Reminders May 28-31
The Rummage Sale starts tomorrow (8a-6p) and continues into Saturday (8a-12p)! The Plant Sale is Saturday (8a-12p)! Both are at the church. Invite friends and come support this annual community effort!
Christian Education reminder: Most Christian Education classes have begun their summer recess and will not meet again until September 13. The Aging Well class still has several more meeting times, including this week. Their remaining classes are May 31 and June 7, 14, 28. Topic for this Sun May 31: We will be discussing Ohio’s Advance Directives, the Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. There are lots of misconceptions about these documents and we will try to set the record straight.
KCMCS Annual Training for 2026 deadline is this Sunday May 31. If you are attending at CMC, this training is for you, whether you volunteer with youth or attend worship services… To complete the training GO HERE and complete Steps 3 & 4. Mim Halterman, KCMCS Program Coordinator, mim@columbusmennonite.org
General CMC Announcements
May 2026 CMC Contact Directory update. Yesterday you received an email to review your contact information. If you would please take a couple minutes to review that information in the October 2025 directory and send updates to mim@columbusmennonite.org. If you found that you are not in the directory and would like to be, contact me and I’ll send you a welcome to CMC form to complete. Thank you for your participation in keeping this directory current!
CMC Office Update: Jeff Delcamp (Building Manager) will be out of the office from May 30-June 7, and Kevin Condon (Building Caretaker) will be out of the office June 5-8.
Cookie Sunday coming up on June 7: Join us after the service on June 7th for Cookie Sunday in the fellowship hall! Please bring nut-free foods to share (a list of ingredients is appreciated). Coffee and water will be provided.
Save the date for our Outdoor Service and Potluck! It will be held at Highbanks Metro Park on Sunday June 21. There will be no worship service at the CMC building that week. Join us instead outside at the park for worship followed by a lunch potluck! More details to come soon!
New Spiritual Growth Groups: Are you looking for a group for sharing, spiritual connection, prayer, and reflection? Several of us are participating in such a group and would be delighted to help start others. Each group will have its own character and process, but if you would like to hear how our group is structured, please see the Lamplighter article on page 14-15 of the Dec-Jan issue linked HERE. If you might be interested in joining a Spiritual Growth group, please contact Lawrence Needleman at needleperson@gmail.com, or reach out to Robin Walton at robin@columbusmennonite.org.
Let’s help stock the staff lounge at Camp Friedenswald! As summer camp season gears up, CMC has been invited to help support the summer staff at Camp Friedenswald. These dedicated young adults spend their days pouring energy, love, and mentorship into every camper who walks into the peaceful woods. It is rewarding work, and requires nearly endless energy! Special note that two CMC young people will be on the camp staff this summer – Graciela and Eli! A collection bin will be in the foyer beginning this Sunday. Here are some ideas (but feel free to get creative!): granola bars/protein bars; fruit snacks; cookies (homemade* or store bought); beef jerky; twizzlers, gummy bears, or other sweets; chips or pretzels; trail mix / mixed nuts; goldfish or cheese crackers; fresh fruit; soft drinks or soda water. *If bringing homemade items, please no nuts! And a list of ingredients would be appreciated. Items due by Sunday June 28.
Young Adult Dinner Group: Gwen, Peter, and Jacob Reiser will be hosting the next Young Adult Dinner group on Saturday, June 13th at 6:00pm at their home. Anyone who identifies as a young adult is welcome. Please let Gwen know if you would like to join (greiser.1984@gmail.com).
Vacation Bible School: Our VBS this year is themed “Kids Connect” and will take place Wednesday evenings (July 15, 22, 29, and Aug. 5). A light meal will be offered from 5:30-6 and the program will run from 6-7:30. VBS is for children who have completed Preschool through 4th grade, and older youth are invited to participate as helpers. Please register both children and youth HERE no later than July 5, and for more information, contact Hannah Kelley hannahjkelley@gmail.com.
Opportunities in the Wider Community
Peter, Paul, and Mary Tribute Concert: Bill Cohen, Joanne Blum, and Joe Lambert will sing and strum the most beloved songs that Peter, Paul, and Mary seared into the hearts and minds of so many people for decades. Heidi White will enhance the music with her stand-up bass. The concert will also recall key parts of PP & M’s history and their linking of music and activism. Plus, we’ll test the audience’s memories with fun trivia questions about the endearing trio. WHEN: Sunday, June 14 at 4 pm, WHERE: First Unitarian Church, 93 W. Weisheimer 43214 (free parking). $15 donations are suggested at the door, but all contributions are welcomed. Half of the proceeds will go to Columbus Food Rescue. For more information: info@billcohensings.org.
