Making Meaning Together

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Making Meaning Together

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A grant-funded initiative aimed at nurturing children in worship and prayer. Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen and Rev.

This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Michigan and the Rio Texas Conferences of The United Methodist Church. Making Meaning Together is a grant-funded initiative aimed at nurturing children in worship and prayer. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Michigan Conference and the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Through this partnership, we will work with churches and leaders to cultivate inclusive worship environments that encourage children to fully participate alongside adults. Kathy Pittenger will lead this initiative, which will equip congregations with tools, strategies, and financial support to design worship that honors and includes children. The core objectives are to listen to children’s perspectives, develop leaders through training and peer cohorts, and create intergenerational worship experiences that invite children to participate meaningfully. We are excited about this collaboration between the Rio Texas and Michigan Conferences as we strive to shift worship culture towards greater inclusivity. This initiative aims to create worship spaces where children feel valued, respected, and encouraged to engage, deepening their connection to God and their faith community.

08/25/2026

Thinking of applying for a Making Meaning Together grant?

Have questions or want to talk through a project idea? Join us for Office Hours TODAY!

🕛 12:00–1:00 PM CST / 1:00–2:00 PM EST

Drop in anytime during the hour to:

Ask questions about the application
Bounce project ideas around
Get help thinking through your plans

We’re here to help and would love to connect with you!

💻 Visit makingmeaningtogether.org/apply to access the Zoom link for Office Hours(scroll to bottom of the page)

08/03/2026

Whether you're exploring the initiative for the first time, working on an application, planning a Listening with Children session, refining your project idea, or have questions about funding, our Office Hours are for you.

🕐 Each Office Hours session is a one-hour drop-in opportunity where you can:
✨ Learn more about Making Meaning Together
💬 Ask questions about the application process
👧 Discuss Listening with Children
💡 Brainstorm project ideas
💰 Talk through budgets and funding
🤝 Receive personalized support from our team

Come when you can, stay as long as you need!

📅 Visit our website for upcoming Office Hours dates and link: https://www.makingmeaningtogether.org/apply

We look forward to hearing your ideas and supporting your journey as you imagine meaningful ways to include children more fully in the worshiping life of your church.

07/29/2026

What happens when we listen to children?

At Nardin Park United Methodist Church in Michigan, their Listening with Children conversations revealed that children wanted more opportunities to create art and see their gifts become part of worship.

So the church listened.

The children partnered with a local potter to create communion bread plates, a chalice, and smaller plates for gluten-free wafers. They even chose the glazing colors and designs through a vote, ensuring their voices shaped every step of the process. Children at both the 9:00 and 11:00am worship services particapated.

These aren't just beautiful pieces of pottery—they're sacred vessels that will be used in worship for years to come, reminding the congregation that children belong at the heart of the church's life.

✨ What might happen if your church listened to children?

Learn more about becoming a Making Meaning Together partner church: makingmeaningtogether.org/apply

07/23/2026

🍂 Fall Planning Starts Now🍂

Believe it or not, many worship teams are already dreaming about fall.

As you begin planning sermons, worship, and ministry opportunities, we invite you to ask one simple question:

What would it look like if children weren't just present in worship—but truly included?

Imagine children praying alongside adults.
Helping lead worship.
Sharing their voices.
Growing as full participants in the life of your congregation.

Making Meaning Together helps churches explore practical ways to make that vision a reality.

Learn more about becoming a partner church:
makingmeaningtogether.org/apply

07/20/2026

Partner Church Spotlight: Leander UMC's Grace Space

One of our partner churches, Leander UMC, recently created a beautiful Grace Space as part of their Making Meaning Together project.

As they were setting it up, one of the volunteers' children was there, eagerly "trying it out." When it was time to head home, the team noticed that the child had quietly left little handwritten notes throughout the space.

When asked about them, she simply said they were there to welcome the other children.

That small act sparked a wonderful idea.

Now, the Grace Space includes a basket of blank slips of paper where children can write encouraging words, prayers, or kind messages for someone else. They can leave a note for another child to discover or give it directly to someone who might need a little encouragement.

It's a simple but powerful reminder of something we believe deeply at Making Meaning Together: when we create space to truly listen to children, they often lead us toward ideas we never would have imagined on our own.

07/15/2026

Summer Ministry is Busy—Take the First Step

☀️ Summer calendars fill up quickly with camps, mission trips, vacations, and VBS. We know this season is busy!

That's why Step 1 of the Making Meaning Together application is intentionally simple. It takes just a few minutes to let us know you're interested in exploring what it means to more intentionally include children in worship and prayer.

Complete Step 1 now, and when life settles down in August, you'll be ready to continue the process.

Your future self will thank you. 😊

Learn more and begin here: makingmeaningtogether.org/apply

07/06/2026

Is your worship space transforming into Vacation Bible School this summer?

Did you know VBS is one of the best opportunities to complete the Listening with Children portion of the Making Meaning Together application?

You'll already have children gathered, engaged, and eager to share their experiences. Rather than guessing what children need from worship, take time to hear directly from them.

Some of the most meaningful ministry begins simply by listening.

Learn more about the application process and the Listening with Children guide at:
makingmeaningtogether.org/apply

06/22/2026

Congratulations to Oak Meadow United Methodist Church for winning the Liturgical Library Giveaway at the Río Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Gwinn United Methodist Church for winning the Liturgical Library Giveaway at Michigan Annual Conference!

Rio Texas friends: Be sure to visit the Making Meaning Together booth at Annual Conference in two weeks to enter for your chance to win your own Liturgical Library and bring these resources back to your congregation!

What is a liturgical library:

The Liturgical Library is designed as a "Grace Space" or "Prayground on wheels" a collection of resources that helps people of all ages engage more fully in worship. These tools invite participation, curiosity, reflection, creativity, and prayer, helping children and adults alike experience worship as active participants rather than passive observers. While every church's context is unique, we hope these examples spark ideas for how your congregation might create more meaningful and inclusive worship experiences. This link has all the items and pictures that were in the MMT liturgical library so you can create this in your church. https://bit.ly/mmtliturgicallibrary

06/02/2026

Watch Rev. Kathy Pittenger share more about Making Meaning Together and the incredible work of our current partner churches during her presentation at Michigan Annual Conference!

We are grateful for the opportunity to share stories of congregations that are listening to children and creating meaningful opportunities for all generations to worship and pray together.

As Kathy shares, this work begins with curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to wonder what becomes possible when children's voices are truly welcomed in the life of the church.

Interested in joining us for the 2027 cohort? We invite you to imagine, dream, and consider applying!

Learn more and apply at: makingmeaningtogether.org/apply

Address

29887 W 11 Mile Rd
Farmington Hills, MI
48336

Website

https://www.makingmeaningtogether.org/

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