TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

To the Holy Spirit

O Thou, far off and here, whole and broken,

who in necessity and in bounty wait,

whose truth is light and dark, mute though spoken,

by Thy wide grace show me Thy narrow gate.

-Wendell Berry

American Novelist and Poet

August 5, 1934 - August 31, 2026

Soundtrack of Faith Recap

Miss the series? Visit our webpage for sermons and music links!

Last Sunday, Chris Currie finished his four-party sermon series, "The Soundtrack of Faith: Behind the Music" referencing the music of Willie Nelson, U2, Bruce Springsteen, The Grateful Dead and more and exploring how their music shaped his faith. Check out the sermons and musical links at this link.

SCAPC Staff Changes and Updates

Several staff are taking on some new and shifting roles and responsibilities as we begin this new season. They are outlined here:

Caitlin Wallace-Rowland: Young Adults and Families Coordinator, plus youth administrative support, pastoral support, and committee liaison (congregational life, leadership development, stewardship, worship and music committee)

Pierce Young: Columbarium and Usher Coordinator

Miriam Hollar: Parish Associate for Pastoral Care and Funeral Coordinator

Hallie Boh: Web and Regular Publications, plus liaison to the session and worship-related inquiries and requests (i.e. baptisms)

JLNO Diaper Bank Collection

As part of National Diaper Need Awareness Week, we are collecting diapers, period products, and adult incontinence products for the Junior League of New Orleans Diaper Bank, one of SCAPC's community ministry partners, now through September 30. Please bring items to the bin by the chapel entrance.

PW Collects Medicines for Our Sister Churches in Cuba

For the month of September, Presbyterian Women are collecting donations of pediatric and adult over-the-counter medications (with the exception of liquids and gummies) for our sister churches in Cardenas, Cuba. There is a donation basket by the Chapel entrance where donations can be placed.

A Word from Our Ukraine Partner

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of folly, it was the age of faith, it was the age of unbelief, it was the age of Light, it was the age of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us.”

— Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Tuesday, August 18th was the fourth anniversary of our Center for Creative Activities in Izmail, Ukraine where we open our doors and programs daily for families displaced by the war in Ukraine. We now average five air raids a day. Twice in the past week, drones hit targets in our city. On the 21st a drone struck the roof of an apartment building 150 yards from where Oli and I live. Yesterday, I heard the "whump" of a drone exploding in our city. I do not know where.

It is 11:41 a.m. today. Drone number six circles the region while we sit on the floor of our small corridor between our kitchen and living room. The text on everyone's cell reads, "increased danger to the city; immediately go to shelter."

Ours is a tale of two Times. Ours is to live one and: to create the best of times in the worst of times, to find wisdom in an age of folly, to witness faith in an age of disbelief, to see the light in an age of darkness, to uncover the spring of hope in a winter of despair, to remember "We had nothing ahead of us.... We have everything before us." 

- Dr. Robert Gamble D. Min, Presbyterian Church (USA), Executive Director of This Child Here. Learn more about This Child Here on our Ukraine mission page.

PW Circles Begin September 7 and 8

Presbyterian Women's Bible Circles begin with the Monday Lunch Circle on September 7 at 11:30 a.m. in the Land Building and the Tuesday Evening Circle on September 8 at 5:45 in the Land Building. Circles offer an environment in which faith is nurtured and growth takes place. This year’s study is United Through Christ: Bound to Each Other by Rhonda Mawhood Lee. The lesson book ($15/each) and the 2026-2027 PW SCAPC Yearbook ($10/each) are available at the Circle meetings. Please make checks out to “Presbyterian Women”. Visit our PW webpage for information on all of our PW programs.

Spiritually Hungry Women's New Study

On Wednesday, September 9, the Spiritually Hungry Women's group will begin a study of the book Why Religion: A Personal Story by Elaine Pagels. Weekly meetings are held on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in the Land Building, and all are welcome. Questions? Email Beth Poe at bethpoe@tulane.edu.

Wednesday Night Out Kicks Off September 9

with Family (Friendly) Feud

Wednesday nights are looking different this year. Love WNO? Heard about our great meals? New opportunities are available to make sure everyone has a place to connect! You may choose an option to attend based on your interest.

New Weekly Schedule

5:30 - 6:00 p.m.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR PRACTICE

(3 years-5th grade)

rehearsals begin Sept. 16 - sign up here

5:45 - 6:30 p.m.

DINNER LINE OPENS

$10 per adult | $5 per child under 12

$25 per family

Dinner reservations are due each Monday at 5 p.m.

6:10 - 6:45 p.m.

OPEN PLAY FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH

Playground & Youth Room

6:45 - 7:00 p.m. 

PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES

or Special Intergenerational Events

Special Intergenerational Events

6:45 - 7:30 p.m. 

Held three times this Fall

SEPTEMBER 9

Family (Friendly) Feud

OCTOBER 14

National Dessert Day Cake Walk

DECEMBER 9

Children’s Christmas Play

Please Be Mindful When Parking

Please be mindful of our neighbors when parking near the church and do not park too close to driveways or corners.

