Slow Us Down, Lord

Dear God,

We thank you for the lazy days of Summer and the down time we have enjoyed. School has begun and we are once again “on the run”. Slow our feet and let us remember the joys of sabbath rest in new ways to enrich our lives for you. We do not know your timing for our days, but we do know that through you we can savor the finer things that make us whole.

Slow us down, Lord, and make us know that we are yours. Tender our hearts to know how we can protect our own health, as well as delight in the strength of others. Make us aware of your desire for us to assist our neighbors and love them for who they are – and who we are! Come Lord Jesus and calm the chaos. We have work to do in your name. Amen.

 -Kathy Randall, SCAPC member

SCAPC 101  

Join us this Sunday, August 25, at 9:30 a.m. in the Land Building (house behind church on the corner of Benjamin and State) Lakeside Room for SCAPC 101. This class is an orientation for new members and visitors interested in joining our church, or anyone wishing to learn more about SCAPC! We talk about our basic beliefs as Presbyterians, the history of SCAPC, and how you can get involved in our church. Learn more in the meantime by visiting our membership page.

Sign Up to Bring Sunday Snacks

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 Sunday.

Youth Back-to-School Events

WELCOME BACK POOL PARTY: This Saturday, August 24, we will be holding our Welcome Back Pool Party in the Berger’s backyard from 4-6 p.m. All 6th-12th grade youth are invited, and parents and siblings are encouraged to attend as well! Please enter the backyard of the “Skeleton House” (6000 St. Charles Avenue) from the State Street side. We will have pizza, refreshments, games, and a lot of fun. Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit and your own towel!

NEW-TO-YOUTH-GROUP ORIENTATION: This Sunday, August 25, we have an opportunity specifically for our new 6th graders and anyone who wants to try youth group for the first time! This “New-to-Youth-Group Orientation” will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Youth Room. Enter the State Street buzzer door of the church and come up to the third floor to learn more about what youth group is all about, meet some new friends to ease your transition, and play some of youth group’s favorite games. Cane's will be served!

YMCA Educational Services (YES)

SCAPC has been a longtime partner of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans' YES program, an adult literacy program begun in 1977 by a group of local pastors. YES gives adults the math, reading, and computer skills they need to advance at work, assist their children at school, and be active, engaged citizens. In their recent Community Impact Report, the Y featured YES graduate Abby M., who just received her GED and has enrolled at Delgado Community College to pursue a degree in criminal justice.

Abby came to YES through the Eden Centers for Hope and Healing (another SCAPC community partner), having been the victim of trafficking. With a great deal of grit and determination, and the support of her tutor, not only did Abby walk across the stage to receive her diploma, but she also delivered an inspiring commencement speech. Abby plans to earn an MA in social work so that she can help women who experience circumstances similar to hers.

Crescent City Café  

Last Saturday, SCAPC volunteers helped serve breakfast at Crescent City Café, another of our community ministry partners. The Café serves the poor and marginalized members of our community through the sharing of meals, including free breakfasts twice each month. Pictured here top row from left are Charlotte Urban, Catherine Rigby, Chris Keene, Ethan Rault, Jack and Gillian Egan; and front row, Tyler Wheeler, Katie Brendler, and Matt McCann.

YAF Cocktail Competition

All Young Adults & Families are invited to the YAF Cocktail Competition at the home of Emma Pegues and Matt Smith this Saturday, August 24 from 6-8 p.m. Bring a cocktail or a mocktail to share with the group and we will vote on the best one from each category! RSVP to tyler@scapc.org. 

McMillan Society to the Theatre!

On Sunday, September 15, the McMillan Society (ages 55+) will be attending the 2:30 p.m. matinee of Amy Herzog's award-winning version of Henrik Ibsen's landmark drama, A Doll's House, presented by Crescent City Stage. 150 years after it's premier in 1879, a Pulitzer-nominated playwright puts a captivating contemporary spin on the great classic. This adaptation was nominated for six 2023 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, and won three 2023 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Adaptation. If you have not seen this play before, you should see this production. If you have seen it before (perhaps many times), this version is one you should not miss. Following the performance will be a talk on “Women in the Theater” which will include cast members as well as several invited guests.

Crescent City Stage is a theatrical organization founded by SCAPC member Liz Elkins Newcomer, her husband Michael Newcomer, and long time collaborator, Jana Mestecky. CCS is beginning it's second season of play production after presenting several readings around New Orleans pre-pandemic and more online during the pandemic.

The McMillan Society event will begin with a lunch catered by Harvest and Hatch at 12:30 p.m. in the Land Building. These two entrepreneurial women have catered for McMillan previously, to rave reviews. A menu from which to chose will be sent out on September 1 after reservations have been made. The selections will include gourmet sandwiches with a choice of tasty side salads as well as several lovely entree sized salads. 

The cost is $62/person. Your check, delivered to Emily Fleshman in the SCAPC office by

August 31, is your reservation. Any questions, please contact Miriam Hollar at miriam@scapc.org. 

PW Fall Gathering

Last Saturday, 51 Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of South Louisiana held their Fall Gathering at Lakeview Presbyterian Church. SCAPC's own Sarah Chancellor-Watson (pictured here with Lakeview member Elaine Christoph) served as worship leader. SCAPC member April Weiser led the group in a seed-planting mission project for Okra Abbey Community Garden, one of SCAPC's community ministry partners, and several tables of supplies were collected for the garden as well. The Gathering also included an overview of the 2024-2025 PW Horizons Bible Study, "Let Justice Roll Down: God's Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation". To learn about PW Bible Studies here at SCAPC, visit our PW webpage (scapc.org/pw).

Playground Playdate 

Last Sunday, families gathered at Alma Peters Playground for a fun SCAPC playdate! Pictured here from left are Laurel and Lilla Rowland, Charles Tatum, Camille and Frances Rault.