THE VIOLET CONNECTION 1 September, 2026 / Vol. 032
H.O.P.E. IS READY FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR!
Feeding kids. Building relationships. Serving our community. Last school year, the H.O.P.E. Ministry provided 6,154 weekend food bags to students throughout Pickerington Local School District. By the end of the year, more than 200 students were receiving a bag every Friday —helping ensure they had food available over the weekend and could return to school on Monday ready to learn.
Throughout the school year, we’ll continue highlighting specific items that are especially difficult for us to source through Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Watch for our monthly H.O.P.E. food collection and help us keep the shelves stocked. Every box of oatmeal, can of soup, jar of peanut butter and protein bar adds up! FEED A CHILD During the 2025–26 school year, the average H.O.P.E. bag cost $3.69 .
And now we’re getting ready to do it again!
H.O.P.E. will begin packing and delivering bags on 9/11 after students return for the 2026–27 school year , and there are several ways our Violet family can be part of this ministry. PACK & DELIVER Our H.O.P.E. team meets Friday mornings at 8:30 during the school year in the activity center to assemble the week’s bags and deliver them directly to our local schools. Whether you can serve regularly or occasionally, we’d love to have you join us. It’s a fun, hands-on way to serve our community alongside a wonderful group of volunteers. FILL OUR SHELVES More than 200 bags every week requires a lot of food!
That means a recurring gift of just:
$15/month — provides weekend food for 1 child each month $30/month — provides weekend food for 2 children each month $60/month — provides weekend food for 4 children each month $100/month — provides weekend food for approximately 6–7 children each month Recurring gifts can be designated directly to the H.O.P.E. Ministry Fund. Your regular giving to Violet’s General Fund supports the people, facilities and ministries that make outreach like H.O.P.E. possible. Gifts designated to H.O.P.E. provide the food that goes directly into these bags. Both matter.
WHY IT MATTERS
At the end of last school year, one of our school counselors shared: “Our families are very appreciative and many of the students look forward to getting their bags on Fridays.”
Another told us:
“ Your kindness goes a long way toward helping them thrive and have success in school.” What began in 2012 with 24 students in two schools has grown through years of relationships, consistency and trust. Today H.O.P.E. serves students throughout the Pickerington Local School District—and more than 42,000 bags have been provided over the last decade. Thank you to everyone who packs, delivers, donates food, gives financially and prays for this ministry. Let’s fill the shelves, pack the bags and keep showing up for our kids. Want to get involved? Contact the H.O.P.E. team at HOPEPacks@yahoo.com.
Disaster Relief: Bringing Help, Hope, and Healing Throughout the month of August, Violet’s Disaster Relief volunteers have been working diligently to respond to the needs created by storms across Ohio. Disaster Relief is a ministry that allows us to serve our church family, neighbors, and friends when they experience difficult situations, while also giving us opportunities to go beyond our own community and help those in other areas who have been affected by disaster. Whether the need is close to home or miles away, Disaster Relief volunteers bring practical assistance and the hope and compassion of Christ to people during some of their most difficult days. Ohio Disaster Relief describes its mission as bringing Help, Hope, and Healing to those affected by disaster. Would you like to get involved? You don't have to be able to devote an entire week to make a difference. Some projects may only require a few hours or a couple of days, and every volunteer can help meet a need. An upcoming Ohio Disaster Relief training will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Logan . Training is available for those who would like to learn more and become involved in this important ministry. When disaster strikes, every helping hand matters. Consider becoming part of a ministry that brings practical help and the love of Christ to people when they need it most.
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33b
It was a great Men’s Retreat this year as we gathered together to study Scripture and enjoy time in fellowship. Over the weekend, we reflected on John 16:33, in which Jesus gives His people a promise, a command, and a reality. The promise He gives is that in this world, His people will have trouble and tribulation. This is not mere speculation but a promise from the Lord of all history. However, in the face of this truth, He also gives a command: take heart! This command is not given without context but is grounded in the reality of His victory over this world. Because Christ has overcome this fallen world, we can take heart in the midst of its difficulties as we put our faith in the King who has overcome it all. Hopefully, reflecting on these truths and considering how we can apply them to our lives was a great encouragement to the men of our church. If you were unable to join us this year, we look forward to seeing you next year!
Finally, please register for the Men’s Mentor Program , launching in October.
