King Avenue Digest 4/12/24

April 12, 2024

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND QUICKLY-APPROACHING EVENTS* 

Thursday,  April 11 - Sunday, April 14: King Avenue Players Production of Almost, Maine
The King Avenue Players invite you to see its spring production of Almost, Maine - a play written by John Cariani comprised of nine short plays that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical almost-town called Almost, Maine. This series of scenes best compared to A Midwinter’s Dream, but as a romance… a really funny, but sad romance. 

Nearly all of the cast and crew of the spring show are people you know! King Avenue folks in the cast include David Boley, Lauren Burns, Brad Colegate, Xavier McAllister, and Traci Thornton. The show is directed by Danny McCarty with assistance from Rob Leutz. There are several of behind-the-scenes King Ave people involved in set, costumes, and stage managing. They've been working so hard on this production, and would love to share it with you. 

For the first time in several years, the show will be held in Fellowship Hall, newly renovated to provide an intimate theater experience. Performances are April 11,12, 13 at 7:30 and April 14 at 3pm. Admission is FREE, but a donation is appreciated.

Sunday, April 14: I Will Rise, a Service of Music
Join the Blenders and Instrumentalists for “I Will Rise, a Service of Music" during the 9:00am Morning Blend worship. The service will include music, scripture, and readings. All are welcome! Bring friends and family to this special service!

Sunday, April 14: Guest from All In Community Ministries of West Ohio
April is "Second Chance Month," and King Avenue Church will be hosting Fairrin Moss from All In Community Ministries of the West Ohio. Fairrin lives in the Columbus area.  She will be holding a Q&A session in Fellowship Hall at 10:00am, speaking at 11:00am, and staying after worship for conversations in the Milling Area.

All In Community means that regardless of what you’ve done, what a loved one has experienced, or what has been done to you or a loved one, we are here for ALL of you IN this COMMUNITY. As disciples of Jesus Christ, National Second Chance month proclaims our common belief that everybody has dignity and potential. Since 2017, National Second Chance month has become a rally cry within states, government agencies, coalitions, and faith communities do justice and love mercy in ways that truly provide over 80 million people living with the stigma, shame, and barriers of an arrest or conviction a second chance. National Second Chance Month is about better opportunities for people coming home. It is, also, about making our communities more just and safe for all citizens. With 1 in 3 Americans living with a criminal record, chances are someone, or someone's loved one, in your congregation is in need of a second chance. The best way to free people from the shame and stigma of justice-involvement is to acknowledge this reality. This month, All In Community encourages your to pick one Sunday in April and lift up our justice-involved members and neighbors. Below are resources, including a downloadable video to make your Second Chance Sunday meaningful and impactful. In addition, here are a few other ways you can be a person of hope, change narratives, get proximate to, tell the truth, and do something that is uncomfortable or inconvenient that lets justice-involved persons know that they do have a second chance.

Look for opportunities on Sunday to give to the All In Community, or to donate to Fairrin's honorarium. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Sunday, April 14: Pre-General Conference Delegate Sunday School
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church begins on April 23. King Avenue UMC is sending two Lay Members to General Conference this year. On Sunday, April 14  at 10:00am in the Chapel, Bill Brownson  will share legislative priorities for West Ohio Delegation, and overall hopes for this important General Conference. He will explain the 3 R's—Regionalization, Removal of Exclusionary Language, and Adoption of Revised Social Principles. Join Bill at 10am for this important education opportunity. This is a second opportunity in case you missed Dione's session last Sunday.

 

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

  • Tuesdays, April 9 - May 14: Caring for Creation Class - During the season of Easter we will be hosting a set of 6 classes about climate change and our responsibility to respond as people of faith and part of creation. We will learn how environmental justice contexts to our identity as United Methodists and small changes we can begin to make in our everyday lives. These classes will take place on Tuesdays from 7-8 pm from April 9-May 14. This class is underway.

  • Tuesdays, April 9 -  May 28: Grief Recovery Group - There will be an 8-week Grief Recovery Group held on Tuesday evenings starting on April 9, 2024, and finishing on May 28, 2024. We will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Infant and Parent Room on the second floor. This group is underway.

