The King Avenue Digest
Community. Ministry. Connection.
Embedded Files
HOT OFF THE PRESS –
*NEW* UMCOR Disaster Relief for Nepal - King Avenue is collecting donations to support UMCOR’s disaster response in Nepal. Your gift helps our United Methodist connection stand alongside people facing unimaginable loss—offering practical help, hope and a reminder that they are not alone. Devastating flash floods and landslides have destroyed homes, roads, farmland and livelihoods across communities along the Nepal-Tibet border, leaving many families without food, clean water or shelter. Through UMCOR, emergency funds are already reaching trusted partners in Nepal who are providing essential supplies, clean water and temporary shelter, with local volunteers carrying aid into remote communities where roads have been washed away. Please consider making a gift and joining us in prayer for the people of Nepal. Every gift is an expression of our commitment to love our neighbors near and far. CLICK HERE TO GIVE
*NEW* September - November: NNEMAP Item of the Month - Each month, King Avenue collects Items of the Month for NNEMAP Food Pantry to help meet the needs of neighbors experiencing food insecurity throughout Central Ohio. For September - November, we are collecting holiday sides (boxed mashed potatoes and dressing, cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin, etc). These everyday essentials are always in high demand and make a meaningful difference for individuals and families served by NNEMAP. Donations may be placed in the grocery cart at church throughout the month. Thank you for helping us extend Christ's love through practical acts of care and compassion.
*NEW Sunday, September 27: 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. Contact Rhonda Luetje (rhonda@kingave.org) if you'd like to be added to the communication app. Download the Book Club by Book Movement App on the Apple Store. (Book Club by Book Movement is unavailable Google Play Store.) Here are the Lit Club Books coming up: September 27, What We Can Know by Ian McEwan; October 25, Kin by Tayari Jones; November 29, The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett.
*NEW* Are you Signed up for OPEN? As a new season begins, consider opening your day to something meaningful. OPEN is King Avenue’s daily devotional, delivering a bite-sized Bible reading and reflection straight to your inbox each weekday. Many of these reflections are written by King Avenue members sharing the ways they encounter Jesus through Scripture, and invites us to listen, reflect, and grow together. It’s a simple way to live into who we are—Open minds. Open hearts. Open doors. Join us as we OPEN the Gospels together, one day at a time. Sign up today and make OPEN part of your daily rhythm. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
*NEW* Tuesday, September 15: Starfish Project Civic Action Night - Whether you're in the Starfish Project group or not, all are welcome on Tuesday, September 15 from 5:30-6:30 in the Parlor for an evening of action. Being the “hands and feet of Christ” in a complicated world can feel daunting. Starfish Civic Action Night is a chance to move from concern to action—together. As Congress returns to session and the midterm elections approach, we’ll explore some simple ways we can make our voices heard and make a difference. We’ll get vote-ready, talk about voting questions and rights, learn how to use the Five Calls app to stay up on the latest issues and/or contact our elected representatives, and explore ways to choose one issue we care about and take meaningful action. Then we’ll each choose one small thing we can do this week—make a call, write postcards, donate food to My Helpers, learn more about an issue, or share what we’ve learned with others. No expertise required. No particular level of activism expected. Just come ready to learn, connect, and pick up one starfish. One voice. One action. One starfish.
*NEW* Wednesday, September 16: Art with Angela Finney - Hey Retirees! If you want to participate in a creative project, September’s event might be just what you’re looking for. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall on Wed., Sept. 16th from 11:00-1:30 for Art with Angela Finney who will help us create a spiritual keepsake. She is asking that we bring a photo on our phone or as a print of someone we consider to be angelic and, because we will be working with paints, she recommends that we bring a large shirt or apron to go over our clothes as protection. Bill Meadows will be placing tarps under the tables to protect the floors. Angela will provide the art supplies, so it is vitally important that we register on Realm for Angela to know many will be participating. Please plan on bringing your lunch and we will have fellowship time together before we complete our project. If you have any questions, please contact Terry Hicks (614) 395-1582 or Jennifer Tower (614) 214-7505. We look forward to seeing you and creating together in the life of our church family. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON REALM.
THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS WITH KING AVENUE –
Sunday, September 6: First Sunday Worship - On the first Sunday of each month, we celebrate Holy Communion during worship. As you come forward, you will receive a piece of gluten-free bread and a small cup of grape juice. Whether this is your first time in church or you've received Communion for years, you are invited to participate. If you prefer not to receive Communion, that is completely okay. If you are worshipping from home, we invite you to have a piece of bread and some juice or wine ready so that you can fully participate when Communion is shared. On the first Sunday of each month, we also provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters during worship. *Please note that there's No Worship Connections on the First Sundays of the month (Communion Sunday) so you can attend worship as a family. Also, children up through 5th grade & parents/caregivers are invited to Family Godly Play (lower level) during the 10:00 Sunday School Hour.
Beginning Thursday, September 10: Now is the time to sing! Our choir is welcoming singers of all backgrounds and experience levels! Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or simply love to sing, you’re invited to be part of our joyful, inclusive community that believes music can build connections and help create a more welcoming world. We sing a diverse repertoire—from traditional sacred music to gospel, contemporary, folk, and justice-centered songs. There’s a place for everyone. No audition or previous choir experience is necessary. Our rehearsals start on Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 PM. Come sing with us, make new friends, and help fill our worship service with music that celebrates hope, community, and love. All are welcome! For more information, contact Chris McManus, Minister of Music, at cmcmanus711@gmail.com.
25th Anniversary of September 11: A Time of Prayer and Remembrance - On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we invite our community to pause, remember, and pray. As we honor the lives lost, those who responded with extraordinary courage, and all whose lives were forever changed by that day, our church and sanctuary will be open from 8:30–10:30AM as a sacred space for reflection. Pastors will be available for prayer, and guided prayers will be offered throughout the morning. You are invited to pray in silence, meditate, light a candle in remembrance or hope, or walk the labyrinth as a symbol of prayer and peace. Our carillon bells will toll throughout the morning at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37, and 10:03 marking the moments when each of the four hijacked planes crashed. These solemn tolls invite us to pause together in remembrance, honoring the victims, first responders, and all who continue to bear the lasting impact of September 11. Whether you stay for a few moments or the entire morning, all are welcome to join us as we remember, pray, and seek God's peace for our world.
Thursdays, 9/10 - 12/3: Queer As Bible... Examining the Bible and Christianity Through a Queer Lens (at OSU) - College students are invited to join faith leaders and seekers for an interactive discussion in the Ohio Union, Sphinx Centennial Leadership Suite. Our meetings will be Thursdays, September 10 - December 3 from 7 - 8:30pm. We’ll be discussing intersectional topics of chosen family and queer love by exploring ancient stories and scripture in expansive ways. Email Sammi at sammi@jacobsporch.com or Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com with any questions.
SIGN UP NOW, Tuesdays, 9/15 - 11/3: Love Alike Adult Faith Formation - Love Alike is an 8-week small group with Pastor Heather exploring what it means to love one another—not because we are all the same, but because we are called to live in solidarity with one another. Using a three-part resource grounded in Wesleyan theology and real-life stories, we’ll explore faith, identity, justice, inclusion, belonging, and what it means to love like Jesus. Each week offers space to listen, learn, reflect, ask questions, share stories, and grow together in faith. The group meets Tuesdays, September 15–November 3, with two options: In Person, 12:00–1:00 p.m. in Logos Lounge, or Online via Zoom, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Whether these conversations are new to you or something you’ve been exploring for years, you are welcome. Click the Realm Registration event below to learn more and register, or choose your preferred option: [Register for 12:00-1:00 pm In Person] [Register for 7:00-8:00 pm Online via Zoom].
