King Avenue Digest 3/7/25

March 7, 2025

 

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND QUICKLY-APPROACHING EVENTS* 

  • THIS FRIDAY, March 7: Nerf Wars (College Students & Young Adults) - Kinship Campus Ministry is teaming up with KAYA for their first ever Nerf Wars on Friday, March 7th, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Pizza will be provided. You can bring your own nerf equipment or borrow the King Avenue equipment. Please RSVP by March 6th at the latest with Gwen or Andy. 

  • THIS SUNDAY, March 9: Spring Ahead! Daylight saving time will kick off on Sunday, March 9. Don't forget to change your clocks ahead when you go to bed Saturday night. It's a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors, too. 

  • BEGINNING NEXT WEEK March 11/12 - April 15/16: Foundations of our Faith Tradition Lent Class - King Avenue UMC comes from a particular faith tradition, started by 18th century Anglican priest John Wesley. Our faith tradition has unique insights to offer the world - who God is, who we are, and who we are made to be. At a time when too many people publicly claim to represent a Christianity that doesn't match the Jesus we know, our faith tradition offers a dissenting vision. Join us as we dive into the basics of our inclusive United Methodist faith tradition, using John Wesley's original teachings that first formed the people called Methodists. Class will meet for 6 weeks, starting the week of March 9. Two options - Zoom on Tuesdays at noon; in-person on Wednesdays at 7pm. 
    REGISTER for TUESDAY ZOOM at NOON (March 11 - April 15)
    REGISTER for WEDNESDAY IN-PERSON at 7PM (March 12 - April 16)

  • *NEW* Sunday, March 23: Piedras Negras Mission Team Presentation - King Avenue has been in partnership with Casa de Misericordia, a children's group home in Piedras Negras, Mexico since 2007. We sent a team there in February, and they want to share what the trip was like and what they did. Join us on Sunday, March 23 between worship services (10:00am) in the chapel to hear how this partnership continues to grow and develop the discipleship journey of our people here and in Piedras Negras.

  • *NEW* Wednesday, March 26: Genealogy with Kurt Reichert and Ancestry - Curious about your family tree but unsure how to get started? Join the Retirees Ministry  on Wednesday, March 26 at 11AM for Genealogy with Kurt Reichert and Ancestry. Kurt will walk us through the basics of this program which gives members access to billions of digitized and indexed records. What about DNA testing? Is it required or even helpful? Let’s talk about it. If you have built your own family tree, come and share your experience. If you are new to genealogy research, this program will show you where to begin. Bring your tablet or laptop if you want help getting set up on Ancestry. We’ll meet in the Chapel. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and water provided.

  • *NEW* DUE MARCH 28: Easter Flower Orders - Tulips and Azaleas are displayed on Easter. The cost of a Tulip is $9, and an Azalea is $15. Your donations will be included in the 9am and 11am Easter bulletins on Sunday, April 20. Flowers are available to take home after the 11am service. The deadline to submit your payment and necessary information is Sunday, March 23. Please complete a separate form for each separate flower you order. However, no matter how many flowers you order, you can just make one payment for the full amount in Realm. CLICK HERE FOR FORM/PAYMENT

  • NNEMAP CHALLENGES DUE TO FEDERAL BUDGET CHANGES - While the federal and state budgets are not completed yet, the proposed budgets are cause for alarm. Here are the points Roy Clark, Executive Director of NNEMAP, made last Sunday. All of the changes listed below will significantly impact the low income families across the nation. These are very real concerns, but not the law as of yet.

1. Emergency Food and Shelter Program is the only dollars we receive directly from the federal government. Food pantries and others serving basic needs are included. The meeting to discuss the next phase for 2025 was canceled. I can only assume that they are stopping the funding or are unsure of where it stands.
2. The Governor's proposed budget has a cut for food banks from 32 million to 25 million. Mid-Ohio's share of that would be 1.5 million. They are working to get the funding back. Letters will help.
3. The US Dept. of Agriculture donates millions of pounds of free food to food banks and therefore to pantries. The proposed congressional budget has huge cuts for USDA. This would also affect farmers who get paid for what they sell to the USDA.
4. In addition, the every 5 year Farm Bill is about 3/4 Food Stamps. Again there are significant cuts planned.
5. Medicaid is on the list of cuts. This is insurance for children and low income families.

 

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

  • Elevator Status -  We are still working to get the elevator back into working order. In the meantime, don't forget that there is a ramp off of the south door (off of Neil Ave parking lot) that will get you to Fellowship Hall for 9am Morning Blend service. We also have a chair lift to get you to the 2nd floor/Sanctuary. The Greeter at the west door (off of King Ave parking lot) can guide you.

  • Saturday, March 15: Sandi George Celebration of Life:  Please join us on Saturday, March 15th, to remember and celebrate the life of Sandi Smith George. We will have a time for sharing memories from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, with a service beginning at 11:30 AM in the sanctuary. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed. We hold our church community in our hearts as we mourn this loss. 

