Rayne's Weekly Newsletter

September 15, 2026

We Welcome All!


We warmly welcome all to worship with Rayne this Sunday at 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM.


We welcome you to participate freely in the life of this community of faith and love,

and to become a member of this congregation. Rayne welcomes and embraces all people regardless of race, class, gender, or sexual orientation with

open hearts, open minds, and open doors!

 

This Week at Rayne

This Week (Wednesday, September 16 - Saturday, September 19)

WED 5:30 - 6:00 PM Wednesday Family Meal (Carriage House)

WED 6 - 7 PM Children's Bell Choir (Sanctuary)

WED 6 - 7 PM Children's Choir (Hannah Chapel)

WED 6 - 7 PM Middle School Youth Group (Epiphany House, Conference Room)

WED 6 - 7 PM Nursery (Bynum Education Building, Room #118)

WED 6 - 7 PM What We Believe: Faith in a Real World (Epiphany House, Front Room)

WED 7 - 8:30 PM Rayne Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary, Choir Loft)

THU 6:30 - 7:30 AM Guys' Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

THU 11:15 AM - 12 PM Worship Prep (Sanctuary)

THU 3 - 5 PM Rayne Food Pantry Open (Parsonage Basement)

THU 7 - 8 PM Stewardship Meeting (Epiphany House, Conference Room)

SAT 8 - 9:30 AM Crescent City Cafe (Carriage House, Pitt Street Entrance)

SAT 9 - 10 AM UMM Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)


Next Week (Sunday, September 20 - Saturday, September 26)

SUN 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM Nursery (Rooms #118 and #119)

SUN 8:45 - 9:45 AM Worship (Sanctuary)

SUN 9:50 - 10:50 AM Sunday School Hour

SUN 11 AM - 12 PM Worship (Sanctuary)

SUN 4 - 5 PM Sunday Evening Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

SUN 5:30 - 6:30 PM Women's Covenant Group (Epiphany House, Front Room)

SUN 5:30 - 7 PM High School Youth Group (Carriage House)

MON 10 - 11 AM Prayer Team Meeting (Epiphany House, Front Room)

MON 6 - 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

MON 6 - 7:30 PM Board of Trustees Meeting (Epiphany House, Dining Room)

TUE 10 AM - 12 PM Rayne Food Pantry Open (Parsonage Basement)

TUE 12 - 1 PM Women's Covenant Group (Epiphany House, Dining Room)

TUE 6 - 7 PM Worship Committee (Epiphany House, Front Room)

TUE 6 - 8 PM Mah Jongg Open Play (Epiphany House, Sunroom)

WED 5:30 - 6:00 PM Wednesday Family Meal (Carriage House)

WED 6 - 7 PM Children's Bell Choir (Sanctuary)

WED 6 - 7 PM Children's Choir (Hannah Chapel)

WED 6 - 7 PM Middle School Youth Group (Epiphany House, Conference Room)

WED 6 - 7 PM Nursery (Bynum Education Building, Room #118)

WED 6 - 7 PM What We Believe: Faith in a Real World (Epiphany House, Front Room)

WED 7 - 8:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary, Choir Loft)

THU 6:30 - 7:30 AM Guys' Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

THU 11:15 AM - 12 PM Worship Prep (Sanctuary)

THU 3 - 5 PM Rayne Food Pantry Open (Parsonage Basement)

SAT 9 - 10 AM UMM Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

Upcoming Events

What We Believe: Faith in a Real World


Wednesdays, Sept. 9 - Oct. 10, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

The Epiphany House Front Room


What does it mean to follow Jesus in the real world we share?


In this Bible study led by Rev. Marissa, we’ll explore Scripture alongside the United Methodist Social Principles, asking how our faith shapes the way we understand our neighbors, our communities, and the world around us. Together, we’ll wrestle with questions of justice, compassion, dignity, creation, and the common good. Not simply to decide what we think, but to consider how our beliefs call us to live.


Come ready to learn, ask honest questions, and discover how our faith can move from what we believe to how we live. The group will meet for six weeks on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM beginning September 9.

Mah Jongg Open Play and Beginner Sessions


Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

The Epiphany House Sunroom


All Mah Jongg players are welcome to join our open play sessions every Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the Epiphany House Sunroom. To learn how to play American Mah Jongg, reserve your space in the fall classes by emailing Donita Qualey. Beginner sessions are on Tuesday, September 29, October 6, and October 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Players will need to pay $15 for an American Mah Jongg card. Beginners must attend the first class.

