King Avenue Digest 3/23/23

March 23, 2023

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS*  

  • Friday, March 31: Trans Visibility & Thriving! Open Mic & Storytelling - All are welcome at the Fawcett Conference Center on Friday, March  31 from 6-9pm. Kinship Campus Ministry, with Gwen and Felicia DeRosa, is supporting an evening of both professional and open mic storytelling around the topic of trans visibility. There is a cost to visibility. How can we pursue our lives of authenticity while also being safe and protecting our futures? Some days it looks like self-care and some days it might look like protests but it looks different for everyone. We invite you to hear speakers from T-Talks share their stories around thriving in their visibility and welcome you to share your own journey during the open mic section of this event. This event will also feature an open group discussion on the topic. Resources for Trans and LGBTQIA communities will be available in addition to food and beverage! Check out the Facebook event at  https://fb.me/e/2hYtklFQ3.

  • Thursday, April 13: Kinship Campus Ministry presents: A College Sex Ed Workshop - Join other college students for pizza, drinks, and a candid discussion about topics surrounding sex education. What is consent? Is it safe to text provocative photos to your partner? How frequently should I get tested for STI’s? How do I know if I’m in a healthy relationship? Bring your questions and ideas to this engaging workshop. The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 13 from 6-9pm in Donnenwirth Lounge, and is free & open to all college students (undergrad & graduate).

LENTEN ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Download Lenten Devotions: Prepare your hearts this Lenten season with a devotion journey using John Wesley's Means of Grace. Download a Lenten Devotional that offers a reading and challenge for each special day such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and for each Sunday of Lent. Thank you Pastor Linda for preparing this guide for us!

  • Wednesdays, March 1-29 from 7:00-8:30pm: Stories of Authenticity and Resilience Lenten Storytelling Series - Lent is a journey through the wilderness. As a people of faith, we are not alone, but we often feel alone. We are longing for connection and community, especially during hard times. You are invited to participate in a unique, intergenerational storytelling series this Lent. Each evening, King Avenue siblings will tell personal stories of authenticity and resilience. Then we will open it up for anyone to share a 3-5 minute story in response to the speakers. Each evening will begin with a Lenten scripture reading and end with a meditative reflection. Come. Walk with us. Questions? Contact Gwen.

  • Thursdays, February 23-March 30 from 6:30-7:30: John Wesley's Means of Grace Zoom Lenten Study - Pastor Linda Middelberg will host an online class that will follow themes for each week. The themes for the class will be related to John Wesley's Means of Grace, also the theme for the Lenten devotions. Each week's reading will be available on a Facebook Group on Wednesdays, and the Zoom discussion will take place on Thursdays at 6:30pm. Members are welcome to use the comments in this private Facebook Group to share ideas.  CLICK HERE TO REQUEST MEMBERSHIP IN THE FACEBOOK GROUP.  All are welcome to participate in the Thursday Zoom class even if you're not in the Facebook Group. 

  • Sundays, February 26-April 2 at 10am: Lenten Worship Series, Living Our Baptismal Calling - Lent is the season in which we prepare for Easter, the highest and holiest day of the year for us. We usually think of it as a season in which we give up something (eg. sweets, social media, etc.) Historically speaking, the season of Lent was a time of intense preparation in the early church for those who would be baptized on Easter Sunday. This year, we will be emulating that tradition by examining the vows we made or our parents made for us at our baptism. Each Sunday in Lent (starting February 26) we will examine a different baptismal vow - what it means and how we can live it out in our daily lives as a community of baptized, beloved followers of Jesus. CLICK TO LEARN MORE AND DOWNLOAD RESOURCES

  • Sundays, February 26-April 2: Looking Back/Moving Forward Adult Sunday School - The time of Lent can feel like we are treading on the edge of darkness as we wait for the joyous light of Easter Morning which means it can be a time for introspection. Please join us for a six week drop-in workshop, structured through a church context and designed to help us process what the Covid-19 pandemic took from us.  We will then move forward into our new understanding of what the world brings to us now. Not designed to be a rehashing of Covid grievances, but instead a time to genuinely connect while processing how Covid has changed our lives and our church. We will then transition to discussion about the good that has come out of this cataclysmic event, envision how the changes wrought by Covid in our church can be used for defining who we are as a congregation, and where we would like to see our church and ourselves in the future. While this may trigger deep feelings, we will support one another in understanding and love. This series will be at 10am on Sundays in the Fireside room, starting February 26.

  • Sunday, March 26 from 2:00-3:00pm: Easter Egg Hunt - Meet in the chapel and get ready to have some Easter fun. All ages are invited. Youth may help lead activities. Please reach out to ada@kingave.org with any questions. 

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP

  • Sunday, April 2 at 9am & 11am - Palm Sunday Worship (chapel/sanctuary + livestream)

  • Thursday, April 6 at 7pm - Maundy Thursday Worship (sanctuary + livestream)

  • Friday, April 7 at 7pm - Good Friday Worship (sanctuary + livestream)

  • Sunday, April 9 at 9am & 11am - Easter Worship  (chapel/sanctuary + livestream)

 

IN OTHER NEWS...

  • Support AIDS Walk Ohio - Join the team or donate to the Spectrum/Rainbow Connections team. Donations are tax-deductible and support Equitas Health’s critical medical, dental, counseling, case management, and support services to those living with HIV. Through public awareness, testing, and treatment, we can render the virus untransmittable across our state. CLICK HERE TO DONATE OR JOIN OUR TEAM

  • Changing the Conversation Survey - We want to help King Avenue have deep, informative, and meaningful conversations about topics that are important, uncomfortable, and aren't easily addressed in other areas of our life together. We need your help to determine what that topic to pursue in 2023. Please take a quick 2-minute survey to help us select a topic. Thanks! CLICK TO TAKE THE SURVEY

  • Friday, April 21: United Methodist Women of Faith Pasta Fundraiser Dinner - All are welcome for a delicious dinner and fellowship on Friday, April 21, 4PM to 7PM. Dinner will be served in KAUMC Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 12. The menu includes Rigatoni with Meat Sauce or 'Shroom Sauce, Italian Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert, and Beverage.  You are welcome to dine-in or carry out. This delectable fundraiser is sponsored by United Women in Faith. All proceeds benefit missions supporting women, youth and children. 

