Be a Bridge; Day of Service; Upcoming Events; Lots of Photos & More

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024

"To be a leader, be a bridge"

-14th century Welsh proverb

The world has more than a bate of bridge burners,

and even quite a few bridge builders,

but what we need, in order for sacred justice to fully unfurl,

is people who are willing to be a bridge;

people whose identity is so grounded in hope

that they will span the gap with their very selves,

in order for love to blossom and grace to bear fruit.

-Rev. Todd Jenkins for "Water and the Word"

*Living Waters for the World

Churchwide Day of Service on Saturday

Join us for our churchwide day of service this Saturday! We will meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast before we head off to our respective service sites. There are projects for all ages and abilities. We are particularly in need of volunteers for the following projects:

· GARDENING at Eden House, New Orleans Mission, and Café Reconcile

· DIAPER BANK SORTING at the Junior League Diaper Bank warehouse

· CLOTHING SORTING at SCAPC for Program of Hope Homeless Ministry

Most projects will wrap up by noon if not sooner. Sign up below!

Congregational Meeting

This Sunday, April 21, we will hold a brief congregational meeting immediately following the 10:30 service for the purpose of electing the slate of elders for the Class of 2027 as presented by the Nominating Committee. All members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Cuban Friends Visit

This Sunday, April 21, we are excited to welcome Rosa and Gustavo Rodriguez, owner/operators of Rosa's Bed and Breakfast where many of our members have stayed during trips to our sister congregations in Cuba. Gustavo is an engineer with *Living Waters for the World, the organization with which SCAPC partnered to install water filtration systems at El Fuerte and Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Churches. Rosa was the manager of Dora Valentin Presbyterian Church. They will be assisting in the "Called as Disciples" Sunday School class and with the College Cuba Trip fundraiser in Frampton Fellowship Hall. Their weekend will also include a riverboat cruise, Covington tour, and group meals. For a list of weekend activities to attend (including sign-ups) click here.

Balloon Pull Fundraiser for College Cuba Mission Trip

At church this Sunday morning, grab a balloon to support our college students as they explore Cuba in May. Donations will be used for supplies, expenses and support for our students and our brothers and sisters in Cuba.

T-Swift Party: Reservation Deadline Today

This Friday, April 19 from 5-7 p.m. in the Land Building, come celebrate and listen to the debut of Taylor Swift’s new album “The Tortured Poets Department”! Make friendship bracelets, drink lavender haze lemonade, and wear your best T-Swift inspired outfit (or don’t!) Please bring your own libations and a treat to share. All ages are welcome! Reserve your spot(s) by emailing ashley@scapc.org.

Youth to Clean Storm Drains this Saturday

For this month's Service Saturday, all SCAPC Youth grades 6-12 interested in serving will meet at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday, April 20 in the youth room for introductions to the environmental cleanup they will be doing in partnership with St. George's Episcopal’s youth group. The youth groups will be cleaning up storm drains together in the neighborhood and be finished by 11 a.m. back at the church.

Please note that there will be no Youth Group this Sunday night.

Flower Ministry

WORKSHOP: The Congregational Care Committee is hosting a Flower Ministry Workshop on Monday, April 29 at 9:00 a.m. in Frampton Fellowship Hall. We are very fortunate to have Lisa Brooking of Petite Fleur conducting our workshop. Lisa, with her amazing talent, will show us how to turn the Sunday sanctuary flowers into beautiful small arrangements that can be delivered to members unable to attend church. If you are interested in attending, please email Nancy Ellis at npe1224@gmail.com by April 24 to sign up.

REQUEST FOR SMALL VASES: Congregational Care is in need of small vases for the Flower Ministry. If you have been the recipient of a Flower Ministry arrangement, or have small vases, please consider donating them by placing them in the box by the Chapel entrance on State Street. Thank you!

Pantry Drive

Help the Congregational Care Committee stock our freezer with meals for those in our congregation needing some extra care! Pick up an empty container this Sunday morning, April 21, in Frampton Fellowship Hall. Fill the container with your favorite casserole or soup during the week, then return your filled container to the freezer in the church kitchen on a weekday or Sunday morning. Please clearly label your container with its contents and date. We will have recipes available if you need them.

The Congregational Life Committee is seeking volunteers to provide refreshments for the congregation after the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services on Sundays. Refreshments can be small bites, homemade or store-bought cookies, finger sandwiches, muffins, granola bars, etc. for which the church can reimburse up to $50. We ask that refreshments be delivered, plated and ready to go, to Frampton Fellowship Hall by 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Sign-up for Sunday Refreshments

Camp RHINO Part-Time Staff Search

Our RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) program is looking for a part-time staff member to support the 150+ campers we are going to welcome in June and July. Camp RHINO welcomes youth and adult participants from churches all over the country to New Orleans for a week-long experience of service, mission, and learning. Staff is needed to help us welcome these volunteers, provide hospitality, and support the overall mission and goals of the program. For more information, see this job description and contact Pastor Sarah at sarah@scapc.org with any questions and inquiries.