Primetimers September Luncheon


Wednesday, September 23, 11:30 AM

Two Tony's, 8536 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124

 

Join the Primetimers on Wednesday, September 23 at 11:30 AM for their monthly gathering. Meet at Two Tony’s, located at 8536 Pontchartrain Boulevard. There is no cost for lunch. We hope to see you there! 

Community Vision Workshop


Saturday, October 24, 9 AM - 12 PM

The Sanctuary

 

What makes Rayne… Rayne?


The Louisiana United Methodist Office of Congregational Vitality will facilitate a workshop to help Rayne leadership better understand member experiences. The workshop will consist of guided small-group conversations where participants will share how Rayne has impacted their lives. Help us untangle Rayne’s core identity, identify shared memories, highlight important practices unique to Rayne, and understand our church community’s shared values. Responses from the workshop will be used to form a guiding vision statement. Come and contribute to this shared dialogue and help shape Rayne’s future! Meet in the Sanctuary, Saturday, October 24, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Light bites and refreshments will be provided. 

Rayne Community Night at the Batture

Rayne’s Community Night was a great success! Roughly 45 members of our community gathered along the banks of the Mississippi River on Sunday for an evening of food, fellowship, and connection. We look forward to hosting more of these events in the future, so keep an eye out for details coming soon!

Sign up for Worship Roles through Realm

acolyte.jpg

We have a new way to sign up for roles in worship on Realm! Here you will find opportunities for both adults and children to serve as ushers, communion servers, acolytes, and scripture readers. You can choose the Sunday and the service you prefer to serve, and you will be prepped for the role by Rev. Marissa, Rev. Mary, or Nancy Hopkins. Click the link below and connect with our Rayne family through service.

Restoration and Renewal Construction Updates: Circle Drive Entrance Open, Pitt Street Entrance Closed

Thank you for your patience, continued flexibility, and for caring for one another during this transition period. As always, our staff and steering committee are happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. We cannot wait to celebrate the new space together.


If you’d like to see what’s happening throughout the building—and what’s coming next—check out our Restoration & Renewal Construction Tracker below for the latest updates.

Entrance Closures

The Pitt Street Entrance (under the green awning) is closed until further notice. Please enter through the Sanctuary entrance on Saint Charles Avenue and through Rayne's Early Childhood Preschool entrance on Pitt Street for an ADA route. The General Taylor Street sidewalk is also now closed. The Circle Drive entrance is now open!


The Westerfield Building

The Fellowship Hall is now fully closed for construction. It is currently being emptied to sand the floors. The Friendship Room and the Library have had new carpet installed. The Westerfield Building bathrooms have been tiled.


Power Updates

The organ is now fully functional and sounds as beautiful as ever as of Sunday, September 6.

Celebrations and Prayer Requests

We pray for healing for: the family and loved ones of Pierre Damas Bel and refugees everywhere, Hadley Moran dealing wtih a rare DNA mutation, Amond Serignan, Jim Jeter, Connie Dahlberg (former member of Rayne) who was hospitalized with pneumonia, Betty Mullin, Kay McHone, Kristen Hebert-Fisher (Marilyn Hebert's daughter and Todd Hebert's cousin), Matthew Cowan's Uncle Pat, Leanna Cowan, Edward McHone, Jane Sikes, Beth Schibler’s father, Johnny Baker (cousin of Lisa Hammontree), Sue King (mother of Susan Hereford), Kevin Horne, Latina Robinson, Ajudah Johnson, Andee Reed, Oliver Houck, Ray Cook, Martha Gatlin, Betty Gerstner, Richard Moore, Judy Mastainich, Eva Kemp (mother of Elyria Kemp), Joe Loupe (friend of Frances Davis), Lou Davis, and George Lindstedt (father of Elizabeth Wisner).


If you would like to share prayer requests or celebrations, email them to Nancy Hopkins. Or mail a note to the church addressed with "Attention: Prayer Team." Please indicate if the request is public (shared in the newsletter and bulletin) or private (supplied to the Intercessory Prayer Group).

Have you signed up for Realm?

Downloaded the Connect app?

Rayne has transitioned to Realm, an online ministry tool designed for real-time connection. Sign in or sign up by visiting onrealm.org/raynenola or scan the QR code to the right!


Additionally, download Connect, a smart phone application, to access Realm on your phone! Download Connect on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.


Email realm@raynenola.org with questions.

 

Staff Directory

Church Phone: 504-899-3431


Senior Pastor: Marissa Horvath


Ministries and Missions: Elizabeth Cheezem,


Operations and Finance Management: Sarah Pfeiffer


Facilities and Maintenance: Shaun Darnall


Communications: Katherine Thomas


Youth Ministries: Katie Payne

Stay in touch!

A weekly Newsletter from Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church | 504.899.3431 | Email | Website