Greeting, Emmaus Community,
Today, we find ourselves at an important crossroads, and what comes next will depend in large part on the engagement and prayers of our community.
Earlier this year, Central Ohio Emmaus entered an “Inactive–Discerning Season,” and a discernment team was formed to seek God’s direction for our future. While in this phase, we will not be hosting walks. This week, that team gathered to focus on a central question:
Do we have the ability and capacity to once again offer Emmaus Walks and faithfully live into the commitments of an Emmaus Community?
To answer this, our team of 15 is carefully reviewing the Emmaus Ministries Community Manual and the 2026 Emmaus Ministries Annual Covenant Agreement. We are identifying the key factors that must be confidently affirmed before we could be approved to restart under Emmaus Ministries.
Two foundational questions rise to the top:
- Do we have 75–100 individuals willing to commit to serving in leadership and on essential committees?
- Do we have at least three individuals prepared to serve as Spiritual Directors?
There are additional considerations, but without clear “yes” answers to these, the others become secondary. In the coming months, we will share more detail about the specific roles and commitments involved so that you may prayerfully consider how you might respond when we formally ask for input.
For now, we simply ask for your prayers. We are seeking God’s will with open hearts, and we are grateful for your prayers that His guidance be clear and unmistakable.
If you would like to share comments or reflections, please feel free to reach out to a member of the discernment team using the contact information below.
De Colores, and blessings to you all,
The Discernment Team
| First Name | Last Name | Email Address | Cell Phone Number |
| Jamison | Botkin | jamisondbotkin@gmail.com | 434-242-9607 |
| Tara | Gilbert | taragilbert91@gmail.com | 937-243-3573 |
| Rachel | Stinemetz | rstinemetz@hotmail.com | 614-203-5015 |
| Tricia | Cossette | tcossett@gmail.com | 937-209-9851 |
| Ruth | Ruskan | jgjsweets@aol.com | 614-867-6302 |
| Jerry | Ruskan | jgjsweets@aol.com | 614-381-7813 |
| Shannon | Bates | batesshannon@hotmail.com | 614-832-6530 |
| Michael | Connolly | mike@connollycos.com | 937-537-4483 |
| Kathy | Reiff | kackylace@yahoo.com | 937-243-6965 |
| Lisa | Nichols | jlnichols@columbus.rr.com | 937-537-7065 |
| Melanie | Ziegler | melanie.lm.ziegler@gmail.com | 614-425-3185 |
| Bonnie | Rodenberger | bonnielou58@yahoo.com | 937-309-9148 |
| Beth | Marshall | beth.marshall2@gmail.com | 937-243-5000 |
| Gregg | Kuck | Gregg.Kuck@gmail.com | 614-906-3556 |
| Becky | Parker | RParker304@gmail.com | 614-570-5228 |