About
Learn about our congregation
Hello!
Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship is a congregation rooted in the Anabaptist principles of peacemaking, community, and following the way of Jesus in life. We hold as central to our faith the commandment that Jesus taught as a summary of all the great teachings — that we love God with all our strength, mind and spirit; and that we love our neighbor as ourself. We live all over the Cincinnati metropolitan area – including Kentucky and Indiana.
We love to sing and serve and show up for social justice and study the bible and create art. We’re full of paradoxes and we’d love to have you join us!
Our congregation is part of Mennonite Church USA. This Christian tradition finds its roots in the sixteenth century movement known as the Radical Reformation (also called Anabaptism). Our history plays out in our contemporary lives in various ways; work and worship flowing out of one another, nonviolence, communal embodiment of the gospel, concern for God’s merciful justice for our neighborhoods and across the globe. We live these out together by hosting a regular comunity meal and supporting fair trade Ten Thousand Villages stores in the city.
We come from various faith traditions – you don’t have to be born Mennonite or have the right last name to join us. Explore these pages to learn more about us, and then come visit us as you are able. We welcome all who would like to worship with us — whether for a one time visit, or for exploring joining the congregation, or anything in between. Whether we ever meet you or not, we invite you to join with us in living out the vision of God’s Beloved Community in whatever setting you may find yourself.
We were recently featured in an article on TV station WCPO’s website. Read more about it by clicking on the link below!
Come Visit Us
We welcome visitors to worship with us on Sundays and explore our faith community. If you plan to visit, here are some helpful things to know:
Where and When
We meet for worship in the Oakley neighborhood of Cincinnati, at the corner of Brownway and Minot Avenues. We worship at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Worship usually lasts until around 11:45am. We also have Sunday school for all ages beginning at 9:30am. We do not have Sunday school during the summer months – June, July, and August.
Parking
Parking is primarily available on the surrounding streets, and there are a few parking spaces behind the church building reserved for visitors. Baba India restaurant graciously allows CMF attendees to park in the back of their lot on Sunday mornings before noon; please pick up a parking pass in the gathering area of our building if you wish to park at Baba India.
Getting in the Building
Please enter through the main doors on Brownway Avenue. Our newly remodeled front entrance also has a lift for those not wanting to or unable to take the stairs. The elevator entrance is accessible from the alley to the right of the main entrance. Operating instructions are posted both outside and inside the elevator.
Clothing
We often dress casually at CMF. If you like dressing up, that’s great, too! Bring your whole self, just as you are. We’re excited to meet you wherever and however.
Children
Children are welcome in our worship space. Paper, coloring books, and crayons are available in the left rear corner of the sanctuary for children to play with. There is a nursery available for children through age 3 during the worship service, and children ages 3–7 have the option of attending Children’s Circle in the church’s lower level during the second half of our worship service, following the Children’s Time. (Children’s Circle is on break for the summer) There is a quiet room to the left of the coat rack that is available for nursing mothers and sleeping babies; this area is unsupervised, so parents will need to accompany their children.
What to expect when you visit
You’ll be greeted at the door and given a bulletin for the service. You’re welcome to sit wherever you like in the sanctuary. If the greeters have already joined the worship service when you arrive, additional bulletins are left on the table at the top of the stairs. During the service there is a time when we open up for sharing reflections. This is also a time when visitors are welcome to introduce themselves. We enjoy knowing who you are.
Our services resembles those in many Protestant churches. Worship is is led by volunteer worship and music leaders from the congregation. The service includes lots of music and singing, scripture reading, a children’s time, offering, a sermon, prayer, and a time to share joys, sorrows, responses to worship, and to introduce visitors. Check out our recent bulletins to get a more detailed sense of the regular flow of our worship.
Listening assistance devices are available at the soundboard in the right rear corner of the sanctuary.
Visitors are invited to fill out a blue visitor card located in the pews. The card includes space to indicate whether you would like the pastor to get in touch with you, as well as whether you are interested in receiving more information about CMF.
We use three songbooks regularly in our worship. You will notice that each book is listed in the bulletin with its own abbreviation.
HWB = Hymnal: A Worship Book (blue hard cover book)
STJ = Sing The Journey (green soft cover book)
STS= Sing The Story (purple soft cover book)
Brochure
Vision, Welcome Statement, and Covenant
Vision
As a Mennonite community, seeking to follow Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will be embracing, engaging, growing.
