Saying Something Different

"Every time we have some national 'tragedy' such as a school shooting, we trot out the therapists and counselors who advise us on how to help our children feel secure—so that I guess, even as children they may live a contented, bourgeois existence. Perhaps Christians need to say something different to their children. 'My child, the world is a dangerous and threatening place where death surrounds us. When I brought you for baptism I acknowledged that I could not possibly guarantee your future. I handed you over to the God who loves you and with whom you are safe in both life and in death. There is no security to be found elsewhere, certainly not from me or those like me.'

In times of thanksgiving and in times of crisis, we remember our baptism and are grateful. Our baptismal identity does not only enable us to fulfill our calling in service to God, but unites us to Christ and all who belong to him, no matter the crisis of the moment. In times of thanksgiving and in moments of crisis and instability in our world, may we remember our baptism and be grateful."

-Gilbert Meilaender, The Christian Century

September 26-October 3, 2001 issue

What Your Pledge Dollars Have Supported this Summer

Dear SCAPC family,

This past May, six college students were accompanied by Chris Hazlaris and Michele Murphy to Varadero, Cuba, as part of a college mission trip. Your gifts and support made this possible.

In June, we welcomed thirty children to Vacation Bible School and nearly 100 participants to Camp Rhino from Presbyterian churches in Dallas, Texas, Springfield, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Atlanta. Your gifts and support made this possible. On June 30, we welcomed more than fifty participants for our first ‘worship short,’ featuring a hymn sing and ice cream on the Land Building porch. Your gifts and support made this possible. This past Sunday, we welcomed participants for a Faith and Film movie and discussion connecting to a July sermon series. Your gifts and support made this possible.

Through the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of this church, both staff and volunteers, we are taking your generous gifts and turning them into important mission and ministry. Thank you for your gifts and support to make good ministry happen!

Gratefully yours,

Chris Currie

Worship Services in Frampton Fellowship Hall:

SANCTUARY CLOSED

WHILE CURRENT ORGAN IS REMOVED

We are ready to welcome you to worship with us in our beautiful Frampton Fellowship Hall for the next several weeks as our current organ is being removed in the Sanctuary. Every effort is being made to ensure the fellowship hall is as inviting and familiar as we are used to in our worship services. During this phase of the organ project, for our safety and the integrity of our contractor’s work, we ask that no one enters the sanctuary. We will keep you informed when this phase of the work is approaching completion as we learn more about the future availability of the Sanctuary. In the meantime, we will continue to livestream Sunday worship on our YouTube page and post recordings there.

Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Pastor David Watson Quoted in Wall Street Journal

On Sunday, a Wall Street Journal reporter visited Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Church and interviewed Pastor David Watson (husband of SCAPC Associate Pastor Sarah Chancellor-Watson) regarding his thoughts in the wake of the shooting at the Trump Rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend. His remarks are part of a larger article with the views and opinions of people across the country. View the article at this link.

Challenger Class to City Putt

This Thursday, July 18, the Challenger Class (all 4th and 5th Graders) are invited to City Putt for golf from 4-6 p.m. Please RSVP to michele@scapc.org. Drop off and pick up at the front of City Putt in City Park.

Back Soon! Spiritually Hungry Women

On August 14, the Spiritually Hungry Women’s group will begin a six-week study of Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality, by J. Philip Newell. This book traces the long and oft troubled history of the Celtic beliefs and practices underlying mainline Christianity on the British Isles. With its emphasis on the essential goodness of all creation, including human beings, the Celtic perspective offers a refreshing alternative to the doctrine of Original Sin. It also encourages us to look for God outside the four walls of the church and to listen for the “heartbeat of God” in every person, place, and thing.

The Spiritually Hungry Women meet weekly on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 1:30 in the Land Building. There is also a Zoom option for those who wish to participate virtually. New members are always welcome. Contact Beth Poe with any questions.

Volunteers Needed for YAV House Cleaning

On Saturday, July 27 from 9 a.m.-noon the Young Adult Volunteers need your helping hands! Please join us for a deep clean of the beloved “Big Green House” as a final farewell to the 2023-24 YAV's. A clean house will be a wonderful welcome to the 2024-25 YAV's. All ages of cleaners are welcome! Inside we will clean the floors, appliances, windows, and furniture. Outside we'll weed, mow, and rake gravel. YAV Site Coordinator Dan Wally Lang will coordinate volunteer signup, supplies, and snacks. RSVP via email to dan@pbysouthla.org and Dan will provide the exact address in Gentilly. 

YAF Beignet & Coffee Meet-Up

Join YAF (Young Adults & Families) for a tasty treat after worship this Sunday, July 21! We will enjoy coffee and beignets at Uptown Coffee, 4141 St. Charles Ave, following the service, about 10:45 a.m. until noon. Please contact tyler@scapc.org with any questions or to RSVP.

YAF Playground Playdate

The YAF's enjoyed a playdate in the summer sun at Danneel Park last Sunday. Pictured here from left are Charles Tatum, Lilla Rowland, Chance Watson, Leah Kwon, and Sam Watson.

PW Fall Gathering: August 17

All Presbyterian Women are invited to the Presbytery of South Louisiana's PW Fall Gathering on Saturday, August 17 at Lakeview Presbyterian Church. The theme is "Mission at Work Caring for Neighbors" and will include worship led by SCAPC's own Sarah Chancellor-Watson, workshops (including an introduction to this year's Bible Study), fellowship, and lunch. Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Okra Abbey, one of SCAPC's community ministry partners. The cost is $15/person. For details and a registration form, click here.

Call for Confirmands

It is time to sign up for Confirmation! Our series of nine or so classes will be from mid-August to early-October during the Sunday School hour (9:30-10:30 a.m.), and it will include one overnight weekend retreat. SCAPC Youth must be at least rising 8th graders to sign up; high school youth who have not yet been confirmed are welcome! Please let us know as soon as possible (chris@scapc.org), but no later than the end of July, if your son/daughter is interested. Click here for a deeper description of what Confirmation entails.

Farewell and Thank You, Stef!

Today the church staff is celebrating Young Adult Volunteer Stef Johnson who has just completed his year of service in New Orleans. While here, Stef not only helped coordinate our RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) ministry, but also served at the Jefferson Food Bank, Mid-City Ministries and the Program of Hope homeless ministry.

STAIR Books Arrive in Malawi

Coordinated by Global Ministry Elder Dr. Russell Steele and the STAIR program, last month 250 books were donated and sent to the AIDS clinic in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. This is the only AIDS hospital in the country. The children were so excited to receive these books, and this gift has inspired them to start a literacy program in the clinic. All AIDS patients are cared for by Drs. Brigid O'Brien and Jacob Todd (husband and wife), former students of Dr. Steele. Pictured are older child HIV patients with one of their doctors (far right). 

Mo-Ranch Junior High Jubilee

Last week, three volunteers from the Presbytery of South Louisiana took youth to Mo-Ranch for Junior High Jubilee for five days of Christian fellowship and faith formation. The week centered on the miracles of God and exploring how God’s interrupting actions impact our life and guide us! Pictured from left are Alex Lee Cornell (Pastor of Lakeview Presbyterian Church), SCAPC youth Sadie DuVernay, Liam Kennedy, and Rhys Breaux; Presbytery of South Louisiana youth Regan England and Tracy Renee, and SCAPC Pastoral Resident Ashley Brown. For more photos, click here.