Thursday Theology Group: New Study

The Thursday Theology Group, led by Senior Pastor Chris Currie, begin a new study this Thursday, April 18, focusing on N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird's new book, Jesus and the Powers. In our current polarized political climate, what is the nature of our Christian witness? Examining theology, Biblical sources and church history through the lenses of this book, the group will discuss ways of understanding our place in the current world as Christians. This group meets on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. in the second floor conference room and on zoom. For more information, please contact Miriam Hollar, Parish Associate for Pastoral Care at miriam@scapc.org.

PHILIPPIANS AND GALATIANS

March 24 - May 19 | Phifer Library

The letters to the Philippian and Galatian congregations illustrate the passion and intensity of Paul's writing. Together these letters provide a compelling portrait of a theologian and social critic of rare power and insight whose legacy continues today to spark heated debate. For the April 14 class recording, click here.

The April 21 class topic will be "Paul's Gospel Under Threat", led by Richard Ashmore.

DEVOTIONALS FOR A "GOOD ENOUGH" LIFE

April 7 - April 28 | 2nd floor conference room

Throughout this month, we are examining the search for “enoughness” and spiritual reflections on living a “good enough” life. Using devotionals from Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie’s book Good Enough, we discuss embracing a life of faith, honesty, and interdependence in a world that celebrates endless progress.

CALLED AS PARTNERS IN CHRIST'S SERVICE

April 7 - April 28 | Land Building Riverside Room

Our faith is one that is not merely an intellectual or personal spiritual pursuit, but one that encompasses our whole lives and influences the ways in which we interact with others and the world. We are discussing current “best practices” of mission and how together we can make the greatest impact on our community.

Click here for the April 14 class recording with special guests José Manuel-Capella Pratts and Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, PC(USA) Regional Liaisons to the Caribbean.

Participating in the April 21 class will be our friends from Cuba, Rosa and Gustavo Rodriguez (see article above).

Our Sympathy

Our Sympathy is extended to church member Julianne Lansing and family on the death of her husband, Paul Lansing, who passed away on Thursday, April 11th. A service will be held in the Sanctuary on Thursday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m. with visitation at 2:00 in the Bloomfield Room.

Our sympathy is also extended to Donald Jefferson and his family on the death of his wife Debra, who passed away on Sunday, April 14. Donald has served as SCAPC sexton for over 25 years. We will announce service details when they become available.

Our PC(USA) Guests from the Caribbean

Last Sunday, we welcomed special guests José Manuel-Capella Pratts and Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, PC(USA) Regional Liaisons to the Caribbean. José preached at both services while Vilmarie led Sunday School and the children's message. Pictured here from left are Vilmarie, Sarah Chancellor-Watson, José, and Chris Currie.

Bracelet-Making in Cuba

Our brothers and sisters at El Fuerte Presbyterian Church in Cardenas, Cuba continue the tradition of making "Sisters of the Cross" bracelets. We love that they make the bracelets in community with us.

Okra Abbey Solar Panels Celebration

Last year, our own community ministry partner Okra Abbey became a recipient of the Presbyterian Women's annual Thank Offering which is collected around the world. These donations went to fund their "Community Solar Power for Resilience" project. The solar power system provides outlets for power tools, an irrigation system and cell phone charging stations for low-income and often transitory individuals. A ceremonial blessing and "lights on" celebration was held on April 6. Members of our church and Presbytery joined neighborhood residents in planting spring herbs. Pictured here are Sarah Chancellor-Watson with husband David and sons Chance and Sam, planting a new crop of basil alongside Sarah Bliele. SCAPC members Jane Rasi and Kathy Randall attended the celebration as well.

YAF Crawfish Boil

Over 50 people gathered for the YAF (Young Adults & Family's) annual Crawfish Boil last Saturday!

McMillan Society Jazz Dinner

Nearly 70 members of the McMillan Society (for church members and friends ages 55+) turned out for a Jazz Dinner last Thursday! They were entertained by jazz quartet musicians Steven Blackmon, Patti Adams, Jim Atwood, and Becky Hicks. Special thanks go out to "Paparazzi Phil" (pictured bottom right with wife Judith) for photographing this fun event!

Audubon Park Walking Group

Last Sunday evening marked the inaugural walk of SCAPC's Audubon Park Walking Group! 15 members gathered to loop the park and soak up some sunshine together. Future walks TBA. Our thanks go out to Christina Carlisle for coordinating!

This Week's Prayer List

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