TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2024

Our Mission

We at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church are called by God’s grace to exist in the world as a community of faith grounded in Jesus Christ. In our corporate and personal life, we are called to bear witness to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit wherever we see it at work—in our personal lives, in our church, and in the life of the world. As a community formed by God’s grace, claimed by Jesus Christ, and sent by the Holy Spirit, we seek to support one another in love, live with joy, foster belonging, build community, practice hope, and offer healing in Christ’s name, to each other and to the world around us, near and far.

Our Strategic Plan

In 2023, a Strategic Planning Committee was formed to compose a set of goals and strategies to guide our church over the next several years. In developing a plan, members of the congregation were challenged to reflect on where the church has been, where it is now, and where it should and can be over the next five years. The committee has been impressed by, and grateful for, the ways the congregation has celebrated the church’s strengths, identified challenges and opportunities with candor, and shared wonderful ideas for a bright future. From your input, a new mission statement was created (see above), and from that statement the following plan was derived.

Single Service on Thoth Sunday

On Sunday, February 11 (Sunday after next), owing to Thoth parade traffic, we will have one unified service at 8:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The service will be livestreamed. There will be no Sunday School or childcare.

Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes & Worship Service

Ash Wednesday is important and meaningful for all Christians as this day marks the beginning of the season of Lent: a 40-day period of discipline and prayer during which we prepare to encounter the joyful mysteries of Easter. On February 14, we will hold "Ashes on the Avenue" from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on the curb in front of the Sanctuary. All are invited to receive ashes and participate in spiritual formation practices to remember who we are as mortals and as those who belong to Christ in life and in death. An Ash Wednesday service will be held that evening at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

New SCAPC App Replaces the Old One

Now that the new SCAPC app is available, our old app on Directory Spot will no longer be accessible. So if you haven’t made the switch, do it today! In addition to having the church directory at your fingertips (you can even download a member’s contact info into your phone in one tap), the new app offers event listings, recordings, contact and prayer request forms, the church calendar (new!), and giving. Download on the App Store or visit scapc.org/app for download instructions. If you have any questions, please contact Hallie Boh at hallie@scapc.org.

Directory & Church Calendar on Your Computer

If you would like to access the church directory and calendar on your computer, you may do so at scapc.shelbynextchms.com. Contact Hallie Boh in the church office (hallie@scapc.org) for your username and password, which you can later change if you wish.

Be a Substitute STAIR Tutor!

Start The Adventure in Reading (STAIR) is a literacy non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of reading that was founded through the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church over 35 years ago. Serving the greater New Orleans area, STAIR is on a mission to inspire a love for learning and provide crucial literacy support to children.

We invite you to become a vital part of this mission by joining the Substitute Tutor List. As a substitute tutor, you'll have the opportunity to step into the lives of young learners, fostering their reading skills and igniting a passion for knowledge. Whether you're an experienced tutor or a newcomer to the world of literacy advocacy, your dedication can make a lasting impact. To learn more and sign up, contact email program@stairnola.org or visit stairnola.org/tutors. Start the adventure with STAIR today!

Sign Up to Bring Sunday Snacks

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.

First Graders Receive Bibles

Last Sunday, our first graders were presented with special children's Bibles during the 10:30 worship service. (Shown here is Ann-Kempter Wheeler enjoying her Story Bible). Children and parents participated in a worship workshop to learn about the order of worship, the importance of worshipping as a community, the elements of communion, and the commitments made during baptism. They will meet again on March 3 during the 10:30 a.m. service in Frampton Fellowship Hall.

Nursery School Chapel

Each week the SCAPC nursery school children attend a Chapel service led by one of our pastors. This week, they read the story of Jesus’ baptism, then explored the baptismal font and talked about how we baptize people. 

• It was announced that a joint Property-Finance Committee will make a recommendation on a wind insurance policy in the coming months.
• The Leadership Development Committee is in the process of recruiting this year's Nominating Committee to prepare the Elder Class of 2027 slate. If you or someone you know is interested in serving as an Elder on the Session, be watching for nominating information soon.

Youth Group/Youth Parents this Sunday

Youth Group for 6th-12th graders will take place this Sunday, February 4, in the Youth Room on the 3rd floor. All youth parents are invited to the Youth Parents Group from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Land Building. Our new subtheme is "Loving OURSELVES as our neighbors!"

Run/Walk the Crescent City Classic with SCAPC Members

The Crescent City Classic 10k run/walk will take place Saturday, March 30, starting at the Super Dome and ending at the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park. If you would like to team up with other SCAPC members to participate, register on the CCC website and be sure to specify the "SCAPC" team. The cost is for $60/person registering by February 17. Registration is $65/person after this date. Contact Ethan Rault at erault1@gmail.com with any questions.

Café Reconcile Featured in NYT

Exciting news! Café Reconcile, one of our 20 community ministry partners, was just featured in the New York Times for the third time! Click here and view "The Anatomy" section of the article. Café Reconcile is run as a non-profit workforce training program, preparing ambitious young adults for careers in the city’s celebrated hospitality industry. Visit their homepage to learn more.

The Gospel of Matthew

In telling the story of Jesus, Matthew challenges his disciples to live each day as participants in God's kingdom--to be poor in spirit and pure in heart, turn the other cheek and love one's enemies.

January 7 - March 24 | Phifer Library & Zoom

Class recording: January 28

The Seculosity of Marriage and Parenting

Statistics show that fewer and fewer Americans are attending church, but author David Zahl argues that we are in fact more religious than ever. Using his funny and insightful book, Seculosity, we will dig deeper into three of the areas that can consume us as adults - Busyness, Relationships, and Parenting – and learn what to do about it.

January 7 - March 24 | 2nd floor conference room

This Sunday's topic: "Busyness Part 2" led by Jenn Keene

The Gospel According to Ted Lasso:

This five-week class will use the TV show "Ted Lasso" as a way to explore the gospel, how we’re called to live in community, and reflect on our relationship with God and others. You do not need to have watched the show to attend class.

January 7 - February 4 | Land Building Riverside Room

Class recording: January 28

Classes for all ages meet at 9:30 a.m. See our Sunday School page for details.