King Avenue Digest 10/13/23

October 13, 2023

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS* 

  • Capital Campaign Updates - The Shepherd’s Window restoration is COMPLETE and has been reinstalled!  Check it out on Sunday! The new boiler installation is coming along well, but still bring a warm layer to wear on Sunday. The heat is not yet on.

  • THIS SATURDAY, October 14: King Avenue is Hosting the United Women of Faith Conference - The 2023 Annual Celebration of West Ohio United Women in Faith is a great opportunity to come together to celebrate the accomplishments of our organization. Participants from across the conference gather to share ideas, fellowship, and celebrate our mission of justice and service. The event is also a great way to discover new ways to make a difference in our communities. Our speaker this year is Bishop Gregory V. Palmer. We are proud to honor Bishop Palmer for his commitment and dedication to the people of the United Methodist Church and the women of United Women in Faith. He has served as an advocate for justice and peace for more than 50 years, and his service is an example of what can be achieved through hope, faith, and love in action. We thank Bishop Palmer for his many years of service. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

  • THIS SUNDAY, Columbus Marathon Road Closures & WELL WISHES!  This year's Columbus Marathon is Sunday, October 15. The route travels northbound on Neil Avenue from Fifth Avenue to OSU. The first wheelchair athlete will be passing by heading north at about 8:15 a.m., and the last walker at about 11:15 a.m. Getting to church...  Get yourself to 315 (southbound or northbound) and exit at Kinnear (southbound) or Medical Center Drive (northbound). Also... If you get to church a bit early, wear your King Avenue t-shirt and bring a cowbell! Let's show the runners our encouragement and support!

  • Registration is OPEN! Grief Recovery for Pet Loss: When we think of loss, we usually think in terms of losing someone like a family member or a close friend.  But for many of us, our pets are our family, and that grief can be just as traumatic.  Many times, this is the first loss that children experience.  If you have lost a precious pet and are having a difficult time, please join me in a 6-week class that will provide you with the necessary skills to get you through this time. This class runs from Tuesdays from October 24 through November 28 from 6:00-8:00pm. If you have questions, please email me at jesuto56@gmail.com. The cost is $14.95. REGISTER FOR GRIEF RECOVERY - LOSS OF A PET

  • Registration is OPEN! Grief Recovery Group: We all experience loss in different ways and at different times in our lives.  Although most of us think in terms of loss from death or divorce, there are more than 40 different kinds of loss that one can experience.  This includes the intangibles like loss of respect, faith or trust.  If you are struggling with a loss, no matter how long ago that loss occurred, please join me in an 8-week study and learn the skills to recovery from that loss. This class runs Wednesdays from October 25 through December 13 from 6:00-8:00pm,  If you have questions, you can email me at jesuto56@gmail.com.  I hope to see you.  The cost is $13. REGISTER FOR GRIEF CLASS 

  • October 27: Rainbow Connections Bonfire at Lynd's Farm - Rainbow Connections (our LGBTQ+ specific ministry) is getting together for a bonfire! Oct. 27, 6-9 pm, we'll near the corn maze at Lynd's Fruit Farm (9851 Morse Road SW, Pataskala) with a bonfire, smores, hot dogs, and each other. If you want to try the corn maze, you can buy tickets on-site. Everyone is welcome to join us! If you have kids, they're also welcome!

KEEP READING FOR THE REST OF OUR CURRENT HAPPENINGS AND NEWS...  

  • Sundays, through  October 15: The Housing Crisis Sunday School Class (facilitated by Tim Bechtol) - Join other adults during the Sunday School hour for a 6-week class (last class will be Oct. 15). You can attend one class, or all six! Houselessness affects all of us in many different ways. It's such a complex social issue that we don't even know how to talk about it. It may seem like an insurmountable problem, but it is not. There are people and organizations doing good work to address housing in Central Ohio. Starting on Sunday, Sept. 10 and continuing for six weeks, we will have a chance to hear from some of those people and organizations at 10am in between worship services. Join us and learn what is being done and how you can join in. This class will be held in the Chapel during the Sunday School Hour.

