We Welcome All!

We warmly welcome all to worship with Rayne this Sunday at 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM.

We welcome you to participate freely in the life of this community of faith and love,

and to become a member of this congregation. Rayne welcomes and embraces all people regardless of race, class, gender, or sexual orientation with

open hearts, open minds, and open doors!

This Week (Wednesday, September 2 - Saturday, September 5)

THU 6:30 - 7:30 AM Guys' Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

THU 11:15 AM - 12 PM Worship Prep (Sanctuary)

THU 3 - 5 PM Rayne Food Pantry Open (Parsonage Basement)

SAT 9 - 10 AM UMM Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

Next Week (Sunday, September 6 - Saturday, September 12)

SUN 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM Nursery (Rooms #118 and #119)

SUN 8:45 - 9:45 AM Worship (Sanctuary)

SUN 9:50 - 10:50 AM Sunday School Hour

SUN 11 AM - 12 PM Worship (Sanctuary)

SUN 4 - 5 PM Sunday Evening Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

SUN 5:30 - 6:30 PM Women's Covenant Group (Epiphany House, Front Room)

MON Church Office and Rayne Early Childhood Program Closed

MON 10 - 11 AM Prayer Team Meeting (Epiphany House, Front Room)

MON 6 - 7 PM Executive Committee Meeting(Online)

MON 6 - 7:30 PM Adult Handbell Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

TUE 10 AM - 12 PM Rayne Food Pantry Open (Parsonage Basement)

TUE 12 - 1 PM Women's Covenant Group (Epiphany House, Dining Room)

TUE 6 - 7 PM Mission Team Meeting (Online)

TUE 6 - 7 PM Staff Parish Relations Committee Meeting (Epiphany House, Conference Room)

TUE 6 - 8 PM Mah Jongg Open Play (Epiphany House, Sunroom)

WED 10:30 - 11:30 AM Book Club Meeting (Epiphany House, Front Room)

WED 5:30 - 6:00 PM Wednesday Family Meal (Carriage House)

WED 6 - 7 PM Children's Bell Choir (Sanctuary)

WED 6 - 7 PM Children's Choir (Hannah Chapel)

WED 6 - 7 PM Middle School Youth Group (Epiphany House, Conference Room)

WED 6 - 7 PM Nursery (Bynum Education Building, Room #118)

WED 6 - 7 PM What We Believe: Faith in a Real World (Epiphany House, Front Room)

THU 6:30 - 7:30 AM Guys' Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

THU 11:15 AM - 12 PM Worship Prep (Sanctuary)

THU 3 - 5 PM Rayne Food Pantry Open (Parsonage Basement)

SAT 9 - 10 AM UMM Bible Study (Epiphany House, Front Room)

What We Believe: Faith in a Real World

Wednesdays, Sept. 9 - Oct. 10, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

The Epiphany House Front Room

What does it mean to follow Jesus in the real world we share?

In this Bible study led by Rev. Marissa, we’ll explore Scripture alongside the United Methodist Social Principles, asking how our faith shapes the way we understand our neighbors, our communities, and the world around us. Together, we’ll wrestle with questions of justice, compassion, dignity, creation, and the common good. Not simply to decide what we think, but to consider how our beliefs call us to live.

Come ready to learn, ask honest questions, and discover how our faith can move from what we believe to how we live. The group will meet for six weeks on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM beginning September 9.

Wednesday Evening Programming Returns

Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 9

The Epiphany House Front Room

Wednesday Evening programming will resume September 9, pending the Chapel construction completion. There is a $5 suggested donation for those who partake in the shared meal. All are welcome to join!

5:30-6:00 PM: Family Dinner in the Carriage House

• Contact Elizabeth for more information about contributing to the shared meals.

6:00 - 6:50 PM: Children's Choir Rehearsals

• Children must be three years old and potty trained to attend choir.
• Parents/Guardians are asked to stay on site or nearby if their children are attending children's handbell or children's choir rehearsal.

6:00 - 6:50 PM: Middle School Youth Group

• Youth will meet in the Epiphany House Conference Room, located on the second floor.
• Contact Katie to learn more information.

