King Avenue Church

King Avenue Digest 8/26/22

August 26, 2022

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

• Q25: Left to right, what does the last window in Swisher chapel represent in the life of Jesus?

• A25: Left to right facing the windows in Swisher Chapel, the fifth or last window represents the Resurrection: The cross, the crown of thorns and three nails represent the crucifixion. The letters INRI on the scroll and scattered through the upper sections of the window are the beginning letters in the Latin phrase, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The pomegranate symbolizes the power of Christ to be alive on Easter Morning. It also represents the ripening or completion and fulfillment of earthly life. The butterfly is frequently used as a symbol of resurrection and expresses the idea of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The three stages of the butterfly (caterpillar, chrysalis and the adult) correspond to human life: Crawling larva= humans on earth, Cocoon – human in the grave and Adult butterfly = human being’s resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven.

• Q26: Each of the five windows in Swisher Chapel have a small red panel, what does this symbolize?

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

• We're Hiring a Part-Time Family Outreach and Events Coordinator - King Avenue UMC is a reconciling church where we invite, welcome and honor all people and nurture them to grow in service with Christ, and we are seeking a part-time Family Outreach and Events Coordinator. This dynamic person will be responsible for welcoming and connecting with children, youth families; support new families and new additions to the family; support pastors with integrating new families into the congregation; prepare materials as needed to aid children’s participation in worship, develop and lead children’s programs in seasonal worship opportunities; organize, promote and lead youth and family events; develop relationships with community organization; lead the children, youth and family mission and camping ministries. CLICK TO READ MORE

• We're Hiring a Part-Time Stewardship Secretary - Currently we are seeking a part-time Stewardship Secretary. This team member would be responsible for handling general accounts receivable duties and tasks for the church. Areas of responsibility include but not limited to posting weekly contributions; balance reports; manage electronic giving; manage on-line accounts; work with volunteer counting teams, maintain various spreadsheets and prepare quarterly reports. CLICK TO READ MORE

• Statement for Newman Center LGBTQIA+ Friends - All Are Welcome. These three simple words change everything. At King Avenue Church we continue to do our very best to live by these three words. They are reminders to us of the love that Christ offers to the entire world, the love that has been offered to us. We have been dismayed as we have watched the St. Thomas More Newman Center on The OSU campus experience concerning changes. READ MORE

• Art Gallery Becomes a King Avenue Museum! Thanks to Kurt Reichert who has been working for weeks on a display to transform the King Avenue Art Gallery into a museum. As part of our Centennial Celebration, there will be 45 posters that will walk visitors through a timeline of our church and building(s). The gallery will officially be open on Sunday, September 11 to be part of the Fall Kickoff.

• A Few More Parkers Needed - The OSU Parking Mission for King Avenue schedules volunteers to park cars in the King Avenue parking lot for home Buckeye games. The money collected goes towards the missions of our church. We still have room for additional volunteers. Volunteers can commit for as few as one game, and is 2-3 hours of volunteering. The games we need assistance on are as follows: September 3, September 17, September 24, October 1, October 22, and November 12. If you have some availability, please contact Shawn Compton at comptonlaw@msn.com.

• Retiree Ministry Greeters Needed for September - The Retiree Ministry has volunteered to serve as Sunday Morning “Greeters” for the month of September. Your presence at the KA door will make someone’s day! We are in need of 2 people for both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. service. If you have a Sunday in September available to serve as a Retiree Ministry Greeter, contact Teresa Malloy at malloy29@aol.com or 614-266-9107.

• August 28: Blessing of the Backpacks, Bags and Briefcases - As students, teachers, and other school leaders return to school, we would like to offer a blessing for a positive, peaceful, and invigorating year of learning. Bring your backpack, bag or briefcase to church on Sunday, August 28th, so that we may share a blessing together.

• August 28: Lit Club - Get in on the conversation by reading this month's book, and getting together on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 7:00pm in the Logos Lounge with other King Avenue friends. This month's book is The Women They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore.

• Thursdays Beginning September 8: King Avenue Music Ministry - New Singers Welcome! Our Music Ministry is always welcoming new members to join our ensembles. Chancel Choir meets on Thursday evenings at 7:30 and sings 3-4 times each month in the 11 AM service. We also prepare for special seasonal services during Advent and in the spring. Some choral experience is helpful, but not required. Bell Choir meets on Thursday evenings at 6:15 PM and typically rings once a month during the 11 AM service. Smaller ensembles occasionally ring for the 9 AM service as well. Some ringing experience is necessary, as we generally ring at a medium to high difficulty level. Blenders vocal ensemble meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM and sings each week during the 9 AM service. We would also welcome bass and guitar to our group. Instrumentalists are also welcome to share special music throughout the year. For information about any of our music ensembles, please contact Chris McManus, Minister of Music, at cmcmanus711@gmail.com.

• Beginning September 11: A Call to Faithfulness Adult Sunday School Class - Corey Perry will be leading a six-week adult Sunday School Class beginning Sunday, September 11. The Social Principles are a grounding of our United Methodist home, intended to be "a prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of the General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world." Come join Rev. Corey Perry on this six-week journey through the Social Principles as you understand their history, background, and statements. You will be challenged, excited, and - probably - frustrated, but you will also find an opportunity to grow and deepen your understanding of what it means to have a home in the United Methodist Church. Before and throughout the class, you can familiarize yourself with the UMC’s Social Principles. Please register for the class. REGISTER HERE.

