TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2024 | |
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From the Pastor's Desk: Faith & Politics
Chris Currie, Senior Pastor
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Dear SCAPC Community,
As we contemplate and prepare and move toward the upcoming November 5 election, what does the church have to say in the midst of a national election with partisan feelings heightened and existential hopes and anxieties swirling around?
First of all, it is a mistake to think that the church should be completely apolitical, uninvolved and silent in regard to the political realm and the political affairs of the world. Jesus engaged with all the political parties of his time, Sadducees, Pharisees, Temple leaders, Romans, tax collectors, as well as those who lived on the margins.
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If the whole world is in God’s hands, then that includes politics. The church of Jesus Christ cannot ignore the political and is even called upon to engage the political world. That is different from being partisan and taking a side in every instance, but it doesn’t mean that the Christian community is politically disinterested or neutral when it comes to political power.
[Click here for full article.]
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Chapel Space for Prayer on Election Day
On election day, November 5 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. we have designated the chapel as an intentional space for prayer. We invite you to come by for a time of quiet reflection and prayer, for a moment or however long you need. We will have some prayer resources available and invite you to come and be still before God, to lift up your hearts, to rest in the unknowns of the future with the sure and certain knowledge that our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
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Please Note:
Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, so set your clocks back!
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All Saints At-Home Prayer
From this World to the Next: Homage to the Saints Who March On
This is a prayer you can use whether you are at a columbarium, cemetery, sacred space, or in your own home. You may wish to light a candle while reciting.
Holy God,
We look at death as an enemy, with anger and resentment at times.
We see death as the claimer of those whom we loved.
Tossing our deepest soul-ties into the black abyss,
Praying all who death claims might experience God’s holy grace.
God, help our hearts be lifted,
Knowing that there is no death in your love for your children.
Holy God, we pray you take our memories
of mothers, fathers, children and friends who have crossed over
and use these memories of laughter
and joy
of meals made together, to bind our spirits to the foot of cross.
Our love, like Christ’s love for us,
Lives on.
Love lives on.
Now, in silence together we remember that love that made us who we are today.
[Click here for full prayer.]
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Memorialize Loved Ones this Sunday
This Sunday, November 3, at our All Saints recognition during worship, we will take time to rejoice in all people through the ages who have loved and served the Lord. It is a time to remind us that we are part of the great company of faithful witnesses. We will offer thanks for their perseverance and give glory for the lives of all believers.
As part of the recognition, members of this congregation who have died in the past year are listed in the bulletin. This year, we invite you to submit additional names of other loved ones who have passed away in the past twelve months. Please submit names to be included to pierce@scapc.org by Friday at 4 p.m.
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Synod of the Sun Imagine Event
NOVEMBER 6-8
SCAPC is hosting the Synod-wide “Imagine Event” beginning next Wednesday! The theme of the event is “Going to the Margins and Finding Life: exploring, listening, and learning from ministry partners and communities operating at the intersection of systemic poverty, structural racism, and congregational vitality.”
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There will be service projects with Okra Abbey, a prayer and justice tour of New Orleans, a panel discussion featuring many of our Community Ministry partners, and time for group discussion and reflection on these themes. To register, please click here. If you are interested in helping us host and volunteer for some or all of the events, please email Pastor Sarah. | |
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Theology Thursday Group Studies Fergusson Book
The Theology Thursday Study Group, led by Pastor Chris Currie, will begin a study of Faith and It's Critics: A Conversation by this year's SCAPC Selley Series speaker, David Fergusson, on Thursday, November 14. The group meets every Thursday in the second floor conference room from 12:15-1:30 p.m. as well as on Zoom. Each meeting is recorded and posted on the class webpage, scapc.org/theology.
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Fergusson presents opportunity to engage in a deep dialogue on issues such as religion and science and faith and atheism. The book has been lauded for its balanced approach which encourages conversations on challenging topics. Books are available for order through local bookstores or Amazon. Any questions can be directed to miriam@scapc.org. | |
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Okra Abbey Grace & Greens | |
Last Wednesday, members of the SCAPC Community Ministry Committee and Presbyterian Women prepared and served lunch to feed the neighborhood at Okra Abbey. Our thanks go out to volunteers Karen Donaldson, Jane Rasi, Avery Beuerman, Kathy and Lee Randall, and Sarah Chancellor-Watson. | |
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Adult Classes
“Genesis” September 8-November 24 | Phifer Library
The Bible’s first book contains many well-known stories, some familiar since childhood: creation and the garden of Eden; an ark full of animals adrift in a flood; Abraham and Isaac; the conniving Jacob; and the dreams of Joseph. Now hear these stories again in a new way, and in hearing, discover the knowledge that God created everything in goodness and love.