Mah Jongg Open Play

Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

The Epiphany House Sunroom

All Mah Jongg players are welcome to join our open play sessions every Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the Epiphany House Sunroom. For those interested in learning the game, stay tuned for details regarding our upcoming fall beginner classes! RSVP to Donita Qualey.

Rayne Community Night at the Batture

Sunday, September 13, 4:00 - 6:00 PM

The Batture, 25 Walnut Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Mark your calendars! Come and hang out with other Rayne members at the Batture on Sunday, September 13 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Please note that outside food and drink and lawn chairs are not allowed; bring a picnic blanket and enjoy fellowship from the Rayne community.

We have a new way to sign up for roles in worship on Realm! Here you will find opportunities for both adults and children to serve as ushers, communion servers, acolytes, and scripture readers. You can choose the Sunday and the service you prefer to serve, and you will be prepped for the role by Rev. Marissa, Rev. Mary, or Nancy Hopkins. Click the link below and connect with our Rayne family through service.

Please note that glass collection on Sunday, September 6 has been cancelled. Glass collection will resume on Sunday, October 4. Please find alternative glass recycling drop-offs through Glass Half Full here.

Did you forget to grab a copy of the new monthly newsletter, The Open Door, last Sunday? Have no fear! You can find every Sunday bulletin, weekly Tuesday e-newsletter, and monthly edition of The Open Door on Rayne's website under the Media tab.

Thank you for your patience, continued flexibility, and for caring for one another during this transition period. As always, our staff and steering committee are happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. We cannot wait to celebrate the new space together.

If you’d like to see what’s happening throughout the building—and what’s coming next—check out our Restoration & Renewal Construction Tracker below for the latest updates.

Entrance Closures

The Pitt Street Entrance (under the green awning) will be closed from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, September 13. Please enter through the Sanctuary entrance on Saint Charles Avenue and through Rayne's Early Childhood Preschool entrance on Pitt Street for an ADA route. The General Taylor Street sidewalk is also now closed. The Circle Drive entrance will be opening soon- stay tuned for more updates!

Fellowship Hall Closed

The Fellowship Hall is closed for construction.

Power Updates

The Sanctuary is off generator power and is back on permanent power as of Saturday, August 14. After two weeks of worshiping with temporary power, we are grateful to have this important piece of the project behind us. Still, the organ is awaiting evaluation by a professional before it can be turned on, and while portions of the Sanctuary’s HVAC system are operational, not all units are currently functioning. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and good humor as we’ve navigated flickering lights, warmer-than-usual temperatures, a temporary sound system, and other disruptions.

Middle-schooler Marjorie Harville has organized a supply drive to benefit the Covenant House as her Silver Award Project for the Girl Scouts. The Covenant House is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing sanctuary for young people experiencing homelessness. Marjorie is collecting supplies to create kits that the Middle and High School Youth Groups will assemble on Wednesday evenings this fall. In-kind donations and monetary donations can be dropped off in the Sanctuary Narthex (near the Saint Charles Avenue entrance) through September 13. Marjorie hopes to put together 100 kits and organize the donation drive for Covenant House every fall. Please consider supporting Covenant House youth and help Marjorie reach her goal!

Needed Items:

Linked below are recommended brands from the Covenant House wish list. Donated items do not have to be the same brand.

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Deodorant 
• Reusable water bottle
• Phone charger cords
• Block for chargers
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Backpacks

Donation Guidelines and Advice from Covenant House:

• We prefer hygiene products in full sizes that our youth can share: shower gels, shampoo, conditioner, etc. Save the travel sizes for your next vacation!
• We prefer shower gel over bar soap – it’s easier to share.
• We need natural hair care! About 80% of our youth are Black, so it’s great to have products they can use.

Rayne has transitioned to Realm, an online ministry tool designed for real-time connection. Sign in or sign up by visiting onrealm.org/raynenola or scan the QR code to the right!

Additionally, download Connect, a smart phone application, to access Realm on your phone! Download Connect on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Email realm@raynenola.org with questions.