For the Making Meaning Together grant, when we define “worship,” we mean corporate worship – the time when everyone gathers together. This isn’t referring to separate spaces like preschool chapel, Children's Worship, or Sunday school, but rather the main worship service where everyone – kids, youth, and adults – is present together. This is the time when children are in the worship service.

“Intergenerational” refers to worship and prayer that actively involve people of all ages – children, youth, and adults – in meaningful ways during the service. This includes opportunities for all generations to participate, lead, contribute, and shape the experience together, rather than simply being present as observers in a service primarily designed for adults.

Integrated/Inclusive worship service: a sacred time set apart for people of all ages and all abilities to connect to God and each other through ritual and liturgy – when children are included in faith-forming rituals.

No – you do not need a fully developed project idea before applying. The application process is designed to help your team listen, discern, and imagine what is possible in your unique context.

We invite you to begin by listening deeply to the children in your community and noticing how they experience worship. From there, your team can discern thoughtfully and dream creatively beyond the usual patterns.

While we don’t know the exact context, culture, or needs of your church, we want to support you without being prescriptive. Churches often explore projects that create more meaningful ways for children to participate in worship and prayer, but each project will look different depending on your setting.

To guide your discernment, we can share that our 2026 partner churches are engaging in projects such as:

• Inviting a potter to help children create communion elements, like plates or chalices

• Transforming a transept or other space into a sensory-friendly worship area

• Creating opportunities for children to lead in worship, including designing and wearing their own stoles when reading scripture

• Developing a Grace Space or Prayground, sometimes by removing pews to make room for children

• Incorporating theater or drama into worship services

There is no set number of children required to participate in Making Meaning Together. Churches of all sizes are welcome.

Rather than focusing on a specific number, we encourage you to consider your readiness to listen well and engage thoughtfully. This process helps set the stage for your church to be prepared – spiritually, relationally, and practically – to include children more fully in worship and prayer.

Participating in the Making Meaning Together (MMT) Initiative can enrich your church’s ministry with children by fostering their spiritual growth through worship and prayer. This initiative supports:

• Creating worship experiences and prayer practices that incorporate the arts, storytelling, and creative practices that are welcoming to children. 

• Promoting inclusivity.

• Listening to Children. 

• Offering training and resources to strengthen children’s engagement in faith practices.

• Trainings 

By participating, churches can nurture children’s faith, deepen their connection to God, and build supportive, inclusive communities.

Churches in the Rio Texas and Michigan Conferences of The United Methodist Church are eligible to apply.

Your church might benefit from this initiative if:

• You want to create a culture of belonging for all children (ages 0–12)

• You seek to increase the presence of children in corporate worship

• You want to expand the ways children participate in worship and prayer

• Your church desires healing and growth through collaborative ministry

• Your church leadership is willing and excited to engage in a process of listening, learning, and discernment

If you find yourself wondering whether this work could take root in your context, that’s often a good place to begin.

To learn more about the Making Meaning Together Initiative, we invite you to join one of our online informational gatherings.

Join Us for an Informational Gathering

To help you learn more and ask questions, we are offering two online informational sessions via Zoom:

Wednesday, April 29
12:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM EST
Register here for this date and time

Monday, May 4
6:00 PM CST / 7:00 PM EST
Register here for this date and time

• Access to resources and training from experts in worship, child development, children's spirituality, and more. 

• Coaching opportunities (additional cost may apply)

• Collaborative learning with other churches in the cohort

• Seed funding to support your church’s project

Once your church’s application is accepted, seed funding will be provided to support the development of your intergenerational worship and prayer practices project. Funding is tailored to each church’s project and is determined by the MMT team, which can range from $500 - 5,000. Funds can be used for training, materials, supplies, and experiences of your project. Funds cannot be used for staffing or major construction costs. Seed money will be distributed to churches in January 2027. 

The application process consists of two steps:

1. Step 1 of the application process is a submission of initial information about your church’s background and interest in the project. Completion of Step 1 does not require you to complete Step 2 if your church decides that this project is not right for you at this time. Step 1 is open on May 1st. Click here to fill out an interest form to receive the application and updates as they come.

2. Step 2 of the application process includes a more in-depth application, including a pre-assessment and Listening with Children training. The link for this Step will be sent to you upon completion of Step 1. All materials needed for this part of the application will be found in our “apply” section on the website. Both Step 1 and Step 2 are due on October 12th.

   • What is Listening with Children? "Ministry leaders will spend time listening to children, which could include interviews or focus groups where ministry leaders actively listen to children about their current experience in worship. Why? In the Christian community, we believe all are equal in Christ, and therefore, we believe children understand and experience God in worship. As we listen to and honor children, we lean into wonder, imagination, play, and creativity. This feedback will guide you as you develop inclusive and effective worship and prayer practices. MMT will provide training and tools for this work, including communication/release form templates.

   • What is the Pre- Assessment? Ministry leaders will complete a pre-program assessment to evaluate their views on children and the inclusivity and effectiveness of the congregation's worship design in relation to the initiative's goals

Cohorts will begin in January 2027 and run for one year.  Each cohort will include 6–10 churches. At least one team member is expected to participate in monthly cohort gatherings. 

Each church will form a team of 2–5 individuals to support this work. Teams should include a mix of voices, such as a worship leader (pastor, music, or worship leader), a parent, and a Children’s Ministry Director or equivalent role in your church.

This initiative is designed to be a shared effort. A pastor cannot participate alone – each church must have a committed team of laity and/or staff, along with the support and participation of the senior pastor.

Churches will be notified of their acceptance by the beginning of December 2026. Each application is thoughtfully reviewed to ensure it aligns with the mission and purpose of Making Meaning Together and remains faithful to the grant’s vision.

Once accepted, your church will receive an award letter outlining the expectations and commitments for the year. This letter will require signatures from your project lead and/or senior pastor, as well as a designated financial representative.

Your church will then join a cohort beginning in January 2027. Cohorts are designed to be a supportive learning community where churches journey together, sharing insights, questions, and experiences as they implement their projects.

From the start, your team will be invited into a rhythm of listening, learning, and discernment, with guidance, resources, and support provided throughout the year to help bring your project to life in your unique context.

Yes! We offer a growing collection of resources you can read, watch, and listen to as you begin to explore this work at your own pace.
Visit the “Learn More” section on our website to deepen your understanding and begin discerning how your church might lean into this shift over time.

You can reach out to our Project Coordinator, Laura Schwarcz at info@makingmeaningtogether.org.