Reminders November 5-8
Guest Speaker this Sunday: This Sunday we welcome Brother Vince Ford, who is the Senior Minister at Genessee Avenue Church of Christ, a fellow BREAD congregation. A bit more from Brother Ford about himself: Married to Antwanelle Ford, we’ve been married for 15 years. We have three sons. I’m from Garland, Texas. Ministry began for me at the Southside Church of Christ with Pastor Jesse Fogle. I’ve been at Genessee Avenue Church of Christ for 8 years, I currently sit on the board for the Columbus Violence Reduction Fund as the Board President. I’m an avid vinyl record collector and I love watching sports in my spare time.
Thanksgiving Food Collection begins this Sunday! We will once again be collecting food for Clintonville Community Resource Center’s Thanksgiving food drive. Please place items in the collection area in the foyer beginning this Sunday and continuing until November 22. CRC is requesting items that will help fill over 325 holiday food bags including such holiday staples as cranberry sauce, jarred gravy, boxed mashed potatoes, canned yams and sweet potatoes, and marshmallows. Large cans of chicken would also be wonderful, as many bags will be delivered to our Older Adult and Kinship Families and so fresh meat will not be able to be included (no turkeys this year please!). Toilet paper is also very appreciated as well as any food items to keep the shelves stocked throughout the coming weeks. Contact Debra Martin with any questions.
Dishes left from the Harvest Potluck: Numerous dishes were left behind after the Harvest Potluck last Sunday. Please check the kitchen window area this week to retrieve any you may have left. Thank you!
General CMC Announcements
Women’s Coffee Connection: Thursday, November 12 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. Any questions, contact Ellen Kreider, ellenrkreider@gmail.com.
You are invited to a Thanksgiving day potluck at the church. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and drinks will be provided. Bring your favorite sides, salads, or desserts to add to the table. Come around noon, dinner will start around 1:00/1:30pm and then stay for games, conversation, and possibly even leftovers. Feel free to come early to help set up or stay to clean up. Later, we’ll ask for a count of people coming. If you don’t have other plans, we hope to see you! Cindy Fath, 513-446-8140
Election Prayer and Memorial Candle Lighting Poem: During last Sunday’s service, Robin Walton shared portions of a prayer written for Election Day by a binational group of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada members. Though Election Day has passed, the prayer contains words for the weeks and months ahead. If you would like to read the full prayer “Lord, have mercy: A prayer for shalom,” it is available HERE. If you would like to receive a link to the poem Robin read at the beginning of the memorial candle lighting time, please email Robin directly for that and she will send it to you (robin@columbusmennonite.org).
Office Updates: Joel Miller is on vacation through November 7. For pastoral care needs during this time, please contact Robin Walton.
Young Adults Friendsgiving Potluck: The next young adult meetup will be a ‘Friendsgiving’ potluck on Sunday, Nov 15th, at 5:30 PM. Text Natasha at 352-895-8783 to RSVP or message our group on GroupMe: https://groupme.com/join_group/117353372/rV08sFZ6. Even if you can’t make this event, be sure to join our GroupMe so you know about future events!
Public Service Announcement from Robin Walton for those on a Medicare Advantage Plan: If you received a termination letter from your plan, save that letter and then do your research and respond by December 7, rather than suffer a loss of coverage on January 1. This termination letter may seem scary, but you can make a good choice. Every state is required to provide free, impartial assistance in making these decisions. The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) | Department of Insurance is a network of advisors: OSHIIP LINK. You may have already linked up with one of these when you made Medicare decisions in the past. If you have been cancelled, it is time to go back and do it again. If you want any further assistance, Robin can provide you with more resources.
Opportunities in the Wider Community
The new issue of the Central District Connector is here! From CDC Communications Coordinator Sarah Werner: The November issue of the Connector is full of great stories from congregations around the conference. Emmaus Road Mennonite Fellowship (Berne, IN) recently dedicated artwork for their worship space, St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship (MN) held their final worship service and celebration, and CDC leaders gathered in October the learn about intercultural development.
CDC Conference Administrator Job Opening: Central District Conference is seeking an 80% to full time conference administrator beginning January 1, 2027. The administrator collaborates with other staff and volunteers to assist pastors and congregations in their ministries. This is a role for someone who loves bringing order and care to complex work, uses technology skillfully, and sees their work as a calling; serving a church community that is growing and changing. Read a cover letter from the conference minister and see a full job description here. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to conference minister, Doug Luginbill at doug@mcusacdc.org by December 14. Résumés will be reviewed beginning November 15.