  • Listening Sessions - Join us for one of the remaining Listening Sessions March 29​, 1:00-3:000pm Zoom Only (change to Zoom only) or March 29​, 6:30-8:30pm. Listening Sessions utilize the Circle Process to gather personal perspectives and experiences, allowing participants to hear everyone’s point of view. It is a structure for ordered conversations. The values of a Circle embody the belief that all people are made in the image of God. The group sits in a circle. The facilitator states a focusing question. The leader then passes a talking piece. When holding the talking piece, the speaker addresses the group while others listen in complete silence. When the speaker is finished, the talking piece is passed to the next person. No one’s opinions are debated or questioned. Rules are introduced to help people say what they need to say in non-threatening words. Rev. Karen Cook and Rev. Sara Thomas from the Conference Office will be leading the sessions. In order to keep the groups small, you need to sign up for the session you’d like to attend. If you are planning on attending March 29, please sign up by the 27th. CLICK TO SIGN UP

  • *CANCELED* Friday, March 24 at 5:30pm - Saint Paddy's Day Activity Night - Children, Youth, and Family Ministries St. Paddy’s Day Activity Night is happening Friday, March 24th, 5:30 to 7:30pm has been canceled.

  • Friday, March 24 at 7:00pm - Rainbow Sorbet & Gayme Night - Your favorite LGBTQ+ ministry is back! We have decided to change our name from Spectrum to Rainbow Connections to avoid confusion with the cable company. Our first event will be on March 24 from 7-9:30. We will be hosting a game night in the Parlor. Everyone is welcome to have a sorbet, meet a gay, and make that Rainbow Connection!  We will have games for all ages. 

  • March 26: 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 gather together to talk about it.  Get ready for the March 26 Lit Club when will discuss Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. If you'd like to read ahead, here are the upcoming books: April 30 is West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge; May 28 is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver; June 25 is Young Mungoby by Douglas Stuart; and July 30 is The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles.

  • Sunday, April 16: All Church Lunch - Mark your calendars for the next All-Church Luncheon when we can gather around the table and celebrate with our new 2022-23 Confirmation Class! Stay tuned for volunteer opportunties and sign-ups.

  • NNEMAP Item of the Month for March - 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 canned tomato products 15 ounces or less, mall size shampoos, cat and dog food, toilet paper, or large size diapers to NNEMAP during the month of March and April. 

 

FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND SUPPORT

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

 

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. 

  • UMCOR Disaster Relief to Earthquake Victims - We continue to pray for the victims affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the disaster response agency sponsored by our denomination. 100% of donations will be spent on the ground with the people in need. If you have the ability and feel so led, you can easily donate by clicking ON THIS LINK.

  • UMCOR Global Response: Ukraine - As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, our prayers continue to be lifted for those in the path of violence. If you feel led, you can support the people in Ukraine by making a gift to UMCOR’s international disaster response. 100% of your donation goes to the cause. CLICK TO GIVE.

  • 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!

  • Habitat for Humanity - On January 21st, the Hilliard Adopt-A-House (HAAH) affiliate of Habitat for Humanity of Mid-Ohio (HfHMO) dedicated the 27th project that it has done since the group formed in 1996.  The construction of this house on Hosack Avenue in South Columbus was paid for and staffed by the six member churches of HAAH: Amlin United Methodist Church, Indian Run United Methodist Church, Linworth United Methodist church,  St. Brendan Catholic Church, St. James Lutheran Church and of course our own King Ave. United Methodist Church! Anyone who has any questions on this ministry or is interested in joining us are encouraged to contact Trena Brown at trenabrown.31@gmail.com or Larry Ziniel at larry_ziniel@yahoo.com. We hope in the future to see a lot of new faces from KAUMC come out and pitch in as we provide more people in our Central Ohio community “a hand up, not a hand out!" READ MORE

  • 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 - 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 - andy@kingave.org if you are interested.

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF NOTE

  • 2022 Giving Statements – Your 2022 Giving Statements are currently available for self-generation via Realm.  In addition, email and/or US Mail copies will be provided to all by January, 31st.  If you have any questions please contact our Stewardship Secretary, Susan Jenkins, at susan@kingave.org.

  • 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.

  • King Avenue History Books Available - King Avenue History Books will go on sale beginning Sunday Nov. 6, 2022 and continue throughout Advent.  The cost is $15.00 each - cash or check only.  We still have unclaimed complimentary books to distribute, Don't be shy! Please check on yours!  Look for the King Avenue History Book table at the conclusion of each worship service throughout Advent.

  • THANK YOU HISTORY COMMITTEE! Thanks to the Centennial Committee - especially Angela Finney - for our Centennial Contemplations! Read all of the questions and answers at the CENTENNIAL CONTEMPLATIONS PAGE.

  • Theme for 2022-23 - Your church staff has chosen a theme for this 2022/23 year, and it is “Home." King Avenue is that for so many, a home that is accepting, loving and empowering. Our desire it to share that sense of home with all whom we encounter, whether they are currently part of congregation or not. You will hear us refer to home in a variety of ways this year as we kick off our fall events for our adults, our children, and youth. We welcome all of you home! We are looking forward to seeing you come back to King Avenue this fall. Welcome Home, dear friends. READ MORE

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