By Rev. Jan Fillmore

On June 22, Mayfield United Methodist Church in Chesterland named the Rev. Don Cummings “Pastor Emeritus.”

Cummings retired from-full time ministry in 2009 after 40 years of service, 24 at Mayfield. Among his many accomplishments, Cummings led the congregation in envisioning, designing and building its building and campus at Mayfield and Caves roads.

Nearly 400 people gathered for the special service to honor Don and his wife, Bonnie Bailey Cummings.

“ ‘Emeritus’ is a title of honor — acknowledging a retired and respected pastor or professor for distinctive servanthood, leadership, integrity and teaching,” said Mayfield’s lead pastor, the Rev. Dr. Scott Wilson.

“The title of ‘pastor emeritus’ pays homage to a distinguished career and ministry, and provides an avenue to invite that pastor to return every two or three years to share in ongoing relationship, preaching and celebration.

“Don Cummings is most deserving of the honor. Don’s vision and guidance of Mayfield Church over 24 years stand as a legacy for our current and future congregation.”

As part of the celebration, the congregation renamed its student scholarship fund “The Don and Bonnie Cummings Scholarship Fund.”

The couple now lives in Colorado, where Cummings is the part-time pastor of Grace Church in Buena Vista.

In a thank-you to the congregation, Cummings wrote that he and Bonnie were “deeply moved” by the honor and the affirmation.

“You are an inspired and inspiring congregation!” he wrote. “We look forward to our return visits in the future and will continue to follow your ministry with passionate interest and fervent prayer.”

Rev. Jan Fillmore is the associate pastor at Mayfield UMC.