Mark your calendars for the 2026 Central Ohio Folk Festival, June 6 & 7. Join the Columbus Folk Music Society for a two-day family friendly festival the first full weekend in June, where the magic of music comes alive across four vibrant stages. Several CMCers are involved! More details HERE and on the flyers in the foyer. Please note it will be held at a new location this year – Bank Run Metro Park.
June 26-28 Workshop: Nonviolence, Hope, Courage, and Strategic Defiance at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Join On Earth Peace for a training open to members of the Church of the Brethren and interested members of the public. Join us for a weekend of strategic nonviolence analysis, skill-building, and spiritual power. This training is meant to help Christians and people of goodwill build spiritual and practical grounding for the work ahead. RSVP USING THIS LINK. AND for more information about the workshop!
Rooting our Stories: Reveling in 50 years of Queer and Trans Anabaptist Resilience Join the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC) for a gathering rooted in sacred story and joyful revelry, as we mark our 50th Anniversary on May 29-31 in Minneapolis! This festive weekend will include storytelling, singing, ritual/worship, workshops, artmaking, games, shared meals, and honoring this incredible 50-year legacy of LGBTQIA+ Anabaptist resistance and resilience. Find event details, safety/accessibility info, and registration on our 50th webpage.
Calendars
Sunday, May 31
9:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Aging Well class in the sanctuary (no other Christian Ed classes today)
1:00 pm Worship Commission Meeting via Zoom
CMC Activities Next Week
Thursday, June 4
4:00 pm Set up for Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Friday, June 5
6:30 am Men’s Breakfast via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/313623317
9:00 am Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Sunday, June 7
9:00am Worship Service – Piecemakers comforter blessing
Cookie Sunday following worship
11:00am Aging Well class in the sanctuary (no other Christian Ed classes today)
Office Contacts and Schedules for May 31-June 7
Laura: office@columbusmennonite.org, 216-870-0119, Mon-Thu 8:30a – 4:30p, Fri: 8:00-10:00a
Mim: mim@columbusmennonite.org, 614-745-5150, Tues: 9:30a-3:30p
Mark: mark@columbusmennonite.org, on sabbatical May 18-Aug 16
Joel: joel@columbusmennonite.org, 614-940-7839, Tues-Fri: 9:00a-5:00p
Robin: robin@columbusmennonite.org, 614-406-1766, Mon: 10a-3p, Fri: 10a-2p
Upcoming CMC Special Events
May 29-30 Rummage Sale (Fri-Sat) and Plant Sale (Sat)
June 7 Piecemakers Comforter Blessing (during worship) and Cookie Sunday
June 14 Pride Sunday
June 20 Pride Parade
June 21 Outdoor Service at Highbanks Metro Park (no service at CMC)
Sept 25-27 CMC Fall Retreat at Kirkmont Center
Last Sunday | May 24
Attendance: 176
Offerings Received (last week): $5,955.00
Offerings Received (May): $30,646.00
Offerings Needed (May): $44,795.00
Christian Education Classes
Most Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults are on summer recess and will not meet again until September 13. The exception to this is the Aging Well class for adults, which will meet on the following remaining dates: May 31 and June 7, 14, 28.
Aging Well (April/May/June): What kinds of things do we need to be thinking of in regard to the final chapter of our lives? There’s all kinds of planning to think about: medical, financial, burial, funeral, living situations, in-home care, reliance on family vs complete autonomy. How do we prepare ourselves? Let’s start talking about these issues, learn what we can, share with each other our hopes, fears and dreams. Facilitated by Verdene Thompson and Robin Walton in the sanctuary. Class meets April 12, 26, May 10, 17, 31, and June 7, 14, 28. Topic for May 31: We will be discussing Ohio’s Advance Directives, the Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. There are lots of misconceptions about these documents and we will try to set the record straight.
Donations and Giving
Interested in giving financially to Columbus Mennonite? Follow THIS LINK to donate online. Donations are also accepted by cash, check or Zelle. Contact the church office or financial team if you need assistance with setting up Zelle or any of the payment options. Thank you for your gift!