Reminders October 8-11
Vote Common Good Event Tonight: Vote Common Good votecommongood.com is a national organization dedicated to fighting anti-democracy extremism. Particularly, they seek to engage faith-voters (of every tradition) to consider candidates and policies rooted in faith, hope, and love. Their national tour of “Faith, Politics, and the Common Good” will be hosted by Hilliard United Methodist Church TONIGHT Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30-8:30pm. (They will also be at the United Church of Granville, OH on Oct 6-7. See website.) Their presentation is engaging, dialogical, and testimonial. Please consider joining for the evening. Invite a neighbor or friend. Feel free to contact Tim Conder timconder@gmail.com for more information.
Concert this Saturday: The rescheduled date for the Phil Hart concert is this Saturday October 10. Come at 4:30, music starts at 5:00. Please bring chairs and a snack to share. Families are encouraged to come as there will be lawn games available, and a fire with smores after the music! The concert will be at Babs and Dennis Graber’s House (see email for more details). Park on the grass and walk around to the back of the house. Hope to see you there! – Pete Yoder, Metz Kramer, Babs and Dennis Graber
Join the Advent Choir! All singers welcome! Sunday, December 13 is our annual Advent Christmas music service. Rehearsals start THIS SUNDAY Oct. 11th and will primarily be immediately following CE hour in the sanctuary, Sundays 12:15-1:45pm. Contact Jodi Quint jlugibihl_1@hotmail.com or 614-246-1577 for more details.
BREAD Listening Lunches will occur each Sunday of October at noon in the fellowship hall. You are invited! See details below.
General CMC Announcements
Congregational Accessibility Survey Open Again: The CMC Accessibility Advocates are re-opening their survey about ways to increase accessibility at CMC. They received 17 responses this summer, but would love to have more! Please complete the survey linked here to share your perspective – and note this survey is for all CMC attenders, whether or not you identify as having a disability. Please complete the survey by October 25. Thank you! Questions? Please contact Tracey Lehman, Josh Davey, Laura Myers or Megan McGowan (CMC Accessibility Advocates).
CMC Refuge Apartment Discernment Group: Do you have curiosity about CMC’s refuge apartment? Do you feel drawn to connecting with immigrants in need of housing and shaping CMC’s expressions of hospitality and solidarity with them? The space above the CMC offices has been used as a refuge apartment for immigrants in need of housing since 2017. Now, with foyer and restroom renovations coming soon, we are keeping the space empty to allow for a time of discernment about its future use. If you are curious about the history of the space, wondering about the gifts and challenges of opening part of our church as a literal home to our neighbors, or if you have wisdom to share from past experience, we would love to have you join us! We would like to form a temporary small group to help discern the future of the apartment space and our relational connections to folks living there. We will plan an initial organizing meeting via Zoom at a time convenient for those who respond. Please contact Laura Steiner (laura@columbusmennonite.org) or Cindy Fath (cafath@gmail.com) if you are interested.
Mulching help needed at CRC: Clintonville Community Resource Center has a community garden on Midgard St near the Railroad tracks with just shy of 200 bags of mulch needing to be spread. A small group which includes a few strong arms and a sturdy garden cart would be ideal. Timing of this can be decided by the wonderful folks volunteering. Please contact Debra Martin (Debra.Martin@clintonvillecrc.org) if you’re willing to help.
Office Updates: Mark Rupp will be out of the office Oct 12-13 at a retreat. Mim Halterman will be out of the office during the week of Oct 12-16. Joel Miller and Robin Walton will be out of the office on Friday Oct 16 at Central District Conference meetings. Laura Steiner will be working a partial day on Thursday Oct 15 and will be in the office from 12-3:30p.
BREAD Listening Lunches: CMC’s BREAD team invites you to a listening lunch on Sundays at noon in October in the fellowship hall. Join us for a light lunch and our annual effort to gather testimonials and identify issues facing Central Ohio that BREAD, our faith-based social justice coalition partner, will address this year. Sign up on the flip chart in the foyer for one of the lunches so we know how many to prepare for. BREAD is one of the concrete ways that CMC practices our commitment to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God locally. For more information contact Julie Hart, Melonie Buller or Tim Conder.
Opportunities in the Wider Community
The Fall Fundraiser for Anabaptist Disabilities Network is underway with a goal to raise $15,000 to further their important work in supporting congregations to become more accessible to people with disabilities. They do this through Barrier-Free Grants, curriculum for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, webinars on various disability topics, congregational accessibility audits, consultations, and more. Read more about their many contributions and donate HERE.