  • Tuesday, March 18: Political Realities for the LGBTQ+ Community... Turn Rage into Action - Political realities for the LGBTQ+ community have grown increasingly bleak, both in Ohio and nationally. That makes us feel a lot of feelings, most of them probably in the realms of "worried" and "mad." But we can transform those feelings into action. In fact, our faith calls us to do just that - to stay engaged in the world around us. Rainbow Connections, our LGBTQ+-specific ministry, is hosting an event to help us to do exactly that. ""Political Realities for the LGBTQ+ Community"" will feature speakers on 3 specific pieces of that reality - LGBTQ+ kids in school; the right to same-sex marriage; and DEI initiatives.  Join us to be together with people feeling similar things about our political realities; to learn more about those pieces of that reality; and reflect on how we can take faithful action in the public sphere. Tuesday, March 18, 6:30-8:00pm.

  • Saturday, March 29: King Avenue Children, Youth, and Family RETREAT! Mark your calendars for the CYFM Retreat on March 29 from 9:00-2:00. Our theme for the annual Children, Youth, and Family Ministries Retreat is rest and resilience. Parents, children, and youth deserve rest, support, and fellowship! We will provide childcare for infants (under 4 yrs old) in the nursery. Children will have activities in the large children’s classroom downstairs. Youth will have their own retreat in Donnenwirth. Pizza and salad will be provided at noon for everyone. Don't delay - space is limited to here is a limit of 6 children in the nursery, 15 children in the classroom, and 12 youth in Donnenwirth. The cost is $15 per family. Register one adult per family and complete the registration by March 15th. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • MAD Camp, June 2-6: Keep this on your radar for summer planning…  Let your creative side run wild as you explore music, art, drama, and creative writing at M.A.D. Camp June 2-6, 2025 from 5:30-9:00 pm! This fantastic experience is the first offering of its kind from King Avenue Players and King Avenue UMC. If you are a child currently in Grades K-8, then you are eligible to sign up! The cost per child is $22.50 and it includes dinner each evening at 5:30 pm. There will also be a family dinner on Friday night before our final Showcase and Art Show to celebrate our campers and their talents. Click on this link for more information and to register. REGISTER HERE.

  • OPEN, Our Daily Devotional - Join your King Avenue family in reading through the Gospels and Acts in 2025! Starting in January, we will begin OPEN, a daily devotional that will deliver a bite-sized reading from the Gospels to your email inbox daily. The best part is many of the devotionals will be written by King Avenue members because we believe Jesus has something to say in the Gospels to each of us and through each of us. Our name "OPEN" reflects the King Avenue UMC theme song and positioning statement (Open minds, Open hearts, Open doors). In 2025, we want to OPEN the Gospels together day by day. If you want to join us in this journey, complete this form to sign up.  CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN DAILY DEVOTIONALS

  • Scam Alert! Some of you have gotten emails from Pastor Karen, Pastor Andy, or other King Avenue staff asking for money, espcially in gift cards. The scammers have done a good job making the emails look pretty official. Please know that you won't ever get a request from the pastors or staff asking for money in this way, especially in the form of gift cards.

  • NNEMAP Item of the Month for March - This month NNEMAP is asking for cleaning & first aid supplies such as laundry pods, bar soap, Band-Aids, individual antiboiotic ointment packets. There are collection carts available in the back of the worship space, both at Morning Blend and Traditional 11:00 Worship.

 

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 Tuesday mornings & Wednesday evenings: Sermon Starters - Sermon Starters is a weekly small-group discussion of the upcoming Sunday's scripture lessons facilitated by Pastor Karen and Pastor Andy. 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 Tuesdays at 7am in the Parlor, and Wednesdays at 6pm in the Chapel.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Open Shelter Lunch Packing - King Avenue packs lunches for the Open Shelter on several Tuesdays and Thursdays... 24 times in 2025. All hands on deck for packing 200-400 lunches at a time! CLICK HERE  for the 2025 schedule, and join when you're able. All days/dates are 6:00pm in the King Avenue kitchen. Many hands make light work!

  • Fourth and Fifth Saturdays: Gates Fourth UMC Community Breakfast - Calling all cooks, servers, and hostesses! Gates Fourth UMC serves a monthly community breakfast at 119 E. Gates St. King Avenue assists the Gates Fourth team with greeting guests, distributing clothing/personal care donations, serving meals, assisting in the kitchen, and cleaning up. For more information on getting involved, please contact Shawn Compton at comptonlaw@msn.com or (614)378-6758 or simply show up to Gates Fourth on the fourth and/or fifth Saturday of each month to enjoy a meal with your neighbors. The dress code for this food service environment is casual but please wear closed toes shoes for safety. The only skills needed for this three-hour commitment are to smile and bring hospitality to this diverse community. We hope to see you there! Gates Fourth United Methodist Church, 119 E. Gates St., Columbus, OH 43206 from 8:00-11:00am.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • Hubbard Tutoring in Underway! 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. Our tutoring takes place during the school day, usually once/week for a couple of hours. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org.

  • Letters to the Casa - Our relationship with Casa de Misericordia doesn't end with one trip per year, but continues throughout the year with our prayers, our donations, and now with letters. We want to send letters to the Casa to let them know that we love them and we're praying for them throughout the year, even when our teams aren't there. You can help us out by writing a letter! We have people to translate if you don't know Spanish. Just give them to Pastor Andy leave them in the box on the welcome desk, or email them to Andy at andy@kingave.org and we'll send them to the Casa.

  • UMCOR Disaster Relief - UMCOR is the global humanitarian organization of the United Methodist Church that provides aid to people affected by crises and disasters around the world. You can contribute to UMCOR through Realm. CLICK HERE TO GIVE.

  • 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 2025, 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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