TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026

Follow Your Star

Star words are a prayer practice in churches all over the world to give people an individual guiding word at Epiphany. If you missed the opportunity to pick up a star during worship last Sunday, feel free to pick up a star for your year on the table outside of the Chapel. If you’d like a star mailed to your residence, email ashley@scapc.org. 

Volunteer in the New Year!

Are you searching for a way to put your unique talents to use through the ministry of the church? We have several opportunities to serve those both within and beyond our church community. Find your fit on our volunteer webpage: scapc.org/volunteer. Current needs include volunteering with our Aden Program for Elder Care on Tuesdays and Thursdays, participating in Sunday worship as an usher, liturgist, or children's message presenter, volunteering with Okra Abbey (see announcement below), serving as a STAIR reading tutor, preparing Sunday morning refreshments, joining the Wednesday Night Out Kitchen Krewe, teaching Sunday School, assisting with our Flower Outreach Ministry, serving on the RHINO Disaster Response Team (see announcement below), and joining our Meal Train sign-up.

Adult Spiritual Retreat for the Day

This Friday, January 9 from 10:30 a.m. -4:40 p.m., we will have an adult spiritual retreat for the day at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington, Louisiana. All are welcome for this day of rest and reflection at the peaceful St. Joseph’s Abbey. If anyone would like to carpool, we will meet at 9:30 at the State Street doors and return around 5:30 p.m. Otherwise, plan on meeting us at the doors of the Retreat Center at 75376 River Road, Saint Benedict, LA 70457 at 10:30. Please bring your own bagged lunch. There will be an option for those interested to participate in a “silent retreat” for the afternoon portion. You are welcome to bring friends or family who are not members. All are truly welcome to participate and enjoy this day of rest and renewal. 

- 10:30 a.m.: arrive at Retreat Center/ introductions

- 11:15: Mass

- 12:15: Picnic lunch on the grounds (Everyone bring their own bag lunch)/Visit the gift shop (soaps, candles, bread, honey)

- 1:30-2:30: Optional Monk led tour  

- 2:30-4:30: On our own - silent meditations/bird watching/praying

- 4:30: Final reflections 

- 4:45: Drive home

Please rsvp and direct any questions to ashley@scapc.org by Thursday. 

Okra Abbey Grace & Greens

Volunteer Lunch Servers Needed

Presbyterian Women are seeking volunteers to mix a salad (ingredients provided) for Okra Abbey's Grace and Greens lunch on Wednesday, January 14 at 11:30 a.m., as well as to assist with slicing and serving a pound cake. The famous Presbyterian Women "Ten Cans of Soup" recipe will feed 45-50 people! Come start the New Year by helping your neighbor. Experience the fulfillment of investing an hour in community service with this important ministry. Okra Abbey, which is one of our community ministry partners, is located on the corner of Hickory and Eagle Streets. Please let Kathy Randall know if you can help, kathyrandall7070@gmail.com.  

Introducing Ann Loomis, Aden Program Director!

We are pleased to introduce Ann Loomis as the new Director of our Aden Elder Care Program. Ann comes to us with over 15 years experience working with senior adults, as the former Director of Community Life at Christwood Retirement Community. Ann is passionate about the arts and established an art gallery at Christwood to share local artist work with the residents. Ann is a mother of two and proud grandmother of six. We look forward to officially welcoming Ann as she begins her work on February 1. Learn more about the Aden program at scapc.org/aden.

Sunday School Classes

ADULTS:

We Believe...1700 Years with the Nicene Creed

January 4 -February 8 | Phifer Library | led by Chris Currie

The year just finished, 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. This class explores the early Trinitarian and Christological beliefs and the desire to reach some sense of consensus about ‘one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,’ why these words we declare in our oldest creed matter and affect our lives as Christians who stand in the tradition of the Nicene Creed. Christianity is more than a set of doctrines or laundry list of beliefs, but Christianity without theological reflection on who God is leads us to turn faith into a project or an individual à la carte religious experience with no shared convictions or collective faith. How we live, whatever our faith, is shaped by what we believe. This class highlights the theology, history, and the important role the Nicene Creed plays in shaping our collective faith. 

Writing from the Heart: Journaling as Sacred Practice

January 4 -February 8 | 2nd floor conference room | led by Harriet Riley

When the world feels chaotic and you are seeking quiet in the storm, a spiritual journal can be the best way to process feelings and thoughts. A journal can also be a path to nurture your faith through interactive prayer. Using the recently published The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad, this six-week class explores the art of journaling as a spiritual practice. It is a participatory class that inspires individuals through guided prompts to start their own spiritual journal or renew their own writing practice.

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL (grades 6-12) meets in the Youth Room on the 3rd floor.

THE CHALLENGER CLASS (grades 4-5) meets on the 2nd floor 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: 3 years-PreK, Kindergarten-1st grade, and 2nd-3rd grade, all meeting in rooms on the 2nd floor. They engage in Bible stories through activities, interactive games, and creative crafts. 

THE NURSERY for children ages 0-3 is open in the Bear Classroom which is the corner classroom on the first floor.

