ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ADVENT EPIPHANY view2016-2017

In this Edition: SCAPC families' Advent Traditions

RHINO responds to Baton Rouge flooding

Seeking Solitude: a historical perspective on the PW Retreat Advent Anticipation How the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love candles light our way VIEW Pastor's Desk

THE PASTOR'S DESK Editor: 3 Kim Thompson Bauer How do we learn to wait and anticipate? Copy Editors: NEWS IN BRIEF Cintra Willcox Dear friends, 4 Hallie Boh

-7 6 s Contributing Writers: As I write this letter at the beginning of October, it seems like every time I ge 5 POINT OF VIEW Advent | pa Sarah Chancellor-Watson go to the store more Christmas decorations have snuck onto the shelves! SCAPC families share their Advent/Christmas traditions Greg Beuerman | Bonnie Shoemaker I am reading articles about which stores will close on and Walter Harris | Stephanie November which will start their sales even before the turkeys are cooked Pierce Young | Laura St. Clair ADVENT ANTICIPATION Genny Hagler and the potatoes mashed. I am preparing myself to start hearing Christmas 6 carols on the radio any day now. When it comes to the Christmas season, How Hope, Peace, Joy & Love light our way every year we seem to get more ahead of ourselves. Contributing Photographers: Kate Elkins It is easy to get overwhelmed in this season. In the midst of planning , 1 8 WHITE 2016 -1 10 Pierce Young |Steven Blackmon cooking dinners, sending Christmas cards, and fighting the crowds to buy for Ornaments available starting November 20 s ge Genny Hagler | Michele Murphy RHINO | pa everyone from the mail carrier to your closest loved ones, it’s easy to lose sight of the joy Laura St. Clair | Don Frampton of the Christ Child, whom we celebrate. Thankfully, we have a holiday season built into our liturgical Randy Schmidt | Caroline Cottingham 9 JOSE Y MARIA Phil Luchsinger calendar which calls us to slow down, to sit in reflection and in contemplation, to prepare our hearts and our minds for Christ’s coming, and to—most importantly—wait in hopeful expectation.

Contributing Artists: When I was a kid, we had a ceramic nativity set with several pieces: lambs, a cow, shepherds, an angel, the 10 RHINO REBUILDS IN BATON ROUGE Everett Patterson wise men, camels, Mary, Joseph, and of course baby Jesus in the manger. In setting up this nativity set, we were not allowed to put baby Jesus out until Christmas Eve. My parents would remind me that before

-13 Christmas “Baby Jesus hasn’t yet been born.” It was one way that we celebrated the season of Advent in 12 12 SEEKING SOLITUDE PW | pages our house, to remember that before Christmas we are waiting for Christ’s coming, and we have to remain A retrospective on the PW Retreat expectant in hope for the weeks leading up to Christmas. My questions for all of us are: what are we going to do to intentionally slow down this season? How are we going 14 STAFF CELEBRATIONS to sit in the waiting and expectation of the season? How are you already doing this in your homes to anticipate the joy of Christmas? What new traditions might you adopt this season, to reclaim Advent from Christmas? 15 MEMBER MILESTONES 15 4- s 1 Staff | page Faithfully,

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Chapel Service with Communion...... 8:30 a.m. Visit the Point of View section on Sunday School Classes...... 9:30 a.m. St. Charles Avenue Sarah Chancellor-Watson page 5 to read how two SCAPC Sanctuary Worship with Chancel Choir...... 10:30 a.m. Presbyterian Church Associate Pastor for Mission families' Advent and Christmas 1545 State Street traditions help them sit with New Orleans, LA 70118 expectation and anticipate joy. On the Cover: www.scapc.org SCAPC member Isabel Schmidt and daughters Ellie and Caroline select (504) 897-0101 ornaments from the White Gift tree in Frampton Fellowship Hall.

