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.
Late 2025, 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 year the discernment 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 carefully reviewed the Emmaus Ministries Community Manual and the 2026 Emmaus Ministries Annual Covenant Agreement. We identified 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. Now is the time to address whether there are enough committed individuals to support the Central Ohio Emmaus Community.
Previously, we communicated that we requested only your prayers for God to open hearts and His guidance be clear and unmistakable. Today we ask for action – please attend one of two gatherings that will be held in early September at Trinity Lutheran Church in Marysville. Postcards will be mailed to the community, but word of mouth remains our most effective invitation. We encourage you to personally invite those you know who may be interested in attending.
Join Us
September 1 or September 10
Trinity Lutheran Church
311 East 6th Street, Marysville
6:30 pm Dessert | 7:00 – 8:00 pm Gathering & Worship
For more information see FAQ Document
November 2025 Letter COE Announcement for Inactive – Discerning Season
Gathering invitation mailer Postcard Invitation
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 |