Welcome Statement
Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship is a Christ-centered, welcoming and inclusive church community committed to peace and justice. We acknowledge and affirm the image of God in persons of every race, ability, class, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. We celebrate an open communion in which all who seek a closer journey with God are welcome to participate. We invite all who covenant with us to join in the full life of the congregation
Covenant
Jesus Christ is Lord. We choose to follow the way of the gospel and be members of Christ’s church.
This time and this place are God’s gifts to us, and we are called to be God’s active presence to all those around us.
As a Christian community rooted in Anabaptist principles, we worship God as we:
- Experience the power, grace and love of God;
- Discern and share our gifts and resources
- Prepare and equip each other to live Christ-like lives;
- Nurture all who are present in our community;
- Participate actively in the life of the congregation and the denomination; and
- Reach out to others in service and invitation to faith.
As Mennonites we are committed to bringing peace, justice, reconciliation and the Good News to each other and to the world around us.
Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
Introduction
Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship is a member congregation of the Central District Conference (CDC) of Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). Some of our members come from families who have been part of Mennonite or other Anabaptist congregations for generations, and others have joined more recently. In all cases, our history shapes who we are and where we are headed.
Mennonite History
Mennonites are part of the Christian tradition known as Anabaptism, which began as a radical wing of the 16th-century Reformation. The word “Anabaptist” means “those who baptize again”; the early Anabaptists believed that joining the Christian Church was a decision that individuals needed to make of their own volition as adults. In 1525, a bible study group in Zurich, Switzerland decided to baptize one another as a symbol of their choice to join the Christian church as adults, even though they had all been baptized by the Catholic Church as infants. It is from these “re-baptisms” that the Anabaptists received their name.
In keeping with their spiritual roots, Mennonites still believe in the close textual readings of the Scriptures and a personal spiritual responsibility as the basis of their faith. Radical from the beginning, but later considered conservative in many of their beliefs, Mennonites have come to represent a spectrum of backgrounds and beliefs. Pacifism is one of the cornerstones of the Mennonite faith, prompting many young Mennonites to register as conscientious objectors and perform alternative service throughout the twentieth century, rather than serve in the military. The Mennonite church still emphasizes service to others as an important way of expressing one’s faith. A large number of Mennonites spend part of their lives working as missionaries or volunteers helping those in need, nationally or internationally, through agencies such as Mennonite Mission Network or Mennonite Central Committee.
The first Ababaptists came mainly from German- and Dutch-speaking areas of Europe. To escape persecution, many Mennonites fled western Europe for Russia, where Catherine the Great offered them farmland and an exemption from military service, or for the more accommodating religious climate of the Americas. These two groups developed distinctly different cultural heritages over time. When Russian Mennonites were eventually forced out of Russia in the latter half of the 19th Century and the early 20th Century, many migrated to the western United States and Canadian provinces, as well as Central and South America, where there are large Mennonite populations today.. Many people in the older generation of these groups continue to speak a low german dialect called “Plautdietsch” and eat traditional foods. The Swiss-German Mennonites migrated to North America earlier, in the 18th and 19th centuries, settling first in Pennsylvania, then eventually across the Midwestern states. They, too, brought with them their own traditions, including hearty foods and the German language. Today, large Mennonite populations can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kansas, although Mennonites live in all parts of the United States and the world.
The Amish, who separated from the Mennonites in the Alsace region in 1693/94, are widely known for their plain dress and rejection of modern technology and conveniences. Unlike the Mennonites, they form an exclusive and tight-knit community, with the church community dictating much of what may or may not be done: for example, each local church district would dictate rules regarding the use of telephones. While certain conservative Mennonites still dress simply and require women to wear head coverings, Many Mennonites throughout the world do not choose to separate themselves culturally through dress or restrictions on the use of modern technologies, choosing to live their faith within the context of the broader culture. Where the Amish believe in keeping themselves spiritually focused by limiting their interaction with modern society, Mennonites believe in practicing Jesus’ teaching of peace, justice, and service to others in a broader context.
CMF History
Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship started as a church plant and has grown and continues to grow to this day.Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship began in October, 1974. A total of nine people, including Pastor Mark Weidner, started meeting every other Monday in each others’ homes for fellowship and worship. By the spring of 1975, attendance had grown to 12 or 13 people and began meeting on Sundays. Regular Sunday morning services were first scheduled the fall of 1975. This early group rented space in the basement of the Lutheran Church of the Cross on Ravine Street in Clifton Heights. A group Affirmation and Covenant was adopted in January 1976 and was signed by approximately 20 members. The Covenant has been signed every year since that first signing. The following spring, CMF joined the Ohio and Eastern Conference of the Mennonite Church (MC) and the Central District of the General Conference (GC). CMF remained a part of both the Ohio Conference and the Central District Conference after the MC and GC merged to form Mennonite Church USA in 1999. We are currently affiliated with the Central District Conference (CDC) of Mennonite Church USA (MC USA).
