Join the Making Meaning Together initiative, a growing community of partner churches already engaged in creating meaningful worship experiences for children.
Are you passionate about making worship more engaging, meaningful, and welcoming for children? Do you want to create a space where children not only participate in worship but also grow in their faith through intentional prayer practices? If so, the Making Meaning Together (MMT) initiative is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Children’s voices, prayers, and presence enrich our worship communities in profound ways. As a church leader, pastor, or layperson, you have the power to create spaces where children experience the beauty of faith in action. Through the MMT initiative, you can help cultivate a worship environment where a high-level view of children’s faith is nurtured and their voices are heard. Learn how to apply to be a 2027 partner church.
Why Should You Join the MMT Initiative?
MMT is an initiative of the Michigan and Rio Texas Conferences designed to equip churches with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to nurture children in worship and prayer practices. Through this initiative, churches are invited to transform their worship spaces into environments where children feel valued, included, and spiritually engaged.
Churches selected through the application process will receive seed money to help implement creative and intentional ways to include children in worship. This support empowers churches to explore how and why children’s participation is vital to their spiritual growth while providing the resources needed to bring their vision to life.
What Can You Expect?
The MMT initiative is guided by experienced leaders, Rev. Kathy Pittenger (Michigan Conference) and Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen (Rio Texas Conference), who are passionate about helping churches create vibrant, child-centered worship experiences.
By applying to the MMT initiative, your church will:
-
- Listen to children about their current experience in worship through interviews or focus groups.
- Develop leaders through training and cohorts to empower leaders to intentionally design interventional worship and prayer experiences that honor and include children.
- Gain access to seed funding to use for creating and implementing worship and prayer practices that prioritize and celebrate children’s participation.
Apply now to be a 2027 partner church.
Stories of Impact
Throughout 2026, MMT staff met with the inaugural group of 19 partner churches, providing learning opportunities and support as churches lived into their project plans. Monthly cohort meetings provided opportunities for church leaders from both conferences to learn from one another, share stories, and exchange practical ideas that support child-inclusive practices.
To inspire you as you consider applying to be a 2027 partner church, here are stories of how the MMT initiative and grant funding are transforming the children’s worship ministry at two local churches.
Dearborn: First UMC in Dearborn, Michigan
“We are excited to be part of the 2026 Making Meaning Together cohort. This includes a grant, training, and peer support to explore ways to engage children in weekly worship. Our project includes converting the nearly 400 sq. ft. of our sanctuary’s north transept into child-friendly space. We installed sound and shock-absorbing flooring and acoustic wall tiles. For sensory stimulation, we added textured wall tiles, swings, wobble seats, and bean bags. Made in the image of the Creator, we strive to be a church of creators. Therefore, we have magnetic building tools, easels, a blackboard with a question of the day related to the worship, and a magnetic wall and easels for creating art related to the worship theme. We also have a monitor that displays the lyrics and Bible verses used in worship. We look forward to exploring more ways to engage the youngest generation in worship throughout the year.”
La Trinidad UMC in San Antonio, Texas
“We had a blessed and joyful Palm Sunday! Worship service began with a procession of children waving palm branches, celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. During the service, five new acolytes were installed, and a child read the Bible scripture from the pulpit. La Trinidad UMC recently purchased children’s Bibles with the Making Meaning Together grant. On this special Sunday, parents and children were invited to lay their hands on the new Bibles, while the pastor prayed, thanking God for the Bibles which will help children learn more about God, and asking that those who read the Bibles may be transformed by the Holy Spirit and continue to proclaim the Good News to others. The children of La Trinidad are being seen and heard! La Trinidad is thankful for MMT, which supports churches in creating worship spaces where children feel engaged, participate in worship, and grow in their faith!”
About the Application Process
Making Meaning Together is seeking partner churches for 2027. The application window is now open and closes on October 12. Apply now to be a 2027 partner church.
The application is a two-step process:
Step 1: Complete an inquiry form to introduce yourself to our team. Learn more.
Step 2: An opportunity to listen to and engage with children as you prepare for your project. Learn more.
MMT is offering open office hours several times in May for those who are interested and have questions, no matter where you are in the discernment or application process. Schedule a time to meet with MMT staff.
We’re excited to partner with churches like yours that are eager to make a lasting impact by integrating children into worship and prayer experiences.
Whether your church is already taking steps to engage children in worship or just beginning to explore the possibilities, MMT can provide the resources and support you need to make worship a more inclusive and meaningful experience for all.
Visit makingmeaningtogether.org to find out more and explore FAQs about the project, or email questions to Laura Schwarcz, MMT project coordinator, at [email protected].
The publication of this article was made possible thanks to generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on May 14, 2026