King Avenue Digest 10/4/24

October 4, 2024

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND QUICKLY-APPROACHING EVENTS* 

  • Did you Color Your Postcard? If you took a "What Matters Most" postcard home, please make sure it's colored (either inside or outside the lines) and bring it with you on Sunday. There's a plan for them! We can't wait to see your marvelous works of art!

  • THIS SATURDAY, October 5: Young Adults Bonfire - King Avenue Young Adults are getting together for a bonfire! Oct. 5, 6-9pm, we'll be near the corn maze at Lynd's Fruit Farm (9851 Morse Rd., Pataskala) with a bonfire, smores, and hot dogs. Enjoy the quintessential fall experience and connect with other young adults (college-35ish). We all need community, and around a bonfire is the perfect place to find it. If you're interested, look for details in our WhatsApp group or contact Pastor Andy (andy@kingave.org).

  • THIS SUNDAY, October 6: World Communion Sunday - Holy Communion joins us in Christian unity. This sacrament invites us to focus on the holiness of communion with God and one another. On World Communion Sunday - United Methodists, in conjunction with other denominations and believers worldwide, participate in communion to recognize our unity in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This universal and inclusive connection is the foundation of the special offering for World Communion Sunday. Your donations support racial and ethnic students in achieving their educational goals and transforming communities. In 2021, World Communion Sunday offerings awarded 242 scholarships and grants. Your generosity continues to provide scholarships, grants, mentoring and training for leadership development. The needs exceed what we can fund and your gifts can further growth and success.

  • THIS SUNDAY, October 6: Monthly Kinship Campus Lunch - All college students (undergrad and graduate) are invited to our free monthly lunch on Oct. 6th at 12:30 pm in the Logos Lounge (basement, next to the kitchen). Bring friends! Email Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com with any questions.

  • THIS SUNDAY, October 6: Blessing of the Animals Service - Join your King Avenue family at King Avenue in the shade of the bell tower lawn on Sunday, October 6 at 4:30pm. Bring your pets, and invite your neighbors and their pets. Please bring a blanket or chair to sit on. There will be treats for animals of all types. Be part of blessing our pets, who are also part of our family. 

  • THIS COMING MONDAY, October 7: Voter Registration Deadline! Have you registered to vote? The deadline to register is October 7, and early voting begins October 8.  Election day for the 2024 Presidential Election is Tuesday, November 5. Here are some resources to help you – Quick Guide for Voter Registration •  Current Voter ID Requirements 

  • THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, October 9: Coming Out on the Oval - Kinship Campus Ministry, along with other campus ministry friends, will celebrate Coming Out week on OSU's Oval from 10 am to 3 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 9th. Stop by for "You are Wonderfully Made" affirmations, blessings, and "Mom" hugs. If you'd like to volunteer to be a blessing to OSU students at this outdoor tabling event, contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com by Oct. 7th. 

  • THIS SUNDAY, October 10: Retirees to Orton Hall - A year ago, King Avenue retirees explored fascinating fossils and mineral specimens at the Orton Geological Museum, a unique gem located in Orton Hall on the OSU Oval. On Thursday, October 10, by popular demand, we will return to view newly renovated exhibits and additional behind-the-scenes spaces. Following an 11AM tour and lunch break, participants will have the option of visiting nearby Thompson Library to view a temporary exhibit celebrating the history and accomplishments of the museum in the sesquicentennial anniversary year of its founding. Plan to park and meet at King Avenue by 10:30 to walk to Orton Hall as a group or to share a ride. No admission fees. Please bring your lunch. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • THIS COMING FRIDAY, October 11: CORE Youth Group Nerf Wars (6th to 12th grades) - Our next C.O.R.E. Youth Group (6th to 12th grades) event will be our Annual Nerf Wars on Saturday, Oct. 11th, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Pizza will be provided. You can bring your own nerf equipment or borrow the King Avenue equipment. We will need some adult volunteers for this event. Please RSVP by Oct. 4th at the latest (gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com). 

  • *NEW* SATURDAY, October 12: Installation Worship Service for Bishop Hee Soo Jung - All are invited to attend the installation service of worship for our new Bishop on Saturday, October 12  beginning at 4 pm. Trinity UMC  at 1581 Cambridge Blvd is hosting the service.

  • *DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING!* Sunday, October 13: Cookbook Fundraiser for Casa de Misericordia - We value our relationship with Casa de Misericordia, so we are creating a church cookbook, filled with recipes submitted by church members and recipes used in the kitchen at the Casa. These can be heirloom recipes, passed down in your family, or new dishes you've just found. So we need your help! You can submit recipes for the cookbook to support the annual trip to Casa de Misericordia, and create a cherished keepsake. We will have forms available for submitting recipes and preordering cookbooks (or email recipes to Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org. Recipes are due by October 13th to ensure the cookbooks are ready for the holidays. Order one for yourself, get another (or more!) for a holiday gift! 

  • *NEW* UMCOR Emergency Response for Hurricane Helene - UMCOR and its partners are responding to disasters across the globe every day. Please join us in prayer for the affected areas from Hurricane Helene and consider giving to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response to support these efforts. To support UMCOR's disaster response efforts in the path of Hurrican Helene, visit  https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670/ .

