Reminders August 6-9
MCC School Kit assembly time this Sunday! The supplies have been collected and organized – now all are welcome to help assemble school kits THIS Sunday August 9 after worship in the fellowship hall. Many hands make light work! Contact Fred Suter (614-832-6718 or fdsuter@gmail.com) with any questions.
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General CMC Announcements
Mark Your Calendars! 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 August 16: Facilities Commission is looking for several volunteers right after the service on 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!
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Women’s Coffee Connection: Thursday, August 13 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m in the fellowship hall. Please feel free to join us every second Thursday of the month in the fellowship hall for coffee/tea, a light snack, and conversation.
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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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CMC Office Update: Mim Halterman, Administrative Assistant, is on vacation until Monday August 10. Please contact Laura Steiner (Church Administrator) at office@columbusmennonite.org with any administrative needs during this time.
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Opportunities in the Wider Community
SAVE THE DATE: 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 how 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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During the Central District Conference Annual Meeting in June, delegates continued a discussion of Article 19 of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective on “Family, Singleness, and Marriage.” Curious to learn more about the context and process of this discussion? Check out this article in Anabaptist World, written by CMC member Sarah Werner, who also serves as the communications director for Central District Conference.
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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 9
9:30am Worship Service
School kit assembling in the fellowship hall after worship
CMC Activities Next Week
Wednesday, August 12
12:00pm Rohr Zoom group https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89881884175
Thursday, August 13
10:00am Women’s Coffee Connection in the fellowship hall
12:00pm Shepherding Commission in Joel’s office
Friday, August 14
6:30am Men’s Breakfast via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/313623317
Sunday, August 16
9:30am Worship Service
11:00am Community Life Commission meeting in room 303
Office Contacts and Schedules for August 9 – August 16
Laura: office@columbusmennonite.org, 216-870-0119, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p
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, 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 2
Attendance: 159
Offerings Received (last week): $3,147.00
Offerings Received (August): $3,147.00
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!