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Connectional Ministries Team Coming Attractions

The Michigan Conference Connectional Ministries Team - comprising Laura Witkowski, Kathy Pittenger, Lisa Batten and Naomi García - has been developing conference-wide events and ongoing offerings that you can sign up for today! These exciting initiatives are designed to nurture spiritual growth and foster a strong sense of belonging within Michigan United Methodist faith communities and leaders.

For more information about any upcoming initiatives or offerings, contact any team member.

Laura Witkowski  |  Kathy Pittenger  |  Lisa Batten  |  Naomi García

The Connectional Ministries Team is always launching new cohorts, workshops and resources.

Faith Formation Cohorts 2025
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Language Diversity Workshop

On June 18, Dr. Sarah Hercula will lead a hybrid Language Diversity Workshop. 10 am to 2:30 pm ET,. Join online or in-person at the Michigan Conference Center in Lansing. Explore how individuals and communities speak differently from one another, even within the same language. Early registration ends June 11 — individual and group rates are available. Register Now!

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Beyond the Mirror: Finding Clarity in Your Reflections

Join this brand-new course focused on addressing your inner critic. During the month of July, on four Monday and three Wednesday evenings, take time for yourself. Begin to peel back the layers of societal and cultural expectations to discover your core values. Embracing what matters to you will equip you to confidently say yes or no to the many social pressures to fit in. Name, befriend, and live your values, and have no more regrets investing in safe friendships that give you life. The course begins on July 7, and each session will be from 5 to 7 pm CT / 6 to 8 pm ET. Register Now!

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Grant Writing 101

Grants are sources of funding for existing or new ministry ideas, facility repairs, or new builds. Knowing where to look and how to write a grant can be challenging and even intimidating. Participants in this workshop will gain an understanding of a theology of fundraising, begin to draft a compelling purpose statement and timeline, begin to draft a budget, learn where to look for grants. Monday, June 16 from 6-7:30 PM ET or Thursday, June 19 from 9:30-11 AM ET. Same content, two times. Register now!

Fund Development 101

Fund Development 101

Join Lisa Batten on either Wednesday, June 11 from 9:30 - 10:45 AM ET or 6:00- 7:15 PM ET. This training is for faith communities and non-profits who are beginning to diversify their funding sources. We know tithes and offerings can no longer carry the budget and we continue to experience the effects of post-Covid funding shifts. Together, participants will explore a theology of fund development, create a case for support, review needed infrastructure to receive and manage funds, and explore potential funding sources. Cost is $10 per organization. Register now!

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Informational Gathering and Grant Writing Workshop

Are you passionate about making worship more engaging, meaningful, and welcoming for children? Do you want to create a space where children participate in worship and grow in their faith? If so, join the Making Meaning Together (MMT) Initiative. Register for one of the informational gatherings on May 5, at noon CT / 1 pm ET, or May 13, at 6:30 pm CT / 7:30 pm ET.  Register now

A grant writing workshop focused on MMT will be held on June 23, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm CT / 2:30-4:30 pm ET for those who need assistance with the MMT grant application. Click here to register to attend live or to register for access to the recording.

Additional ways the CM Team can help

YOUNG ADULT DISCERNMENT COHORT

This regular gathering is for ages 18 to 29, who are seeking their next faithful step in life, work and vocation. Consider joining on Mondays from 6:45 to 8:00 PM ET/5:45 to 7:00 PM CT via zoom. No registration is needed, contact Lisa Batten at lbatten@michiganumc.org for the zoom link.

INTERCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT INVENTORY

The Michigan Conference employs the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as an assessment of cultural understanding and intercultural competence. Intercultural competence refers to the ability to adapt behavior and perspectives in response to cultural diversity. There is no grade or perfect score, only a greater understanding of oneself, our organizations, and the necessary work ahead. This resource is available to Michigan United Methodists and serves as a valuable aid in building relationships across diverse cultures. To learn more and utilize this tool, contact Naomi García.

CONTEMPLATIVE COHORT

Meets monthly via zoom for contemplative prayer practice. Each session is led by a facilitator who explains the practice and leads the group through the prayer. After the prayer practice, there is time for debriefing and resource sharing. Come when you can, stay as long as you are able. Sessions meet on the 3rd Monday of each month. Contact Lisa Batten for a zoom link.

