King Avenue Digest 10/21/23

October 20, 2023


Our Hearts Transforming

Learn about Our Hearts Transforming! “ing” is action without end. King Avenue is “ing.” As we celebrate the end of our Capital Campaign and the beginning of our Giving Campaign, we are invited to come together in reflection and continue to fulfill the promise of Christ, as action without end. We “ing!” ~Restoring the glory and heritage of the church home with roof and stained-glass restoration. ~Welcoming with updated Audio/Visual and hearing-impaired technologies. ~Engaging though online streaming services. ~Warming with a newly installed boiler and heating system. ~Expanding ministry and mission with new staff and programming. Learn more about Our Hearts Transforming.

Participate in the Weekly Wordle! Each week, you will be given a Transforming "Wordle" puzzle. Remember, you get 6 guesses each week to solve for the word of the week. Your goal is to guess the word in as few guesses as possible. Unlike the regular Wordle games many of you are familiear with, this Transforming puzzle will always end with -ING and have something to do with who we strive to be as King Avenue Church.  CLICK HERE FOR WEEK ONE WORDLE.
 

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS* 

  • Realm Technical Difficulties - Realm is having a little glitch where folks can’t send a response to a Realm notification.  It bounces back to them.  Realm is working on it.  Thought we should get the word out they should just email the sender directly to reply until this is figured out. 

  • Begins Tuesday! 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

  • Begins Wednesday! 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 

  • This Wednesday, October 25: Alzheimer's Community Education Event - King Avenue and the Retirees Ministry is partnering with the Alzheimer's Association to host congregational and community outreach education around the topic of dementia. The first event occured on October 11, and this second event will be held  October 25 from 6:00-7:30pm. Bring others who you think would benefit from such an event.  

  • King Avenue Players Present The Hunchback of Notre Dame - This musical will be performed for two weekends in the King Avenue UMC Sanctuary. November 2, 3, 4, 5 with performances Thursday – Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3:00pm; and November 9, 10, and 12 with performances Thursday – Friday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3:00pm. Admission is free, but a freewill offering is greatly appreciated! This will be a magnificent show. Bring a friend!

  • Saturday, November 4: The Circles Fall Cleanup - Fall is upon us, and with the season comes the annual Circles Fall Clean-up, scheduled for Saturday, November 4 from 9:00 PM to 12:00 PM (with a back-up date of November 11, if the leaves or the weather fail to cooperate). As with prior Fall Clean-ups, some folks will start earlier and some later. Our kick-off place will be the circle at Michigan and West Seventh Avenues, where leaf bags and some tools will be available. Of course we always need many neighbors to clean up, rake leaves, pick up litter, trim shrubs, and beautify our streets, circles, alleys, end caps, turn-arounds, etc. Send your questions and suggestions to Sara Hayslip sarahpetvet@gmail.com.

  • Beginning Wednesday, November 8: Caregiver Support Group - King Avenue UMC Retirees Ministry and the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio are partnering to bring a Caregiver Support Group to our church monthly.  No registration is necessary and there is no cost.  This group is designed to support families of individuals affected by any type of dementia. This group will meet the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00-7:30.

  • Wednesday, November 8: Post-Election Prayer Service - Following this year's November election, we will hold a prayer service in King Avenue's Fellowship Hall to pray for our city, state, and nation. We will pray for a peaceful post-election environment, and for the wisdom of our leaders. Please join us!

 

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

  • 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! This event will be canceled if it rains, so watch the weather!

  • Sunday October 29: Trunk or Treat - 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.

  • Item of the Month for Hubbard Elementary - Periodically we are asked for items to help students at our partner school, Hubbard Elementary. They are asking for new or gently used shirts & pants, and new underwear for kids size 5-10. You can bring your donations with you on Sundays. There will be a place to leave them in the back of the worship space. 

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) 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. The next meeting is October 24, and the book is Oscar Romero: Reflections on His Life and Writings. 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

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • Item of the Month for Hubbard Elementary - Periodically we are asked for items to help students at our partner school, Hubbard Elementary. 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.

 

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