  • REGISTER NOW for Thursday, October 17: Young Adults to Pumpkin Show - King Avenue Young Adults (through 35 years old) are going to Circleville's Pumpkin Show! Join us on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6pm. We'll meet at the church and carpool down to Circleville. We plan to stay through the end of that evening's 8pm parade, then drive back. If you're interested, please register so that we can plan the carpooling. Questions? Please contact Pastor Andy (andy@kingave.org). CLICK TO REGISTER

  • REGISTER NOW for Saturday, October 19: 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, Oct. 19, 9am-12pm, then we'll welcome you into membership in worship the next day on Oct. 20. If you're interested and/or have any questions, contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org or Pastor Karen at karen@kingave.org. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • REGISTER NOW Saturday, October 19: Fall Hike at Blacklick Park - Please join Rainbow Connections for a fall hike at Blacklick Metropark. The event is from 11am-2pm, so bring your own packed lunch. We will hike a short trail and explore the new canopy walk. All are invited! CLICK TO REGISTER

 

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

  • Friday, October 18 - Bill Cohen's "Spirit of the 1960's" Coffeehouse - Come to a fundraiser concert to mix 1960’s history, music, & memories to fight hunger. Civil rights sit-ins.  Bell-bottoms. Anti-war marches.  Student Power.  Afros.  Mini-skirts.  Hippies.  Riots.  Space flights.   Political assassinations.  The generation gap.Those hallmarks of the turbulent 1960’s will be rekindled Friday October 18 at this year’s annual “Spirit of the ‘60’s Coffeehouse." Bill Cohen and friends will lead a candlelit, musical, year-by-year journey through the era, with live and familiar 1960’s folksongs, “news reports” of sixties happenings, displays of anti-war buttons and posters, and far-out sixties fashions.  Plus, Bill will also challenge the audience with sixties trivia questions. Special guest performers  will be on hand to add beautiful vocal melodies, harmonies, and extra energy.  Far-out ! Proceeds from the suggested $15 donations (at the door)  will go to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. The program is suitable for ADULTS and MATURE TEENS. The event begins at 7:30pm at King Avenue.

  • (underway) Tuesdays/Wednesdays through November 6: Unclobber...Reclaiming the Bible from LGBTQ+ Harm - The Bible & homosexuality - doesn't that make you cringe? The Bible has historically been misused to harm LGBTQ+ folks. So-called "clobber passages" (like Lev. 18:22 and Rom 1:26-27) have been thrown around to keep many people from giving their full selves to a relationship with Jesus. But we believe the Bible has a different story to tell, one that does NOT condemn LGBTQ+ folks. Join us for this 9-week course, using material created by Colby Martin, as we unclobber those Biblical passages and learn how our scriptures can bring life instead of death, to people of all sexualities and gender identities. This class is currently underway.

  • (underway) Tuesdays: Grief Recovery Group through November 5  - If you are experiencing grief in any capacity, there will be a Grief Recover Group starting September 10th and running through November 5 led by Jennifer Tower.  You are welcome to come and share your grief in a safe space and know that all of us experience grief differently.  The group will meet on Tuesday evenings for 8 weeks to learn the skills that will allow you to complete your grief journey. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jennifer.

  • Update about our HAAH Team - King Avenue UMC and Hilliard Adopt-A-House (HAAH) Partnership  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. Our team is currently working on the Minnesota Avenue home. CLICK TO READ MORE

  • NNEMAP Story on Channel 4! Matt Barnes from Channel 4 was at NNEMAP to cover NNEMAP's September Hunger Action Month. NNEMAP is the first promo for the month and is focusing on deliveries, lockers, and how it has impacted seniors. Check out this story to learn more about NNEMAP's innovative approach to serving our community.  CLICK TO VIEW STORY

  • NNEMAP Item of the Month for September - 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. In October, we are collecting mashed potato flakes, gravy, stuffing mix for NNEMAP Food Pantry. 

FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND SUPPORT

  • Thursdays: Young Adults Small Group - King Avenue Young Adults will gather weekly to be with each other, check in with each other and share how their walk with Jesus is going. Thursdays at 6:30pm here at the church. If you're 18-35 years old, you're welcome to join us. 

  • Second and Fourth Saturdays: Young Adult Online Small Group - The Young Adult group is having an online small group for young adults who are a part of King Ave, yet unable to come to an in-person small group. We will provide the Zoom link. Please let Andy Burns or Mackalyn Figgins know if you are interested. This twice/month Zoom gathering will run from  10-11am. 

  • First & Third Tuesdays of the Month: Rebels and Reconnection - Join this drop-in support group (18+) where we explore themes such as God and gender, purity culture history, and sex education. This group meets monthly on the first Tuesdays in Donnenwirth Lounge at 7pm.

  • 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.

  • Second and Fourth Saturdays: Young Adult Online Small Group - The Young Adult group has an online small group for young adults who are a part of King Ave, yet unable to come to an in-person small group. Please let Andy Burns or Mackalyn Figgins know if you are interested so we can get you the Zoom link. This twice/month Zoom gathering will run from  10-11am. 

  • First Sundays of the Month: Kinship Campus Lunch - You are invited to our free monthly lunch at 12:30 pm in the Logos Lounge (basement, next to the kitchen). Bring friends! Email Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com with any questions.

  • 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

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.

Back