The church meeting location changed as the needs of the congregation grew. The group met for a time in Walnut Hills before purchasing its current building in Oakley in 1997. Approximately 140 people regularly attend worship, and we have about 70 covenanted members.
Anyone seeking to know more about CMF history to present day is welcomed to visit the office or speak with our church historian.
CMF in our Community, our City, and our World
It’s important to us to find ways to actively love our neighbors in our host community. The Oakley neighborhood is a diverse mix of people of various socio-economic levels – from the homeless to the affluent; there are longtime residents and new young couples and families. We are grateful to be present in this setting. Below are some of the ways we are serving:
Community Meal
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, from 5-7pm, we host and serve our Community Meal. The meal is open to all in the community and is a way for us to eat together with neighbors. Both words of Community Meal are an important part of how we experience the time. Along with preparing and serving good food, we also celebrate birthdays and mark significant passings. We also develop friendships and keep in touch with the lives of neighbors. Click HERE for current menu.
IHN
We are a support congregation for the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati. We work together with First Unitarian Church to help provide food and shelter for the homeless of the city. IHN also provides job training and housing placement services with the goal of re-integrating homeless families back into the community.
IJPC
The Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center is a voice for peace and justice related issues. We support and relate with them in different parts of their outreach. “We are a coalition of faith-based organizations and individuals who work together to educate around justice issues, take collaborative action and do public witness. We address local, national and international concerns focusing on economic justice, women’s issues, human rights, racial equality, peace and the environment.” (From IJPC website)
PWC
We work with People Working Cooperatively for their twice a year home repair and maintenance events throughout the city. “ People Working Cooperatively has the tools to help thousands of low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners live a higher quality of life. Annually our thousands of dedicated volunteers and professional tradesmen help Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky residents with critical home repairs, modifications, and maintenance services.” (From PWC website)
Mennonite Central Committee
MCC is the relief and development arm of the Mennonite church and other Anabaptist related organizations. “MCC seeks to demonstrate God’s love by working among people suffering from poverty, conflict, oppression and natural disaster. MCC serves as a channel for interchange by building mutually transformative relationships. MCC strives for peace, justice and the dignity of all people by sharing our experiences, resources and faith in Jesus Christ.” (From the MCC website) We support the work of MCC financially and from time to time highlight one of their projects, such as collecting health or school kits for nations with particular need.
Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit fair trade retailer utilizing volunteers to sell handcrafted items from around the world. We support two stores with one located in O’Bryonville, the newest one at Harper’s Point. Working with Ten Thousand Villages has been a significant part of the outreach of Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship. Its mission is to provide a fair income to Third World People by marketing their hand crafted items and telling their stories in the US and Canada. We think Ten Thousand Villages is so special that we gave it its own page on our website. Click HERE to go to that page and learn more about the history of the O’Bryonville TTV story, we are working to add the Harper’s Point story, or HERE for the official TTV website.
Other Links
Mennonite Church of the USA (MC USA)
Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination with more than 95,000 members in 44 states. A total of 21 area conferences serve as regional office…s or districts for our 939 congregations. Together all parts of Mennonite Church USA strive to bring Christ’s healing and hope to others by identifying and joining God’s work in the world.
Our Confession of Faith can be found here: http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/1995/index.html.
Central District Conference (CDC)
The purpose of Central District Conference is to promote community among congregations, to serve as a resource for pastors and congregations, and to facilitate the reign of God by providing channels through which congregations and pastors may work.
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) represents the majority of the global family of Christian churches rooted in the 16th century Radical Reformation in Europe, particularly in the Anabaptist movement.
MWC membership in 2015 included one international association and 102 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ national churches from 56 countries, with around 1.4 million baptized believers in close to 10,000 congregations. About 81% of baptized believers in MWC member churches are African, Asian or Latin American, and 19% are located in Europe and North America.
Supportive Communities Network (SCN) of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests
Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship is a member of the Supportive Communities Network as a church that welcomes and affirms LGBTQ individuals. SCN is a program of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. It is a network of Mennonite and Church of the Brethren communities who are publically affirming of gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual members. For more information, contact Carol Wise at the BMC office or email bmc@bmclgbt.org.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
MCC is a global, nonprofit organization that strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development and peace.
In all our programs we are committed to relationships with our local partners and churches.
