Marne UMC’s new Welcome Home ministry was started, thanks to the Michigan Conference’s Seed to Harvest program and the grant writing workshop. Let their story inspire you and then sign up for one of the upcoming offerings to help your new ministry take flight.
REV. JOSHUA KIM
Marne UMC
Through the Seed to Harvest ministry incubation program, working with Lisa Batten and my cohort of peers brought an impactful change to Marne UMC. In addition, the grant writing workshop that the Michigan Conference offers not only provided practical tools for preparation but also gave us the confidence to express our vision clearly. Lisa offered clear and specific guidance to strengthen our proposal, which allowed us to secure the grant more smoothly.
Out of that process, the Welcome Home ministry was born, a ministry designed to provide a warm and supportive space for newcomers and neighbors in our community.
The Foundation for Evangelism grant we are receiving will be used to prepare our space and resources to host meals, conversation circles, and community-building activities. But the heart of Welcome Home is not just a physical space. It is the spirit of hospitality that permeates all our ministries.
That same spirit is evident in Marne UMC’s Food Pantry ministry. Each month, our members prepare and distribute food to families in need, turning simple service into a living practice of discipleship. In every bag of groceries and every smile shared, we learn what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Since the third quarter of last year, even as a small church, Marne UMC has been able to make a tangible impact. In the past nine months, the pantry has served 650 clients, provided 60 Thanksgiving meals, 10 Christmas gifts for homebound members, and distributed winter coats, gloves, and hats to children in need at local elementary schools.
The Food Pantry and Welcome Home ministries share the same DNA, meeting tangible needs, building authentic relationships, and creating spaces where grace can be experienced. Also, we see these ministries as threads woven into one tapestry that tells our community:
“You are valued. You belong here. You are loved.”
Our prayer is that Welcome Home will be more than a program. We pray that it will embody the open hearts, open minds, and open doors of United Methodist spirituality, where anyone, regardless of their story, can find a place at the table.
Editor’s note: The Seed to Harvest program and the grant writing and fund development workshops are all made possible thanks to financial gifts of Ministry Shares from local United Methodist congregations in Michigan.
Grant 101 Workshop
Grants are funding sources 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 craft a compelling purpose statement and sketch out a timeline, begin to draft a budget, and learn where to look for grants.
Additionally, for those interested, there will be a 20-minute overview of the new Ministry Innovation Fund grants, which were announced at the 2025 Michigan Annual Conference (set at a $2,500 minimum each). The window for grant applications will open on September 2. Read this article to learn more about the new grant program.
Same content, two time options: Monday, August 25, at noon ET or 6 pm ET. There is a $10 registration fee. Register now.
GrantStation Training
Are you ready to search for grants to fund your ministry, program, or event? This training will prepare participants to use the GrantStation search tool as one option for finding grants that align with their church’s or organization’s priorities and funding needs.
Same content, two time options: Wednesday, September 3, at 9:30 am ET or 6 pm ET. There is a $10 registration fee. Register now.
Fund Development 101
This training is designed for faith communities and nonprofits that are beginning to diversify their funding sources. We are aware that in many places tithes and offerings can no longer fully fund the budget, and we continue to experience the effects of post-COVID-19 funding shifts. 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.
Same content, two time options: Monday, October 13, at 12:30 pm ET or 6 pm ET. There is a $10 registration fee per organization. Register now.
Seed to Harvest Monthly Cohort
Join the monthly cohort to be part of a peer community, learning and implementing ministry incubation tools to adapt an existing ministry or launch a new one. Read this story to learn how the monthly cohort helped Pastor Karen Kinney shape her new racetrack ministry in the East Winds District.
Second Tuesday of each month, either noon or 6 pm ET, starting September 9. Cost is $60 for seven monthly sessions, September through March, and coaching. Register now.
Sprout-A-Thon
The Sprout-A-Thon is a hybrid offering that will jump-start an existing ministry or launch a new one. Participants will learn and implement tools, including creating a pitch, drafting a timeline, and exploring funding sources. If you join the monthly cohort and register for the optional Sprout-A-Thon, you will be eligible for a start-up grant of $500 to $1,000.
Saturday, October 18, from 10 am to 4:30 pm ET. Cost is $50, which includes all resources and meals. Register now.
Seed to Harvest Pivot Event
Do you have a ministry or program that needs a slight adjustment or a change of direction? Are you struggling with deciding what’s next, finding funding, marketing, or volunteer recruitment? Participants will spend time identifying the next faithful step for existing ministries and programs, have time to focus on systems needed for change, and identify the necessary resources to sustain and grow.
Saturday, November 15, from 10 am to 2:30 pm ET for this hybrid event. Cost is $50. Register now.
Last Updated on August 21, 2025