TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024

Thank you for making pledges, thank you for supporting special offerings, thank you for giving to youth events, thank you for supporting mission efforts, thank you for all the ways you help make church happen at the sick bed, in hidden moments in our community, in a phone call or a contact just when we needed it. Your gifts help proclaim the resurrection into the heights and depths of our world. Your gifts help acknowledge the presence of Christ in the hospital room, in a personal crisis, or in an act of kindness. Thank you for helping make church happen this first quarter of 2024 and for what is next.

Gratefully yours,

Chris Currie

Day of Service Photos

Last Saturday was SCAPC's Spring Day of Service! A host of members met for prayer and breakfast at church, then ventured to various community partners. Pictured here from left are Stacey and Avery Danner, Sophia Defraties, Stacey, Avery, Sarah Chancellor-Watson with baby Sam, Sarah McHarg, and Catherine Rigby at the JLNO Diaper Bank; Eric and Shannon Holtzman, Tyler and Caroline Wheeler, a café staff member, Richard Ashmore, and Greg Beuerman at Café Reconcile; JoNell Quinton, Libbie Reiss, Linda Patrick, Sarah Edgecombe, Mayson Buffington, and Julie Nice sorting clothing for Program of Hope Homeless Ministry.

Home Communion

On Sunday, May 5 and Monday, May 6, our pastors will be bringing home communion to members requesting this. If you or someone you know would like home communion, please notify our parish associate, Miriam Hollar, at miriam@scapc.org. We are also seeking volunteers to help with this ministry, so reach out to Miriam if you are able to join us.

Sanctuary Flowers

If you would like to donate floral arrangements for the two urns in the Sanctuary in memory or honor of a loved one for Sunday morning worship, please contact Libbie Reiss at libbiereiss@yahoo.com.

Call for Youth Sunday Participants

Youth 6th-12th grade are encouraged to reach out to Chris Hazlaris ASAP if they would like to read, usher, or write a piece of the liturgy that we will lead on this year’s Youth Sunday. The dates of the services are May 12 (Mother’s Day), and roles are being assigned now. Taking on a job on Youth Sunday is one of the best ways to get our kids active in worship and to open our congregation to our youth’s unique gifts and insights. We highly encourage signing up!

Scotland Pilgrimage in October

There are a few places left for our "Discovering Scotland" trip this October. During this pilgrimage from Iona to St. Andrews to Edinburgh we will intentionally engage with what we see and do in holy places and the people we are bound to in this community of faith, walking in the footsteps of those who have gone before us. The dates are September 23 - October 1, 2024 and Chris Currie will be our group leader. For details and booking, visit scapc.org/scotland.

Flower Ministry

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 TOMORROW to sign up. The committee is also in need of small vases. Please place donated vases in the basket by the Chapel entrance on State Street.

Gifted Clothing

The Community Ministry Committee would like to thank Joanne Casey, owner of Alice and Amelia clothing and gift shop on Magazine, for her generous donation of clothing that went out to our partners at Raintree Children and Family Services, The New Orleans Women’s and Children’s Shelter, and Program of Hope Homeless Ministry. Pictured from left are Sarah Chancellor-Watson, Laura Avery, JoNell Quinton sorting the clothing, and (in green) Kathy Randall with staff members at Raintree.

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 21 class recording, click here.

The April 28 class topic will be "The Power of the Gospel in Paul's Life", led by Neale Miller.

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 recording of the April 21 class on our ministry partners in Cuba with special guests Rosa and Gustavo Rodriguez.

New May 5! Family Sunday School Class

April 28 will be the last children’s Sunday school class by grades. Starting May 5 – May 19, parents and children are invited to meet in Frampton Fellowship Hall for our Family Sunday School Class. The theme is emotions in the Psalms. Each week we will explore a different emotion with lots of activities and projects for families to work on together. We will continue this theme through June 24 with our children 2nd grade and younger during the 9:30 a.m. single worship service.

Our Friends from Cuba

Last weekend we welcomed Cuba friends Rosa and Gustavo Rodriguez who have longstanding relationships with many SCAPC members who have travelled to Cardenas, Cuba regularly to maintain the water filtration systems we installed at two Presbyterian Churches. While here, in addition to sightseeing with SCAPC friends, Rosa and Gustavo assisted in the "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" Sunday School class as well as the balloon-pull fundraiser for SCAPC college students who will be travelling to Cuba for a mission trip next month. Pictured here from left are Janet and Tommy Favrot, Gustavo, Wes Alden, Michael Bell, Michele Murphy, Aimée Bell, and Rosa. At the balloon fundraiser are, from left, Helen Young, Charlie Lowe, and Jack DeFraites.

Presbytery News

PW PSL GATHERING

On Saturday, April 20 Presbyterian Women across the Presbytery of South Louisiana met for their PW Presbytery Spring Gathering. 35 women gathered at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church for a time to renew. SCAPC's own Ashley Brown preached. Seven different PSL churches were represented. Evergreen Life Service received an offering of $600 to further their work. SCAPC member Kathy Randall completed her term as PWP Moderator. Mission donations went to Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services for household needs. Pictured here is Julie Launey being installed by SCAPC member Kathy Randall.

PSL WORKDAYS: FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11

Two and a half years ago, Hurricane Ida battered the tribal community of Pointe au Chien, Louisiana. Now that community has invited us to join with them in rebuilding their badly damaged homes. The Presbytery is partnering with the Pointe au Chien Indian Tribe. Members of this tribe have been steadfast in rebuilding their community, while also helping our Presbytery learn more about their history and culture in the Bayou region. The Pointe au Chien Indian Tribe is located 35 minutes south of Houma. The construction of the homes requires building resources, volunteers to build the homes, and project managers using resilient practices to guide the work. A willingness to work hard and to learn sustainable building techniques are all that are needed! For details, click here.

APPLY TO BE A YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER (YAV)

Applications for the 2024-25 in-person service year are open. If you’re between the ages of 19-30 (or know someone who is) and want to engage in world issues, commit to self-reflection, listen to the marginalized and learn in a new way, consider “a year of service for a lifetime of change.” Learn more about the process here.

T-Swift Album Release Party

Swifties of all ages turned out for Friday night's album release party. Special thanks go to party planners Shelby Sundmaker and Ashley Brown!