Starfish Project Table of Contents
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The Starfish Story
The Starfish Story
One day an old man was walking along the beach in the early morning and noticed the tide had washed thousands of starfish up onto the shore. Ahead, he spotted a boy gathering up the starfish, then one by one tossing them back into the ocean. He approached the boy and asked why he spent so much energy doing what seemed to be a waste of time. The boy replied, “The starfish cannot live if they are left out in the sun.”
Then the old man gazed out as far as he could see and responded, “But there must be thousands of miles of beaches and countless starfish. You can’t possibly rescue all of them. What difference is throwing back a few going to make anyway?” The boy bent down picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled, and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
Why Join the Starfish Project? What is it?
Why Join the Starfish Project? What is it?
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.
CURRENT STARFISH PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday, March 22: Poster Making for No Kings
Sunday, March 22: Poster Making for No Kings
Our first opportunity for an in-person gathering will be Sunday, March 22 between services at 10:00, or after worship at 12:00 in the Chapel. We will be supporting one another while we make posters for the next "No Kings 3.0" protest. Poster-making supplies will be provided, but you're welcome to bring items of your own as well. Start brainstorming ideas for your poster!
Since there will be expertise in the group, those of you who need in-person support in setting up and navigating the 5 Calls app, and making your first call can get help on the 22nd as well!
Saturday, March 28: No Kings Protest
Saturday, March 28: No Kings Protest
Protest Specifics:
We’d love to have a strong showing at the No Kings Protest on Saturday, March 28 from 4:00-5:30pm! To help us coordinate, please reach out if you plan on attending.
We are arranging carpools leaving from the King Avenue Parking lot (the Neil Avenue side near the awning). Drivers will depart by 3:30 PM, so if you need a lift, please arrive by 3:15 so we can organize cars and ensure we don’t leave anyone behind. For those driving separately, we’ll see you at the Statehouse at 4:00 PM.
We’re asking everyone to pick a "Rally Buddy." Whether you’re carpooling or meeting us there, you need to pick a buddy, or we can pair you up with a buddy. For your safety, please stay with your buddy 100% of the time, including during the commute and the rally itself.
RSVP HERE (regardless of whether you're meeting at church to carpool) This will let us know who is there, whether or not you're carpooling, who your Rally Buddy is, and contact information.
VIEW MAP (group protest location and rally point) The map will give you the general Protest Location of the King Avenue folks. Look for a tiny Pride flag atop a yard stick. Hopefully this will allow you to find the group! We'll take turns waving it so folks can find us. At the conclusion of the rally (5:30pm) or if the situation becomes unsafe, we'll meet at the Rally Point to walk back to our cars.
CLICK HERE for a protest resource guide.
Identify a check-in friend who is NOT at the rally. Text them your location when you arrive, and let them know when you leaving.
Saturday, April 11: Carry the Hope... A Day for Justice-minded Folks
Saturday, April 11: Carry the Hope... A Day for Justice-minded Folks
Many who care deeply about justice, community, and the well-being of our neighbors are feeling isolated or overwhelmed. Carry the Hope is a one-day gathering designed to create space for renewal, connection, and solidarity among justice-minded people across Ohio. Through music, shared stories, conversation, and grounding practices, we will take time to breathe, listen, and reconnect with one another. Featuring music and facilitation by Luke Wallace, the day will include communal singing, table conversations, and regional connection designed to strengthen relationships and remind us that we are not alone in this work. This gathering is an invitation to step away from urgency for a moment, reconnect with hope, and begin building a relational network of people committed to justice, care, and community in the days ahead.
Carry the Hope... A Day for Justice-minded Folks
When: April 11 from 9:30 - 3:00
Where: West Ohio Conference UMC, 32 Wesley Boulevard, Worthington, OH
Cost: $10 per person and the fee includes lunch. You will receive a confirmation e-mail after the registration fee is paid. The last day to register is April 8.
Ongoing: Grocery Help for our Immigrant Families
Ongoing: Grocery Help for our 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. For a downloadable grocery list, CLICK HERE. Look for the bin marked Our Helpers.
Learn more at ourhelpers.org.
Setting Up and Making Calls with the 5 Calls App
Setting Up and Making Calls with the 5 Calls App
The 5 Calls app...
Connects you with your Senators and your Representative, all in one place
Provides you with a list of current issues with background information
Provides a brief script to use when making a call
Includes a Tap to Call
Logs the actions of those using the app
Phone calls to your Senators, Representative, and Governor are the MOST AFFECTIVE WAY to communicate with your elected officials and tally your opinion with others. Download the 5 Calls app!
Learn more at 5calls.org
Important to note...
Phone calls are the most effective way to make your voice heard. Emails, postcards, letters, and faxes have to be read and organized before they are tallied by staffers.
Be sure to leave your name, street address, and zip code when you call your representatives. If you aren't a constituent, your concerns are not tallied.
Stick to 1-2 issues on your phone call. Remember that a staffer is wading through all the messages that constituents have left. If you have more to share, make another call with those additional issues.
Be brief. You don't have to convince the staffers listening to the message to agree with you. You just want your opinion to be tallied.
Be prepared for an actual person to answer the phone! It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes your call will be picked up.
If you have anxiety about talking with an actual person, call after hours!
If the Senators'/Representative's mailbox is full, you can try to call their Ohio office. The default phone number is their DC office number.
Depending on the issue, you may be prompted to call the Governor or a State representative.
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