The Making Meaning Together initiative is impacting how churches create spaces for meaningful worship for children. Read about the transformation underway in Michigan and apply by October 12 to become a 2027 partner.
What does it look like when all ages, particularly children, are welcome to bring their whole selves, authentically, to worship each week? How might this transform the congregation?
The Making Meaning Together (MMT) initiative, a joint project of the Michigan and Rio Texas Conferences, equips churches with the knowledge and tools needed to answer these questions and nurture children in worship and prayer practices.
Launched last year, MMT has provided resources and grant funding to 19 partner United Methodist churches in Michigan and Texas to launch projects designed specifically for their worship spaces. They are now taking applications for 2027 partner churches. The application deadline is October 12, 2026. Learn more about becoming an MMT partner church.
Okemos Community Church here in Michigan is one of these partner churches, and they are seeing the impact of their project on their faith community. The Holy Spirit-empowered transformation is happening with children at the forefront, shaping the life of the church.
Through their Making Meaning Together project, the church has intentionally created worship experiences in which children are not merely present but active participants. They have updated their Prayground, a set-aside area where anyone, especially children, can experience worship through play and creative expression alongside the rest of the congregation.
Okemos also developed an intergenerational worship series this summer centered on multisensory, hands-on experiences and created a “Worship Flow” book to help children understand what happens throughout worship, what comes next, and why each part is meaningful.
For Rev. Dillon Burns, lead pastor at Okemos, one of the clearest signs of transformation has been witnessing how these changes are helping families feel more welcome and more at home.
“One of the most meaningful transformations we’ve seen,” notes Burns, “is families with neurodivergent children finding a place where they feel welcome and able to fully participate in worship. This work has helped us think differently about how we create worship spaces where children and families of all abilities can participate and truly belong.”
Northwest Hills UMC in Austin, Texas, has also created a Prayground, designed and used with purpose and care, as part of the larger worshiping community.
One fulfilling part of the project has been seeing the Prayground become a shared congregational effort. Team members whose own children are now college-age have helped create the space, while families with younger children began using it even before it was fully finished.
The project has also created opportunities for thoughtful conversations about what it means to welcome children into the worship space. When questions arose about how a Prayground might affect the worship environment, inviting congregation members to see the space and talk through its purpose helped build understanding and support.
Heather Taylor, project lead for Northwest Hills UMC’s MMT project, notes, “It has been meaningful to see people from across the congregation become part of this project, including those who no longer have young children at home. Being able to walk people through the space, share the intention behind it, and have those conversations has been such a positive part of the process.”
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 practices? If so, consider joining the MMT initiative and becoming a partner church. The application window for 2027 closes on October 12.
Apply now to be a 2027 partner.
Churches selected through the application process will receive seed money to implement creative, 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.
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, 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 August 24, 2026