Reminders December 18-21
Solstice Concert “From the Darkness to the Light”. On the darkest day of the year when daylight will be at its lowest ebb, join Bill Cohen and his musical friends for an uplifting concert that looks ahead to the new year, its emerging sunlight, and its potential for joy and progress. Included will be popular songs that symbolize positive values of peace, community, gratitude, love, courage, justice, friendship, activism, and struggle. The concert in the darkened sanctuary at North Broadway United Methodist will be bathed in the glow of dozens of candles. Sunday December 21 at 7 pm at North Broadway Methodist Church, 48 E.N. Broadway, 43214 (plenty of free parking in their church lot). $15 suggested donation per person at the door, but all contributions will be welcomed. The musicians and crew will be splitting the proceeds with Clintonville Community Resource Center.
General CMC Announcements
Christmas Eve Service: Please join us for our annual Christmas Eve Service at 7pm on Wednesday, December 24 in the sanctuary. The service will include scripture, carols, and a candlelight singing of Silent Night. Invite family and friends, and come honor this sacred night together.
Office Update: The office will be closed Thursday December 25 and the following Thursday January 1 in observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Staff will be taking time off during these holiday weeks – see next week’s schedules listed below for administrative and pastoral staff. Merry Christmas all!
Want to see the recording of the Children’s Christmas Play? The CMC Children’s Christmas Play “The Legend of the Christmas Wise One” was recorded on Saturday, but will not be posted publicly on our website. If you would like to watch the recording, please email Laura at office@columbusmennonite.org to request access. It’s a delightful way to spend 35 minutes this holiday season!
Winter Weather Policy: As we enter the season of winter weather, please be aware of CMC’s cancellation policy for services and events: The Pastor, Facilities Chair, and Congregational Chairperson will decide whether to cancel services in the event of inclement weather, a facilities-related problem (such as no heat, electricity, etc.) or a health emergency. A declaration by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department of a level two snow emergency will automatically cancel church wide activities. If services are canceled, the church administrator will attempt to contact the congregation as follows: email, Facebook, website, and (when possible) NBC4. Please check these sources before heading out on a snowy or icy day for a church wide activity. Thank you!
Winter Seminar: Join us on Saturday, January 17, from 9:45-2:00 in the fellowship hall for a seminar facilitated by Anton Flores-Maisonet. Anton is a pastor, activist, long-time community organizer for and with immigrant communities, and author of the recently published book Welcome Friends: Stories of Hope and Hospitality with Immigrants. Lunch and childcare will be provided, but please RSVP HERE by January 10.
Events and Opportunities in the Wider Community
Camp Friedenswald Creativity Retreat: These days call for creativity…and time in the woods. Come to Camp Friedenswald April 10-12 for their first ever spring CREATIVITY RETREAT : One Retreat. Four Tracks. You pick your track! Memoir writing with Jeff Gundy, Songwriting with Sadie Gustafson-Zook, Watercolor with John Blosser, and Knitting/Crochet with Mariah Martin. See the Camp Friedenswald website for more details! Registration is open. Spaces are limited so register early!
The Mennonite Reading and Discussing Group is entering its 4th year. In 2026, the group will be offering a reading and discussion of the book, “The Writings of Pilgram Marpeck”, translated and edited by William Klassen and Walter Klaassen; Published by Herald Press, 1978, Kitchner, Ontario/Scottdale, Pennsylvania. Meetings will be virtual and will be held weekly on Wednesdays at 7:30p ET/6:30p CT/5:30p MT/4:30p PT. Meetings will begin on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 and continue through Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (with a summer break of June/July/August). We usually finish our discussion for the week in an hour. For more information including syllabus and virtual meeting information, please contact Joel Thierstein at Mennonite.joel@gmail.com.
Calendars
Sunday, December 21 | Advent 4
9:30 Worship Service
11:00 Christian Education Classes
CMC Activities Next Week
Tuesday, December 23
9:00 am Bulletin deadline (for Christmas Eve service)
Wednesday, December 24
9:00 am Bulletin deadline (for December 28 service)
7:00 pm Christmas Eve service
Thursday, December 25
CMC Office closed – MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Friday, December 26
6:30 am Men’s Breakfast via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/313623317
Sunday, December 28
9:30 am Worship Service
Office Contacts and Schedules for December 21-28
*Please note the office will be closed on Thursday, December 25 for Christmas.
Laura: office@columbusmennonite.org, 216-870-0119, Mon-Wed, Fri: 8:30a – 2:30p; Thurs: off
Mim: mim@columbusmennonite.org, 614-745-5150, Tues 9:30a – 3:30p; Wed-Fri: off
Mark: mark@columbusmennonite.org, 419-392-0610, Mon-Wed 9:00a – 3:00p; Thurs: off; Fri: Sabbath
Joel: joel@columbusmennonite.org, 614-940-7839, Mon: Sabbath; Tu, Th, Fri: off; Wed: 9:00a – 5:00p
Upcoming CMC Special Events
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service (7:00pm)
Jan 17, 2026 Winter Seminar: Welcome, Friends!
Jan 31, 2026 HEAL Palestine Fundraiser Meal and Concert
Feb 7, 2026 Open Mic Coffeehouse
Feb 18, 2026 Ash Wednesday, Lent begins
March 6 & 7, 2026 Knotting Party and Soup-er Pie Supper
Last Sunday | December 14
Attendance: 241
Offerings Received (last week): $14,817.00
Offerings Received (December): $23,527.00
Offerings Needed (December): $42,236.00
Christian Education Classes
Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults will meet this Sunday. See below for all class descriptions. This will be the final Sunday for this session of Christian Education (no classes December 28 or January 4). Stay tuned for announcements about classes that will begin January 11!
Unless otherwise noted, classes will meet on the following Sundays: Sept 14, 21; Oct 12, 19, 26; Nov 9, 16, 23; Dec 14, 21. Due to Cookie Sundays, holidays, and other special events, most classes will not meet on Sept 28, Oct 5, Nov 2, Nov 30, Dec 7, or Dec 28. 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 will meet in Room 1 for a gathering time, then younger children (Pre-K to 1st Grade) will move to Room 2, and older children (2nd to 4th grade) will 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
How to Have an Enemy: In How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace, Melissa Florer-Bixler looks closely at what the Bible says about enemies — who they are, what they do, and how Jesus and his followers responded to them. Join us as we read this provocative book together, learning to name and confront our enemies as an essential part to loving them. Some book copies will be provided, but participants are encouraged to purchase their own when possible. Facilitated by Adam Glass in Room 21.
Anabaptist History: This Anabaptist history course will explore the origins of the Anabaptist movement in the midst of the Protestant Reformation. We will also look at the different forms the movement took into Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites. We will be using the book Remembering Anabaptist Reformers by Ed Bontrager. Some book copies will be provided, but participants are encouraged to purchase their own when possible. Facilitated by Kerry Strayer in Room 24.
My Soul Cries Out: 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 Bethany Davey in the Upper Room.
Inquirers Class (meets Nov-Dec): This six-week Christian Education class 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. Led by Pastor Joel Miller in Room 22. Class dates: Nov 9, 16, 23, Dec 14, 21.
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!