TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

Helpful Tips for Pledging

Stewardship season is upon us! We invite you to make your 2026 pledge today. Pledges of all sizes from tens to thousands will be dedicated to the service of Christ on October 12. Here are some tips:

• All new pledges by those 40 and under will be matched up to $10,000 by a special church donor.
• If you would like to establish automatic monthly payments, you can do so at scapc.org/donate-recurring.
• Contact your bank to inquire about Automatic Check Disbursement in which they send checks automatically to the church in the time frame you specify--weekly, monthly, etc.
• Consider making your Stewardship donation by transferring stock to the church. Contact Emily Fleshman, Accountant, at 504-897-0101 x213 or emily@scapc.org.
• At the current Standard Deduction, members over the age of 70 may consider contributing directly from their IRA’s. In many cases, these donations can be made without incurring taxes.

Fall Churchwide Day of Service

Saturday, October 4

Volunteers of all ages and abilities will find projects to join in as we serve local and global neighbors both at church and out in the community. We’ll begin the morning with breakfast and prayer at 8:30 a.m. in Frampton Fellowship Hall before dispersing to our various worksites. Most projects will wrap up by noon (if not sooner). Sign-ups and project details can be found on our volunteer webpage. Email Pastor Sarah with any questions. There are slots available for packing Backpacks for the Border, making bracelets for Sisters of the Cross, sorting clothes for Program of Hope, and building with Habitat for Humanity.

An Update on Our New Organ

In the immortal words of Ernest and Julio Gallo, we will install no pipe organ before its time…..or something to that effect…I could be a little foggy on the exact wording of that particular quote. HOWEVER, I am pleased to announce that we’re just about to enter into a season of honest-to-goodness ‘birthin’ of this new baby’! Two trucks are set to arrive, the first of which will be get here on the morning of Monday, October 13. Just like before, an 18-wheeler will pull up to our front door on St. Charles Avenue, and we’ll begin the process of unloading the truck while simultaneously loading the sanctuary [and likely the chapel as well!]. We’ll have lots of manly muscle on hand to take care of the heavier bits, but if you’d like to come and help us move in some of the lighter stuff, feel free to show up on that Monday at 8:00 a.m. [or later in the morning if you can’t swing being here that early]. We can certainly use the help! Shown herein is a picture of the actual organ console being built! It will arrive on the second truck on the morning of October 27, when, once more [into the fray!] we could use the help for unloading.

As for the actual installation progress, we can expect that most everything should be physically in place by the middle-ish of November. Once it’s all securely placed and all the complexities of wind and wire are worked out, then the actual voicing of the instrument will commence. There are almost 4500 pipes, each of which must be lovingly attended to in terms of volume, color, and pitch. The voicing process will likely take 6-8 weeks, but it’s one of those things that “takes as long as it takes”.

We’ve waited a long time for this, and it’s not been without its delays [Brigham Young, COVID, supply chain difficulties, etc.]; however, it’s all going to have been worth the wait. Will we possibly hear some sounds by Christmas? Maybe! Or, it could be that it’ll be ready to play just in time for Mardi Gras….we shall see! To use a well-worn and utterly predictable phrase, STAY TUNED! In the meantime, go ahead and mark your calendar if you’re able and interested in participating in the actual delivery of this magnificent baby!

Excitedly,

Steven

Pantry Drive Meals Needed

If you picked up a container from the Pantry Drive last month, please remember to return your prepared dish to the freezer in the kitchen. We are in great need of meals to help those in our congregation needing some extra care. If you’d like to pick up a container, please reach out to Gail Kaliszeski at gkaliszeski@cox.net who will arrange to get you one.  

Home Communion

On Monday and Tuesday, October 6 and 7, our pastors will be bringing home communion to those who are unable to attend worship. If you or someone you know would like home communion, please notify our parish associate, Miriam Hollar, at miriam@scapc.org. 

Safety and Security Committee Seeking Members

The Safety and Security Committee is seeking to expand our SCAPC membership representation on the committee. Do you have any experience or expertise in security matters or specialized input that would be enlightening due to your other roles here at the church? Consider joining us as we plan for the safety of our congregation, school, staff, events, and buildings. For further information, contact committee chair, Eric Holtzman, at eric.holtzman@uniti.com.

Young Adults & Families PINTS

Join us over the next several weeks as we head into the Halloween and All-Saints season with a deep dive into dissecting our beliefs on the Afterlife, Heaven, Hell, Satan, and Sin. We’ll explore what we’ve grown up being taught about these topics, what the Bible and the Presbyterian Church say about them, and discuss our individual beliefs on each. PINTS meets Wednesday evenings, 6:45-8 p.m. in the Land Building and childcare is provided.

