The King Avenue Digest
Community. Ministry. Connection.
Embedded Files
HOT OFF THE PRESS –
*NEW* Sunday, October 4: World Communion Sunday Special Offering - World Communion sunday is one of six churchwide Sunday offerings designated to support ministries and causes important to the entire United Methodist Church. If you would like to give to this special offering, you can do so in Realm. Simply designate World Communion Sunday in the fund pull-down menu. There will also be offering envelopes available during worship if you prefer to give cash/check. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
*NEW* Wednesday, October 14: Retirees to Blacklick Canopy Walk - Fall is here Retirees and we are headed to Blacklick Metro Park on October 14th to have a picnic and walk the Canopy. The park is located outside Reynoldsburg with the entrance of the park on E. Livingston Ave. We will meet at the church at 10:30 and carpool to the east side of Columbus. The Canopy is at the end of the park where there is a small, but interesting Nature Center. There are also small trails to wander through, and all trails are ADA compliant, including the Canopy Walk. We will gather at Meadows Picnic Area around noon and have lunch together so plan to bring your lunch. If you have any questions, please call Jennifer Tower (614) 215-7505) or Terry Hicks (614) 395-1582. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
*NEW* Sunday, October 18: Getting to Church on Marathon Sunday - There are lots of rolling road closures on Marathon Sunday, but don't you fret! No matter where you're coming from, the easiest way to get to King Avenue UMC is to get yourself to SR 315. If you're coming from the south, take SR 315 North and exit at Medical Center Drive/King Avenue, then follow King Avenue west to the church. If you're coming from the north, take SR 315 South and exit at King Avenue/Kinnear Road, then follow Kinnear Road to Olentangy River Road and continue to King Avenue. Allow a little extra time, especially for the 11:00 a.m. service, as traffic on King Avenue may be heavier than usual and crossing Neil Avenue may take some extra patience while runners and walkers are passing. Too confusing? Stay in your jammies and worship with us via the livestream. CLICK HERE FOR THE WORSHIP SITE
*NEW* Sunday, October 25: 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: October 25, Kin by Tayari Jones; November 29, The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett; December 27, 2026: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth; January 31, 2027: Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian.
THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS WITH KING AVENUE –
Sunday, October 4: 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.
Starting Sunday, October 4: Beginning Handbell Class - Ring In Something New: Beginner's Bell Choir! - Have you ever wondered what it's like to ring handbells? Come find out! Enjoy listening to our Bell Choir at the 11 AM service on Sunday, September 27, then stop down front after worship to meet the group, ask questions, and hold a bell for yourself. Are you ready for more? Join us for a 6-week beginner's class, Sundays from October 4 to November 8, from 12:00-12:45 in the Bell Choir room. You'll learn proper ringing techniques and experience the joy of making music together. No experience is required--and you don't even need to read music! This class is open to anyone grade 9 and above. Contact Chris McManus, Minister of Music at cmcmanus711@gmail.com to sign up or learn more.
Sunday, October 4: Blessing of the Animals Service - God cares about every part of our lives, and for many of us, our pets are an incredibly important part of life. So let’s gather together and bless them! Join us on the King Avenue Tower Lawn on Sunday, October 4 at 5:00 p.m. All leashed or contained pets are welcome! If your pet can’t be with us—or has passed away—we can bless a photo of them, too. Bring a chair or blanket, and, if you’re able, a pet food donation for NNEMAP Food Pantry. We’ll have ice cream for the people, and treat bags for pets.
Thursday, October 8: Light the Night for Blood Cancer - The Bradley-Krauss family is inviting the King Avenue community to join them for Light the Night on October 8 at the Lawn of Chemical Abstracts, as they come together to support patients and families affected by blood cancer. This event holds special meaning for the family. Chris Bradley, a longtime member of the King Avenue community and beloved father, was part of the church for decades, and the church has meant so much to Chris and his family over the years. The family will be walking together in his honor and would love to have friends from the King Avenue community join them. Whether you choose to walk alongside the family, join their team, fundraise, or simply make a donation, every bit of support helps bring hope to patients and families facing blood cancer. Learn more about Light the Night, join the Bradley family’s team, or make a donation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
CONTINUE READING FOR MORE NEWS IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH –
Sunday, October 11: All Church Interfaith Discussion & Community Service Project - All ages are invited to join us from 2:00-4:00 for an afternoon of education, fellowship, and action. We’ll learn about the faith traditions of our neighbors and how to help the most vulnerable in our community. No need to RSVP. Donations are welcome to offset costs for community service project. Contact Gwen with any questions.
Friday, October 16: Spirit of the '60s Coffeehouse Celebrates 40 Years - Travel back to the 1960s at the annual Spirit of the ’60s Coffeehouse on Friday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. at King Avenue Methodist Church. Led by Bill Cohen and friends, this candlelit evening blends live folk music, memorable moments from the decade, audience trivia, vintage displays, and special guest performers. A suggested $20 donation at the door will benefit the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. The program is recommended for adults and mature teens. Arrive early for the best seating. For more information, contact Bill Cohen at (614) 263-3851 or BillCohen@columbus.rr.com.
Saturday, October 17: No Kings: Vote Early Rally - King Avenue will meet at the church at 3:45 PM to carpool to the Ohio Statehouse. Or grab a buddy and meet us there! (CLICK HERE FOR OUR RALLY LOCATION). Join people from across Columbus on Saturday, October 17, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. for a peaceful, nonpartisan rally encouraging early voting ahead of the election. The event will include rally speakers followed by a group march through downtown. Bring a sign sharing why you vote, and join us in committing to peaceful, nonviolent action; organizers ask that weapons of any kind be left at home. Come be part of our community as we lift up the importance of participation in our democracy—and the power of every vote.
October - Student Art Work Collection - Kurt Reichert will be collecting student artwork the first two Sundays of October for the student exhibition that will be during November and December. All work should be flat with the student's name and age on the back. Please also include the parent's name and phone number.
September through 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.
Underway: 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.
Underway: 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].
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
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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