CONTINUE READING FOR MORE NEWS IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH –
Saturday, September 12: Habitat for Humanity Wall Build Service Project (Offsite) - Each year, Jerome Church partners with Habitat for Humanity to host a Wall Build, where volunteers work together to frame the walls of future homes in the church parking lot. This year, they will be building two houses in a single day. This is a great opportunity for individuals and families to serve together. No construction experience is necessary, and participants ages 5 and older are welcome. CLICK HERE for more information, registration, and answers to frequently asked questions. There is a registration fee that covers lunch and project supplies.
Sunday, September 13: All-Church Fall Kickoff - Join us after the 11:00 a.m. service in the Fellowship Hall for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship! Enjoy a kid-friendly lunch of hot dogs, mac & cheese, baked beans, and green beans, plus an ALL-STAR DESSERT POTLUCK (please bring a yummy dessert to share—no nuts, please!). After lunch, everyone young and young at heart can enjoy inflatables, crafts, games, and bubbles in the south parking lot. Come celebrate the start of fall together and learn about upcoming events and faith formation opportunities for all ages. Please note: The south parking lot will be unavailable for both worship services due to inflatable setup.
Sunday, September 20: Trans Rally at the Statehouse - Join us for the Trans Rally: “Not Your Scapegoat” as we stand in solidarity with our transgender siblings and affirm that every person is a beloved child of God. We’ll meet at the church at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, then carpool together to the Statehouse. Bring a sign in support of our trans siblings, or simply come and make your presence and voice heard. Your support matters! Questions? Contact Pastor Heather at heather@kingave.org.
August/September: NNEMAP & Kroger Fight Hunger Bag Program - This August and September, you can help fight hunger in our community with one simple purchase. The Kroger at 1350 N. High Street has selected NNEMAP Food Pantry as the beneficiary of its Fight Hunger Bag Program, so every time you purchase a Fight Hunger Bag for $2.50, $1 is donated directly to NNEMAP to help provide food and support for local families experiencing food insecurity. It's an easy way to make a meaningful difference while doing your regular grocery shopping, and every bag purchased helps strengthen our community. If you're shopping at the High Street Kroger this August or September, look for the Fight Hunger Bags and consider adding one to your cart. Together, we can fight hunger, fuel hope, and support our neighbors.
FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, & SUPPORT –
OPEN, Our Daily Devotional - Our OPEN Project, ongoing since January 2025, is a daily devotional that delivers a bite-sized reading from the Bible to your email inbox daily. The best part is many of the devotionals are written by King Avenue members because we believe Jesus has something to say 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). Our goal with this program is 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
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 on Second Mondays of the Month: Rebels and Reconnection - This drop-in peer support group (for over 18 yrs old) is a safe, authentic environment where we process the trauma of purity culture, connect with our own amazing bodies, and formulate our own sexual ethics. We will dive into a variety of themes, including: faith and gender, purity culture history, and sex education. We’ll meet on the 2nd Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 pm at King Avenue UMC. Contact Gwen with any questions: gwen@kingave.org.
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 Wednesdays: Young Adults Small Group - King Ave Young Adults will gather weekly to be with each other, check in with each other and share how their walk with Jesus is going. Wednesdays at 7:00pm here at the church. If you're 18-35 years old, you're welcome to join us.
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 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 the First Sundays of the Month: Kinship Campus Lunch - All college students (undergrad and graduate) and young adults are invited to our free monthly lunch on the first Sunday of every month at 12:30 pm in Donnenwirth (2nd floor, behind the balcony). Bring friends! Contact Gwen with any questions or dietary restrictions at gwen@kingave.org. Please RSVP so Gwen can bring enough food.
Recurring on 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. You can also contact Rhonda Luetje (rhonda@kingave.org) to find out what the month's book is or if you'd like to be added to the communication group in Realm. CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT BOOK LIST
OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP –
NNEMAP Item of the Month - Each month, the NNEMAP Food Pantry requests churches to donated an "Item of the Month" to help our hungry neighbors. The designated item will be announced at church, found in our announcement sheet, and shared in the weekly King Avenue Digest.