Jon Camp Men’s Ministry at Violet Lead
VioletKids…where we want to share life! While Sunday mornings are always filled with excitement, life happens throughout the week. The goal for us is to be an important part of each other’s lives. What does that actually mean? It starts by praying for each other. As we walk through the trials of life, we are able to lift each other up in prayer. In the past month, we have had multiple opportunities to go to the Lord in prayer for our VioletKids’ family . One sweet family sold their home and purchased another home so they could be closer to Violet! Another cherished family said goodbye to a much-loved Great-Grandpa/Grandpa/Father. Two of our beloved volunteers have dealt with injury/surgery. One precious volunteer headed off to Cedarville with a few extra hugs from her best friend…who happens to be an adorable 2 year old member of the VioletKids’ family. One beautiful family went from a family of 5 to a family of 6!!!!!!! Life allows us the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, and one way we can do that is by actively praying for our church family. We know about these needs and monumental moments because we choose to pour into each other. Does that sound like a place you would like to be? There is a place for you in VioletKids. Join us.
In His love, Jen Hunt Children’s Director jenh@violetchurch.com 614-260-2670
Summer Snapshot and Looking Forward! Our youth group comes to life in the summer, and the summer of 2026 was no exception! We had trips to Cedar Point, Zoombezi Bay, Dairy Hut, The Ohio State Fair, a Columbus Clippers Game, and the new Buc-ee’s in Dayton! Our student leaders were sharpened during their week at Super Summer at Cedarville University. We had a great experience at Crossings Camp in Kentucky, and our students were integral in making MEGA Sports & Arts Camp such a huge success! As we turn the corner to the fall, we will emphasize serving in our church and in our community. We are excited for our students to serve at Trunk or Treat and the New Faith Ministry Food Pantry. In preparation for Christmas, our students will fill and pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, decorate the church for Christmas, serve at Breakfast with Santa, and go caroling in Pickerington. Please pray that God uses His Word, these experiences, and the power of Christian community to grow our students this fall.
Check out a few snapshots from the summer!
Keith Hurt Next Gen Pastor keithh@violetchurch.com
Violet will once again be hosting Community Bible Study for the 2026/2027 School Year. Join us for another year of meaningful Bible study, spiritual growth, and fellowship. Our classes meet weekly throughout the school year, offering a caring and supportive community where you can study the Word of God and grow in your faith.
What to Expect
Each class participant will receive a course book featuring helpful commentary and home study questions. Each week, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Participate in small-group discussions, either in person or live online via Zoom Engage in a weekly teaching Connect with a caring and supportive community Study God’s Word and grow spiritually
Choose the Group That Works for You
In-Person Core Group Thursdays | 9:45–11:45 AM Live-Online Core Groups via Zoom
Thursdays | 10:00 AM Thursdays | 6:45 PM NEW! Fridays | 10:00 AM 2026–2027 Study: Genesis & James We are excited to announce that our 2026–2027 study will explore Genesis and James . All core groups—in person and online—begin Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Registration is open now, to register or for more information please visit our website.
Come study with us, grow in faith, and discover the richness of God’s Word together.
Exciting Ministry Opportunities at Violet!
There are some exciting things happening at Violet, and we believe God is preparing us for an incredible season of ministry ahead! As we continue to strengthen our ministries and prepare for the future, we’re looking for some great people who love Jesus, love people, and would be excited to use their gifts as part of the Violet team. More than simply filling positions, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. Violet is a great place to serve, a great place to grow, and a great place to work alongside a team of people who genuinely care about one another and are passionate about the mission God has given our church. We want to continue building a healthy, encouraging, and collaborative work environment where people are valued, ideas are welcomed, gifts are developed, and ministry is done together. We currently have several exciting ministry opportunities available, including opportunities in Children’s Ministry, Worship, Information & Technology, Facilities, and Ministry Administration. Some of these opportunities may be a great fit for someone already connected to Violet, while others may be perfect for someone you know. Either way, we would love your help spreading the word! If you have a heart for ministry, enjoy working with a great team, and believe God may be leading you to use your gifts at Violet, we would love to hear from you. And even if one of these opportunities isn’t for you, you may know exactly the person we need to meet. Share these opportunities with a friend, family member, or someone you believe would be a great addition to the Violet team! We’re excited about where God is leading Violet, and we’re excited about the team He is bringing together for the season ahead.
Interested in joining the Violet team?
Explore the available ministry opportunities below:
Children’s Administrator Job Description
Facilities Director Job Description
Information & Technology Director Job Description
Ministry Assistant Job Description
Worship Leader Job Description
To apply for one of our available ministry opportunities, email your resume to applications@VioletChurch.com.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
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