WWW.SCAPC.ORG 3 NEWS in BRIEF point of ministries of the Synod of the Sun Two SCAPC families shareVIEW their Advent and Christmas traditions— Renovation Fund place them in the Phifer Library in Wednesday Night Out and to support scholarships for Presbyterian seminary students ways that they intentionally sit with expectation and ways that they Benevolence Grants the box marked Global Ministries or The Congregational Life committee from PC(USA) churches in Louisiana, anticipate the joy of Christmas. The Session is pleased to announce contact Henrietta Harris at (504) 737- is relishing planning Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. that more than $364,000 has been 0871 or [email protected]. activities for all ages EMILY FLESHMAN SAYS: to savor the season of Christ’s coming awarded over the past two years to enjoy after and to cherish the time spent with For a list of available scholarships, Our family Advent traditions have from the “Forward Together” Capital Cuban partner attends Wednesday Night our family. please visit: www.sunfound.org/ evolved over the years, although Campaign Fund to deserving local Clean Water U to learn Suppers. The seminary-scholarships or for more always with the goal of focusing and global ministry causes. maintenance and last few months MEGAN MAZZANTI SAYS: installation information, email Ed Bush at on Christ’s birth. Growing up, my This total amounts to have included Living Waters for the World hosted [email protected]. maternal grandparents hosted an open I love the holidays and holiday nearly 10 percent a surprisingly its first Cuban attendee, Gustavo house on Christmas Eve for traditions! My husband and I have a (a tithe) of the spirited Collegiate Rodriguez, from Varadero, decades. The party was the highlight growing list of our favorite traditions, over $4 million Night, riotously funny Zucchini Senior Adults Christmas Cuba, at Clean Water U (CWU) Carol Social of the season for my family as we and we sit down with a calendar raised for capital Races and our very own Pumpkin- in September. Gustavo, a The Senior Adults are hosting gathered to visit with friends, some each November and make a plan so improvements to Palooza, complete with costumes the church, including hydrological engineer, was a reception with food, wine and of whom we saw just once a year; my we can fit them all in. As my two and beautifully decorated pumpkins. the ground floor of the able to attend CWU through the Christmas Carols with Steven parents later assumed hosting duties boys grow up, some of the traditions Not to worry, winter will be just as Education Building, Frampton assistance of St. Charles Avenue Blackmon on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 5 until recently. We now enjoy a quiet that used to be at the top of our list, entertaining! We hope you will join us Fellowship Hall, the Chapel, and the Presbyterian Church and a LWW p.m. The reception will be followed dinner with our immediate family, like standing in line to sit on Santa’s for our first-ever Gingerbread House Memorial Garden and Columbarium. scholarship. by a visit to Celebration in the Oaks but the joy and expectation of Advent lap, have been crossed off. New Build (brought to you by RHINO, of in City Park, where those interested remains. When my daughter was traditions have been added in, like Gustavo was born in Cardenas course!), as well as some old favorites Global Ministries Committee can also participate in a train ride. young, I filled our Advent schedule the Reindeer Run, where the four of and attended a Presbyterian like the White Gift wrapping party, seeking photos of church’s RSVP by Dec. 1 by sending $10 with many special activities – seeing a us adorn our shoelaces with jingle school affiliated with Juan G. Hall bingo night and our 2nd annual King mission work (cost of reception only) attn: Bonnie Nutcracker performance, a Christmas bells, and our much faster sons cheer Presbyterian Church where his father Cake contest! There is much more From our earliest beginnings—first as Shoemaker, 1545 State Street, NOLA tea at a downtown hotel, and special on their parents from the finish line. was the Director; he also has close in store, so watch the bulletin and the St. Charles Avenue Branch of the 70118. An additional cost will apply shopping trips. As the years have We always say we just don’t have ties to El Fuerte Presbyterian Church. e-news for upcoming events. If you First Presbyterian Church, and since at Celebration in the Oaks for both passed I’ve felt a need to simplify enough days in December to do it Both churches have LWW water December 19, 1920, as the St. Charles haven’t been to Wednesday Night the season. Having fewer, but more all, so prioritizing is important. A systems, and Gustavo had a desire admission and the train ride. Avenue Presbyterian Church—we Out in a while, come see what you’ve meaningful activities, has allowed us tradition always at the top of our to know more about and to help have had a strong program for been missing! Dinner is $8 per adult, list is shopping for a child from the maintain these systems and to assist world missions. In addition to the $5 per child under 12 and starts at 6 Angel Tree. We select a boy around visiting LWW teams. first missionary supported by the p.m. (program follows dinner). Make a the same age as one of our sons and church, the Rev. Davis in Brazil reservation at: www.scapc.org/wno. He received rave reviews from his set out to the store. A child with a in 1917, missionaries have been winter coat and socks on his wish supported around the world, instructors and fellow classmates at Upcoming programs include: list is very different than the lists my including in: Argentina, Bangladesh, CWU. Gustavo attends and works 11/30: Women & the Poydras Home boys compile, so it helps to redirect Cuba, Democratic Republic of the at the Dora Valentin 12/7: White Gift Wrapping Party Presbyterian Church our family to be more mindful and Congo, Dominican Republic, Ghana, 12/14: Gingerbread House Building thankful. With this holiday tradition, Guatemala, Japan, South Sudan, in Varadero, the depth of understanding what Ukraine and more. where his wife Ed Bush elected President is the Director. of Synod of Sun Foundation it means to give from the heart has Two of his CWU grown along with my boys. We make The newly re-named Global SCAPC member Ed Bush was elected classmates are one little boy’s Christmas special with Ministries committee (formerly World President of the Board of the Synod on a team that will our gifts but have found the “gift” Missions) is seeking photos and info of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation install the fourth LWW is actually ours, as the shopping trip for the 2017 centennial celebration on October 26 for a one-year term. system in Cardenas, and strengthens our bond as a family and of the church’s world mission work. The Sun Foundation exists to raise Gustavo readily agreed to assist. lets the true meaning of Christmas Anyone with names of past mission and grant funds for the various co-workers, items or photos, please shine through, making the holiday all the more special.

