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.
Lifelong Faith Cohorts
Cohorts offer faith formation leaders regular meetings with others in similar positions or interests. For winter/spring 2025, we are offering "Spiritual Practices for Leaders Cohort." Four Sessions: February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20. Two Time Options: 12:00 to 12:45 pm ET or 7:00 to 7:45 pm ET. You can join any or all sessions as your schedule allows. Learn more and register!
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.
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.
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 grant writing 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. Tuesday, April 1 from 9:30-11 AM ET or 6-7:30 PM ET. Same content, two times. Register now!
Fund Development 101
Join Lisa Batten on either Monday, March 24 from 6:00- 7:15 PM ET or Tuesday, March 25 from 9:30 - 10:45 AM 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!
Informational Gathering
Additional ways the CM Team can help
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.
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. University UMC in East Lansing will host this Saturday Seed to Harvest event, offering options for newbies and alums. Trust that you don’t have to go it alone. Sign up for this one day, in-person event on Saturday, March 29th, 10:00 AM- 4:30 PM at University UMC, 1120 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Learn more and 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. Dates: Jan 13th, noon-1:00 and 6:00-7:00 pm eastern, Feb 10th, noon-1:00 and 6:00-7:00 pm eastern, Mar 17th, 1:00-2:00 pm and 6:00-7:00 pm eastern. Registration is now open.
GRANT STATION TRAINING
Online training for those ready to search for grants to fund their ministry, program or event. 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, April 8 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.
Connectional Ministries Team Members
Associate Directors for Connectional Ministries - Read more about their work here.
Laura Witkowski
she | her | hers
Kathy Pittenger
she | her | hers
Lisa Batten
she | her | hers
Naomi García
she | her | hers | ella
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 April 4, 2025