TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

VOLUNTEER IN THE NEW YEAR!

Are you searching for a way to put your unique talents to use through the ministry of the church? In a few minutes, you can take our Ministry Match Survey and find opportunities personalized for you here at SCAPC and in the communities we support. We pray that you will consider these options and discover new ways to serve. You may be surprised by the opportunities placed before you!

NEW READING GROUP

Chris Currie is forming a new Theology Reading Group to start meeting during the Lent Season, ideally beginning February 23 on Thursdays. The first book will be Daniel Migliore’s Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. Please email Chris at chriscurrie@scapc.org and let him know if you would be interested in participating and what time would work best.

CUBA MISSION TRIP

On January 24, a group of SCAPC volunteers will travel to Cardenas, Cuba to visit our Presbyterian sister churches, El Fuerte, Juan G. Hall and Matanzas Central. On the trip will be Courtney Bell, Dorothy Burns, Cindy and Ed Bush, Laura St. Clair, and Ann Van Horn. The team will deliver replacement parts for the Living Waters systems at these churches and bring much needed over-the-counter medicine. If you would like to donate children's chewable vitamins and cold/flu/pain medications (no liquids, please), please deliver your donations to the basket inside the Chapel entrance doors by January 22. The team will be commissioned this Sunday during the 10:30 service. Please pray for their safe travels.

WEDNESDAY EVENING CLASS BEGINS TOMORROW

On Wednesdays, January 11-February 8, the pastors will lead "A Vocabulary of Faith...a.k.a. Theology for Beginners." This class will be a study and discussion of the basic theological building blocks of our faith. We will explore words we think we know, words like 'faith', 'church', 'God', 'love', 'vocation', 'kingdom', 'communion', and discover their deeper meanings. Classes will meet at 5:15 p.m. in the Phifer Library.

SEEKING WRITERS & ARTISTS

If you would like to compose a short devotional or provide a piece of art (painting, sculpture, photograph, etc.) to be included in our Lent devotional books, please contact Katie Brendler at katie@scapc.org.

RHINO: CHANGES TO SPRING CALENDAR

Please note that the Habitat for Humanity Unity Build originally scheduled for this month has been postponed. We will inform you all when we have new dates. Our volunteer trip to Port Charlotte, Florida has been moved to March 2-5. Registration is due by February 14. If you have questions, you can email Lena and Khyah at rhino@scapc.org. Our volunteer trip to Lake Charles has been postponed as well. We will update you when we have new dates. Thank you for your continued support of our program. Happy New Year from Lena and Khyah!

CHILDREN'S CHOIRS

This semester we are excited to bring back our children's choirs after two years off due to Covid. There are two groups: the first is our Cherub Choir for students 3 years old - 2nd grade. The second is Ringers and Singers for students in 3rd grade though high school. Each group will perform two to three times this semester during 10:30 a.m. services. The Cherub Choir practices on Sunday mornings from 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Ms. Peggy, our choir director, is trying to determine the best time for our Ringers and Singers Choir to practice. This group will both sing and play hand bells. If your child is interested in either choir, please register at this link. Rehearsals will commence soon.

YOUTH NEWS

CANDY, SNACK, AND REFRESHMENT DRIVE

Our 6th-12th graders go through a huge number of treats, and as our ministry continues to grow, we could use your support in continuing to provide them with snacks and refreshments during Youth Group and other events. Starting today and continuing throughout the month, the church will gratefully accept any candy, snack, or drink donations. These can be brought to the marked basket at the Chapel entrance doors. Granola bars, fruit snacks, and most types of chips/crackers work very well. For drinks, individual serving size sodas, waters, juices, and sports drinks are ideal. And assorted candy bags are always such a gift to the kids!

CONFIRMAND RETREAT

Over this holiday weekend, 17 Confirmation Students will be on retreat in Mobile, Alabama. Please keep them in prayer!

Please note:

There will be Youth Sunday School this weekend but no Youth Group!

PW BOOK CLUB: UPCOMING TITLES

The Presbyterian Women's Book Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Land Building, and all are welcome to join! Contact Elizabeth Artigues at artigues4@gmail.com with any questions. Here is our spring line-up:

JANUARY 19: Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout

FEBRUARY (date TBA): The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan

MARCH 16: West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

WORSHP WORKSHOP FOR 1ST GRADERS & PARENTS

On Sunday, February 12, first graders will begin a new chapter and will remain in worship services with their families after the children’s message to continue their Faith Journey with Jesus Christ. To help with this transition, we are offering a Worship Workshop at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, January 22, 29 and February 5. These are for first graders AND THEIR PARENTS. We will meet each week in Frampton Fellowship Hall for the lesson which will include parts of the live streaming of the worship service and will explain the parts of the bulletin and what our faith says about corporal worship. Each lesson will build on the previous one and students who attend the three classes will gain a better understanding.  

Sunday School for all ages resumes this week!

ADULT CLASSES

"AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY"

January 8 - February 5 | led by Richard Ashmore | Learning Center (2nd floor)

This class explores African American spirituality from its roots in many diverse Western African societies to its many manifestations in America today. Key questions being addressed are: Is there a “Black Church” in America? How did enslaved Africans adopt and adapt Christianity? How have Historically Black Protestant Denominations served both group cohesiveness and societal change? Music is emphasized. For the January 8 class recording, click here.

"GOD, IMPROV, & THE ART OF LIVING"

January 8 - April 30 | book by MaryAnn McKibben Dana | 2nd floor conference room

Each week, class members listen to an excerpt from the book which blends personal stories, pop culture and Scripture into a smart, funny down-to-earth guide to the art of living. Offering concrete spiritual wisdom through seven improv principles, the book shows how to become more awake, creative, resilient and ready to play – even (especially) when life doesn’t go according to plan.

FOR DETAILS ON CLASSES FOR ALL AGES, VISIT OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL PAGE.

SCAPC STUDENTS AT MONTREAT COLLEGE CONFERENCE

We are thrilled to welcome back nine of our young adults who returned this week from Montreat's College Conference! A thriving new ministry of our church has been the solidifying of a college group, made up of SCAPC students as well as local students from NOLA Wesley Campus Ministry. This week, under the leadership of Chris Hazlaris and Pastor Zoe Garry, the group traveled to Montreat, North Carolina where they were reminded of the importance of rest, relying on healthy relationships, and remembering God's promises in order to combat stress and burnout. We are grateful for the work God is doing in the hearts of these faithful young men and women! Attendees included Michael Frankowski, Matthew Foss, Tonner Dougherty, Aiden Morriss, Jack DeFraites, Madeline Weiser, and Griff Thomas. 

NEW MEMBER WELCOME!

We are delighted to welcome new members Nicole Ray and her son Zander who joined the church on Sunday.

YAF PARADE & KING CAKE PARTY

Last weekend on Twelfth Night, Young Adults & Families (YAF) enjoyed a king cake contest followed by the Phunny Phorty Phellows parade!

On Sunday, the Elder Class of 2025 was ordained and installed during the 10:30 a.m. service. These elders will serve on the Session for the next three years. Pictured top row from left are Bob Vorhoff, Jill Nalty, Gail Kaliszeski, Scott Crabtree, Denise Morse, and Eric Holtzman. Front row from left are Elizabeth Favret, Ava Zander, Molly Talbot, Kristin Rich, Jenny Wimbish, Christina Carlisle, and Tom Allen. Not pictured are Laura Avery, Ruthie Frierson, and Lock Gottsche.

Ebie Strauss displayed her "star word", RITUAL, on her fridge as a faith reminder throughout the year. If you would like a star word, please contact Sarah Chancellor-Watson at sarah@scapc.org.