4 ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WWW.SCAPC.ORG 5 May the lights of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love serve as our guides in the darkness. Hope caroling, and concerts, that will, no doubt, create memories The first Advent candle that we light is the candle of Hope. and family traditions that will last for years to come. How appropriate that we enter this season of anticipation“ This joy, though, is often tinged with sadness; perhaps and waiting with hope. In an age of instant gratification, we remember those who are achingly absent from our we must admit that there’s something to the wisdom of celebrations, or we recall not-so-happy of a waiting. Think of the good things in your life: how many of not-so-happy childhood, or we struggle to maintain a smile” them have come through patient persistence? during our current pain. When the “spirit of Christmas” These days we want to avoid the agony of waiting at seems illusive, that is precisely the time to remember our all costs. We fill our time by checking emails or browsing true Joy, not in the gifts and gatherings, but in the Lord! In Facebook or reading trivial magazines – anything to avoid remembering what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, we ANTICIPATIONADVENT the uncomfortable silence, the awkwardness of waiting. We can’t help but to respond with deep joy and to share that have become masters of distraction. But Advent bids us to joy with others. the ambiguous space of “the already and the not yet.” We BY SARAH CHANCELLOR-WATSON, ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR MISSION are living between Christ’s arrival into the world Love and his promised return. The work of The source of our joy is in the great love of ushering in God’s kingdom has begun, God in Jesus Christ, and we light the but it’s not here… yet. So we begin fourth candle to represent that love. In hen I was a child my family rarely traveled Landmarks to light the way... Advent with scripture that invokes our scripture reading for the fourth by airplane for vacations. Instead, we piled Similarly, the entire season of Advent is much like a images of apocalyptic prophesy, Sunday of Advent, we are reminded into our Ford Aerostar minivan (Eddie Bauer W road trip to a familiar and beloved place, and along the way, because we wait expectantly for that God’s love drives out fear. We Special Edition) and let the blacktop sail under our wheels. we have crafted the “landmarks” that lead us to Bethlehem, a world of God’s reign and His see in Matthew’s Gospel how God Our family didn’t venture too far. We didn’t set our sights to Christmas Eve and to the arrival of the Christ Child. But moves in the lives of Mary and Joseph on Disney World or the Grand Canyon; no, instead, kingdom of peace. before we arrive, we must sit in the expectant anticipation. to bring his Son into the world. God our destinations were places like grandma’s house in the Advent is about what happens on the journey. also invites each of us to surrender to Oklahoma panhandle or Table Rock Lake in Missouri or In our church and in our homes, we typically begin Peace His everlasting mercy and accept His Stillwater for Oklahoma State football games—now some the season with decorating; we “deck the halls” with signs Our second landmark is the candle of unconditional love anew. of my favorite places in the world. and symbols of the season. The evergreens remind us of Peace to acknowledge God’s promise of On these trips, I learned to identify landmarks to gauge everlasting life in Christ, and the red holly berries signify peace in our hearts, our relationships, and how close we were to our journey’s end. The McDonalds the blood that paid for our sins in Christ’s crucifixion. We our world. In the second week of Advent, we are ...until there is darkness no more. on the turnpike meant that we were halfway there; crossing bring banners into our sanctuary to tell the story, and we told by John the Baptist’s prophesy to “Repent! And prepare When Christmas Eve arrives, my hope is that you are the bridge over the lake meant that we were almost there; mark the four Sundays in Advent by lighting candles on the the way of the Lord!” transformed by your journey through Advent. May all we and the right turn by the white fence meant that we’d Advent wreath, adding light as we get closer to the birth of This Advent journey is about preparing our hearts and do in this season—our reading scripture, our worshiping, finally made it! I still remember and use these “landmarks,” the Light of the world. our minds to receive the Christ child anew. Before Christ our singing songs of praise, and our acts of service—be and with each passing one, the anticipation grows. As I comes we must