TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Why We Go to Church

"There's something about actually going to church, the bother involved, that by itself is a huge concession that you make to the meaningfulness of what will happen there. It’s a very modest discipline, really."

- Marilynne Robinson

Aden Program Seeking New Director

SCAPC’s elder care ministry, the Aden Program, is currently searching for a new director. To learn more about the program and to view the job description, visit scapc.org/aden. If you know of someone who might be interested in this important work or would like to know more about this position, please contact Sarah Chancellor-Watson at sarah@scapc.org.

Plant Trees this Weekend!

We are seeking volunteers to plant trees with SOUL (Sustaining Our Urban Landscape) this Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 4110 Hamburg Street in Gentilly. Click here for registration and details on what to bring. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Youth News

All 6th-12th graders are invited to Youth Group this Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Youth Room (3rd floor), and the Youth Parents Group will meet at 6 p.m. in the Land Building. Our theme this week is “Loving Our Family as Our Neighbor.” Also note that our Youth & Family Crawfish Boil will be on Sunday, March 10 from 3-5 p.m. on the Land Building lawn. Please let Chris Hazlaris know if you plan to attend.

LENTEN SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

February 18- March 24 | Land Building Riverside Room

Lent is the pilgrimage from the feast of the nativity and epiphany to the feast of Easter. In between are forty days for self-reflection, personal growth, and spiritual pilgrimage on our way to Easter. On Sunday mornings, we are discussing different practices and pilgrimages. During the week we are having optional walking pilgrimages. For a schedule of class topics and pilgrimages, visit our Sunday School page.

Click here for the recording of this past Sunday's class on Civil Rights. There will be an optional walking pilgrimage tomorrow at 11 a.m. from William Frantz Elementary School (now Akili Academy) at 3811 N. Galvez to Press Street Station at 5 Homer Plessey Way. Please meet at the church at 10:45.

Topic for Sunday, March 3: "Mardi Gras Indians and their Traditions" led by Charles Duvernay

Optional walking pilgrimage for Wednesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. (meet at 10:45): Congo Square to New Orleans Jazz Museum

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

January 7 - March 24 | Phifer Library & Zoom

In telling the story of Jesus, Matthew challenges his disciples to live each day as participants in God's kingdom--to be poor in spirit and pure in heart, turn the other cheek and love one's enemies.

Class recording: February 25

THE SECULOSITY OF MARRIAGE & PARENTING

January 7 - March 24 | 2nd floor conference room

Statistics show that fewer and fewer Americans are attending church, but author David Zahl argues that we are in fact more religious than ever. Using his funny and insightful book, Seculosity, we will dig deeper into three of the areas that can consume us as adults - Busyness, Relationships, and Parenting – and learn what to do about it.

The topic for this Sunday, March 3 will be parenting, led by Emma Pegues.

Classes for all ages meet at 9:30 a.m. See our Sunday School page for details.

Breaking Bread as a Spiritual Practice

Join us for an evening of bread baking on Wednesday, March 27 from 6:00– 8:30 p.m. in the Land Building. Together we will prepare the communion bread for the Maundy Thursday service. Everyone will also have a loaf to bake and enjoy at home. Dinner will be served and the cost is $15/person. Your check is your reservation and can be dropped off to the Church Office. This event is open to all ages however childcare will not be provided. Contact Miriam Hollar at Miriam@scapc.org with any questions.

Lenten Food Drive

Hunger means more than missing a meal. For one in eight families, it often means having to choose between buying groceries or paying rent. Throughout the season of Lent, we are collecting non-perishable foods for the Broadmoor Food Pantry to help alleviate this need. Our highlighted item this week is peanut butter, an important source of protein that can last for multiple meals. Rice, pasta, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and baby food are especially appreciated as well. You can bring items to the collection bins at the Chapel entrance on State Street or in Fellowship Hall.

Café Reconcile Wins MacKenzie Scott Award!

We celebrate with our community ministry partner Café Reconcile who received a transformational gift of $4 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Read all about it at this link! We are proud that the good work at Café Reconcile is being recognized in such a profound way. We look forward to the ways our church can continue to partner with Reconcile as they build a better future for the young people they serve and our New Orleans Community at large! 

News from Malawi

The Muliko Literacy Project in Malawi, an organization supported by our 2023 pledge dollars, recently sent out their "2023 Report & News" which you can view here. Included are descriptions of their Tikondane literacy class for women, their Mangochi Prison Class, and the Royal Kidz Academy which provides quality education to 380 learners in a Christ-centered environment. Shown here are children from the Academy participating in the National Spelling Bee.

Ash Wednesday

On February 14, we held “Ashes on the Avenue” from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in front of the Sanctuary. All who came received ashes and participated in three devotion stations for a time of meditation and prayer. We remembered who we are as mortals and as those who belong to Christ in life and in death. Shown here is Pastoral Resident Ashley Brown and a neighborhood friend.