  • Sunday October 29: Trunk or Treat - This Trunk or Treat is fun for the whole congregation! Get your creative juices flowing, and think of a great costume & trunk decorating idea! If you're able to pass out candy, park in the south parking lot and be ready for our little ghost and goblin parade right after second service (noon-ish). Pop your trunk up, hand out candy, and earn some bragging rights for your amazing design! For the kids, there will be treats, games, and storytime.

  • Read Ahead... October 29: Lit Club - Join the Lit Club on October 29 at 7pm in the Logos Lounge. All are welcome! Simply read the book of the month - this month's book is The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn - and get together to talk about it.  Contact Rick Gilson (rickgilson@yahoo.com) if you'd like to be added to the communication group in Realm.

  • NNEMAP Item of the Month for October & November - Each month, we are going to focus our donations on specific items our community partners. You can bring your donations with you on Sundays. There will be a place to leave them in the back of the worship space. Please donate non-perishable side items (boxes, cans, etc)  during the months of October and November.  NNEMAP also needs feminine hygiene products.

WORSHIP CONNECTIONS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

  • Worship Connections – 9:00am and 11:00am
    9:00am Worship Connections - 4 years old to Grade 3 (L4)  
    11:00am Worship Connections - 4 years old to Grade 3 (L4)  
    First Sundays (Communion) - Children attend regular worship.  
    Discipleship Program - Grades 4-12 opportunity to volunteer in Worship Connections once/month.    

  • Sunday School Hour - 10:00 am
    Godly Play - 4 years old to Grade 3 (room L4)  
    Chrysalis Club - Grades 4-5 (room L4+).
    C.O.R.E. Youth - Grades 6-12 (Donnenwirth) 
    Real People, Real Parents - King Avenue Parents and Guardians (Fireside)
    *PLEASE NOTE*  First Sundays at 10:00, 4 years old to Grade 5 and their families will be welcomed to Family Godly Play in the Chapel.   

FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND SUPPORT

  • (under way) Mondays, September 11 -  October 16: Social Principles Class (led by Corey Perry) - The Social Principles are a grounding of our United Methodist home, intended to be "a prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of the General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world." Come join Rev. Corey Perry on this six-week journey through the Social Principles as you understand their history, background, and statements. You will be challenged, excited, and - probably -frustrated, but you will also find an opportunity to grow and deepen your understanding of what it means to have a home in the United Methodist Church. This class will be on Zoom on Mondays from 7:00-8:00pm. 

  • (under way) September 12/13 - November 21/22: Weekday Class Offering - Mark's Gospel: Creating, Confronting, Liberating (led by Pastor Andy) - The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, but offers the most compelling picture of Jesus. As we grow into the image and likeness of Jesus, deep study of his life and work is an important step in our discipleship. So join us for an in-depth, 11-week study of The Gospel of Mark. The online option will be on Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm on Zoom. The in-person option will be on Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm in the church building. These classes begin September 12/13 and end November 21/22. 

  • (under way) Last Tuesdays Monthly: Action for Justice Book Group (led by Lisa Clark) - Join us in the Action for Justice Book Club, this fall! We will meet on the last Tuesday of each month, from 6:45-8pm in the Donnenwirth Lounge. This group is open to all, including high schoolers. The topic and book information will be emailed at the beginning of the month to those interested in participating. This will be an excellent discussion time to learn about the justice issues facing us today. Please register on Realm or let a staff member know so that we can make sure this is as low cost as possible. Hope to see you there!  CLICK TO REGISTER ON REALM

  • First Sundays are Communion Sundays! On the first Sunday of every month, there is no Worship Connections. Everyone is invited to fully participate in worship services and communion. For parents and kids 4 yrs to 5th grade, there is Family Godly Play in the Chapel at 10 am. No other parent or children's Sunday School class will take place on the first Sundays of the month. The CORE Youth Group will still meet in Donnenwirth for their SS class.