—
Save the Date for Illuminati’s Holiday Sing-Along and Fundraiser! Illuminati, the sacred music ensemble of the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, warmly invites you to a special Christmas Community Sing-Along and Fundraiser! Sunday, December 20 from 2-4pm at Indianola Presbyterian Church (1970 Waldeck Ave, Columbus). Admission: $10 at the door. The event includes a group sing-along of beloved sacred and secular Christmas classics, along with special performances, raffle prizes, fellowship and treats.
—
Election Protection Volunteer Opportunity (from Lawrence Needleman): This is an unusually consequential moment for nonpartisan election protection. As the 2026 midterms approach, election officials around the country are preparing for heightened security concerns, misinformation, legal disputes, and possible disruptions surrounding voting; some jurisdictions are strengthening physical security and contingency planning in response. At the same time, the national nonpartisan Election Protection coalition is actively recruiting volunteers to help voters obtain accurate information, document problems, and connect people with appropriate assistance when difficulties arise. Well-trained volunteers can be especially valuable at moments like this — not by taking sides or interfering with election officials, but by helping make sure eligible voters can exercise their rights in a safe, orderly, and accessible process. If you are looking for a concrete, nonpartisan way to serve our neighbors and strengthen the voting process, please consider one of these trainings.
The nonpartisan Ohio Voter Rights Coalition is recruiting and training volunteers to help support an orderly, accessible voting process during the 2026 election.
Poll Monitor Training. Volunteer poll monitors learn how to identify voting difficulties, provide voters with accurate information and appropriate assistance, and document potential problems. Multiple virtual training dates are available, so you can select a session that fits your schedule. View Poll Monitor training dates and register
Peacekeeper and De-escalation Training. These trainings teach practical skills for responding calmly and constructively if tensions arise around polling places. Multiple training dates are available, including virtual options. View Peacekeeper and De-escalation training dates and register
Additional information and registration QR codes are available on the flyers in the church foyer.
—
You are invited to Restoration Retreat October 23-25 at Camp Friedenswald (full weekend, commuter, and Saturday only options available)
Come to the peaceful woods to connect to yourself, others, and the more-than-human world. Restoration Retreat is focused navigating the ecological and social crises of our time. Discover the unique community that comes together for this inspiring weekend of engaging speakers and conversations, delicious locally focused plant forward meals, and activities connecting you to the more-than-human creatures at Camp. City of Goshen Forester, Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, and Traditional Knowledge Holder, Cortney Collia, will be sharing stories and wisdom with us.
If you see the need for restoration in our world and desire connection with others interested in the same, please consider participating in this weekend retreat. You will leave feeling more connected, inspired, and empowered to work for positive change in your community and the world beyond. This retreat is open to all ages. Interested individuals, families, youth groups, green teams, repair network teams, and small groups are all welcome. More info and registration at https://friedenswald.org/retreats/#restoration-retreat
—
Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit: Registration is now open for MC USA’s “Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit,” Nov. 6-7, in Leola, Pennsylvania. Rooted in Anabaptist faith values, the two-day gathering brings Christians together to explore faithful responses to war, political polarization, nationalism and violence. Best-selling author Shane Claiborne is the opening keynote speaker. High school youth attend free with a youth sponsor/pastor. Learn more and register here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/militarism-summit/
—
Calendars
Sunday, October 11
9:30 am Worship Service
Children’s Christmas play practice between worship and Christian Ed
11:00 am Christian Education
12:00 pm BREAD Listening Lunch in the fellowship hall
12:00 pm Youth Group – Corn Maze trip
12:15 pm Advent Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary
CMC Activities Next Week
Monday, October 12
9:00 am Leadership Team via Zoom
Tuesday, October 13
7:00 pm Community Life Meeting via Zoom
Wednesday, October 14
12:00 pm Rohr Zoom group https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89881884175
Thursday, October 15
4:00 pm Set up for Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Friday, October 16
6:30 am Men’s Breakfast via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/313623317
9:00 am Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Sunday, October 18
9:30 am Worship Service
Children’s Christmas play practice between worship and Christian Ed
12:00 pm BREAD Listening Lunch in the fellowship hall
12:15 pm Advent Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary
Office Contacts and Schedules for October 11-18
Laura: office@columbusmennonite.org, 216-870-0119, MTuWF: 9a-3:30p, Th: 12p-3:30p
Mim: mim@columbusmennonite.org, 614-745-5150, not in the office this week
Mark: mark@columbusmennonite.org, 419-392-0610, Mon-Thurs: 9a-2:00p, Fri: Sabbath
Joel: joel@columbusmennonite.org, 614-940-7839, Mon: Sabbath, Tu-Th: 8:00a-4:00p, Fri: at CDC mtgs
Robin: robin@columbusmennonite.org, 614-406-1766, Mon:10a-1:30p, Fri: at CDC mtgs
Upcoming CMC Special Events
Sundays in October BREAD Listening Lunches
Nov 1 Congregational Meeting and Harvest Potluck
Nov 29 Advent begins
Dec 6 Congregational Meeting (Budget Vote)
Dec 12 Children’s Christmas Play
Dec 13 Music Sunday
Dec 24 Christmas Eve service
Jan 23 Winter Seminar: Restorative Practices for Holistic Peacemaking during times of Polarization
Last Sunday | Oct 4
Attendance: 170
Offerings Received (last week): $7,585.00
Offerings Received (October): $7,585.00
Offerings Needed (October): $44,795.00
—
Christian Education Classes
Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults meet this week at 11am. Class descriptions are below.
