TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2025

Chris Currie's Essay Named in Presbyterian Outlook's Top 10 Opinion Pieces

The Presbyterian Outlook magazine recently posted their 10 most-read opinion pieces of 2025, and an essay by Chris Currie was included! The essay, entitled "Inauguration prayers, Bishop Buddle, Bill Maher, and the future of the mainline church", can be found at this link.

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.

New Sunday School Classes

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 will explore 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 will try to highlight 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 will explore the art of journaling as a spiritual practice. This participatory class will inspire individuals through guided prompts to start their own spiritual journal or renew their own writing practice.

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. 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.

Update on England/Scotland Pilgrimage

Cathedrals and Communities of Faith

A pilgrimage to sacred spaces from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland

We are busy making preparations for our October 2026 SCAPC travel pilgrimage to the UK. Jim Wallace, our travel pilgrimage coordinator writes: "I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been able to make some very nice arrangements for your tour. I’ve been doing hotel visits to make sure we could find the best places to stay as some of those spots are not on our usual routes. I’ve booked a very nice hotel which is a little north of Durham. I’ve also held accommodation at Peebles Hydro for our two nights in the Borders. It’s lovely. By getting us north of Durham that first night we are within an easier drive of Holy Island so we can go straight there the next morning. We also have a good hotel in London where I’ve stayed before myself and a nice place in Edinburgh. I’ve secured the services of a lovely guide who will join us at Durham and accompany to Edinburgh. And we’re looking at doing something a bit different in Edinburgh also which will suit the theme of the tour and be good for folks who’ve been there before. So that’s all looking great."

Registrations and bookings are being accepted now with the early bird deadline of Sunday, January 4. In addition, there will be another information session for those interested or who want to learn more after worship this Sunday, January 4 in the Land Building Riverside Room. See the resource page for booking forms, pilgrimage information, etc. at scapc.org/scotland. 

YAF Parade Watch & King Cake Tasting

Join the Young Adults and Families in front of the church (St. Charles Avenue doors) on Tuesday, January 6 at 7 p.m. to celebrate Epiphany and the start of the Mardi Gras season! We’ll hang out and watch the Phunny Phorty Phellows parade down the streetcar route. If you have a favorite king cake, bring one to share! Questions? Caitlin@scapc.org.

WNO Resumes Next Week!

Wednesday Night Out will resume next Wednesday, January 7! Elizabeth Favret, Greg Browne, and Chris Currie will offer reflections on their recent visit with incarcerated men at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center as part of the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in Frampton Fellowship Hall. Children’s dismissal will take place at 6:20 and the program will follow at 6:25. The cost for dinner is $10/adult, $5/child, and $25/family. On the menu will be pepper jelly glazed pork chops, black eyed pea salad with pomegranate dressing, collard greens with bacon, roasted okra, brown butter cornbread, and brownies à la mode. Make your dinner reservation on the SCAPC app or at scapc.org/wno. Reservations close on Monday, January 5 at 5 p.m. or earlier if capacity is reached. Our pastor-led Bible study will begin an examination of Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Class will meet at 5:15 p.m. in the Phifer Library. 

PINTS Resumes

Young Adults & Families PINTS (Presbyterians Imbibing in Necessary Theological Study) will resume on Wednesday, January 7 as well! Our next topics of study will dive into spirituality, spiritual disciplines and practices, and how and where we find God in our lives. Join us as we examine our faith and how it grows with us throughout life. PINTS meets Wednesday evenings, 6:45-8 p.m. in the Land Building, Childcare is provided. Questions? Caitlin@scapc.org

Adult Spiritual Retreat for the Day

On 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 January 8. 

New Communion Set for Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women were gifted a beautiful communion set that was commissioned in memory of Sybil Favrot by her daughter Margaret Cross and created by PW members Christina Carlisle and Caitlin Wallace-Rowland. Caitlin writes, "This is ultimately a true testament to the beauty we can create (as women, as Christians, as people) when we work together and combine our talents." The set was used for the first time at the PW Christmas service earlier this month.