Mennonite Arts Weekend: You’re invited to Mennonite Arts Weekend, February 5-7, 2027, in Cincinnati, Ohio. This weekend celebrates the creativity and discipline of Anabaptist Mennonite artists. Presentations by musicians, visual artists, writers, and craftspeople start on Friday evening and conclude with Sunday morning worship. Activities and workshops designed specifically for children (pre-K – high school) are planned. Early-bird registration ends Nov. 30, 2026. Find the list of presenters and registration/location information at https://mennoniteartsweekend.org. Special note: CMC member Elisa Leahy is one of this year’s presenters.
The latest issue of Connections, the Anabaptist Disabilities Network newsletter, is out and features CMCer Tracey Lehman interviewed by CMCer Sarah Werner! Check out that article and more at the link HERE.
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) has requested help for a family in Delaware County. Originally, the home had wind damage, but the contractor who replaced the siding did not do it correctly and they left. The family now needs help re-installing the siding and apron skirting. If you are available to help any days over the next 3 weeks, please contact Rodney Suter (carod96@yahoo.com; 316-409-7045). Knowledge of siding is helpful but not required!
Interested in learning more about the deportation crisis facing Haitian immigrants in the US? Jim Leonard suggests a new PBS Frontline documentary “Haitian Deportation Crisis,” which premiered recently. According to PBS, it “offers a vivid, up-close look at the extent and impact of gang violence in Haiti, the efforts to combat it, and the rising fears among Haitians in the U.S. of being deported.”
From St. Paul United Church of Christ Columbus: We invite your congregation to join us in supporting this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance gathering. On Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 3:30, St. Paul UCC will host a sacred community gathering for the Transgender Day of Remembrance at The Ohio State University African American and African Studies Community Extension Center. We are deeply honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Elder Carmarion D. Anderson, Minister for Congregational Leadership for the UCC National Ministries, as our featured keynote speaker. We invite your congregation to join in love, affirmation, and solidarity as we honor the lives of our transgender and gender‑expansive siblings. Registration is encouraged, as space is limited. More details 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.
Calendars
Sunday, November 8
9:30 am Worship Service
Children’s Christmas play rehearsal between worship and Christian Ed
11:00 am Christian Education Classes
12:00 pm Youth Groups meet
12:15 pm Advent Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary
CMC Activities Next Week
Wednesday, November 11
12:00 pm Rohr group via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89881884175
Thursday, November 12
10:00 am Women’s Coffee Time in the fellowship hall
Friday, November 13
6:30 am Men’s Breakfast via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/313623317
9:00 Worship Commission meeting via Zoom
Sunday, November 15
9:30 am Worship Service
Children’s Christmas play rehearsal between worship and Christian Ed
11:00 am Christian Education Classes
12:15 pm Advent Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary
Office Contacts and Schedules for November 8-15
Laura: office@columbusmennonite.org, 216-870-0119, M-W-Th-F: 9a-3:30p; Tues: 10a-12p
Mim: mim@columbusmennonite.org, 614-745-5150, Tues: 11a-2p
Mark: mark@columbusmennonite.org, 419-392-0610, Mon-Thurs: 9a-2:00p, Fri: Sabbath
Joel: joel@columbusmennonite.org, 614-940-7839, Mon: Sabbath, Tu-Fri: 8:00a-4:00p
Robin: robin@columbusmennonite.org, 614-406-1766, Mon: 10a-1:30p, Fri: 10a-2:30p
Upcoming CMC Special Events
Nov 22 Gratitude Sunday and Bountiful Harvest Food Collection
Nov 29 Advent begins
Dec 6 Congregational Meeting (Budget Vote) and Cookie Sunday
Dec 12 Children’s Christmas Play
Dec 13 Music Sunday
Dec 24 Christmas Eve service
Jan 23, 2027 Winter Seminar: Restorative Practices for Holistic Peacemaking during times of Polarization
Mar 5-6, 2027 Piecemakers Soup-er Pie Dinner (Fri) and Knotting Party (Fri and Sat)
Last Sunday | Nov 1
Attendance: 227
Offerings Received (last week): $4,700.00
Offerings Received (October): $4,700.00
Offerings Needed (October): $44,795.00
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Christian Education Classes
Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults will meet this week. 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 (guest facilitator this week: Melonie Buller)
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 class topic is a sermon discussion facilitated by Melonie Buller.
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: Inquirers Class
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!