King Avenue Digest 5/17/24

May 17, 2024


*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND QUICKLY-APPROACHING EVENTS* 

  • THIS SUNDAY, May 19: Wear Red for Pentecost - On Pentecost Sunday, we remember the day the disciples received the Holy Spirit. The story in Acts 2 describes a powerful wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit was poured out on people from all over the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast. At the first Pentecost over 3000 people were baptized, creating the first church. This is why Pentecost is known as the birthday of the Christian church. Red is a visual reminder of the “tongues of fire" that empowered the apostles and others to proclaim the good news of Christ's resurrection in many languages to the crowds of pilgrims from many lands . The Season after Pentecost is the time of the church year to support new disciples and the whole congregation in living out the gifts we have been given in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

  • THIS SUNDAY, May 19: Gearing Up for Summer Break - The last day of Worship Connections and Sunday School is May 19.  Worship Connections (9 am and 11 am) and regular Sunday School classes (10 am) will be on summer break throughout June and July. All children are invited to fully participate in worship and communion. Childcare is available for under 4 yrs old in the nursery. Stay tuned for special summer activities and events. Contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

  • THIS SUNDAY, May 19 - Graduation Sunday - Please join us in celebrating the 2024 graduates (high school, college, and seminary students) during both worship services. Contact Gwen with any questions or concerns at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com .

  • THIS SUNDAY, May 19 - Kick Cancer Concert & Silent Auction to Benefit LLS - The Kick Cancer Concert is going to be fabulous! Join us on Sunday, May 19 in the King Avenue Sanctuary for a fun-filled afternoon of wonderful up-beat music (by HeartSong and special guests). There will also be an UNBELIEVABLE silent auction! Doors open at 2:30 for the silent auction, and the concert begins at 3:00. The concert is free, but a Freewill Offering for the cause is greatly appreciated! Bring a friend and we invite you to wear your favorite tennis shoes and let’s Kick Cancer! Can’t come? LEARN MORE AND DONATE

  • *NEW* Saturday, June 8: King Avenue Players Open Mic Night Fundraiser - Don’t throw away your shot! Step up to the Mic! Sing, tell jokes, recite poetry, tell a story, rock out with your band, do magic tricks, juggle – whatever your talent is, your 5 minutes of fame is here! Sign up below to reserve your spot, then show up Saturday, June 8th by 7:00 pm ready to perform! We’ll provide the place, the mics, the pianist, the sound technician, and refreshments at intermission. Bring your friends and family to cheer you on, as well as everything you need to perform, including a printed copy of your music if you need our pianist to accompany you. In keeping with the true spirit of an open mic night, we are reserving the last 5 slots (Slots #16-20) for anyone who shows up that night to perform. A sign-up list for these 5 slots will be available at the door on June 8th on a first-come first-served basis. General Admission is $10/person, but  performers are admitted FREE. Since this is a fundraiser, donations are graciously accepted (cash, check, QR Code, Text-to-Give). Questions, please email us at: kingavenueplayers@gmail.com. Performers and audience are all welcome to this fun evening! SIGN UP HERE

  • *NEW* Tuesday, June 11: Pride Interfaith Prayer Service - LOVEboldly and Stonewall Columbus are already planning a Pride interfaith prayer service for Tuesday, June 11, at 7pm, at Stonewall Columbus. The theme of Columbus Pride this year is Live Out Loud! For LGBTQIA+ people living out loud and living authentically includes every part of our lives including our faith. Sponsored by Stonewall Columbus and LOVEboldly, the Pride Interfaith Prayer Service brings together LGBTQIA+ people and their allies from multiple faith traditions as well as secular lifestances for both a time of celebration of and reflection on being wonderfully LGBTQIA+. Please join us on Tuesday, June 11, at 7pm, at Stonewall Columbus. A reception will follow the service. LEARN MORE

  • *NEW* Wednesday, June 12: Carillon Recital and Ice Cream Social - Join King Avenue friends and gathering neighbors on Wednesday, June 12 from  6:30-8:30 for a special evening! Gerald Martindale from Toronto, Canada will play a recital on the King Avenue carillon.  We invite everyone to join us in the south parking lot (weather permitting) to enjoy ice cream social before the recital. Bring a friend! 

  • *NEW* Friday, June 14: RMN Pride Worship - Join other Reconciling Ministries Network United Methodist churches on Friday, June 14 at 7pm at Bethel International UMC for Pride Worship. Many King Avenue UMC folks will be participating in the service. United Methodists have a LOT to celebrate this year! Let's share worship and celebrate God’s love for ALL people!

  • *NEW* Saturday, June 15: March with King Avenue UMC in the Pride Parade! King Avenue is marching in the Pride Parade again this year! The parade is on June 15, step-off at 10:30. We're limited on how many marchers we can have, so register now to save your spot! Register on Realm or contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org. CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION.