They were crafted over the summer in Montreat, North Carolina, a place that has become a peaceful respite and spiritual retreat for many Presbyterians, a place they call a “thin place” where the veil between the earthly and the divine is transparent and close to God. 

The artwork depicted was chosen for many reasons — Louisiana Irises are a staple in southern gardens, often blooming during Mardi Gras. The colors — purple and gold with green leaves — are the colors of our city and represent the joy Mardi Gras creates and celebrates: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Irises are visually similar to the iconic New Orleans fleur-de-lis and the Holy Trinity it represents.

In ancient history, the color purple represented royalty, as the dye used to make it (Tyrian purple made from the glands of Murex sea snails) was more costly than gold. In the Bible, Lydia was a successful businesswoman, a seller of luxury purple textiles. She was also a patron of the early church and follower of Christ. She was an influential woman in a male dominated society who opened her home, her heart, and her resources to Christian ministry.

STAIR: Start the Adventure in Reading

SCAPC member and STAIR virtual tutor Jack Little met his student for the first time at STAIR's end-of-semester celebration this month. The mission of STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading) is to improve the self-esteem and reading skills of lower elementary public school children. STAIR recruits and trains volunteer tutors to work with public school students during critical developmental years. The organization is one of SCAPC's community ministry partners.

Thank You from Cuba

SCAPC Global Ministry Committee member and longtime Cuba mission volunteer Laura St. Clair received this thank-you video to SCAPC for all our support from the youth at El Fuerte Presbyterian Church, our sister church in Cardenas, Cuba. To learn more about SCAPC's Cuba ministry, visit scapc.org/cuba.

YAF Game Night

YAF members enjoyed a Game Night to finish off the PINTS 2025 year!

A Celebration of Carols: SCAPC Chancel Choir & Orchestra

The SCAPC Chancel Choir and Orchestra offered their annual "Celebration of Carols" during worship on Sunday, December 21.

Nursery School Christmas Chapel

Chris Currie led a special Christmas Chapel for the SCAPC Nursery School children.

Luminary Memorials & Honorariums

Pathways of luminaries, donated by our members, lit the entrances to the Sanctuary in the days before Christmas. Special thanks go out to Caitlin, Drew, Laurel and Lilla Rowland, Jane Meneray, Katie Brendler, and Michele Murphy for arranging them! For a list of memorial and honorary acknowledgements, click here.

Christmas Eve Family Service

At the 4:00 Christmas Eve Family Service this year, 47 youth participated in a beautiful nativity tableau!

Gigi Frankowski as Gabriel with a host of angels

Coleman Edwards as Joseph, Arden Weiser as Mary, Hazel Chaney as Baby Jesus

Harris Lemoine, William Thomas, and Jack Wilson as the wiseman

Singing of Silent Night

The "Stevenisms" of Steven Blackmon

As a tribute to their “Fearless Leader”, the Chancel Choir presented Director Steven Blackmon a list of their favorite “Stevenisms”. Here are a few gems!

• “Take that dynamic with a pillar of salt.”
• “That almost sounded like something. Let’s do it again and make sure it wasn’t a fluke.”
• “Spend some prayerful time with your scores.”
• “Let’s give this a read, shall we?...Was anyone maimed?...killed?”
• “Pax! Pax!”
• “Questions? Comments? Rude remarks?”
• “That had a certain barnyard quality.”
• “I don’t want to look up there and see a sea of foreheads.”
• “Can I buy some consonants?”
• “Put your Brit on.”
• “Oh so Hooty and the Blow Fish”
• “If it’s too high, just Milli Vanilli it.”
• “There won’t be a dry pew in the house.”
• “Whoo – the composer must have had some bad clams before he wrote that.”
• “We’ll let the magic of the loft fix it.”
• “Hushez vous, silver plate!"
• “Sans warblando”
• “You’re sounding very bovine.”
• “Did you draw yourself a set of googly eyes there?”
• “That smells flat.”
• “You all are just full of questions I’ve already given the answers to.”
• “Go forth and caffeinate!”