New Year's Mourning; California Wildfires Relief; Borderlands Presentation; Events, Photos & More

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025

New Year's Mourning

by SCAPC Chancel Choir member Sarah Ruth Altman

sung during worship, January 12, 2025

If I should wake on New Year’s Day

to find our streets with violence stained,

I will arise and weep for their fall

back to the dust where come we all.

If you should seek to strike with fear

into our hearts whose homes are here,

you cannot win; for this city of mine

has ever light and dark intertwined.

If we should look through eyes of tears

toward a new Carnival year,

our mourning breaks such holy rain

even the bones shall rise again.

The dead shall march in our parade

Where’s death’s sting?

Where’s victory, oh grave?

Listen to the recording here

California Wildfires: Prayer and Options for Giving

Prayer by Rev. Mark Koenig

God who creates scenes of beauty and wonder,

We call upon your mercy and grace to protect the people,

the creatures, and all your creation

from the fires that rage in Southern California and beyond.

In the face of destruction, remind us that hope cannot be extinguished.

Surround the people, creatures, and creation with your grace and peace.

Comfort all who mourn the death of loved ones.

In Christ, our forever hope, we pray. Amen.

[for full prayer click here.]

Our hearts and prayers go out to those who live, work, and worship in the Los Angeles County area. If you would like to give to those who are in need at this time, we invite you to direct your funds to the organizations listed on our Relief webpage.

Interested in a Mission Trip to North Carolina?

SCAPC RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) is planning a mission trip to western North Carolina to help in the continued recovery and rebuilding efforts to that area following the devastation of Hurricane Helene back in October. Trip details are still coming together and will be shared very soon, but if you are interested in serving please let us know which dates you would be able to join us by filling out the poll below.

Please note today is the last today to take the poll. For further questions and inquiries, please email Pastor Sarah.

Take Poll for North Carolina Trip

Borderlands Experience Trip Presentation

Join us on Sunday, January 26 at 5 p.m. in the Land Building for dinner and an engaging presentation on the Borderlands Trip recently undertaken by members of the congregation. We’ll discuss the things we saw and experienced in and around McAllen, Texas at the U.S./Mexico border, what we learned, and the implications for us as a faith community. Please RSVP to Pastor Sarah at sarah@scapc.org by January 24.

Elder Class of 2027

The following members were ordained/installed to the Elder Class of 2027 during worship on Sunday. They will begin their terms on Session at a retreat later this month.

Ed Bush, Finance

Donna Davis, Worship & Music

Robert Edgecombe, Clerk of Session support

Cathy Franklin, Community Ministry

Gigi Frankowski (youth elder), Community Ministry

Caroline Gill, Spiritual Formation (youth)

Rick Grubb, Membership

Jeff Mazzanti, Property

Taylor Morison, Personnel

Emma Pegues, Leadership Development

Lorrie Powell, Global Ministry

Andie Stagg, Spiritual Formation (children)

Allison Thomas, Congregational Care

Bill Troutt, Spiritual Formation (adults)

Caitlin Wallace-Rowland, Congregational Life

Arden Weiser (youth elder), Congregational Life

Savannah Weiser (youth elder), Community Ministry

Peter Wilson, Stewardship

Being elected an Elder by the congregation is an opportunity to serve Jesus Christ in leadership. The Session is responsible for the mission and government of the church. In the spring, the congregation will be invited to submit nominations for next year's elder class.

YAF Trivia Night

YAF (Young Adults & Families) will have a Trivia Night at Port Orleans, 4124 Tchoupitoulas Street, this Thursday, January 16. We will meet there at 6:45 p.m. and trivia will run 7:00-9:30. Please email Tyler Wheeler if you plan to attend.

Thursday Theology Group: New Study

Ready for a deep dive into some of the tenets of our faith? The Thursday Theology Group will start a new study of Christian Doctrine by Shirley Guthrie, starting Thursday, January 23, 12:15-1:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room. The book has been revised several times as it is a beloved seminary text, and any of the versions can be used in this group. It is very readable and engaging. If you have a copy on your shelf from an Elder Training, dust it off and be part of this journey. If you need to purchase one, you can order one from your local bookstore or Amazon. Bring your curiosity and join us.

