King Avenue Digest 11/29/24

November 29, 2024

 

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND QUICKLY-APPROACHING EVENTS* 

  • THIS SUNDAY, December 1: World AIDS Day - Our United Methodist commitment to addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic is rooted in our unwavering covenant of care and advocacy. The United Methodist Church recognizes HIV and AIDS continues as a public health threat and source of suffering. Taking seriously the Gospel requirement to care for those who are suffering, ill or in distress, addressing the AIDS epidemic is imperative. Our response to global and local AIDS must be compassionate, evidence-based and prophetic. An effective AIDS response requires that we address the driving forces of HIV for example: poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, stigma, gender-based violence, and the fear of dealing with the complexity of human sexuality and apathy.  CLICK TO LEARN MORE

  • THIS SUNDAY, December 1: Advent Begins! Sunday, December 1st is our first Sunday of Advent. Join us in worship as families light the Advent Wreath and we prepare for the birth of Jesus. Be sure to pick up an Advent Pew Card that lists all the happenings at King Avenue this season, and visit our Advent Season page on kingave.org. 

  • THIS SUNDAY, December 1: Illuminati Sings during 11:00 Worship - Join us in welcoming Illuminati, the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus' Sacred Ensemble. Illuminati works to demonstrate that we all have a place in sacred spaces, and are whole, holy, and loved. Illuminati’s mission is to demonstrate, through song, that ALL people have a place in the religious community. 

  • BEGINNING THIS WEEK... Tuesday, 12/3  (Zoom) or Wednesday, 12/4 (in-person): Wanting More, A Weekly Advent Class -  Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Jesus at the great feast of Christmas. But it's also the time of year packed full of busyness: Christmas preparation, end of year preparations, exams, performances, and more. Do you ever find yourself wanting more out of this season? Join us for a new class this Advent in which John Wesley, found of Methodism, will be our guide to finding more (using material from the book Wanting More by Michael Roberts). The class has two options: Tuesdays at noon on Zoom and Wednesdays at 7pm, in person at the church. The class starts the first week of December. Questions? Contact Pastor Andy (andy@kingave.org) or Pastor Karen (karen@kingave.org).
    👉 Register for Tuesday Noon Zoom
    👉 Register for Wednesday 7pm In-Person

  • NEXT FRIDAY, December 6: Christmas Cookie Decorating Party and Christmas Movie - All are welcome! This kick-off to the holiday season is for the whole church and community. Feel free to bring friends! No dinner provided. We are decorating at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall and watching a Christmas movie (The Muppet Christmas Carol).

  • *NEW* Saturday, December 7: Young Adults Delayed Friendsgiving - King Avenue Young Adults (through 35 years old) are getting together for a (late) Friendsgiving Dec. 7, 6-9pm at Pastor Andy’s house. We would love for you to come. Contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org, or check the WhatsApp group, for more details, and for the location. 

  • *NEW* Hubbard Tutors Needed - King Avenue has been a community partner with Hubbard Elementary School for several years. One of the ways we love and serve our neighbors there is by tutoring students during the school day. This is a great way to serve your community and we’re always looking for more tutors. Tutoring takes place during the school day, usually once/week for a couple of hours. If you would like to tutor or have any questions, contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org 

  • *NEW* Saturday, December 21: Blue Christmas Worship Service - Blue Christmas is a service for those dealing with loss and grief this holiday season, however recent or long-past. This contemplative, candlelit service will include opportunity for persons to remember loved ones, to pray for the world, be anointed with oil, and to remember God’s love shared freely in Christ. All are welcome on December 21 from 5:00-6:00pm in the King Avenue Sanctuary. 

  • *NEW* "Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Worship Services at King Avenue - At 4:30pm, the Children, Youth, and Family will be celebrating Christmas Eve with a service suitable for the whole family. If you are looking for a candlelight worship and communion, you can join us at either 7:00pm or 9:00 in the Sanctuary. 

 

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

  • Donations due Sunday, December 8: NNEMAP Gift Shoppe - NNEMAP Food Pantry is holding their annual Gift Shoppe to love and serve our youngest neighbors, and they need our help! You can donate NEW and UNWRAPPED gifts for children from Dec. 1-Dec. 14. Bring your donations to church before Dec. 8 and we will take them to NNEMAP for you. You can also volunteer at the Gift Shoppe! It is open Dec. 16-Dec. 18, 9am-1pm. For details and to volunteer, contact Roy Clark at director@nnemappantry.org. Gift Suggestions: Sports equipment; Stuffed animals; Board games; Art supplies; Hats, gloves, scarves, socks; Ear buds/Headphones; OSU apparel.