Youth Group this Sunday

Youth Group for 6th-12th graders meets this Sunday, 5-7:30 p.m. in the Youth Room on the third floor. We will start discussing how “Knowing our Worth” means recognizing that we are worth healthy friendships (October’s theme) – that God desires to be in relationships with those that build us up, treat us well, and empower us to be our authentic selves. We have some great games and reflections lined up! If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Hazlaris.

Please join us for our third annual “Blessing of the Animals” on Sunday, October 12 at 6 p.m. in the front yard of the Land Building. Bring your pets–on a leash or in a crate/carrier/container–for a short worship service, a blessing, and light refreshments. For those pets who do not travel well, a photo can be a good representative! Our offering will be donations of pet food to our local SPCA. Please RSVP to Pastor Sarah at sarah@scapc.org, no later than October 9.  

Aden Program Training

The Aden Program for Elder Care is offering two special training programs, and all are invited to attend.  During the training you'll gain knowledge about Aden, what volunteers do, and discover the various ways to help.  Choose between Wednesday, October 22 or Wednesday, October 29 from noon-2:30 pm in the Land Building. No commitment to volunteering is required to attend. If interested, please RSVP Marti McEnery or Kat Songy: aden@scapc.org. Last week the Aden group welcomed YAV Luke Kellett, held a birthday celebration, played games like Wheel of Fortune and yoyo-ing with Slater, and enjoyed exercising with Enrique among many other activities!

Program of Hope Pumpkin Patch

Come out and support the Program of Hope pumpkin patch at First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Jefferson and Claiborne Avenues. The patch opens today and will be open daily through Halloween. Program of Hope is one of our community ministry partners. It is a homeless ministry at First Presbyterian Church staffed by volunteers from many churches in greater New Orleans. Every Wednesday, the program provides housing/shelter vouchers, bus tokens, lunches, hygiene items, clothing, counseling, prayer, worship, financial and volunteer support.

Sunday School Adult Classes

First and Second Samuel | Sept. 7 - Nov. 23 | Phifer Library

During the reigns of Saul and David as recorded in First and Second Samuel, the people of Israel experience fear, disappointment, heartache, and betrayal. The compelling theme that weaves its way through these two books and into our lives is the need to balance both the gift of life from God and the promise of God’s steadfast love with the ever-present human temptation to take control and usurp God’s authority.

Lessons from the Lectionary | Sept. 7 - Nov. 23 | 2nd floor conference room | led by Caitlin Wallace-Rowland

Join us as we deep-dive into the lectionary scriptures of the day’s service. This discussion-based class will use commentaries and other resources to guide us as we learn about the week’s text—reading it together, discussing what we think it means, how we can connect it to our lives, and what we think God is calling us to do. Together we will add greater depth to our understanding of the scripture behind each week’s sermon.

Deadline for Supper Club Sign-Up Extended

There's still time to sign up! Supper Clubs are monthly small group gatherings where participants can get to know each other better and share the fellowship of a simple meal. Interested in joining? Let us know your availability and preferences by filling out the survey at scapc.org/supper-clubs and we will assign you to a group. Please fill out even if you participated in a supper club last year. The new deadline is October 7.

Our Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Auseklis Ozols who passed away on Wednesday, September 24. Original artwork by Auseklis displayed at SCAPC includes the portraits of pastors Kenneth Phifer, Jim Carter, and Don Frampton, as well as "The Benediction" painting by the Chapel entrance.

Confirmation Class Retreat

Last weekend, our Confirmation Class of 26 students wrapped up their final lessons and bonded together at Baytreat in Fairhope. They now begin preparing their faith journeys to give to the Session in October!

Challenger Class Bake Sale

On Sunday, the Challenger Class (4th-5th graders) held a bake sale that raised $500 for Kids Join the Fight! Pictured here standing are Porter Frampton, Harris Lemoine, William Thomas, Jack Wilson, Beanie Breaux, a class friend, Raven Breaux, Julianne Wimbish, Brady Kennedy, Wyn Ziegler, and Quinn Smith; and seated are Helen Montgomery, Alice Granade, and Griffin Stagg. Look out for our next Challenger Class event - a Bingo Night this November! Details TBA.

YAF POLO Party

Fun was had by all at the Young Adults & Families' POLO Party (Parents of Little Ones) on Sunday!

Our Sister Church in Cuba

Learning materials from Living Waters for the World, one of SCAPC's global ministry partners, were enjoyed by the young members of our sister church, El Fuerte Presbyterian, in Cardenas, Cuba. Learn more about our Cuba ministry at scapc.org/cuba.