Volunteers Needed - Our King Avenue Meals on Wheels team is seeking new volunteers to help deliver meals through the Lifecare Alliance program. With the upcoming departures of several longtime volunteers, we are looking for individuals who can commit to delivering meals one Saturday morning each month. This is a meaningful way to support neighbors in our community while making a direct impact in the lives of those who rely on this service. If you are interested in learning more or would like to volunteer, please contact Jill Geiger at jillgeig@gmail.com. Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve!
Sign up now: King Avenue Creation Care Task Force - We're forming a Creation Care Task Force to help our church become a more faithful steward of the environment. One of the goals of the West Ohio Annual Conference is for all church properties to become carbon-neutral by 2050. While this is an ambitious goal, it's also an exciting opportunity to imagine how our congregation can care for creation in meaningful and practical ways. If environmental stewardship is a passion of yours—or if you're simply interested in being part of the conversation—we'd love to have you join us. To learn more or get involved, contact karen@kingave.org. Learn more at westohioumc.org/creation-care.
Grocery Help for Immigrant Families - Our Helpers is a women-led nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of immigrant and refugee families in Central Ohio. They especially serve families who have already been impacted by losing a family member in immigration action. Many folks are afraid to leave their homes or register their names. Our Helpers is filling that gap. To support this valuable organization, we will be collecting grocery items for local immigrants. You can drop off any of these items at church on Sundays or anytime the church office is open. Look for the bin marked Our Helpers. Learn more at ourhelpers.org. For a downloadable grocery list, CLICK HERE.
Calling All Activists! The Starfish Project - Being the ""hands and feet of Christ"" in a complicated world can feel daunting. The Starfish Project is a space for those called to action but seeking direction. Together, we’ll explore how our small acts—like the boy on the beach with the starfish—can make a collective difference. Join the Starfish Project. When you join our Realm Group, you’re joining a community of support. There is no ""required"" level of activity—participate as much or as little as you feel led. As a member, you’ll have access to; Learning Opportunities: Workshops on protest safety, advocacy tools, and critical thinking in the digital age; Community Presence: Never go to a protest alone. We meet, carpool, and look out for one another; Tangible Work: Join us for ""low-stakes, high-impact"" sessions like poster making, postcard writing, or care package assembly; Civic Engagement: As midterms approach, we’ll share ways to support candidates who honor both the Gospel and the democratic process. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
Open Shelter Lunch Packing - King Avenue packs lunches for the Open Shelter on several Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. All hands on deck for packing 200-400 lunches at a time! Check the schedule, and join when you're able. All days/dates are 6:00pm in the King Avenue kitchen. Many hands make light work! For the 2026, CLICK HERE.
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.
Little Free Pantry - Helping Our Neighbors - Knowing that many in our community are facing difficult times, King Avenue is excited to introduce our very own ""Little Free Pantry."" Our goal is simple: to offer immediate, on-the-fly assistance to both our church family and neighbors in need. You can find the pantry on the lower level in the Children’s Hallway (outside the large children’s classroom). We invite everyone to be a part of this vital community service! When you notice items have run out, please help restock the pantry. This is a hands-on project for all families and kids of all ages. Kindly stock the pantry directly—do not drop off donations with Gwen.
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 contact Pastor Karen at karen@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 Michael Billups at av@kingave.org.
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. CLICK TO ENROLL
ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF NOTE –
"Safe, Secure. Together." Radical hospitality at King Avenue includes ensuring that people within our walls are safe. The objectives of Safe. Secure. Together. are to establish, communicate, and practice emergency procedures related to active aggressor, severe weather, fire, bomb threat, and other critical incidents. If you would like to learn more about the specific initiatives included in this program, access resources, or find out how to get involved, visit our "Safe. Secure. Together." webpage at kingave.org.
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 2026, 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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