As an Anabaptist organization, we strive to make peace a part of everything we do. When responding to disasters we work with local groups to distribute resources in ways that minimize conflict. In our development work we plan with community and church groups to make sure the projects meet their needs. And we advocate for policies that will lead to a more peaceful world.
Learn more about our vision, mission and areas of focus.
We hope you will be part of our work of relief, development and peace in the name of Christ.
Mennonite Education Agency (MEA)
Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) walks alongside Mennonite educational institutions, early childhood through continuing education, providing resources, programing and support to Mennonite schools and teachers empowering them to continue the life transforming work of Mennonite education. MEA ties church and school together that they may maintain a mutually edifying identity. MEA and the schools work together to ensure students receive a quality Anabaptist Mennonite education.
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS)
Mennonite Disaster Service is volunteer network of Anabaptist churches dedicated to responding to natural and man-made disasters in Canada and the United States.
Our aim is to assist the most vulnerable community members, individuals, and families who would not otherwise have the means to recover. MDS volunteers – men and women, youth and adults – provide the skills and labor needed to respond, rebuild and restore in the wake of a disaster.
MDS is known for having a collaborative spirit, and we work with other groups including faith-based organizations, local recovery committees, and both governmental and non-governmental agencies. MDS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Mennonite Health Services (MHS)
Mennonite Health Services (MHS) is a not-for-profit organization that supports Mennonite and other Anabaptist faith-grounded health and human service providers in their leadership and strategic direction. We work to expand the capacity of our members, and to help them refine and enhance organizational performance in relationship to their values. To meet these goals, we provide resources and values-based consulting services to members and other not-for-profit, faith-grounded organizations.
A disabilities advocacy organization for Christian faith communities and people of faith. Our roots are in the Mennonite tradition and related churches.
Our Vision: Faith communities are transformed when individuals with disabilities and their God-given gifts and experiences enjoy full inclusion in the Body of Christ.
Our Mission: ADNet supports Anabaptist congregations, families, and persons touched by disabilities to nurture inclusive communities.
Dove’s Nest mission is to empower and equip faith communities to keep children and youth safe in their homes, churches, and communities.
We are an independent network of people who have suffered sexualized violence, people who love people who have suffered sexualized violence, and people who are just plain fed up with the harm that sexualized violence does in our communities and around the world. We are people who are concerned, specifically, about the spiritual dimensions of sexualized violence and the presence of sexualized violence in communities of faith. Many of us have a connection to the Mennonite church in North America (MC USA and MC Canada), whether we are participating members, former members or are connected in some other way. Those with no Mennonite connection whatsoever are also welcome in this space and in the work we do together.
Everence helps individuals, organizations and congregations integrate finances with faith through a national team of advisors and representatives. Everence is a Christian-based, member-owned financial services organization that offers banking, insurance, investments, asset management, financial planning and other financial services with community benefits and stewardship education. Everence is a ministry of Mennonite Church USA and other churches.
MennoMedia is an agency serving Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. We publish resources across a variety of platforms for churches and individuals to nurture and grow faith—from an Anabaptist perspective.
We publish books through Herald Press, our established book imprint, and co-publish the children’s curriculum Gather ‘Round with Brethren Press. We also create other resources li…ke the Shaping Families radio program, Third Way Cafe website, the periodicals Purpose and Rejoice!, and many others thought-provoking and uplifting materials.
The agency brings together two historic entities: Mennonite Publishing Network and Third Way Media, each with a long history of serving both the formation and witness programs of the church.
Third Way engages those who seek information online about Mennonites, and serves as a portal for those who seek to live out their Christian faith through Anabaptist values such as simple living, acts of service, and an emphasis on community, justice and peace.
Third Way is produced by MennoMedia, on behalf of the Mennonite Churches of the U.S. and Canada. The Mennonite Church exists in many countries around the world.
The site started in 1998, with a goal of “helping the church be relevant and effective in carrying out its mission using the contemporary media of the age.”
Since its beginning days, Third Way Café has had over a million visitors; has undergone four redesigns; and staff have continued to add new content and try to keep up with the ever-changing Internet landscape
Why is this site called Third Way?
We hope it sounds inviting to anyone exploring things that are different.
Many times we think there are only two choices or options when actually there is a third or alternate way between two choices.
It reflects the fact that Mennonites and Anabaptists are somewhere between Catholic and Protestant on many theology issues–a
third way. If you want to know more about beliefs, visit Who are the Mennonites?
Ultimately we are not so concerned with being Anabaptist, Catholic, or Protestant, but simply being faithful disciples of Jesus!