  • Ongoing Children, Youth, Family Opportunities - Check our website for our ongoing opportunities for Children, Youth, and Families. This includes our ongoing children and youth Christian education, faith formation, community and fellowship, and ways you can stay connected. CLICK HERE for our Children, Youth, and Family Page on the King Avenue website.

  • Last Sundays of the Month at 7pm: Lit Club - Join the Lit Club on the last Sunday of each month at 7pm in the Logos Lounge. All are welcome! Simply read the book of the month, and get together to talk about it.  Contact Rick Gilson (rickgilson@yahoo.com) if you'd like to be added to the communication group in Realm.

  • Isaiah 35 Fellowship - Depression, anxiety, and many other mental health issues can challenge faith and hope and contribute to a feeling of isolation. Isaiah 35 is a confidential group providing fellowship, support, and prayer for adults with mental health struggles. We meet on every other Sunday (beginning 2/12/23) on Zoom from 7 to 8 pm. Due to the nature of this group, please contact Mary Bostian for the Zoom link and more details. (614) 371-0171 marybostian50@gmail.com

  • Our LGBTQIA+ Ministry is called Rainbow Connections - Our Mission Statement states, We create a safe harbor for LGBTQ+ Christians and their allies, and witness to God’s love for everyone. Stay tuned for fun fellowship opportunities!

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

  • Item of the Month for NNEMAP - Each month, we are going to focus our donations on specific items our community partners. You can bring your donations with you on Sundays. There will be a place to leave them in the back of the worship space. 

  • Use your Kroger Card to Give to King Avenue - Are you a Kroger Shopper? Do you have a Kroger Plus Card? If so, you can give to King Avenue every time you shop. If you have a Kroger Plus card, just log into your account, go to Community Rewards, and search for KING AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH to get this set up. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL

  • Lunch Packing - King Avenue packs lunches for the Open Shelter on several Tuesdays and Thursdays... 24 times in 2023. All hands on deck for packing 200-400 lunches at a time! CLICK HERE  for the schedule, and join when you're able. All days/dates are 6:00pm in the King Avenue kitchen. Many hands make light work!

  • Ushers and Greeters Needed - Be the first friendly face someone sees at church! Our ushers and greeters keep folks safe and make them feel welcome. If you would like to help with this important ministry, please email Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org.

  • Audio-Visual Volunteers Needed - We are always looking for some folks who would like to learn how to help with live streaming our 9:00 and 11:00 services. You don’t need a lot of experience; we will train you! Please email Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org if you are interested.

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF NOTE

  • Hello from SPRC! The Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is the church's "HR department". The main task of this volunteer committee is to build and foster relationships in the church. Feel free to reach out to any of the SPRC members if you have questions or concerns, or would just like to chat! Members are (L to R): James Knight, Jerry Cooperrider, Elizabeth Scott, Kristen Collins, Jim LeVally, Philip Clark, Julie Hazelbaker, Bret Baird, and Patrick Frueh. CLICK TO SEE A PICTURE OF YOUR SPRC!

  • Updates from the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church - An announcement was made at church on Sunday, June 4 by Bill Brownson, King Avenue Member and CFO and Director of Administration for West Ohio Conference. Bill helped to recap the recent West Ohio Annual Conference. This announcement was made on behalf of the King Avenue leadership who attended the 3-day conference. Although there were some difficult times during the conference, the overall shift towards full inclusion was apparent. At King Avenue, we emphatically state that God’s love is for ALL people. For all of us who have wondered if the United Methodist Church in West Ohio itself really welcomes all, we have our answer! We now know that in this church AND in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, our sentiments are that ALL ARE WELCOME. CLICK HERE FOR THE TRANSCRIPT OF HIS ANNOUNCEMENT

  • First Sundays of each Month: ASL Interpreter - King Avenue will be providing an ASL interpreter during worship.  Elisabeth Clegg will be interpreting on the first Sunday of every month during both services. Thanks, Elisabeth!

  • Chancel Flowers for Worship - If you are interested in signing up to donate Chancel Flowers for worship, please use this form. You can specify that your flowers be listed in the bulletin in memory or honor of a person or notable event. The arrangement is yours to take home at the end of that Sunday's service.

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