All the sessions are recorded and posted to our theology group page. Our audio system has been revamped so that joining us by Zoom is a much better experience. If you are interested, please email Miriam@scapc.org to be added to the email list.

Crescent City Classic SCAPC Team

Join the SCAPC team for the Crescent City Classic 10k race/run on Saturday, April 19! Currently, race registration and fees total $67/person, which includes the post-race fest. Registration for the fest only is $20/person. For race details and registration, visit cc10k.com and indicate "SCAPC" as your team. We will be in touch with you to arrange a post-race meet-up and pre-/post-race rides if needed.

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 Sundays. Sign up on our Volunteer webpage.

Adult Sunday School Classes

9:30 a.m. | Details on Sunday School page

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN AMERICA

January 5-February 9

Led by Richard Ashmore | Land Building, Riverside Room (recorded)

For four centuries, the United States has grappled with how best to relate church and state. This class focuses on the concept/ideal/principle/experiment called “Freedom of Religion.” Visit the class webpage for recordings and presentation materials.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO A SITCOM WRITER

January 12-February 23 | Phifer Library

This class playfully explores the concepts, relationships, and parables of the four Gospels, enlightening us in the process.

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE INSTITUTION: A CREATIVE WORKSHOP OF FAITH AND BELONGING

January 12-April 6 | Led by Ashley Brown and Tyler Wheeler

2nd Floor Conference Room

In this interactive class, we invite you to explore your personal faith beliefs while understanding how they align with the broader Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). This Sunday we will study Christology.

Worship Workshop for 1st Graders & Parents

SUNDAYS, JANUARY 19 and 26

Starting Sunday, February 2, first graders will remain in the worship service with their families after the children’s message to continue their Faith Journey with Jesus Christ. This may make some parents wonder how they will contain their child during the Big Service. We are here to help! We are offering a Worship Workshop at 10:30 a.m. on the next two Sundays, January 19 and 26 . The worship is for first grade students AND THEIR PARENT. We will meet each week in Frampton Fellowship Hall for a lesson which will include parts of the live streaming of the worship service. THIS IS DURING THE 10:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE. Topics include “Why do we worship?”, “Where do we worship?," and “How do we hear and thank God?”

Save the Date: "Living Christ, Living Buddha"

Bill Troutt and Ashley Brown are hosting an interfaith conversation on Thursday, March 6 at 9 a.m. at on the book Living Christ, Living Buddha written by Thich Nhat Hanh. We will meet at PJ's Coffee, 5432 Magazine Street. A friend of Martin Luther King, Thomas Merton and many influential world leaders, Buddhist Zen Master and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Thich Nhat Hanh explores the life and teachings of Buddha and Christ in a warm and welcoming dialogue. You don’t have to have read the book to come and join in on the conversation! All are welcome!

WNO: Prayer Boards

During last week's Wednesday Night Out, Ashley Brown led the crowd in producing their own visual "Prayer Boards" for 2025! For details and upcoming WNO events, visit our WNO webpage.

Thank You to Our Youth Leaders

Our deep appreciation goes out to our stellar group of youth leaders! Pictured back row from left are Katie Brendler, James Warren, Caroline Seelman, Griff Thomas, Della Tasker, Nick Favret, and Chuck Mutz. Middle row are Michael Frankowski, Mary Carroll Waller, Ashlin Murphy, and Ellie Pectol. Front row are Chris Hazlaris (SCAPC Director of Youth & Young Adults) and Michael Ceraso.

Supper Clubs

Supper Clubs are celebrating the new year! Pictured from left are Nancy Borland, Michele Murphy, Sheila Schwartzmann, Kevin Murphy, Sean Chaney, Jessie Bruggers, and Linda and Ted Kennedy. The Murphy family, including Ashlin (not pictured), hosted this fun night!

Pictured from left are Jennifer Foss, Irwin and Kelley Mackenroth, Greg Browne and Harriet Riley (hosts), Dale Curry, Patti Dunlap, Miriam Hollar, and Thomas Schulingkamp. Not pictured is John Dunlap (photographer).

This Week's Prayer List

Disclosure: The recipients of this message are associated with St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (SCAPC), either by way of membership, visitation, expressed interest, or participation in SCAPC's programs. If you no longer wish to receive email from SCAPC, please click below to unsubscribe. This will exclude you from ALL church group emails.