Reminders Feb 12-15
We will hold a congregational meeting during the Sunday school hour THIS SUNDAY February 15th (approximately 11am -12pm) to vote on our new Pastor of Congregational Care and to offer feedback on design proposals for the restroom and office remodels. The agenda and introductory information were emailed this week. All are welcome to join the meeting in-person in the sanctuary or via Zoom (same link as worship: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83579028885. Or dial 1-301-715-8592, ID 835 7902 8885), but only members will be voting. If you are not able to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom but would still like to submit a vote, you may submit a proxy vote by emailing Josh Davey (Leadership Team member) at joshuadavey@gmail.com by Saturday, February 14. Members joining the meeting by Zoom will have the opportunity to submit their vote electronically on Sunday. Please note children and youth Sunday school will be held as usual this Sunday, with nursery care offered during the meeting.
General CMC Announcements
Pastor and Congregational Review Opportunities. Every three years, the CMC congregation engages in a process to reflect on our growth and challenges as a congregation, to share with our pastors about ways that we appreciate and value their work, and to offer feedback that will contribute to our pastors’ ongoing growth. All CMC members and attenders are invited to participate in this process, and several opportunities to provide feedback will occur in February, March, and April:
An open discussion group via Zoom on Tuesday, February 17 at 7pm, led by Leadership Team Chair Phil Hart, Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89768184935?pwd=vLuw6WuCOVTffsL1yQdGfKePYnjCa6.1
An open discussion group during Cookie Sunday on March 1 (location at CMC tbd), led by LT member Josh Davey
Providing written feedback via a Google form which will be distributed next week.
Questions are available HERE if you would like to prepare ahead. We will conclude the process at our April Congregational Meeting.
Anabaptist World group subscription. If you are interested in joining the group subscription through CMC, contact mim@columbusmennonite.org and provide her with your contact information (email, address, phone number). Subscriptions offer 12 printed issues of Anabaptist World plus email delivery of the PDF digital edition. The cost is $54 for the year. Deadline is Tuesday February 24. The subscription begins in May. Designate your payment for Anabaptist World and mail or bring it to CMC on Sunday. We accept cash, check, or Zelle. Send Zelle to treasurers@columbusmennonite.org. To learn more about Anabaptist World, go to anabaptistworld.org.
Free Loveseat! Hannah Kelley is looking to get rid of a grey loveseat. Perfect for a small apartment. Pickup sometime in the next two weeks. If you are interested or for pictures, please reach out to Hannah at 937-578-3816 or hannahjkelley@gmail.com.
Immigrant Support: If you are interested in ways that you can be further involved in community defense and supporting the immigrant community in central Ohio, please reach out to Cindy Fath, Bethany Davey, or Elisa Stone Leahy. See the church directory for contact information. If you would like to discuss supporting more sensitive needs within the immigrant community, please request an in-person meeting.
CMC Pilgrimage Group – Seeking One More Participant. Several CMCers are participating in the Mennonite Mission Network Underground Railroad Pilgrimage/Tour March 22-28 in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia area. The cost of the tour (which covers all room, meals and transportation) is $1000. We have 11 CMCers already signed up and room for 1 more female. If you are interested in more information, please contact Julie or Phil Hart ASAP.
From CMC Financial Team: Most of you should have received an email on Wednesday from the CMC Financial Team with a statement of your 2025 contributions attached. If you did not and think you should have, or if you have any questions, please contact treasurers@columbusmennonite.org.
Rental Registry Hearing: Our CMC BREAD group would like to invite CMCers to attend and support the final City Council Hearing on the new Rental Registry at 4pm Thursday February 19, in the City Council Chambers 90 West Broad Street. We anticipate that Columbus Landlords will be attending the meeting to stop the Registry which we hope will protect renters from the worst landlords. The Registry will provide information each year on how to contact landlords and will provide for inspections on properties with significant code violations. For more information contact Melonie Buller or Julie Hart.
Lent Devotionals will begin next week, written by CMCer-from-afar Sarah Zwickle on our worship theme “Composting Faith.”
Winter Dinner Groups are back! It is time for the 2026 Winter Dinner Groups! This is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with other participants at CMC. We have a number of hosts and now need guests! There is a sign-up board in the lobby. You can also SIGN UP HERE. If you would like to be added as a host contact Ramassey@gmail.com. Ruth Massey (sponsored by the shepherding team)
Young Adult Dinner Group: Chris and Tim McCarthy will be hosting the next Young Adult Dinner group on Saturday, February 21st at 6:30pm at their home. Anyone who identifies as a young adult is welcome. Please let Chris and Tim know at tckmccarthy@gmail.com if you would like to join.
Save the date! CMC’s annual Knotting Party and Soup-er Pie Supper will be on Friday, March 6th from 4pm-9pm. Supper will be served starting at 5:30 pm. Come to eat! Come to knot! Come for children’s activities! And most important, please come to support CMC Piecemakers and MCC! Knotting will continue on Saturday, March 7th from 9am-12pm – with donuts served!
New Christian Education class begins February 22: Composting Faith for Lent. We will explore the weekly scriptures and daily devotions of the Lent season. What does reading these texts, and our lives, through the theme of compost have to teach us? No prior reading necessary. Facilitated by Joel Miller and Sarah Zwickle in Room 22 and over Zoom. Meets Feb 22-Mar 29 (no class Mar 1).
