Announcements

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND QUICKLY-APPROACHING EVENTS* 

• THIS FRIDAY, June 28: Second Chance Prom - Did you miss out on prom? Maybe your school thought boys shouldn't go with boys and girls shouldn't go with girls. Maybe the clothing you were expected to wear didn't match your identity. Maybe you just thought you wouldn't be accepted as your full self.  We want to give you a second chance. Rainbow Connections is throwing a Second Chance Prom, for everyone who missed out on prom and for anyone who just wants to dance, have fun, and be in safe community. We'll have a DJ, dance floor, photo booth, snacks, the works. So put on your fancy duds and your dancing shoes and join us on June 28, 7-9pm at the church. A $10 donation is suggested but not required.

• THIS SUNDAY, June 30: Casa de Misericordia Info Session - If you are interested in going on the Mission Trip on February 13-17 and/or just want to learn more about Casa de Misericordia and King Avenue UMC's relationship with them, this info session is for you! 10-11am in the Chapel.

• THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 30: Summer Choir - I hope many of you will plan to sing with the Summer Choir.  This summer, we will be singing the last Sunday of each month... June 30 (THIS SUNDAY), July 28, and August 25. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite someone to join you.  Many of our members got their start in the choir by 'dipping their toe in the water' during the Summer. We will meet in the choir room at 10:15 AM to rehearse a simple or familiar anthem for that day's service. 

• REGISTER BY JULY 1 for VBS! Vacation Bible School (VBS) is back! It is time to have fun and learn about God. Please join us July 9th-13th in the Fellowship Hall. Tuesday-Friday will be 5:30pm-8:00pm and food will be provided. Saturday will be 10am-12pm. VBS is for 4 yrs through 5th grade. Youth in 6th to 12th grades may volunteer as leaders/helpers. Adults may participate in the Adult VBS option (contact Pastor Andy to register). Friends are welcome, but please make sure you register them through Realm. If you have any questions, text Ada at 614-313-8200. Each participant will receive dinner and an awesome t-shirt! Deadline to register is July 1st. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR VBS

• *NEW* Thursday, July 18: Retirees Civil War Music, Salads, & Sweets - Join the Retiree Ministry for musical entertainment and lunch in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, July 18 at 11:30AM-1:30PM. Steve and Lisa Ball will perform Civil War Era music. Vintage instruments and attire along with the backstory of each song and events of the day will transport you back in time. You may even get to sing along. Following the music, join us for a potluck of summer salads and desserts. Learn more about Steve and Lisa Ball at “steveballcivilwarmusic.com” We invite families with school age children to join the retirees for music, fellowship and food. 

• *NEW* Saturday, July 13: NNEMAP's Taste of German Village and the Brewery District - Get ready to tantalize your taste buds at NNEMAP's Taste event on Saturday, July 13th, from 1-4 pm. Presented and held on the grounds of Grange Insurance at the corner of S. High and Frankfort Ave, this event is one you want to attend. With ticket prices starting at $75, you get one drink ticket included. But, if you're a "Fans of NNEMAP" ticket holder for $150, you'll receive a commemorative t-shirt and two drink tickets. And for couples who want to take advantage of the $150 ticket, you can purchase four tickets for $500, saving $100! Purchase tickets now on our website at www.nnemappantry.org by clicking on donate to purchase using Paypal. You can also buy tickets at the door with a credit card, check, or cash. CLICK TO LEARN MORE

• *NEW* Thursday, July 18: Retirees Civil War Music, Salads, & Sweets - Join the Retiree Ministry for musical entertainment and lunch in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, July 18 at 11:30AM-1:30PM. Steve and Lisa Ball will perform Civil War Era music. Vintage instruments and attire along with the backstory of each song and events of the day will transport you back in time. You may even get to sing along. Following the music, join us for a potluck of summer salads and desserts. Learn more about Steve and Lisa Ball at steveballcivilwarmusic.com. We invite families with school age children to join the retirees for music, fellowship and food. 

• *NEW* CYFM Staff & Volunteer Training Retreat - This training retreat is for the staff and volunteers of King Avenue's Children, Youth, and Family Ministries for the school year of 2024 to 2025. We will complete Safe Sanctuary training and discuss topics such as: Inclusion of Neurodiversity & Disability, Inclusion of Gender Equity & Diversity, Childhood Development, Suicide Prevention, and CYFM Values and Philosophy. Contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com with any questions or if you'd like to volunteer. Attend ONE of the following Saturday (9:00-4:30) trainings: Saturday, July 20 or Saturday, August 24.

• *NEW* Fri/Sat, July 26/27: CORE Youth Group Overnight - Youth in grades 6th through 12th are invited to join Gwen and Ada for a night of fun, fellowship, and faith. Drop off your kids at 6 pm on July 26th and pick them back up at 10 am on July 27th. Please RSVP by July 19th so we can plan for food and all of the activities. Friends are welcome, but please register for the event with Ada (aswainwilcox@gmail.com) and Gwen (gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com).

• *NEW* Sunday, August 4 - District-Wide Youth Summer Gathering – The District Youth Summer Gathering will be held at Stonybrook UMC in Gahanna on August 4 from 4:00-6:00pm. All students in 6th-12th grade are invited to join us for worship, games, and food. Contact Gwen to RSVP by July 19th at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com .

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

• Save the Date: Mexico Trip 2025 - We will be sending our next team to Casa de Misericordia on Feb. 13-17, 2025. Casa de Misericordia is a loving, safe, God-centered home for abused, neglected, and homeless children in Piedras Negras, Mexico. King Avenue has connected with the Casa for almost 20 years, and we're excited to continue the relationship with the next team. The trip will cost $1,000 per participant. Don't let sticker shock stop you from going though - we can help you with the funds. If you are at all interested, contact Pastor Andy (andy@kingave.org) or Gwen DeRosa (gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com). 

• Saturday, July 6: 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, July 6, 9am-12pm, then we'll welcome you into membership in worship the next day on July 7. If you're interested and/or have any questions, contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

• NNEMAP Item of the Month for June/July - 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. Please donate cereal and toothpaste for the month of June, and toilet paper for the month of July.

FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND SUPPORT

• 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.

• 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.