Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church

09/07/2026

One woman’s call story: childhood pain, a marriage marked by sacrifice, and a faith that never let go.

REV. MARY BARRETT
Salem Grove and Waterloo Village UMCs

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles highlighting call stories from recent Course of Study graduates, who were honored at the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference. Course of Study is a required theological and leadership education program for licensed local pastors in The United Methodist Church.

My calling came to me as a young girl, around 14. I attended our local United Methodist church with my family and couldn’t sit through a worship service without a sense of holiness, mystery, and yearning. I wanted more. I needed more. I went to our Methodist Youth Fellowship meetings and fully engaged in the evening’s conversations and topics.

I felt the power of Jesus in His words shared on a Sunday morning. I wanted to know Him better. But I grew up in a household where harshness, judgment, and a lack of encouragement were the norm. Oh sure, on the outside we looked like a normal family, but on the inside, the truth was different. I was certain I was unlovable. That’s what I’d been told many times. And I truly believed that even if Jesus couldn’t love me, I could surely love Him.

Read more: https://michiganumc.org/called-through-storms-into-ministry/

09/05/2026

Help Three Rivers recover this September
Got a day or two to help our neighbors? Join the tornado recovery effort in Southwest Michigan on Sept. 21-22 or 28-29, clearing debris alongside trained VIM/ERT volunteers. Lunch is furnished, and lodging is available. Contact VIM Coordinator Jody Pratt at [email protected] by Sept. 10.

09/05/2026

Plant your ministry idea this fall
Thinking about starting something new at your church? Learn how Seed to Harvest can help at a free online info session — Sept. 15 or Oct. 1, noon or 6 pm ET, via Zoom. No commitment, just conversation.

Read more: https://michiganumc.org/nurture-your-idea-and-watch-it-grow/

09/04/2026

In this month’s blog, Bishop David Bard returns from summer leave with reflections on discipleship and renewal, drawing on daily prayer to ask how our churches can love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

BISHOP DAVID ALAN BARD
Michigan Conference

As I return from my summer renewal leave, I have been reflecting on the renewal of the Church. The mission of the Church, as articulated by The United Methodist Church, is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our new vision statement helps describe who disciples of Jesus Christ are — people who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. Forming disciples who transform the world is at the heart of who we are. How might we engage this task more deeply and invite more people to join the adventure of discipleship?

I have no easy answers or a quick, guaranteed formula, only a few thoughts to share. Beginning with prayer is always a good idea. Pray for your own discipleship. Pray for the renewal of your church’s ministry. Pray for renewal in The United Methodist Church.

I have been thinking about another prayer, one I pray frequently, that moved me to reflect on the renewal of the church and its ministry in new ways. Most days, I pray this prayer: New every morning is your love, Great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us a desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. It is part of the order for morning prayer in our United Methodist worship resources.

Read more: https://michiganumc.org/thoughts-on-church-renewal-start-with-prayer/

09/04/2026

October, four Michigan churches host Ministry Mechanics, a free workshop that equips leaders with practical human resources tools and best practices.

JAMES DEATON
Content Editor

Local churches are places of worship and fellowship where we are shaped for discipleship and service, then sent into the world. But they’re also nonprofit organizations with staff and volunteers who manage salaries, building repairs, insurance, and other administrative tasks.

Church leaders may be equipped with spiritual gifts, but some matters are daunting and outside one’s expertise, prompting frequent questions. The Michigan Conference has heard these concerns and is launching a new workshop series this fall to address them.

Throughout October, four United Methodist churches will host Ministry Mechanics to help church leaders with the nuts and bolts of the business side of ministry. Participants will learn alongside peers about best practices in human resources and in managing staff and volunteers. This event will be especially helpful for members of Staff-Parish Relations Committees, but anyone responsible for human resources or volunteer management will also benefit.

Read more: https://michiganumc.org/workshop-to-tackle-hr-headaches/

09/02/2026

The rededication ceremony, led by Bishop David Bard of the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, celebrated the transformation of a worship space that has served the community for more than 70 years.

In his dedication, Bard offered a blessing for the space:

“There are places and spaces that have been important in our own spiritual journeys. This can be such a place, where we hear one another well and listen deeply for the voice of the Spirit. May you find strength here to engage the world with love. May your hearts be tranquil here. May you find comfort here; laugh and weep and sing here. May you hear the whispers of God here. May the gentle breeze of the Spirit whisk your soul here.”

The renovation more than doubled the facility’s size at Chelsea Retirement Community.

09/01/2026

Do lay members at your church or United Methodist-affiliated ministry partner lack funding for resources and leadership training? If so, apply for a Michigan Conference Board of Laity grant of up to $500 by October 1.

DENNY WISSINGER
Co-Lay Leader, Michigan Conference

The Michigan Conference Board of Laity is offering training and resource grants to laity this fall. The board invites lay members of United Methodist churches and affiliated ministry partners to apply by October 1, 2026.

This grant is for resources and leadership training events for lay members that local churches or United Methodist-affiliated ministry partners, such as campus ministries, cannot fund. Examples of areas that might apply include opportunities to improve leadership and communications skills, as well as resources for faith formation, anti-racism training, and empowering the laity in ministry.

Read more: https://michiganumc.org/grants_for_equipping_laity/

The Michigan Conference Board of Laity is offering grants of up to $500 for training and resources for lay members. Apply by October 1.

08/31/2026

Continuing our “America at 250” series of op-eds, Kevin Smalls writes about the gift of civil disobedience, in which the willingness to disobey unjust laws becomes a bold act of love.

REV. DR. B. KEVIN SMALLS
Pastor, Southfield: Hope UMC

Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of occasional articles on our nation’s 250th anniversary. Several voices from across the Michigan Conference will address different topics and speak to this question: “What is the Wesleyan way to be patriotic in this moment?” Read the whole series.

The high school marching band competition had finally arrived! Proud parents, families, and fans shivered in the night air, waiting for their kids to take the field with their well-prepared show. I was one of those parents, as my two younger sons would be playing in the percussion section. A loud voice came through the public address system, silencing the crowd with a few announcements and recognitions. He then invited us to stand for the opening, which featured the band’s majestic version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” our glorious national anthem.

Read the full article: https://michiganumc.org/we-all-need-a-prophetic-voice/

08/30/2026

Warren: First UMC stands beside their Muslim neighbors with a bold statement against hate and a testament to their commitment to interfaith understanding.

JAMES DEATON
Content Editor

When Rev. Melissa Claxton, pastor of First UMC in Warren, learned that Jake Lang had brought an anti-Islam “Christian Crusader March” to nearby Dearborn, she felt moved by God to do something. She wanted to counter Lang’s fear-based, hate-filled rhetoric, which had garnered media attention, with an alternative message rooted in her United Methodist faith.

Pastor Melissa was called to speak out boldly on behalf of her Muslim neighbors, with whom she’s built relationships since her 2018 appointment to Warren: First. She also trusted her congregation to stand by her, given this faith community’s history of interfaith work.

Read more: https://michiganumc.org/called-to-be-witnesses/