Make sure to "View Entire Message" to see all this month's News! | | bringing Michigan Conference UCC pastors and churches closer together and closer to God | |
You're invited to the
2026 Michigan Conference Annual Meeting!
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Our Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 2nd and 3rd, 2026 with a focus on justice and vitality. It will be held at First Congregational Church UCC of Grand Blanc.
Nearly 70 people have already registered for the 2026 Michigan Conference Annual Meeting! Standard registration is only $85 and covers 3 meals and two full days of workshops, resource-sharing, and community-building opportunities with the across Michigan.
Our Annual Meeting will kick off on Friday morning with workshops starting at 10 am. In the afternoon, more workshops will be offered, along with a plenary session by the
Colossian Forum. Friday evening will feature an ecumenical panel discussion facilitated by our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel. Saturday will include hearings for resolutions, worship, and a session with our keynote speaker, Rev. Michael Neuroth from the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington DC. Rev Neuroth will also take part in the panel discussion on Friday evening.
For those arriving on Thursday, we will have a mixer at the People’s Church of Flint from 6-8 pm. Like last year, our two days together will be full and will include vendor tables, childcare, and time for relaxation and fun.
See the full schedule of events for the 2026 Annual Meeting
Cost:
Standard Registration: $85 (August 2nd - September 9th)
Late Registration: $125 (Sept 10th - Sept 15th)
Friday Only: $45
Saturday Only: $45
Retired Clergy/MID: $60
Youth (ages 0-18): $0
Event Sponsor: $125
Vendor Table with Registration: $300
Vendor Table with Registration, & Sponsorship: $500
*If the cost is prohibitive for your attendance, please contact the Conference office regarding a scholarship/discount.
The last day to register for the 2026 Annual Meeting will be September 15th.
Lodging Options:
To allow for greater flexibility, participants will be responsible for their own lodging for the Annual Meeting. These are some of our recommendations:
Courtyard by Marriott Flint Grand Blanc
5205 Gateway Centre, 5205 Gateway Centre Blvd, Flint, MI 48
Hyatt Place Flint / Grand Blanc
5481 Hill 23 Dr, Flint, MI 48507
Wyndham Hotel & Conference/Banquet Center
5353 Gateway Centre Blvd, Flint, MI 48507
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
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| 5 Reasons Why You May Want to Attend the 2026 Michigan Conference Annual Meeting | |
5. Choose a Workshop Designed Just For You
On Friday, October 2nd, you'll have your choice of 6 workshops covering topics and giving you resources that are revitalizing for your faith journey and local ministry.
Workshops include:
- The Mitten Project
- Planned Giving
- Becoming A WISE Church
- Church Vitality (Vital Growth MAT)
- Strategic Planning
- Non-Partisan Justice (Get Out the Vote)
See the full Workshop Descriptions to learn more.
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4. Attend the Colossian Forum Course (included in registration)
Christians face intense disagreements, which often lead to polarization and division. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Friday afternoon is the Colossian Forum, a course designed to empower people to overcome differences.
The Colossian Forum works with people to cultivate connection across difference. This course, titled "One Anothering", teaches leaders how to proactively identify and lean into potential areas of conflict and how to better care for people when conflict arises.
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3. Hear from our Keynote Speaker Michael Neuroth
The Keynote Speaker on Saturday, October 3rd, is Michael Neuroth, an ordained minister and the Director of the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy at the National setting of the United Church of Christ. Prior to joining the staff of the UCC, Michael worked with various ecumenical and interfaith organizations including Church World Service, Ecumenical Advocacy Days, and the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Michael holds master’s degrees in divinity, theology, and social work from Princeton Theological Seminary and Rutgers University.
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2. Grow Your Faith Community
Where else are you able to meet and mingle with other UCC clergy and congregants from across the state?
Foster connections and build community through educational opportunities and corporate worship as we spend 2 full days together. Registration also covers 3 meals (lunch on Friday and Saturday, and dinner on Friday evening) and Thursday evening offers an additional time to meet and eat together at a casual mixer hosted by Peoples' Church of Flint from 6-8pm.
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1. Make Your Voice Heard For the Year Ahead
Meeting together annually shifts the focus from local challenges to a broader regional mission.
The 2026 Annual Meeting schedule includes a budget hearing, resolution hearing, state of the church panel, and the annual business meeting, where clergy, delegates, and voting members of the body can shape the year ahead in ministry together. Business will be mostly conducted on Saturday, but the State of the Church will be held on Friday evening.
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Leadership Skills: "Help! Grow My Church" (Online Course)
This course is a five-session journey which will guide congregations and church leaders into deeper vitality through an Energy, Inclusion, Programs, and Administration Framework (EIPA).