GRANT SEARCHES WITH GRANTSTATION

This training will prepare participants to use the GrantStation search tool as one option to finding grants that align with the church or organization's priorities and funding needs. $10 Registration fee. Join Lisa Batten on Tuesday, June 24 from 9:30-10:30 AM ET or 6:00-7:00 PM ET. Same content, two times. Registration is now open.

PROTECTION POLICY AND SEXUAL ETHICS

Our responsibility is to care for, protect, and care for all God's Children. Protection Policies (also known as Safe Sanctuaries or Abuse Prevention) and Sexual Ethics Policies are designed to protect and care for the children, youth, and adults in our churches and communities.

COACHING SUPPORT FOR FAITH COMMUNITIES AND MINISTRY LEADERS

Coaches provide just-in-time support by asking questions and challenging the one being coached to set and reach their goals. Using deep listening, coaches ask questions to trigger deeper contemplation, providing a sounding board that allows the coachee to think more deeply and profoundly than they would without coaching. Visit the coaching page to learn about upcoming classes.

ADDRESSING CONFLICT WELL

Focusing on your relationship systems, consider what’s happening and what options you have can heal your important relationships. 1-on-1, interpersonal and group mediation services are available.

SEED TO HARVEST MINISTRY INCUBATION

We often feel isolated when launching something new, or we may be unsure of the next steps when revamping a program or ministry already in place to be more fruitful. The good news is that we don’t have to go it alone! Facilitators will guide you and provide resources to ensure you feel supported in doing the work God has called you to do. Choose one or all opportunities below:

Information Sessions
Wednesday, August 13th and Tuesday, August 19th at noon and 6:00 pm eastern. Four offerings, same content. Join the Seed to Harvest Team for one of the four informational sessions and learn about adapting current ministries and launching new ministries. No Cost. Register to join the one hour zoom. Register now!

Monthly Cohort
Join the monthly cohort to be part of a peer community, learning and implementing ministry incubation tools to adapt an existing or launch a new ministry. The second Tuesday of each month, either noon or 6:00 pm, starting Sept. 9th. Cost: $60 for seven monthly cohorts, Sept - March and coaching. Register now!

Sprout-A-Thon

The Sprout A Thon is on Saturday, October 18th from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. This hybrid offering will jump start adaption of an existing ministry or launch your new ministry. Participants will learn and implement tools including crating a pitch, drafting a timeline, and exploring funding sources. Cost $50 includes all resources and meals. Register now!

OPEN FUND DEVELOPMENT HOUR

A monthly online co-working space for those interested in non-traditional funding opportunities for your church or non-profit. Attendees can bring a question, ideas to flesh out, a grant to work on, spend time searching for grants, build a budget or draft a purpose statement. Connectional Ministry Staff, Lisa Batten, will host a one hour monthly open zoom room for those who want to collaborate and mutually resource one another around fund development. Check back soon for upcoming dates!

Connectional Ministries Team Members

Associate Directors for Connectional Ministries - Read more about their work here.

Laura Witkowski

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Kathy Pittenger

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Education is her passion

Lisa Batten

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Lisa Batten

Naomi García

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Naomi Garcia

Called to the work of the laity, Laura is passionate about ministry leaders using their God-given gifts in ways that can transform the world around them. Encouraging others to lead authentically from who they are, who God has shaped them to be, is important in her work. Laura and her family are active at Grand Rapids Aldersgate UMC, where she has been a member most of her life.

Asking questions, thinking outside the box, looking at a challenge from several different perspectives, and being creative are all gifts Kathy brings to her work. Kathy loves it when children discover something new and the way it makes their face light up, especially when it is in relationship to Jesus and faith. She is excited for opportunities to encourage, equip, and be a resource for the leaders who are planting seeds and making a difference in their churches, communities, and world.

New ministry with new people excites Lisa. She is guided by her own sense of call and vocation and by the vision to create a culture where all, especially young adults, are valued.

Her life’s one ‘yes’-at-a-time-journey brought Naomi from the south Rio Grande Valley to Michigan. The fun and drama of dancing in the present is mostly informed by where she’s been and lit up by God-sized aspirations. Being and doing this in the presence of others doing the same keeps her coming back for more.

Last Updated on May 28, 2025

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The Michigan Conference