King Avenue Church

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

Sorry... Somehow I missed posting last week's questions and answers here, so you'll get two week's worth today!

• Q10: What artistic or architectural style does the North Window reflect?

• A10: Gothic Revival, a twentieth century interpretation of Medieval art and architecture.

• Q11: What do the feminine appearing figures in the North Window represent?

• A11: They represent angels, with the center two figures representing archangels Michael and Gabriel.

• Q12: What words appear above the six figures in the North Window and what do they represent?

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

• May 22: Celebrate Erin! Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 22. We will have an opportunity to celebrate the ministry of Erin Kendall. There will be cookies and card-making at 10:00 in Fellowship Hall, and and refreshments at noon in the Parlor. CLICK HERE to watch a short video.

• May 22: Lit Club (Note the date change) - Join the Lit Club on May 22nd at 7pm in the Logos Lounge. All are welcome! Simply read the book of the month, and get together to talk about it. The book for May 22 will be Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah.

• June 5: Sign-Making for PRIDE 2022! Mark your calendar for Pride sign making at 12:30 on Sunday, June 5. Stay after church for some food, fellowship, fun, and creativity. What can we say on poster board that will witness to parade-goers that God's love is for ALL people? Lunch and supplies will be provided... just bring your creativity!

• June 9: Retiree Outing to Park of Roses - Join your friends from the Retiree Ministry at the Whetstone Park of Roses on Thursday, June 9 from 11:30 to 1:30 for fellowship, lunch and the exploration of the rose garden. It should be in full bloom! We'll meet at the Whetstone Park of Roses Shelter House #1. Bring a sack lunch and a lawn chair. See you there, rain or shine!

• June 11: Pride Festival - The Pride Festival is back and will be Saturday, June 11 from 11am-2pm at Bethel International UMC. King Avenue will have a booth, and our own Heartsong women's ensemble will have a 20-minute set. CLICK TO LEARN MORE

• June 18: Pride March - Join King Avenue to march in the Pride March for the first time since 2019! King Avenue has a long, wonderful history of showing up for this event, and we’re going to keep that up this year. We would love it if you joined us! The parade is on June 18, step-off is at 10:30. The route is 2 miles. We are limited to 100 walkers, so it is very important for you to register so we know how many people to expect. We will also have the church bus with us if you aren’t able to walk the whole route (space is limited, however). CLICK TO REGISTER

• June 19: King Avenue Pride Worship - King Avenue Church will recognize June 19 as Pride Sunday during regular worship services at 9:00am and 11:00am.

CONTINUING NEWS

• Pastor Andy's Ordination - Pastor Andy's ordination took place at Stonybrook UMC on Tuesday, May 10. It was also live streamed. If you missed it, you can visit THIS PAGE to see the highlights (and a few more things) around Andy's big day!

• THANK YOU Volunteers! Thank you to those who have volunteered as Teachers or Assistants in Worship Connections, Godly Play, Chrysalis Club, and Youth Sunday School for the 2021-22 school year. We appreciate your commitment to our King Avenue kids and youth! READ THE LIST OF VOLUNTEERS

• ACTS Committee April 2022 Statement - The ACTS Committee has met in 2022, reviewed and updated information related to our past recommendations, and remain steadfast about our response to the Traditionalist Plan. King Avenue Church will be actively supporting LGBTQIA+ ministries and actively supporting a future that honors, nurtures, and includes ALL. King Avenue will remain a welcoming, reconciling, and serving church which shares God's love with ALL! King Avenue Church will not change what it is and what it stands for. The ACTS Committee remains optimistic about the future and resolute in our recommendations. King Avenue Church will remain an active voice in our district, conference, and beyond on behalf of LGBTIQA+ ministries. CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

• 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

• 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.

• Summer Camp registration is 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

• IRL (In Real Life) Peer Group - King Avenue UMC (facilitated by the Director of Student Ministries) is offering a short-term “coming out” group for youth called IRL (In Real Life) Peer Group. This is for any youth (6th through 12th grade) who is exploring a LGBTQIA+ identity, which includes gender exploration. We will meet at 7 pm on the 1st and 3rd Monday night of every month in Donnenwirth, beginning May 16th. Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to attend the adult Coming Out with God support group at the same time in the Logos Lounge. Please contact Gwen DeRosa for more details at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com

• 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).

• 4-Week Class: 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. JOIN ZOOM.

• 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. Here are the upcoming books and dates: 5/22/22 Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah; 6/26/22 The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom; 7/31/22 The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson; and 8/28/22 The Women They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore.

• 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

• About Habitat for Humanity - Starting with the 2015 build season, KAUMC has been part of the Hilliard Adopt-A-House (HAAH) affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio. Hilliard Adopt-A-House is a non-profit 501(c)3 charity that is one of six local church partnerships that annually build or renovate houses for deserving low income Central Ohio families. Established in 1996, HAAH currently consists of Hilliard UMC, St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church and St. James Lutheran Church (all in Hilliard), Linworth UMC, Indian Run UMC and Amlin UMC (both in Dublin) and of course King Ave. UMC! Over the past 26 years this dedicated group has built thirteen new homes and also rehabilitated thirteen existing homes for deserving families. Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat affiliates work locally in communities around the world to select and support homeowners, organize volunteers, and coordinate house building. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 400,000 homes worldwide, providing shelter for more than 1 million people in nearly 90 countries. In the Central Ohio community, Habitat has built more than 400 homes since 1987. READ MORE and WATCH A VIDEO INTERVIEW

• May NNEMAP Item of the Month - Each month, we are going to focus our donations on specific items our community partners. For the month of May, NNEMAP food pantry needs travel-size shampoo and canned vegetables. You can bring your donations with you on Sundays. There will be a place to leave them in the back of the worship space.

• Getting Involved with the King Avenue Players - Would you like to be involved with the theatrical productions at KAUMC? The King Avenue Players are looking for people who love the arts, love theater, and would like to help in some way to make sure this ministry continues. YOU choose the level of involvement that is comfortable for you. Actor? PERFECT! Crew? PERFECT! Organizing? PERFECT! Ushering? PERFECT! We need all of you. Please contact Pastor Becky or Pastor Andy, or write a note with your name on the bulletin. Thank you!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!

• UMCOR 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.

• 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 9:00 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.