Tuesdays, September 22-October 20, 2026 at 6:00-7:30PM CST via Zoom
Cost: $200-$450
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Boundary Training (Zoom only)
Registration is open for Michigan Conference UCC Boundary Training with Associate Conference Minister Rev. Cheryl Burke for Active Authorized Ministers, Members in Discernment, Retired Clergy & Lay People.
Before the start of the course, you will receive an email with preparation materials and a Zoom link for online participation.
Cost: $25
MID/Retired Clergy: $10
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Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar
A seminar-based course designed to help change the way you and your congregation approach giving and generosity!
With Rev. Dr. Elena Larssen, Rev. Melissa St. Clair, and Rev. Andrew Warner.
Details:
Synchronous Zoom Seminars on Wednesdays, August 26, September 9, 23, October 7 & 21, and November 4 from 5:30-7:00 PM EST. Additional self-paced learning between sessions.
Cost: $100.00 through $125.00
| | Faith Formation & The Mitten Project | |
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2026 Mitten Project Summer Event
With 65 participants, including 30 children and youth, representing 14 of our Michigan UCC churches, we worshipped and prayed and explored transformative new ways to be together as the church in the beautiful spaces at Salem UCC, Farmington.
The day was filled with web and body and breath prayers, prayer buddies and boxes, dandelion examen, labyrinths, music, movement, storytelling, and meaningful workshops from our Keynots, author Kayla Craig. Everyone left with full hearts and a bag of resources to keep trying new ways of connecting faith at home, and inspiration for new things to try in worship!!
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Read the latest issue of the Funday Monday Faith Formation Newsletter for updates on the Mitten Project, resources for youth ministry, and networking opportunities for CYF leaders.
APPLICATIONS for 2027 Mitten Project Cohort Churches are open NOW thru November 13.
Get started on your Program Proposal today!
Learn more about the Mitten Project on our Conference Website and by attending a workshop at the Annual Meeting on October 2, 2026
| | Additional Conference News | |
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
Upcoming Schedule & Worship Visits
August:
2nd: Preach - First Congregational Church, Rochester, MI
9th: Preach - United Church of Big Rapids, MI
16th: Michigan Conference Staff Retreat
23rd: Preach - First Congregational Church, Benzonia
30th: Preach - First Congregational Church Kalamazoo, MI
September:
6th: Not available
13th: 190th Anniversary - Park Congregational Church, Grand Rapids, MI
20th: Not available
27th: Central Atlantic Conference UCC Annual Meeting Keynote
LINK TO LINK TO 2025 - 2026 DATES - 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 Church (Saginaw) is searching for a part-time (1/4) pastor Details
- St. James UCC (Saline) is searching for a part-time (3/4) pastor Details
- Salem UCC (Farmington) is searching for a part-time (1/2) pastor Details
For a complete list of searching UCC churches in Michigan, click here
Ecclessiastical Council
- The Ecclesiastical Council for Ashley Lewis will be held at Fellowship Chapel (7707 Outer Dr W, Detroit, MI 48235) at 3pm on August 9th.
Ordinations
- The ordination service for Elisabeth Seymour will be at Webster United Church of Christ (5484 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI 48130) at 3pm on August 16th.
Installations
- The Installation service for Rev. Rachel Ciupek-Reed will be held at First Congregational UCC (121 E Middle St, Chelsea, MI 48118) at 3pm on August 30th.
| | | Local Church, Mission Area Team, and Association News | | |
A Lay Leader is a congregational participant who has been chosen as a leader either by their peers or the leadership of the congregation. A lay leader is not ordained clergy, and lay leader responsibilities vary according to the particular congregation. The Michigan Conference values lay leaders and is providing this unique opportunity to care for these special leaders in our local churches.
The changing seasons offer us opportunities to ground ourselves in natural cycles and return our mindful attention to what matters in our lives. Join us at the beautiful Friends Center for a one-day Circle of Trust® retreat, a time of reflection and renewal as we transition from summer’s abundance to autumn’s brilliant and uninhibited letting go.
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Vital Growth Mission 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.
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stories, joys, concerns, and resources with us
| | | | Wider-Church UCC News, Events, and Resources | |
Planned Giving: A FREE Resource To Create A Will
Preparing your will is a sacred act of care that allows you to protect your loved ones today and share your blessings with future generations.
To support you in this step, we're excited to share a new resource available to everyone in our
minsitry where you can make or update your will to secure your assets, name guardians for children or pets, and document future decisions in case of emergency.
This resource is sponsored for us by Michigan Conference UCC and is completely free to use.
Through our partner FreeWill, you can create or update your will in about 20 minutes, completely free and fully secure.
Try it Today
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