Sunday School Kicks Off September 13!

Classes for all age groups are held at 9:30.

ADULT CLASSES:

Exploring the Spirits of Religion | September 13 - October 18 | Land Building Riverside | led by Richard Ashmore

We will explore how, across time and space, human communities have identified “spirits” (supernatural elements including, but not limited to, supernatural beings) and linked (or not linked) to “religion” (broadly a system of belief and action regarding how one should and should not behave and why). The use of quote marks and the very general language are intentional. Our modern understanding of “religion” with one God or many gods, a written “book,” formalized theology, precise rituals, and religious professionals is a recent development, and, even today, fails to capture the “spirits of religion” of many people around the world. What might we learn from the diverse “religions” and their associated “spirits”?

The Whiteboard Bible | September 13 - November 22 | second floor conference room 

The Whiteboard Bible is a popular study series created by Pastor G. Allen Jackson. It utilizes live-action whiteboard drawings and fifteen-minute video lessons to guide individuals and small groups through a chronological twelve-point timeline of the Bible, from Creation to the return of Jesus.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN:

Youth Sunday School (grades 6-12) meets in the Youth Room on the 3rd floor and occasionally on Instagram @scapc_youth.

The Challenger Class (grades 4-5) meets in a special room on the second floor that is set up with sofas and chairs where students can explore their faith, ask questions, and begin to verbalize what they believe. This year’s class topics include Psalm 23, John Calvin, Prayer and Worship, and the Apostle's Creed.

Three-year-olds through 3rd graders gather by age group for classes that focus on hands-on learning. They are divided into three groups: three-year-olds to Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten through first grade, and second through third grade, all meeting in rooms on the second floor. They engage in Bible stories through activities, interactive games, and creative crafts. Throughout the year we explore stories from the Old and New Testaments. Weekly lessons help kids navigate the stories and begin to compare what they learn to their own lives.

The Nursery for ages 0 to 3 is open 8:15-11:45 a.m. in the Bear Classroom which is the corner classroom on the first floor.

YAF Saints Party and Fall Event Line-Up

Join the Young Adults and Families on Sunday, September 13 after worship (Noon) at Port Orleans (4124 Tchoupitoulas St) as we watch the New Orleans Saints take on the Detroit Lions. Questions? Email Caitlin at caitlin@scapc.org.

Save the date for our Fall YAF events! We'd love to see you there!

Children's Choirs and Youth Bell Choir

CHILDREN'S CHOIRS begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 16! Children’s Choir 1 (three-years through Kindergarten) rehearses weekly on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the Learning Center on the second floor. Children’s Choir 2 (first through fifth grades) rehearses from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the choir room on the third floor. Visit our children's choirs page to register.

YOUTH "RINGERS" BELL CHOIR begins rehearsals on Sunday, September 20! The Ringers rehearse weekly on Sundays following 10:30 worship for 30 minutes in the choir room on the third floor. Visit our children's choirs page to register.

Our Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to Anne Eichin on the passing of her father, David "Black" Blackshear Hamilton Chaffe III who died on August 22. A service was held today at Trinity Episcopal Church.

David LaMotte Visit

On Sunday we were treated to a Sunday School class and concert by speaker/author/musician David LaMotte! His dense speaking and workshop calendar has included presenting at the PC(USA) Mission to the United Nations and keynoting peace conferences in India, Australia, Germany and at the Scottish Parliament. We were thrilled to welcome David for these meaningful and entertaining programs.

Challenger Class Pizza Party

Last week the Challenger Class (fourth and fifth graders) kicked off the program year with a pizza party at church! Pictured here back row from left are Beanie Breaux, Quinn Smith, Brady Kennedy, Anson Moore, Grant Cunningham, Eian Nettles, and Ann Kempter Wheeler. Front row from left are Alice Granade, Vivienne Bowie, Cal and Theo Carlisle, Caroline Edgecombe, and Eleanor Ziegler. Not pictured is Morgan Smith.

Hello, Dolly!

What a turn out for Dolly! A group of SCAPC ladies gathered for an impromptu outing to the Prytania Theatre for a viewing of Steele Magnolias, one of the late Dolly Parton's finest. Pictured back row from left are Ashlin Murphy, a friend, Paige Morrison, Linda Kennedy, Nancy Ellis, and Laurie Young. Front row from left are Karen Barnett, Betsy Nalty, Michele Murphy (who coordinated the gathering), Emily Fleshman, Julianne Lansing, Kathy Randall, Janet Bean, and Wendi Adams.

Seeing God in the World

Thank you to all who have sent us postcards sharing where you've seen God this summer! We have shared them on the bulletin board in Frampton Fellowship Hall. Here is one we received this week:

Bonnie and Jim Hobden wrote:

"We miss the old and young faithful who get up for the 8:30 communion service. Yellowstone is magnificent."