first reflect upon the ways we allow hate to signs of the promises that we anticipate. May the lights think about the people that I’ll see at the journey’s end and History of the Advent Wreath fester in our hearts and in the structures of our society which of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love serve as our guides in the the things that we’ll do in this special place, my excitement Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical calendar, so in darkness, and always, as we anticipate the day when the multiplies. many ways it is the Christian new year. prevent us from living the life of peace that God wants for us • Advent wreaths were first used in German Lutheran churches and for the whole of creation. darkness will be no more. Perhaps you, too, have a special place that renews your around the time of the Protestant Reformation. joy with child-like intensity when you visit. For many of • They are round—representing both a crown, as Christ is our us that place is home—or a location with the people who King, and the completeness of creation in the coming of Christ. Joy Sarah makes an advent wreath each year using found make up our “home.” It’s interesting to note that despite the As the third week of Advent approaches, we turn from The Candles objects and says it’s been a great way to share with countless societal changes since Christ’s birth, like Mary and • Each of the four outside candles are first lit and then, finally, the the darker tones of the first two weeks to light the candle others who come to her home how the season of Joseph, many of us still journey to our place of origin for the “Christ Candle” in the middle. of Joy. With the end of our journey looming, the joy of Advent is celebrated a little differently than Christmas. holidays. • The four outside candles can be purple, representing royalty, the season is palpable. Our lives become full of parties, but as purple is also the color of Lent, the candles may be blue to distinguish Advent from Lent. 6 ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WWW.SCAPC.ORG 7 ADOPT A CHILD FOR CHRISTMAS: JOSE Y MARÍA WHITE GIFT 2016 hristmas is not just a day, but rather it begins on CDecember 25 and lasts until Epiphany, when we or more than 40 years, church celebrate the arrival of the wise men on January 6. If you Fmembers have collected Christmas presents for children in the community. find that you aren’t ready to see the Christmas season The White Gift program allows us end, remember that you are being liturgically correct in to “adopt” a child for Christmas and celebrating Christmas until Epiphany (and leaving your purchase gifts that address the child’s decorations up until well into January). needs and wants; but, it’s not simply about fulfilling needs and wants, nor is As we leave the season of waiting in Advent, having it merely about donating items from a reflected throughout our journey on Hope, Peace, Joy, and list. The White Gift program is a powerful Love, we continue to look for signs of God’s love and grace expression of Christ’s love to our community. into the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany. The tree in Frampton Fellowship Hall will hold more than 175 children’s names This illustration, Jose y María, by New Orleans-born and gift requests on November 20, 27, illustrator, Everett Patterson, has been shared among my and December 4. Plan to experience the friends for the past couple of Christmases and each time joy of giving by taking an ornament. I’ve seen it, I find myself captivated. Every time I return to The children are referred by local this illustration, I find new symbols that speak to our rich agencies, including: Lafayette Academy, traditions around Christmas and the Nativity Story, and Victories in Service, St. Thomas Clinic, Raintree, New Orleans Women and also, to the gritty reality of the circumstances into which Children’s Shelter, and Eden House. our Lord Jesus Christ was born. Wrapping Party: Dec. 7 We will have a White Gift Wrapping Party – a I will refrain from providing much more commentary special, festive opportunity to wrap on this piece as I wish for you to look and to reflect on it your presents together—at Wednesday during the days of Christmas and see what thoughts stir Night Out on December 7. Boxes and within you. I’d love to hear your thoughts and what this wrapping paper will be provided. image conjures for you! White Gift Dedication: Dec. 11 On December 11, members and visitors alike will bring their wrapped gifts to the -Sarah Chancellor-Watson annual White Gift ceremony during the 10:30 a.m. service. We look forward to joining together to share blessings with our community. -Sarah Edgecombe, Genny Hagler, Seth Hagler, Ashley Hope, and Catherine Karas