Click here for class recording: October 20, 2024
This coming Sunday's class will center on Genesis 22:1-19, “The Testing of Abraham”, led by Neale Miller.
“Faith at Home: A Handbook for Cautiously Christian Parents”
September 8 - November 24 | 2nd floor conference room
As parents, we strive to help our children develop a strong moral foundation, including a strong understanding of Christian faith. With so many contradictions from mainstream culture, however, many parents are left feeling as though religious language is a foreign language and are unsure how to incorporate faith practices into family life. Faith at Home aims to help parents learn this “second language” and introduce it to children in simple and meaningful ways.
This coming Sunday's topic will be “Making Home Holy, part 1”, led by Sarah Edgecombe.
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"Reformed Churches and the Arts" Class by David Fergusson
The recording of last Sunday's class, led by our Selley Series Speaker, Rev. Dr. David Fergusson of Cambridge University, has been posted to our YouTube page at this link.
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A New Pilgrimage to Scotland
Dwelling in the Mystery of God:
A Spiritual Pilgrimage to Mull and Iona
"Be still and Know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Chris Currie, Senior Pastor, and Miriam Hollar, Parish Associate for Pastoral Care, will be leading a pilgrimage to the Isles of Mull and Iona on June 19-26, 2025. The focus will be on deepening our relationship with God through various spiritual exercises and day trips. Through individual practices, designed for each participant, and corporate worship and discussion, we will take the time we often do not have to be still and explore the mystery of God. Day trips will include two worship services with the Iona community as well as a half-day walk on the island, the Lochbuie Standing Stones, and an excursion to the Isle of Staffa to see the puffins. Our accommodation will be at a beautiful farm along a loch on Mull with meals prepared by an expert local chef. Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul by J. Philip Newell will be our core guide and will be discussed in a Sunday School class that will be held in April.
A meeting to discuss the trip will be held in the SCAPC Library on Sunday, November 10 at 5 p.m. Questions can be directed to miriam@scapc.org.
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Membership Welcome
Join us in welcoming back Emily Strong, who grew up at SCAPC, and her husband Andrew Dike, who joined the church on Sunday!
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Scottish Heritage & Reformation Sunday
SCAPC's annual Scottish Heritage & Reformation Sunday was a festive and meaningful celebration! Thank you to Phil Luchsinger for sharing these photos with us.
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We were joined in worship by guest preacher and Selley Series Speaker Rev. Prof. David Fergusson of Cambridge University. | |
Members of the Pipes & Drums of New Orleans led our worship processionals. | |
Pipes & Drums of New Orleans flag bearer | |
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SCAPC Heritage Members (all those in membership for 50+ years) were recognized in worship, including, from left, Elizabeth McGough, Candy Ulmer Cranch, and Margaret Ann Lindsey.
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SCAPC Heritage Member Margaret Ann Lindsey was presented with a resolution by the congregation recognizing her 80+ years of dedicated service to our church. | |
Jeff Stricklin and Thomas Schulingkamp had fun sporting their Halloween ties! | |
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WNO Scottish Dancing
For last week's Wednesday Night Out, Chef Matt McCann and his Kitchen Krewe prepared a shepherd's pie feast while Wendy Grubb led the crowd in Scottish dance lessons!
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Confirmands Give Faith Journeys
Members of the 2024 Confirmation Class gave their faith journeys before the Session at their meeting last night. From left are Thomas Yoder, Richard Roth, Cate Rice, KK Gilly, Amy Mackenroth, Charlotte Marshall, Sophia Curry, Jane Hillery, and Sophie Thomas.
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Church Birthday Celebration in Cuba
Last week, the congregation of our sister church, El Fuerte Presbyterian in Cardenas, Cuba, celebrated 66 years of ministry!
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High School Retreat
Last weekend, the SCAPC high schoolers enjoyed a retreat at Dauphin Island!
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Golf Tournament
A match made in heaven! Players at the SCAPC Golf Tournament enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of play on Sunday. From left are David and Jane Mize, Meg Gammage, David Watson, Jake Thomas, Wes Thomas, Griff Thomas, and Kelley McWhirter.
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