  • Due Monday, December 9: Poinsettia Dedications - Poinsettias are displayed throughout our Sanctuary during the Advent season. The cost of one Poinsettia is $11. Your donations will be included in the 7pm and 9pm Christmas Eve bulletins on Tuesday, December 24. Poinsettias are available to take home after the services. Please submit payment and the following necessary information by Monday, December 9. You can use Realm to pay, or contact Amy (amy@kingave.org) or call the church office at 614) 424-6050 to make alternative arrangments.
    🎄CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE DEDICATION(S) -  Please complete a separate dedication form for each Poinsettia.
    🎄CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE PAYMENT - You can complete 1 payment for one or more than one Poinsettia in $11 increments.

  • Tuesday, December 10: Retirees Christmas Luncheon and White Elephant Gift Exchange and Caroling - Join us on Tuesday, December 10 at 11am in the Fellowship Hall for holiday food, fun and fellowship. We will provide a Honey Baked Ham. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Suggestions for the white elephant gift exchange - a quirky, humorous or downright unusual wrapped gift. Value not to exceed ten dollars.    

  • Sunday, December 15: Handel's Messiah in 11 Worship - Mark your calendars for a service of worship. This is also a wonderful time to fill the sanctuary with friends and family! Enjoy Handel's Messiah featuring the combined choirs of  King Avenue UMC & Trinity UMC with soloists and orchestra. The King Avenue service will take place on Sunday, December 15 at the 11:00 worship, and then the combined choir will travel to Trinity UMC on December 22. We hope to see you there! 

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

  • 2025 Pledge - We celebrated Pledge Sunday on November 3 where we asked ourselves, "What Matters Most?" If you were not in church for Pledge Sunday, never fear! Your pledges for 2025 will still be cheerfully and gratefully accepted. Please prayerfully consider your financial giving and your service for the next year in our life together. If you'd like to learn more about our 2025 Stewardship Campaign, CLICK HERE. 

  • NOTE... Locking Doors 15 minutes into Worship - In an abundance of caution in uncertain times, we will be locking doors from 9:15-10:00 and 11:15-12:00 on Sundays. If you should find yourself locked out, please just ring the buzzer and someone will promptly let you in! Sorry for the inconvenience, but your safety is a top priority.

FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND SUPPORT

  • Recurring on Mondays: Retirees Church at Home - Is your heart yearning for a spiritual connection with other Retirees?  Consider joining the Retirees’ Church at Home, a weekly bible study that originated when the 2020 pandemic thrust many retirees into isolation.  Today, the group remains committed and diligent in providing fellowship, meaningful discussions and connection with each other. The group meets Monday mornings from 11:00-12:00 on Zoom, where various members lead the study using the devotions from the Upper Room.  If you are interested in participating with the Retirees’ Church at Home, contact Teresa Malloy at malloy29@aol.com or Dennis Chew at dennischew@me.com.

  • Recurring Weekly on Tuesdays: Sermon Starters - Join other "morning people" for a special 7am Bible Study each Tuesday at church. Pastor Karen and Pastor Andy guide the small-group discussion of the upcoming Sunday's scripture lessons.  Questions, insights, and stories help the pastors to think through their Sunday sermon ideas, as well as give participants a head start on their consideration of the week's lesson. Let Pastor Karen know (karen@kingave.org) if you'd like to be added to the Realm email group to receive the scriptures ahead of time. All are welcome in this "drop in" Bible Study. 

  • Recurring on 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.

  • Recurring on 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.

  • Recurring on 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. 

  • Recurring on First Saturdays of the Month: King Avenue Men's Group - The King Avenue Men's Group is a monthly get-together with men of different ages and backgrounds meeting in fellowship to discuss diverse topics of living as Christians. We meet on the first Saturday of month at 10:30am. For more information, please contact Roger Blocher rblocher01@gmail.com.

  • Recurring on 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 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. 

  • 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!

  • Breakfast for the Homeless at Gates Fourth - Calling all cooks, servers, and hostesses! Gates Fourth UMC provides monthly community breakfasts. Gates Fourth is located at 119 E. Gates St. Columbus, OH 43206. On fourth Saturdays of each month, King Avenue assists the Gates Fourth team with greeting guests, distributing clothing/personal care donations, serving meals, assisting in the kitchen, and cleaning up.  If you are interested in volunteering, simply arrive at the church at 8am and enter through the west doors along Fourth St.  The only skills needed for this three-hour commitment is to smile and the desire to bring hospitality to this diverse community. We hope to see you there!

  • 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.

  • 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

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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