Illustration by Everett Patterson | www.everettpatterson.com 8 ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WWW.SCAPC.ORG 9 275 85 70 pairs of latex pairs of work boxes contractor gloves and gardening bags gloves (approx)

55 35 32 rolls of pairs of goggles/ hammers and packing tape safety glasses mallets

20 15 bottles of crowbars bleach 24 HOUSES Photo by: Caroline Cottingham Photo by: Don Frampton 234 VOLUNTEERS rebuilding hope in New Orleans... 2,104 HOURS

14 12 9 6 5 and across screwdrivers buckets shovels box cutters ladders Southeast 4 4 4 2 1 Louisiana wrenches brooms first aid kits sledgehammers shed RHINOBY GREG BEUERMAN, RHINO BOARD MEMBER These images, and so many others, are what RHINO is all about: providing a glimpse of hope to those who need it most; helping homeowners look beyond the skeleton of their gutted home and see a light at the end of the tunnel; demonstrating, one shovel full at a time, the power of God’s love through faith in action. As SCAPC’s Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans That’s where RHINO and friends and neighbors come (RHINO) program celebrates its 11th anniversary, in. Our work in the field makes a tangible difference for For more information about this ministry, visit www.rhinonola.org. Aperhaps it is only fitting that our latest undertaking the families we serve, and Caroline proudly points out allows us to serve people close to home. In August, that it wouldn’t be possible without the entire SCAPC torrential rains swamped 120,000 homes in Baton congregation. Church members and friends generously Rouge and Livingston parishes, forcing a renewed focus donated huge volumes of needed supplies, including: on flood recovery in Southeast Louisiana. bleach, mold spray and sprayers, gloves, hand sanitizer, brooms, ladders, hammers and crowbars, gloves, Through the leadership of RHINO director Caroline respirator masks, and more, as well as financial support Cottingham and her assistant, David Williams, more to provide staff leadership and the out-of-pocket expenses than 234 RHINO volunteers have provided nearly necessary to carry on this important mission work. 2,104 hours helping to gut and clean 24 houses and bring new hope for families in need. Life-long impact for volunteers While each family is incredibly grateful, the opportunity Living out our name to “Rebuild Hope” to serve is reward enough for RHINO volunteers and Every impacted home owner has a different story, but far SCAPC members, particularly when we can work too many share a common dilemma: no flood insurance alongside the impacted families. For RHINO volunteers, and limited resources to facilitate a prompt and thorough certain experiences seem surreal—the “everyday” recovery. For those of us who gutted our homes after occurrences against a backdrop of devastation—like the Katrina or helped the people of Braithwaite gut their postman delivering mail to abandoned homes while flooded homes after Isaac, our experiences have been dodging mounds of trash; the neighbor mowing the painfully familiar. Lifelong possessions, photos and family remaining 30-square-feet portion of grass not covered heirlooms tossed recklessly in heaps alongside wet carpets by abandoned appliances or wet carpet; the extended and water-damaged furniture. Flooded automobiles family grilling hamburgers, sorting through rubbish abandoned in yards, ditches and fields; family members and simultaneously laughing and planning where they’ll and friends trying, against all odds, to put the best watch the Saints game. possible face on the worst possible circumstances. Photo by: Randy Schmidt

