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 | | Disaster Readiness and Response For Michigan UCC Congregations | |
On the night of March 6th, First Congregational Church UCC in Union City was quiet when a major storm system brought an EF-3 tornado tearing through the community, collapsing the roof of the educational wing of the historic building but mercifully sparing the sanctuary and a newly restored grand piano from the 1800s. While thankfully, no one was hurt at First Congregational, that evening’s major storm system included several tornadoes across the state of Michigan.
Rev. Aaron Rieder, pastor of First Congregational, reported that due to the roof collapse, the space was filled with insulation, debris, and hundreds of ruined books. Water had soaked through the area as heavy rains persisted most of the night.
Today, more than 2 months later, the healing has begun with the help of strong community partnerships and assistance from a team of helpers. Early communication with Michigan Conference Staff, church leaders in the Southwest Association, and Jacoba Koppert was key. A Solidarity grant was provided to First Congregational, and church trustees also quickly reached out to the Insurance Board, the church’s insurance carrier, to help cover costs of the renovation. Now, the roof has been tarped, the clean-up process has begun, and they will rebuild.
What is a Solidarity Grant?
The Global HOPE team at the United Church of Christ provides $3,000 grants to churches that have recently experienced a disaster and need some additional support, or are providing additional services in their community due to the disaster. A Solidarity Grant can be quickly granted following a disaster (natural or human-caused) or a mass migration event. This grant is meant to be utilized for ministry with affected persons through local UCC Congregations and communities (not just one household).
When need arises after a disaster, UCC congregations have support available. Contact Lisa Soulliere of the Michigan Conference or the Michigan Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Jacoba Koppert, for assistance in filling out an application.
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Meet Jacoba Koppert
Michigan Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
Read Jacoba Koppert’s letter of introduction to learn more about her role and service to the UCC congregations of Michigan.
If you are interested in serving on the Disaster Response Ministry Team, please contact Jacoba.
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What to do in the event of a disaster
If your congregation or church building experience a natural or human-caused disaster, there are resources for you to weather the storm in the short and long term. Here are the first steps you need to know:
- Ensure all members of the congregation are safe and accounted for. Some members may be staying with family or friends out of town, some may be in a shelter, some may be at home but may need some support.
- Contact your Conference Disaster Response Coordinator (Jacoba Koppert) AND Michigan Conference Registrar (Lisa Soulliere) to discuss your needs.
- Assess the building for safety before re-entering.
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If the disaster has received a Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Declaration refer to this page with information on how to access services.
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Disaster Preparedness Resources
Click on the links below to learn more about each resource and Head to the UCC Disaster Ministries homepage for more resources.
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Pastors, MIDs, and chaplains - you’re invited to recharge in nature with peers engaging in worship, spiritual practices, fellowship, and learning on May 27-29th, 2026 Michigan Conference UCC Clergy Retreat on the beautiful grounds of Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center in Sawyer, MI.
Workshops include:
- Personal Stories in Writing and Preaching - reading and Q&A with Lillian Daniel
- Righteous Anger and Space for Lament with Roslyn Bouier and Lawrence Richardson
- Bread for the Journey: Spiritual Practices for Radical Joy with Cheryl Burke and Matthew Hogue-Smith
Spiritual Practices and Worship leadership provided by Kim Newport and Julia DiFiore along with Michigan Conference staff clergy.
The retreat schedule includes worship, fellowship, yoga, time at the beach, Spiritual Practices, exploring the camp grounds, a chance to connect with Conference ministers one on one for pastoral conversations, and group meals shared together in the dining hall. All activities are optional.
Registration discounts for MIDs (members in discernment), new pastors, and clergy new to Michigan along with support scholarships are available.
| | Faith Formation & The Mitten Project | | Additional Conference News | |
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The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister
Upcoming Schedule & Worship Visits
May:
2nd: Covenant Association Spring Meeting Keynote - Zoom Only
31st: Preach The First Congregational Church, Ann Arbor
June:
5th - 7th: Lake Huron, MI UCC Women of Michigan Gathering Keynote
21st: Preach - Trinity UCC, Northport, MI
LINK TO LINK TO 2025 - 2026 DATES - 2026 DATES
Contact lisa@michucc.org to schedule a visit
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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.
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Gift Cards Scam Alert
Michigan Conference Staff will never request gift cards, especially via email or text messaging. If you receive a suspicious email, verify the email address, and do not click on any links in the email.
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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
- 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
- The Installation Service for Rev. Bill Dodge will be held on May 17th at 3pm at Lakeview United Church of Christ located at 115 5th St. Lakeview, MI, 48850
Ecclesiastical Councils:
- An Ecclesiastical Council for both Elisabeth Seymour and KC Steckelberg will be held on June 7th 3pm-5pm at Haslett Community Church located at 1427 Haslett Rd, Haslett, MI 48840
| | | Local Church, Mission Area Team, and Association News | |
Proposed Unified Committee on Ministry Approved
All five Associations have voted to accept the proposal of a Unified Committee on Ministry. Learn more about the Unified Committee on Ministry at Michigan Conference CoM.
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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.
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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.
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Partnering with the NOAH Project to feed the hungry
Cathy Moore is the chair for Missions at Bethel UCC in Manchester; their congregation works with the NOAH Project to provide food for the hungry in Detroit. Once a month, a dedicated team of volunteers prepare food, snacks, and drinks to be sent 60 miles away to the NOAH project.
Seed money for the ministry comes from St. James UCC.
Read about Bethel and the NOAH Project.
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Rev. David Forsberg of First Congregational Church UCC in Imlay City shares a picture of the new church windows after receiving $2,000 from the Bertha Dayton Grant.
Learn more about Michigan Conference Grants
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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
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Planned Giving: A FREE Resource To Create A Will
Through our partner FreeWill, you can create or update your will in about 20 minutes, completely free and fully
secure.
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2026 UCCMA Summer Conference
UCC Musicians and Clergy - You are invited to register for the UCC Musicians Association Summer Conference, hosted in Columbus, Ohio from July 8 – 11.
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| Park Church Offers Scholarships for UCC Pastors | |
Anyone involved in ministry or church leadership (pastors, chaplains, church musician, or religious educator) is eligible to apply to cover 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.
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