To support and care for those engaging in ministry with children, youth, and families | |
Faith Formation Funday Monday
October 2026 Newsletter
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2026 Mitten Project Worship Engagement Survey
| | SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED THRU 10.31.2026 | | THIS IS YOUR REMINDER TO: | |
- add the link and QR code to worship bulletins
- share on socials
- text your youth group chat
- set up a time for parents to do the survey with their kiddos
(responses from children are SO important!)
- put it on the screen during worship or fellowship hour,
- email your church council
(and other small groups)
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Share the link and QR code widely in your congregations between now and October 31, 2026 so that we get the most current and updated Michigan Conference data.

If you have questions about this survey or the Michigan Conference Mitten Project, please visit https://michucc.org/mittenproject/, talk with your pastor, or contact Jenn Ringgold at jenn@michucc.org or 517.258.2165.
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2026 Worship Engagement Survey
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey about the roles of children and youth in worship and congregational life. Your responses each year are valued and will help shape the UCC Michigan Conference’s 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.
If you took it last year, please take it again this year (and next year!!) to help us see what is growing, changing, and transforming in your church!
Make sure folks choose your local church in the drop down menu for the question: "Which church do you attend most regularly?"
AND
Make sure they scroll down and click "done" to fully submit!!
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First Congregational Church UCC in Kalamazoo (51) and Union City (34) are the top two out of 41 churches that have engaged so far. Almost 60% of surveys completed are from church participants who attend church without children.
Here are the top 12 churches as of 10.20.2026:
- Kalamazoo (51)
- Union City (34)
- Benzonia (31)
- Farmington - Salem UCC (31)
- Ada (29)
- New Baltimore (26)
- Rockford (20)
- Cadillac (15)
- Manchester (13)
- Saint Joseph (12)
- Detroit - Fellowship Church (10)
- Grand Rapids - Park Church Congregational (9)
| | 2026 PARTICIPATION INCENTIVES: | | |
So far, 25 children ages 3-12 have completed the survey. Children's voices are particularly important to the work that we want to continue to do together. We have a few "Sensory Resource Kits" as a prizes for local churches with lots of kids age 3-12 who complete the survey.
Please support parents in your setting to fill out the survey with their 3-12 year olds!!
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Youth voices are important too, so churches with lots of youth age 13-18 who complete the survey will get "Food and Fun" prizes!! To date, 7 youth age 13-18 have completed the survey.
| | | Mitten Project At Annual Meeting | |
All Creation Waits: FREE Advent Worship Resource for Churches
Designed around the 2026 Mitten Project Advent Resource books, All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings and Children’s Edition All Creation Waits, this content supports local churches and local church leaders with weekly liturgy for call to worship, candle lighting, Message for All Ages, scripture, engagement activities, benediction and music suggestions.
The ultimate goal is that you are able to use these resources to explore intergenerational worship and hopefully incorporate children ages 0-12 in worship and prayer during the season of Advent BUT even if you don't regularly have children who attend worship, every week integrates sanctuary worship with low-prep, high-engagement activities tailored for worshippers of all ages.
| | Mitten Project 2027 Cohort Application | |
Interested in the 2027 Mitten Project Grant and Cohort Opportunity?
Up to twelve Implementation Teams will be chosen from Michigan Conference UCC local churches to be part of the Mitten Project 2027 Cohort. Each team will implement their own, unique year-long program in their local church setting.
Local Church Implementation Teams selected to participate in this cohort will receive support to finalize their program design, move forward with implementation, and evaluate their own program. Each of the cohort teams will be awarded $5,000 to assist with implementing their project. Additionally, expenses to attend two onsite cohort trainings will be covered for Cohort Church Congregations, and all expenses for Implementation Team adults will be covered for the overnight celebration retreat in October.
To get started on your program proposal here are the PROGRAM PROPOSAL GUIDELINES. Application deadline is November 13, 2026 at 5:00pm
2027 Mitten Project Calendar
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2027 Youth Winter Retreat: Register Now
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2027 Youth Winter Retreat
Join us for our conference-wide
Youth Winter Retreat on Jan 30-31, 2027 at Ada Congregational Church. This is a wonderful opportunity for youth in 6th-12th grade to connect across the Michigan Conference UCC. Registration is open now, and there is an early bird rate of $25 per person through December 18. 2026. Registration closes January 17, 2027.
Can't wait to see you there!
| | | 2027 Regional Youth Event | | | |
2027 Regional Youth Event
The Great Lakes West Central Regional Youth Event will be held July 21-24, 2027
at St. Cloud State University in
St. Cloud, MN. Details related to cost and transportation will be available soon! Mark your calendars and share with youth!
| | Sensory Resources for Churches | |
Big Faith Resources
Big Faith Resources began in the fall of 2024 after receiving a grant to empower churches to support neurodiverse children (and their families) with innovative resources for worship and Christian education. Download free resources and see lists of recommended items on their website. https://bigfaithresources.com/
| | | Love of Children at the National Ministries | | |
The National Ministries of the UCC is building 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 children and families.
National Cohort and Grant Opportunities linked HERE
| | 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:
November 5, 2026
November 19, 2026
December 3, 2026
December 17. 2026
links for meetings can also be found on the Michigan Conference UCC Calendar via the website
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FIND A LIBRARY of Searchable Faith Formation Resources
- Choose "Join" then use your Google, Facebook or other email to create a free account in the Damascus Project Network.
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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
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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.
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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"
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