10 ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WWW.SCAPC.ORG 11 Festive food and fellowship direction of the retreat leader, several Food is festive and abundant at short worship services take place. PW RETREAT: A TIMELINE the PW Retreats. Meals are a Often these are meditative, and valuable time to mingle with other include prayer, scripture, and music. 1995 participants: lunch, dinner and Eucharist is an important component breakfast are served in the dining of the worship services. Through the First SCAPC PW Retreat held hall, prepared by the Solomon years, the talented members of PW staff. Homemade cookies, have played instruments and led 1998 singing. breads and snacks are New location at Solomon Episcopal donated by the "...the chapel, Retreat Center in Loranger, LA attendees. In Past participant the lake, and the the evenings Jeannie Clinton 2001 hors d’oeuvres woods provide much says that the and wine are sought after serenity and PW Retreat is a Rev. Nan Crawford Swanson, ex-CIA offered during needed rest after analyst, led “Reclaiming our Voices.” BY STEPHANIE NOVEMBER, fellowship. peace. Our community the holidays. Communion was added to conclude PW RETREAT COORDINATOR of women is truly the retreat. “The annual PW Traditionally, amazing!” a bonfire circle, Retreat each winter 2002 complete with is a great time to renew Beth Poe, Tulane professor, led s’mores, follows the last friendships and recharge SEEKING my batteries from the hectic pace “Luke’s Women: The Virgin, The worship service of the first day, Prostitute and The Widow.” Beth and a prayerful labyrinth walk is of Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year.” has led the retreat on three also a popular component. At the ocassions. A retrospective of spiritual growth and 2003 fellowship at the PW Retreat SerenityPhotography by Kate Elkins Featured Dr. Sandy Hartman on “Parables from a Woman’s For nearly a quarter of a century, the SCAPC Presbyterian Women’s Retreat has allowed women to escape the Perspective.” city for the serene. The women span many ages and stages of life (some born before color television; some hardly Fremember life before computers), and the PW Retreat fosters inter-generational relationships that may otherwise be 2006 difficult to form. It’s also a chance to re-kindle existing friendships. A record 51 women attended; 12 were first-time participants. “The PW Retreat is a great opportunity The early years: a wet and wild In 1998, the retreat moved to the Daughters and mothers: L: PW Moderator Hallie Boh and Nell Lanier . R: Ebie Strauss and Virginia Taylor to make new friends, but also to bond adventure Solomon Episcopal Retreat Center in with old friends,” says long-time retreat The first retreat, held in January Loranger. 2007 The 2017 Retreat: all women invited! participant Elizabeth McGough. 1995 at Feliciana Retreat Center, Two retreats were held: one in was titled “Bread for the Wilderness, 2006: a Memorable Year rd The 2017 PW Retreat will be held January 16-17 at the Solomon January and one in November. This year marks the 23 annual PW Wine for the Journey,” but it was Following Katrina in 2006 a record th Episcopal Retreat Center in Loranger, LA. Retreat and the 20 retreat at the unfortunately evacuated due to 51 women attended; 12 were first- Solomon Episcopal Retreat Center. time participants, and four celebrated 2009 flooding. Undeterred, the women It begins Monday mid-morning and concludes Tuesday morning. Against this beautiful and quiet perfect retreat attendance, having Dr. Thiele led the retreat and is the brought back leader Gwen Wyllie The cost of three meals and overnight accommodations is $150 lakeside setting—without distraction never missed a retreat in the preceding only male leader of the PW retreat the next year and tried again. Gwen for single or $122 for double. Miriam Schulingkamp will be the of TV and cellphones— women relax led for a third time in 1997, and an 11 years. That year, the labyrinth took to date. retreat leader. The theme will be Finding Love and Hope in and reflect. informal play featured thespians Mary on special meaning as a symbol of hope and rebuilding. The concluding Despair: Job and the Beatitudes. 2011 “The ‘visuals’ of the chapel, the Giddens, Sally Forman, Aimee Bell and Carole Banta. worship included a laying on of hands lake, and the woods provide much and anointing with oil during an All women of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and Retreat moved back to January sought after serenity and peace. Our intercession for healing. guests are invited to attend. Registration begins in November. community of women is amazing!” In those early years, the cost was $50 says Candy Ulmer Cranch. for a single room and four meals. 12 ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ( ) WWW.SCAPC.ORG 13 As of November 6, 2016

