King Avenue Digest 4/15/22

April 15, 2022

CENTENNIAL CONTEMPLATIONS (Read ALL of the questions and answers on our Centennial Contemplations page.)

  • Q6: Where did the congregation meet during the time our current building was being planned and constructed, 1918-1922?

  • A6: Initially, several area churches donated space. A temporary structure was built on Neil Avenue between Nineth and Tenth Avenues. This temporary structure, “The Tabernacle”, could seat about 700 people and was dedicated on November 1, 1918.

  • Q7: What three dates are on the cornerstone of our current building?

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Holy Week & Easter Worship - Gather with your King Avenue family in-person or online for worship. Palm Sunday - April 12 at 9am & 11am; Maundy Thursday Worship - April 14 at 7pm; Good Friday Tenebrae Worship - April 15 at 7pm; Easter Sunday Worship - April 17 at 9am & 11am.

  • No Sunday School on Easter: Please note that there will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday, April 17.

  • REGISTER NOW: The United Methodist Church: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow - The United Methodist Church: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is a 4-week study designed to help participants better understand the current controversy within the United Methodist Church; specifically about the denomination’s relationship with our LGBTQIA+ siblings. Now that the General Conference has been postponed to 2024, therefore also postponing any resolution to the controversy, this is a perfect time for a class like this. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER.

  • April 20: Senior Living Options Presentation - The Retirees Ministry welcomes the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging on Wednesday, April 20th at 11:30 in the Chapel. A representative from COAAA will provide information on in-home services such as transportation, shopping and personal care, for older adults of all incomes. After the presentation, a Q&A session will follow. Feel free to bring a sack lunch for fellowship after the presentation. Refreshments will be provided. CLICK HERE TO RSVP.

  • April 24: Lit Club - Join Lit Club on April 24 at 7:00pm to discuss The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune (parlor and Zoom). Check out the books ahead and consider joining the conversation. All are welcome. May 29 - Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (parlor only); June 26 - The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom (parlor and Zoom)

  • April 30: Sex Ed Workshop for Parents/Caregivers - How do you talk to your kids about sex? Participate in this workshop to get advice and support so you can be there for your kids the way they need you to be. This introductory workshop is designed for the parents and caregivers of children/youth of any age. Along with a group of college students, Gwendolyn DeRosa (Director of Student Ministries), will discuss aspects of sex education, such as inclusive vocabulary for gender and sexuality, what to discuss at developmental stages, supporting LGBTQIA+ kids, and talking about porn with your teens. Please register on Realm by April 25th: CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

  • May 1: High School Graduation Sunday - If you have a graduating high school senior in your family, please let Erin know by April 24 so she can celebrate them during worship on May 1st. You can email Erin at erin@kingave.org and she will reach out to you for details about your graduate.

  • May 6: Spectrum Game Night - Spectrum will be hosting a game night on May 6 at 6pm in the Fellowship hall. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Just bring your favorites snacks and board games. This is a great opportunity to bring a friend, too!

  • PRIDE 2022! Mark your calendar for Pride sign making at 12:30 on Sunday, June 5. The March is Saturday, June 18 this year. Stay tuned for details.

CONTINUING NEWS

  • Masking Policy - Aligned to new CDC guidelines, the City of Columbus lifted its universal mask mandate. In light of this change, King Avenue Church will be masking OPTIONAL. Please know that your decision to mask or not mask is a decision you make for you and your family. We encourage everyone to support one another and treat one another with empathy and kindness. There will be no mask-shaming either way!

  • COVID and Online Worship - We remind congregants that we provide online worship each Sunday. Online worship is a meaningful option if you’ve had exposure, are experiencing symptoms, or have received a positive COVID test result. Being mindful of our risk to others is part of our inclusive nature of loving and caring for one another by temporarily stepping away from in-person worship so we may avoid exposing others. If you feel concerned or are at-risk for serious illness and want to explore a safer worship environment, we encourage you to do so. Our online worship site can be found directly at bit.ly/ka-church-online , or by clicking on the button on our main website kingave.org . Our online worship is live-streamed, and can be visited on-demand at the conclusion of the service.