First Grade Worship Workshop

A worship workshop for first graders and parents will take place on Sundays, January 11, 18, and 25. Worship is the gathering in God’s presence in a special way that we don’t do the rest of the week. This workshop will show the parts of the service, how to actively listen and ways to participate in the service.

This Sunday, January 11, parents of first graders are requested to attend a SPECIAL Parenting in the Pew Meeting from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. in the Learning Center on the second floor. The Parenting In the Pew class will discuss what is expected of parents and children as they grow in their faith and what it means to engage in corporate worship. 

Workshop classes, led by Michele Murphy, will meet at 10:30 a.m. in Frampton Fellowship Hall. The workshop will conclude with a presentation of first grade bibles during the 10:30 service on January 25. All children and adults are encouraged to attend Sunday School classes at 9:30 a.m. For details on classes for all ages, visit our Sunday School page.

Spiritually Hungry Women: New Study

Last Wednesday, the Spiritually Hungry Women's group began a study of The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind—A New Perspective on Christ and His Message, by Cynthia Bourgeault. Weekly meetings are held on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in the Land Building. Contact Beth Poe at bethpoe@tulane.edu with any questions.

Thursday Theology Group: New Study

The Thursday Theology Group will begin a new study this Thursday, January 8 at 12:15 p.m. in the second floor conference room. Our discussion for the next eight weeks will focus on Why I Am A Protestant by Beth Felker Jones. Books are available on Amazon and through your local independent book store. For details, please visit scapc.org/theology.

Why I Am Protestant  is a personal and theological reflection on what it means to be part of the Protestant Christian tradition. Both its strengths and weaknesses are examined including its beauty, diversity, and continued relevance. Jones offers a clear, ecumenical examination of why Protestant ecclesiology has shaped her faith, and why she believes Protestantism remains a faithful way to live out the Christian gospel.

Youth Group Resumes Sunday

Youth Group for grades 6-12 resumes this Sunday, January 11, from 5-7:30 p.m. in the Youth Room on the third floor. For details, contact Youth Director Chris Hazlaris or visit the youth webpage.

YAF Trivia Night

Join the Young Adults & Families (adults-only) for TRIVIA night at Skeeta Hawk Brewing (455 N Dorgenois St.) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 15. Come to play or just to hang out! Questions, Caitlin@scapc.org.

Informational Meeting:

RHINO Disaster Response Team

Be a part of our church’s disaster response ministry! Join us on Sunday, January 18 at 12:00pm-1:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room. We will be sharing information about our RHINO Disaster Response Team and begin to organize teams of volunteers who will help our church respond to the needs of both our local community and others across the country following a natural disaster.

Sermon Transcripts

Did you know that our sermon transcripts are available in printed form on the rack in Frampton Fellowship Hall and online at scapc.org/sermon-transcripts? Enjoy and share!

Harriet Riley Recognized for Writings in Presbyterian Outlook

The Presbyterian Outlook magazine recently posted their 10 most-read opinion pieces of 2025, and articles by SCAPC member Harriet Riley were included! The articles were "Chicago pastors confront escalating violence at ICE detention facility" and "D.C. churches respond to federal show of force."

New Member Welcome

Please join us in welcoming Det Beal who became a SCAPC member on Sunday!

Quarterly Membership Updates

October 1-December 31, 2025

BIRTH

• 11/18/25 – James Porter, son of Katie and Alex Porter, grandson of Jennifer and John Steck

BAPTISMS

• 10/5/25 – Michael Carson Riess, son of Leighton and Rob Riess, grandson of Aimée and Michael Bell
• 10/26/25 – Tennessee Barrett Manning, son of Ellie and Leland Manning
• 11/2/25 – Robert Bruce White, son of Neal and Lizzie White, grandson of Monique and Bob McCleskey
• 11/23/25 – Robert Charles Crabtree, son of Leigh and Harrison Crabtree, grandson of Tammy and Scott Crabtree
• 11/30/25 – Hazel Ruth Chaney, daughter of Jessie Bruggers and Sean Chaney
• 11/30/25 – Claire Thierry Hughes, daughter of Alex and Brendan Hughes

MARRIAGES

• 10/25/25 – Kelsey Warren to Jack Shawkey
• 11/22/25 – Calder Schmidt to Winnie McCarthy
• 11/22/25 – Evan Murders to Caitlin Ostrander

NEW MEMBERS

• 10/5/25 – Sean Chaney
• 10/5/25 – Will Cockerham
• 10/27/25 – Confirmands:

P.J. Able

Rhys Breaux

Liam Carlisle

Sadie Duvernay

Emma Edgecombe

Nina Edgecombe

Henry Frame

Parker Frame

Jack Grabill

Lizzie Hope

Liam Kennedy

Sterling Lanier

Adeline Lemoine

Maggie Mackenroth

Hadley Meyer

Baldwin Montgomery

Logan Montgomery

Claude Roth

Leighton Smith

Elliott Stagg

James Starr

Marian Vorhoff

College Retreat

Last week, six SCAPC college students and Youth Director Chris Hazlaris travelled to North Carolina for the Montreat Conference Center's College Retreat. Students included Kate Knight, Emma Randels-LaRocca, Charlie Lowe, Michael Frankowski, William Lowe, and Boyd Pugh.