting) at First Congregational Church of Belding, 301 W Washington St, Belding, MI

Tax Exempt Status Questions For Churches

As churches navigate the responsibility for answering questions about tax-exempt status, please see the letter from Heather Kimmel, General Counsel at the National Setting of the UCC, and reach out to MC staff for questions.

Local Church, Mission Area Team, and Association News

Proposed Unified Committee on Ministry

Learn more about the proposed Unified Committee on Ministry on the Michigan Conference Website. Associations are voting on it in their Spring Meetings, listed below.

Spring Association Meeting Dates

April 12th, 3-5pm - The United Northern Association will be held at First Congregational Church, 218 W. 2nd St. Gaylord, MI 49375.

April 25th, 9am-1pm- The Detroit Metro Association will meet for its Spring Meeting at Hope United Church of Christ, 35127 Garfield Rd. Clinton Township, MI 48035.

April 26th @ 3pm - The Grand West association will hold its Spring meeting at First Congregational Church, 301 W Washington St, Belding, MI 48809.

May 2nd @ 9:30am - The Covenant Association will hold its spring meeting on Zoom.

Vital Growth Ministry Area Team

Are you interested in church vitality? Has your church done innovative things to connect with the people in and around your community? The Vital Growth Mission Area Team would like to connect with you. We are looking for people interested in sharing time, resources, and ideas with Michigan Conference UCC churches. If interested, email Lawrence Richardson.

Shared resources include: Grant funds, Faithful and Welcoming, Open and Affirming, New Church Development, and Lay Leadership Development.

UCC Women of Michigan Spring Gathering: June 5-7, 2026

This Year's keynote speaker for the UCC Women of Michigan Spring Retreat is Conference Minister Lillian Daniel. Further information about the retreat and registration can be found on the home page of www.Michucc.org.

Learn More and Register for the Spring Retreat

Douglas UCC Retreat House Available for Clergy for the 2026 Season

Whether for a quiet, personal retreat or as a cozy space to connect with loved ones, DUCC’s Retreat House is waiting for your visit this summer. All donations welcome. For more information or to reserve your stay, Email DouglasUCCRetreatHouse@gmail.com

Flint Ecumenical Service on April 15th

A collaborative service with local UCC, DOC, Episcopal and Methodist churches in Flint will be held on April 16th and will feature Rev. Matthew Hogue-Smith, Rev. Roslyn Bouier, and Rev. DevonTae Powell. St. Paul's Episcopal church will host (located at 711 S Saginaw St).

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Wider-Church UCC News, Events, and Resources

Park Church Offers Scholarships for UCC Pastors

Anyone involved in ministry or church leadership is eligible to apply. This may be a pastor serving a congregation, a hospital chaplain working on a certificate, a church musician or a religious educator participating in professional development or continuing education. In the ecumenical spirit of the Fetty’s, the scholarship is open to people across Christian traditions to apply. The submission Deadline for a 2026 Grant is May 31, 2026.

Apply for Scholarships from Park Church