Making Meaning Together (MMT) is a grant-funded initiative that supports congregations more fully including children ages 0–12 in worship and prayer. Rooted in a shared commitment to welcoming and listening to children, MMT partners with congregations to create worship spaces

where children are fully engaged and heard. Through a collaboration between the Michigan Conference and the Rio Texas Conference, MMT is building a learning community where churches across both regions listen deeply, experiment faithfully, and shape intergenerational worship with care and intention.

This fall, congregations across both conferences participated in the MMT application process, including a key step called Listening with Children. As part of this process, churches gathered children from their congregations—with parent and child permission—to wonder together about worship in their church. These conversations helped inform each congregation’s project focus and direction as they discerned their work with MMT. Many churches named thoughtful commitments to support children and their families, including attention to sensory elements, acoustics, opportunities for movement, and language that is accessible to all ages. These practices reflect the heart of Making Meaning Together, and we are grateful for the ways churches are responding to what children are teaching them.

2026 MMT Churches

Michigan Conference

First Kalamazoo
Battle Creek: Chapel Hill
Dearborn First
Lansing Grace
Chelsea First
Goodrich
Nardin Park
University Church (East Lansing)
Central Detroit
Okemos Community Church
Wesley Park

Rio Texas Conference

Manchaca
Saint John’s
Northwest Hills
Bee Creek
Fredericksburg
Leander
La Trinidad - San Antonio
Schertz

Looking Back: 2025 Highlights

In 2025, Making Meaning Together reached several important milestones. We launched our first application process, inviting congregations to listen to children and discern their next faithful steps toward more intergenerational worship. We also formed an Advisory Board that meets quarterly to ensure the executive team is staying faithful to the grant.

Throughout the year, the MMT team connected with leaders in change management, leadership development, and children’s spiritual development to shape learning opportunities for partner churches. We also hosted office hours for congregations in both conferences, offering space for questions, reflection, and encouragement throughout the discernment process.

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

Beginning in January 2026, each partner church will live into its project plan with support from the MMT team. Churches will gather for monthly cohort meetings, creating space to share stories from worship, reflect on what they are noticing, and exchange ideas and resources that support child-inclusive practices. Additional learning opportunities throughout the year will strengthen this shared work and allow churches to learn from one another across conferences. Congregations interested in participating in the initiative in 2027 are invited to join our interest list. We look forward to continuing this journey alongside churches as they listen deeply to their youngest community members and reimagine worship for all ages.