Unless otherwise noted, classes will meet on the following Sundays: Sept 13 and 20, Oct 11, 18, and 25, Nov 8, 15, and 22, Dec 13 and 20. Due to Cookie Sundays, holidays, and other special events, most classes will not meet on Sept 27, Oct 4, Nov 1, Nov 29, Dec 6, or Dec 27. Contact the class leaders for schedule updates as the season progresses.
Children/Youth Classes
Children’s Classes (Pre-K through 4th Grade): Children meet together for a snack, story time, and a self-directed creative response time. All children gather in Room 1, then younger children (Pre-K and K) move to Room 2, and older children (1st to 4th grade) move to Room 4.
Junior High (5th – 8th Grade): Middle grade youth meet in Room 303 for Bible study, snacks, and other activities. This class will explore stories and scriptures that connect to topics relevant to young people’s lives.
High School (9th – 12th Grade): High school youth meet in Room 305 for conversation around a wide variety of topics, including an exploration of the stories and scriptures used during worship.
Adult Classes
Title: Cultivating a Courageous Peace Witness
Facilitators: Julie and Phil Hart
Room 302
Meeting: Sept 13, 20; Oct 11, 18, 25; Nov 8, 15, 22; Dec 13, 20
Description: Hear a variety of local in-person and international online peacemakers share their stories of peace and justice action and how these folks were cultivated and impacted by those who came before them. We will have time for conversation with the peacemaker and sermon discussion. This week’s speaker: Yasir Makki will be joining from Cairo via Zoom to share about his courageous peacemaking efforts.
Title: Exploring Our Headcanons
Facilitators: Sarah Martin and Tim Jaquet
Room 304
Meeting: Sept 13, 20; Oct 11, 18, 25; Nov 8, 15, 22; Dec 13, 20
Description: Our Bible contains only a portion of humanity’s religious/spiritual/supernatural ideas and stories. Yet it is strewn throughout not just with words of beauty and wisdom, but also strange and macabre stories. How do we make sense of what has landed in/out of our holy book, especially when it comes to its most absurd tales? In this class we’ll discuss Bible stories and characters that are strange, confusing, or dissonant with typical Christian ideas/values. Our goal will be not to fully explain or reconcile these conflicts, but to explore how we think about them in relation to our overall faith frameworks, and perhaps also learn at least some new stuff about these stories from academic sources. Come if you’re intrigued by these stories and enjoy talking about the peculiar and puzzling. (Or if you don’t know what a headcanon is and can’t find anyone under 30-ish to ask.)
Title: Transitions and Ritual (closed group)
Facilitator: Joel Miller, Pastor
Room 301
Meeting: Aug 30; Sept 6, 20; Oct 4, 11
Description: We will reflect on the many transitions we undergo throughout adulthood, select a particular personal transition past or present to give attention to, and ritually mark that transition together. This is a closed group, with a new group forming every fall.
Title: Inquirers Class – Starts October 25
Facilitator: Joel Miller, Pastor
Room 301
Meeting: Oct 25; Nov 1 (congregational meeting), 8, 15, 22; Dec 13, 20
Description: We will explore the basics of Christian faith in an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective, as well as provide an overview of the story and life of Columbus Mennonite Church. The class is open to anyone, with a special invitation to new attenders and those considering membership at CMC.
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!