• Beginning September 11: Sundays for Kids and Families - It's time! Sunday Morning programs for children, youth, and parents begin on September 11. We look forward to seeing everyone at Sunday School. There's something for everyone! READ ALL ABOUT IT

• September 11, noon-2pm: Fall Kickoff Party - Join us for our Fall Kick-off Party as we come home and celebrate our church life together. We'll have pizza, play games, and explore all the ways we can grow in our faith together. Contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com for ways to get involved with children, youth, family, and college-age ministries. Since games, activities, and inflatable will be set up in the South (ramp) Parking lot, please park in the West (King Avenue) lot or the Pennsylvania Lot on Sunday, September 11.

• Apply by 9/12: Mercer Scholarship Application Process - The Mercer Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established for the purpose of providing financial assistance to King Avenue UMC members who are students enrolled in Christian education, missionary work, or ordained ministry in a graduate school or theological seminary accredited by The United Methodist Church or enrolled in undergraduate school who have demonstrated a commitment to serving Christ through participation in the ministries of KAUMC—high school seniors may apply for a scholarship contingent upon their enrollment. If you are interested in applying for a Mercer Scholarship, email the church Office Manager, Amy Ashburn at amy@kingave.org, who will provide you with an application. Completed applications are due to the church Office Manager no later than September 12.

• Wednesdays beginning September 14: Midweek Grief Recovery Course - Jennifer Tower will be leading an eight-week class for adults on grief beginning Wednesday, Septembrer 14. The Grief Recovery Method enables people struggling in their grief to find a way forward and a way home. It gives people the tools necessary to name their difficulties and find completion in their loss. As we all grieve differently, it is important to invest in ourselves to find a way that, for us, moves us from pain to a sense of peace so that we can find home again. REGISTER HERE.

• September 15: Retirees Movement Workshop Led by Parish Nurse, Virginia Sheffield - Please join The Retiree Ministry for a special Movement Workshop led by our Parish Nurse, Virginia Sheffield on Thursday, September 15 at 11:30 in the Chapel. The Movement Workshop will address our wellness through healthy aging principles as we acknowledge the wisdom stored in our bodies and the connection between aging well, movement, and faith. READ MORE

• Announcing a Triple-Header of Ministers Coming Home! To celebrate the Centennial Celebration year of our beautiful church, we are hosting several former pastors. Following Linda Middelberg's message from the pulpit last month, we will be hosting three consecutive weeks of very special guest preachers to come home and preach. John Keeny is preaching September 18; Don Wallick is preaching September 25; and Grayson Atha will be preaching October 2. Let's fill the pews and enjoy these homecomings together!

• Home Groups Coming Early Fall! King Avenue wants to help you grow in your life with Christ. This happens in powerful ways through consistent small groups that meet outside of Sunday morning church. So we want to start Home Groups. These will be groups of 7-12 people who live in the same general area as each other. They will gather weekly or semi-weekly in someone's home to pray together and grow together. We would love to get you connected with other King Avenue folks who live around your home so y'all can grow in Christ together. If you're interested in being a part of a Home Group, let Pastor Andy know (andy@kingave.org). Days and times will vary depending on each group's schedule preferences.

• Register by September 27: Centennial Celebration Lunch at J Liu - To celebrate King Avenue's Centennial, we will be holding a luncheon at J Liu in Worthington (6880 High Street) on Sunday, October 9. The doors open at 1:00, and the buffet will begin at 1:30. The cost for this luncheon is $35. There will also be a cash bar at the event. The buffet includes: Garden Salad, Potato and Herb Crusted Tilapia, Sesame Chicken, Vegetarian Pasta Primavera, White Rice, Smashed Redskin Potatoes, Green Beans, Warm Rosemary Rolls, Coffee, and Iced Tea or Hot Tea, and Gourmet Miniature Desserts. Please register by September 27, 2022. Space is somewhat limited. CLICK TO REGISTER.

• Sign up by September 19: Casa de Misericordia Mexico Mission Trip 2023 - We are thrilled to announce the dates for our annual trip to support the orphanage in Mexico. We will leave Columbus on Thursday, March 2nd, and return Monday, March 6th. You need a passport. The deadline to sign up is September 19th and the cost is $900, which includes airfare, lodging, and most meals. You are required to have a passport by September 30th. Please contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com. Gracias!

• September 25: Lit Club - Get in on the conversation by reading the month's book, and getting together on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 7:00pm in the Logos Lounge with other King Avenue friends. This month's book is he Huntress by Kate Quinn.

• September 30 - April 16: Confirmation Class of 2023 Begins! Confirmation is an important experience in the faith journey of young people in the church. When an infant is baptized in the United Methodist Church, the parents pledge to raise the child in the faith within their church family. Through Confirmation, youth (6th to 8th grades) will have the opportunity to publicly claim that faith and church family as their own, and transition into being a full member of King Avenue United Methodist Church.

• Home! 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, both for our adults and our children and youth, we welcome all of you home! CLICK TO READ MORE

• October 9: Centennial Celebration Worship - Don't miss worship on Sunday, October 9. We will be celebrating 299 King Avenue's Centennial with a very special service (both 9am and 11am) to celebrate this magnificent building we call home.

• Spectrum Update - Spectrum's mission statement is "Spectrum creates a safe harbor for LGBTQIA+ Christians and their allies, and witnesses to God's love for everyone." Stay tuned for upcoming events including Lynd's Fruit Farm in September, helping with Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, and Christmas movie night/WHITE ELEPHANT gift exchange in December. ALL are welcome to Spectrum events. Bring a friend!

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