  • *NEW* Friday, June 28: Second Chance Prom - Did you miss out on prom? Maybe your school thought boys shouldn't go with boys and girls shouldn't go with girls. Maybe the clothing you were expected to wear didn't match your identity. Maybe you just thought you wouldn't be accepted as your full self.  We want to give you a second chance. Rainbow Connections is throwing a Second Chance Prom, for everyone who missed out on prom and for anyone who just wants to dance, have fun, and be in safe community. We'll have a DJ, dance floor, photo booth, snacks, the works. So put on your fancy duds and your dancing shoes and join us on June 28, 7-9pm at the church. A $10 donation is suggested but not required.

  • *NEW* Saturday, July 6: New Member Class - We all have a basic human need to belong. Many of us have found that belonging with King Avenue UMC. When we find that we belong somewhere, sometimes we feel the need to claim it and make it official. If you've found that belonging at King Avenue but haven't taken that next step, you have the opportunity to do just that at our next New Members' Class. We'll gather at the church building for class on Saturday, July 6, 9am-12pm, then we'll welcome you into membership in worship the next day on July 7. If you're interested and/or have any questions, contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • *NEW* July 9-13: Mark Your Calendars for VBS! Vacation Bible School (VBS) is back! It is time to have fun and learn about God. Please join us July 9th-13th in the Fellowship Hall. Tuesday-Friday will be 5:30pm-8:00pm and food will be provided. Saturday will be 10am-12pm. VBS is for 4 yrs through 5th grade. Youth in 6th to 12th grades may volunteer as leaders/helpers. Adults may participate in the Adult VBS option (contact Pastor Andy to register). Friends are welcome, but please make sure you register them through Realm. If you have any questions, text Ada at 614-313-8200. Each participant will receive dinner and an awesome t-shirt!!! Deadline to register is July 1st. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR VBS

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

  • Friday, May 24: A UMC History Moment... Aldersgate Day - Aldersgate Day is celebrated on May 24 (or the Sunday closest) to commemorate the day in 1738 when John Wesley (the founder of Methodism) experienced assurance of his salvation. Wesley reluctantly attended a group meeting that evening on Aldersgate Street in London. As he heard a reading from Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans, he felt his "heart strangely warmed."  Wesley wrote in his journal that at about 8:45 p.m. "while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

  • Sunday, May 26: Peace With Justice - United Methodists relate to this special Sunday by seeking peaceful solutions, creating and supporting peace-related ministries in their conference and learning about peaceful, just efforts around the world. Our Social Principles call us to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict. We insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to work together to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them. Look for special giving envelopes during worship, or use the drop-down menu on Realm to give online. 

  • Tuesday, May 28: "Bi the Way" - The "B" in LGBTQIA+ is for "Bisexual." But what does that really mean? Join us for an evening of reflection and growth as we learn about this often-misunderstood identity, and seek to understand our bi siblings in Christ a little bit better. This is the fifth in our series of info sessions to learn more about the experiences of folks who identify with one of the letters in "LGBTQIA+" hosted by Rainbow Connections, our LGBTQIA+ ministry. On May 28, 7-8:30pm, join us to learn more about "B" and actions steps we can each take to love and support our bi siblings. 

  • Sunday, June 9 - Pride Tie Dye and Sign Making - Get ready for Pride by tie-dying a t-shirt with Rainbow Connections! You bring a white t-shirt, and we'll supply the tie-dye supplies. While you're there, you can make a clever sign to carry during the march! We'll have posterboard and art/craft supplies. Meet outside the handicapped entrance in between the services and after the 11:00 service.

  • Friday, July 26: State Fair Parkers Needed - As a fundraiser, NNEMAP parks cars during the Ohio State Fair. Last year they raised $22,000! Area churches sign up to staff the lot for one full day.  King Avenue's day is Friday, July 26. We need a total of 8 people... 3 parkers from 8-noon, 3 parkers from noon-4, and 2 parkers from 4-8. Also, there's always a staff person on duty who knows what's going on!  Grab a friend, and sign up for a slot! CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR NAME If you have trouble signing up, you can call Amy at the church office and she can add you. 614-424-6050. Thanks!

  • Help Needed: We urgently need volunteers in the nursery at church. We are looking for adult volunteers to help Jason Cooley and Jane Irwin with the babies and toddlers. You can volunteer for one or two hours once a month throughout the year. Please talk to Ada Wilcox at ada@kingave.org to get more information. Thanks!

  • Hilliard Adopt-A-House (Habitat for Humanity) Update - The HOAH ceremony and first work day for the new build is May 18th. The new family is delightful! Hassan (the dad) was born in Somlia, and his family moved to a refugee camp in Kenya when he was four. They moved to the US (Michigan) in 1999 when he was 12. He came to Columbus in 2010. Hassan (the mom) is a driver for Priority Dispatch of Columbus. Mulki was born in Somalia, and her mother moved them to England when Mulki was only four. Her father stayed in Somalia. Mulki came to the US in 2015. She works for 1-800-FLOWERS. Hassan and Muki have three children. Muhammad, is seven years old and their two girls, Nusaybah  and Nawaal are eight and one and a half. The team is excited to build another home for families in need. Thanks to those on the team for giving of their time and talents. They are surely the Hands and Feet of God!

  • NNEMAP Item of the Month for May - 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 chicken for the month of May.

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 (the LAST SUNDAY before summer vacation is May 19)
    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 (the LAST SUNDAY before summer vacation is May 19)
    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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