  • Response to Anti-Gay & Trans Legislation - In light of the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ bill (HB 1557) in Florida and the directive by Texas Governor Greg Abbott that denigrates the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community and threatens the lives of transgender children and their families, the pastors, staff, and congregation of King Avenue United Methodist Church offer this response. CLICK TO READ MORE

  • Summer Camp registration is NOW OPEN - Register for 2022 Summer camps through West Ohio Camps (http://westohiocamps.org). There are a variety of camp experiences for everyone starting at age 7, as well as family camp options. If you are interested in learning more about camp or want to learn about financial assistance to go to camp, please contact Erin at erin@kingave.org.

  • We're Hiring! We are hiring in the nursery. Hang out with our amazing King Avenue babies and toddlers and get paid to do it! See Erin for more information or contact her at Erin@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.

FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND SUPPORT

  • Real People Real Parenting Small Group Devotional Booklet - Vincent Van Gogh and the Beauty of Lent: A Lenten Devotional is available in the Fireside Room during the 10am hour or by contacting erin@kingave.org.

  • 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.

  • Coming Out with God - Coming Out With God (COWG) is a peer-to-peer support group for LGBTQIA+ Christians. Many of us struggle with aligning our faith and our identity, especially after experiencing religious trauma. We may have anxiety when we think about coming out to other Christians in our lives. This confidential, drop-in group will discuss a variety of topics related to the challenges of coming out to ourselves and others. God loves and celebrates the authentic and unique you! COWG will meet twice a month (first and third Mondays) in the Logos lounge at 7pm. COWG is designed with adults in mind. LGBTQIA+ support is available for children, youth and families at King Avenue. Please contact Erin Kendall (erin@kingave.org) or Gwen DeRosa (gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com).

  • Last Sundays of the Month at 7pm: Lit Club - Join the Lit Club on the last Sunday of each month. All are welcome! Simply read the book of the month, and get together to talk about it. Here are the upcoming books and dates: 4/24 The House in the Cerulean Sea, by T.J. Klune (Parlor and Zoom).

  • Rent and Utility Assistance - Are you experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19? Let us help! Go to https://columbus.applyforhope.com/home, scroll to The Stable Housing Initiative (LifeCare Alliance ERA 1), and click Apply. 
To be eligible, you must be a Franklin County resident, have an income at or below 80% of the area median income, and be delinquent on rent or utilities due to hardship as a result of COVID-19. 
DOWNLOAD THE FLYER FOR MORE DETAILS.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

  • UMOCOR Global Response: Ukraine - 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.

  • April NNEMAP/Hubbard Item of the Month - Each month, we are going to focus our donations on specific items our community partners. For the month of April, NNEMAP food pantry needs deodorant and canned soup. You can bring your donations with you on Sundays in February - there will be a place to leave them in the back of the worship space.

  • Coffee Hour - Preparations are being made to restart Coffee Hour! We need teams of responsible and committed volunteers interested in showing radical hospitality to our members and guests. Our team of “baristas” begin brewing at 8 am on Sunday mornings for Morning Blend, and 10 am for the Coffee Hour before traditional service. Congregants will certainly appreciate coming early to enjoy fellowship you help to provide! If you are interested in assisting with this ministry, please contact Pastor Becky (becky@kingave.org) or Pastor Andy (andy@kingave.org).

  • Lunch Packing - King Avenue packs lunches for the Open Shelter on several Tuesdays and Thursdays, and occasionally on Wednesdays... 35 times in 2022. 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!

  • Volunteering on Sundays - Hey King Avenue Families! There are still opportunities for you to volunteer in Sunday morning children’s programming by leading youth Sunday School or learning Godly Play storytelling. Contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more.

  • Hiring King Avenue Childcare Staff - Childcare staff positions available in the King Avenue UMC nursery. Must be 19 years of age, provide proof of vaccination and complete a background check. Experience with babies and toddlers up to age 3 is preferred. Hours: Sundays from 8:30am-12:30pm. Starts at $13/hr. Contact Erin Kendall (erin@kingave.org) for more information and to apply.

  • Serve as an Acolyte - Are you interested in participating in worship as an acolyte? We have opportunities during 9am and 11am for anyone who is at least 10 years old (adults can acolyte, too!) to serve King Avenue as an acolyte. Please contact Erin Kendall (erin@kingave.org) to join in this ministry opportunity.

  • 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 9:30 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.

Back