  • Wednesdays, April 3 -  May 22: The Way to Forgiveness Class - Do you need to find forgiveness, or do you need to forgive someone in your life? Led by Bret Baird, "The Way to Forgiveness,” is an eight-week class designed to help individuals learn how to live a forgiven and forgiving life. The small group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm to learn techniques and best practices to embrace a forgiving mindset in daily life with prayer, journaling, and sharing. This class is underway.

  • Thursdays, April 4 - May 9 Wrestling with Doubt Class - Have you ever wrestled with doubt? Have you wondered why prayers go unanswered? Or why innocent people suffer? Take a six-week journey through some of these questions with Corey Perry as we use Adam Hamilton's "Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith" to explore the questions that nag at us and serve to deepen our faith. This Zoom class will begin Thursday April 4 from 6:30-7:30, and will continue for 6 weeks. Registrants will receive the Zoom link via email prior to the first class. This class is underway.

  • Saturday, April 20: AIDS Walk Ohio, King Ave Rainbow Connections Team - AIDS Walk Ohio will take place in downtown Columbus on April 20, 2024. AIDS Walk Ohio is one of the largest opportunities for the public to give back in this capacity. Over 1,000 people from across the state will come together to raise critical funds for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs. In just the past eight years, AIDS Walk Ohio has raised over $2 million for AIDS service organizations in Ohio, including Equitas Health, who produces the event and is the primary beneficiary. At Equitas Health, funds raised support HIV/AIDS medical care and treatment, HIV prevention (which includes PrEP), and a variety of other services like primary care, behavioral health counseling, and dental care—one of the most unmet needs of those living with HIV. Learn more about Equitas Health. DONATE TO OUR TEAM

  • Saturday, April 20: Visit Seminary Hill Farm - On April 20th from noon until 4pm, we will be going to visit Seminary Hill Farm in Delaware, Ohio. This visit will help us learn more about growing our own food, producing healthy food for all people, and explore our relationship with the land and creation. This is for youth, young adults, and those in the Creation Care classes. However, all are welcome! Please register on Realm. CLICK TO REGISTER

  • Sunday, April 21: Native American Ministries Sunday - Native American Ministries Sunday serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. The special offering supports Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United States and provides seminary scholarships for Native Americans.

  • NNEMAP Item of the Month for April - 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 meat or cleaning supplies.

 

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.

  • First and Third Tuesdays of the Month: Rebels and Reconnection... Healing from Purity Culture Together - This drop-in peer support group (for over 18 yrs old) is a safe, authentic environment where we process the trauma of purity culture, connect with our own amazing bodies, and formulate our own sexual ethics. We will dive into a variety of themes, including: God and gender, purity culture history, and sex education. We will meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, beginning on Feb. 20th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. READ MORE

  • First Sundays of the Month: Kinship Campus Ministry Lunch - Meet other college students for a free monthly lunch in Donnenwirth Lounge on the first Sunday of everyy month at 12:30pm. Come upstairs right after the 11:00 worship service concludes. This lunch is open to any college student, undergrad or grad. Contact Gwen with any questions, dietary restrictions, or food allergies at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com

  • Second Wednesdays of the Month: 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.

  • Weekly on Wednesdays: Young Adult Ministry Bible Study - The Young Adult Ministry group will hold a weekly group Bible Study. We will meet from 7pm-8pm in the Fireside Room. This study will focus on the challenging questions we ask when we read scripture and develop new skills to read for liberation and love. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLIER

  • Last Sundays of the Month: 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. The month's book is listed in the King Avenue Digest congregant blast and also on the slideshow on the monitors at church. You can also contact Rick Gilson (rickgilson@yahoo.com) to find out what the month's book is or if you'd like to be added to the communication group in Realm.

  • Every Other Sunday: 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

CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILY SUNDAY FAITH FORMATION AND WORSHIP

  • 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.   

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. 

  • 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 2024. All hands on deck for packing 200-400 lunches at a time! CLICK HERE  for the 2024 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  - 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 - 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

  • 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 in 2024, 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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