Seeking CDC delegates for Annual Meeting: Calling anyone interested in worshiping, learning, meeting with other Mennonites from our region. The Central District Conference annual meeting is June 25-27 (Thurs evening through Saturday noon) in beautiful Harrisonburg, Virginia. CMC gets nine delegates and we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested. Contact Joel Miller, joel@columbusmennonite.org
SHARE Announcements
Collecting items for Hygiene Kits for MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) distribution overseas. Families who have fled their homes because of disaster or war often struggle to afford these necessary supplies. Hygiene kits also are given through schools or orphanages to encourage healthy habits for children. MCC no longer asks for toothpaste but will provide it when the kits are shipped from the MCC warehouse. Place your items in the labeled boxes in the fellowship hall by the deadline, Sunday, March 1st. Contact is Fred Suter (614-832-6718).
Contents (NEW items only)
- 1 adult-size toothbrush (in manufacturer’s packaging)
- 1 large bar bath soap – min. size 3.7 oz (leave in wrapper)
- 1 nail clipper (good quality)
- 1 hand towel (medium weight, dark or bright colors; approx. 16 in x 26 in)
- 1 wide-toothed comb (6–8 in)
Thank you from HEAL (Health, Education, Aid, Leadership) Palestine. Billy Pietrykowski from HEAL Palestine reports that the January 31 event at CMC raised over $2200. “Thanks so much for your positive energy, hard work, big hearts and amazing community of people. We couldn’t be happier to know you all! Here’s to many more great events and memories to come!!” If you didn’t get a chance to attend and want to support this work, brochures are on the SHARE table in the foyer or go healpalestine.org.
Events and Opportunities in the Wider Community
Men’s Retreat at Camp Friedenswald. When the world feels unstable it can be very helpful to step away and get re-grounded so that we can show up to our lives, our families, and to the world from a place of solid, centered, sacred footing. The MEN’S RETREAT, a collaboration between Mennonite Men and Camp Friedenswald, offers just such an opportunity for the men / those who identify as males in our lives. REGISTER NOW for this unique gathering to be held the weekend of March 6-8 in the peaceful woods. Scholarships are available.
Calendars
Sunday, February 15
9:30 am Worship Service
Special Congregational Meeting following worship in the sanctuary
11:00 am Christian Education Classes for children and youth (no adult CE this week)
12:00 pm Mennonite Action planning meeting in the library
CMC Activities Next Week
Monday, February 16
7:15 pm Christian Education Meeting via Zoom
Tuesday, February 17
7:00 pm Pastoral/Congregational Review discussion via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89768184935?pwd=vLuw6WuCOVTffsL1yQdGfKePYnjCa6.1
Wednesday, February 18
7:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service in the sanctuary
Thursday, February 19
4:00 pm Set up for Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Friday, February 20
6:30 am Men’s Breakfast via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/313623317
9:00 am Piecemakers in the fellowship hall
Saturday, February 21
6:30 pm Young Adult Dinner Group at McCarthys’ (contact Chris and Tim to RSVP)
Sunday, February 22
9:30 am Worship Service
11:00 am Christian Education Classes
Office Contacts and Schedules for February 15-22
Laura: office@columbusmennonite.org, 216-870-0119, Mon-Fri: 8:30a – 2:30p
Mim: mim@columbusmennonite.org, 614-745-5150, Tues: 9:30a-3:30p
Mark: mark@columbusmennonite.org, 419-392-0610, Mon-Thurs: 9:00a-3:00p, Fri: Sabbath
Joel: joel@columbusmennonite.org, 614-940-7839, Mon: Sabbath, Tues-Fri: 9:00am-5:00p
Upcoming CMC Special Events
Feb 15 Special Congregational Meeting following worship
Feb 18 Ash Wednesday Service at 7pm, Lent begins
March 1 Cookie Sunday
March 6 & 7 Knotting Party and Soup-er Pie Supper
March 21 Game Night
March 29 Palm Sunday
April 3 Good Friday
April 5 Easter Sunday
April 19 Congregational Meeting
Last Sunday | February 15
Attendance: 210
Offerings Received (last week) $8,136.00
Offerings Received (February) $10,991.00
Offerings Needed (February) $44,795.00
Christian Education Classes
Christian Education classes for children and youth will meet this Sunday beginning at 11am. Classes for adults will not meet this Sunday – join us instead at the Congregational Meeting. The descriptions of the remaining classes for this season are below.
Unless otherwise noted, classes will meet on the following Sundays: Jan 11, 18, 25; Feb 8, 15, 22; Mar 8, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 26; May 10, 17. Due to Cookie Sundays, holidays, and other special events, most classes will not meet on Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, Apr 19, May 3, or May 24. 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 to 1st Grade) move to Room 2, and older children (2nd to 4th grade) move to Room 4.
Junior High (5th – 8th Grade): Middle grade youth meet in Room 23 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 25 for conversation around a wide variety of topics, including an exploration of the stories and scriptures used during worship.
Adult Classes (No Adult Classes Feb 15)
My Soul Cries Out (Jan-May): This informal gathering will provide space for lament, connection and creativity in the midst of political turmoil and widespread fear. Each gathering will ground itself in a particular intention such as lament, nourishment, humor. We will offer an opening ritual, followed by moments of meditative quiet, open conversation, crafting/creating/coloring options and a closing ritual. Participants are encouraged to engage in the ways that feel most personally restorative. Join every week, or drop-in as you wish. Facilitated by Cindy Fath and Adam Glass in Room 21. No class Feb 15.
Composting Faith for Lent. We will explore the weekly scriptures and daily devotions of the Lent season. What does reading these texts, and our lives, through the theme of compost have to teach us? No prior reading necessary. Facilitated by Joel Miller and Sarah Zwickle in Room 22 and over Zoom. Meets Feb 22-Mar 29 (no class Mar 1).
End of Life Class (Spring): 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. Class schedule and room location TBD, likely beginning in April.
Additional classes may be added as the season progresses. More details to come!
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!