Reminders August 13-16
Music Invitation THIS SATURDAY! Pete Yoder, Metz Kramer, and Babs and Dennis Graber invite you for an evening of music by Phil Hart, on August 15, 5:30 – 8:30 with music starting at 6:00. All are welcome and families are encouraged. Please bring a snack to share, and a chair. Drinks will be provided. Location is the home of Babs and Dennis. Park on the lawn and walk around to the back!
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Facilities Volunteers needed THIS Sunday August 16: Facilities Commission is looking for several volunteers right after the service this Sunday, August 16 to help with improving the visibility of stairs. This is a good project for individuals of all ages and families. If you are good at helping other people, using tape and scissors, and wiping surfaces with clean water, you will be perfect. This is a task at improving accessibility here at CMC, and the time commitment is short (20-40 minutes.) Come join the crew!
General CMC Announcements
Pastor Mark will be returning from sabbatical this coming Monday August 17. We look forward to welcoming him back and hearing about his sabbatical rest and adventures!
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Church Garden Maintenance: You are invited to help with an evening of work in the church Gardens. August 17th, 6:30 -8:00. Tasks include, weeding, deadheading and edging. And Watering?? NOT this week!! There are extra tools available. Snacks and chatting in the fellowship hall will end the evening. Questions? ramassey53@gmail.com
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Sister Church Delegation Presentation: After the worship service on August 23rd, the delegation that traveled to our sister church in Armenia, Colombia will give a presentation. There will be slides, some commentary and an opportunity to ask questions. Please join them in the fellowship hall as they share their experiences in continuing this important relationship.
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Transitions Small Group. This late-summer and fall I’ll be leading another group through the Transitions process. This will be an opportunity to reflect on the many transitions we undergo throughout adulthood, select a personal transition past or present to give attention to, and ritually mark that transition together. Gatherings will include two evening mini-retreats and five Sunday school hour sessions late August through October. I’m looking for 8-10 folks 18-100 years old to participate. If you are undergoing or foreseeing a life transition, if you are near a birthday ending in 0, or if you just want to be part of a small group doing intentional work around transitions you are an excellent candidate. Let me know if you are interested! – Pastor Joel
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Books and Ideas Sharing Group. We hope to form a group that will meet regularly to share and discuss books, articles, ideas and perspectives that interest us. This will not be a book club. Rather, participants will be welcome to bring what they are reading, thinking about or exploring for thoughtful conversation with others. Once there is a critical mass of people we can decide on details (zoom or in-person, frequency, and format). Please contact Wilbur Miller wilburjmiller@gmail.com or Lawrence Needleman needleperson@gmail.com if you are interested in joining or learning more.
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Opportunities in the Wider Community
From the Central Ohio Community Response Hub. Our Haitian neighbors in Springfield are devastated to be forced to wear ankle monitors, a form of digital detention. We reject the dehumanization and criminalization of our neighbors.
Organizers in Springfield have let us know that community members must fill out forms within 7 days of getting their ankle monitors to appeal that decision and get a chance to be free from constant surveillance and fear.
We urgently need volunteers to support these community members in filling out these forms for freedom in Springfield. We are looking forward to people who, over the next 3 weeks, can commit to:
· Getting (in person) to Springfield with your own laptop for filling out forms, and:
· Signing up for at least one 3-hour shift per week for the next 3 weeks, during the 10am to 5pm time period
If you are able to commit the time, please write to snuvetting@gmail.com to learn about next steps. You will be asked to fill out a form and, afterwards, to sign up for specific slots.
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Antiracism Retreat Invitation: A cordial Invitation from the Coalition For Racial Reconciliation: 4th annual Antiracism Retreat, Northwest United Methodist Church, 5200 Riverside Dr. 43220. Saturday, September 12, 2026, 9:30-4p including lunch. The focus will be on systemic racism and how it is built into our social institutions. Core trainers will be Dr. Yvonne Gilmore and Rev. Margie Pride from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). More information and registration to follow. Questions? Contact Linda Cannon at dublinmom04@yahoo.com
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Wondering about other ways to support Haitian neighbors given the end of Temporary Protected Status? From Cindy Fath – see flyer HERE listing the following Columbus-area organizations providing on-the-ground support – their greatest need is for cash donations: Haitian Community Network (HACONET), Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance (FILA), and Our Helpers. If you prefer to give in-kind donations, a second flyer HERE details a Central Ohio Donation Drive in solidarity with Our Helpers & Haitian Community Network. In the Springfield area, Jim Leonard recommends donating to the Haitian Support Center https://haitiansupportcenter.org/, click on “Give to the Emergency Fund.” Printed flyers are available in the foyer.
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The More-With-Less Cookbook is turning 50! This Mennonite classic is, in the words of MennoMedia, “a simple cookbook that has done something extraordinary. For five decades, it has quietly shaped the way people think about food, faith, and daily life. In kitchens and around tables, it has invited generations into a deeper way of living. A life marked by joy, resilience, simplicity, and generosity.” Want to learn more and join in the special festivities being planned to mark the anniversary? Check out more info HERE.
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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/
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Calendars
Sunday, August 16
9:30am Worship Service
11:00am Community Life Commission meeting in room 303
CMC Activities Next Week
Monday, August 17
6:30 Garden Group in the church gardens
Tuesday, August 18
1:00pm SHARE Commission via Zoom
Wednesday, August 19
8:00am Worship Commission via Zoom
Thursday, August 20
4:00pm Setup for Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Friday, August 21
6:30am Men’s Breakfast via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/313623317
9:00am Leadership Team meeting via Zoom
9:00am Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Sunday, August 23
9:30am Worship Service
11:00am Sister Church Delegation presentation in the fellowship hall
Youth Sponsor Orientation Meeting (room TBD)
Office Contacts and Schedules for August 16 – August 23
Laura: office@columbusmennonite.org, 216-870-0119, M-W-Th-F: 9a-3:30p; Tu: 11a-3:30p
Mim: mim@columbusmennonite.org, 614-745-5150, Tues: 9:30a-3:30p
Mark: mark@columbusmennonite.org, returning from sabbatical August 17, schedule TBD
Joel: joel@columbusmennonite.org, 614-940-7839, Mon: Sabbath, Tues-Fri: 9:00a-5:00p
Robin: robin@columbusmennonite.org, 614-406-1766, Mon: 10a-3p, Fri: 10a-2p
Upcoming CMC Special Events
Sept 6 Sundae Sunday
Sept 13 Christian Education classes resume
Sept 25-27 CMC Fall Retreat at Kirkmont Center
Oct 4 Cookie Sunday
Nov 1 Congregational Meeting and Harvest Potluck
Nov 29 Advent begins
Dec 6 Congregational Meeting (Budget Vote)
Last Sunday | August 9
Attendance: 191
Offerings Received (last week): $6,020.00
Offerings Received (August): $9,167.00
Offerings Needed (August): $44,795.00
Christian Education Classes
Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults are on summer recess and will resume on September 13.
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!