Sarah Chancellor-Watson installed as Associate Pastor Tom Paine joins SCAPC staff t. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church installed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His sermon captured he Rev. Tom Paine joined SCAPC MEMBER MILESTONES Sarah Chancellor-Watson in the role of Associate the essence of the day and laid thoughtful markers S as Parish Associate on Nov. 1. He Pastor for Mission on September 11, 2016, following her that both Sarah, as a new Teaching Elder, and the T will coordinate all pastoral election on June 12. congregation should pursue in heeding God’s call. care work for the church, BAPTISMS NEW MEMBERS Sarah and her husband, David, surrounded by We, the congregation, feel assured that her answers including hospital, home- visiting family and friends for the occasion, became the to questions during the installation service underscored bound visitation, and care Louis Compton Bivens Christopher Bivens congregation’s dream come true. What a glorious, joyful her natural being. Truly, Sarah is already demonstrating for those with special needs (births, child of Robert & Lenka Bivens Robert Bivens day! The beautiful and consecrated Service of Installation her willingness to serve our congregation with energy, deaths, illnesses, etc.). Don Frampton Christopher Bivens (adult) Rachelle Bowers was conducted by seven Ruling and Teaching Elders intelligence, imagination, and love. -Walter Harris Jr. and Sarah Chancellor-Watson will Robert Bivens (adult) Cliff & Jacqueline Crutcher functioning as members of the Presbytery of South maintain their pastoral presence, giving Lillian Chase Bowers Ramona Elder Louisiana’s Administrative Commission, including: Mrs. the church an additional layer of care, Martha Falls child of Rachelle & Todd Bowers Donna Anderson, the Rev. Dr. Donald Frampton, Dr. a recommendation of the Long-Range Stephanie Heriger Rachelle Bowers (adult) Walter Harris Jr., the Rev. Barrett Milner, Mrs. Melinda Plan. Working with the Congregational Kyle & Michelle Lindsey Calvin Dean Carlisle Schwegmann, Mr. Aaron Steele, and the Rev. Dr. Care Committee, Tom will oversee Katie Kuhns child of Matthew & Christina Carlisle Theodore Wardlaw. the church’s proposed Adult Day Care Drake McArthur program anticipated to begin in 2017, The service was replete with beautiful music Theodore James Carlisle Woody Morrison also called for by the Plan. performed by Steven Blackmon and the Chancel child of Matthew & Christina Carlisle Ethan & Bria Rault Pat & Betsy Widhalm Choir, along with guest instrumentalists. Throughout Currently the Pastor of Parkway Ramona Elder (adult) the liturgy, the congregation was led with expectancy Presbyterian Church (Kenner), Tom Helen Catherine Montgomery through word and prayer to the crowning moment – the will continue in this capacity and child of Scott & Melissa Montgomery HERITAGE MEMBERS work in the SCAPC office on Tuesdays Clay “Morgan” Smith, Jr. installation of Sarah. A particularly poignant feature Billy Messersmith and Thursdays. Parkway’s Session child of Clay & Katy Smith was the sermon, “What You Do Matters,” preached by Lou Frierson and congregation are unanimously in the Rev. Dr. Theodore Wardlaw, president of Austin L to R: Walter Harris, Jr., Barret Milner (Pastor, Lakeview PC), Melinda Schwegmann George Porter (Ruling Elder, Lakeview PC), Sarah Chancellor-Watson, Donna Gay Anderson (Ruling support. Elder, FPC Hammond) and Aaron Steele (Ruling Elder, Berean PC). MARRIAGES Judy Gessner Tom is also a Lt. Col. in the USAF Reserves, serving as Chaplain. Tom Avery Green & John Austin Rees grew up in New Orleans and was a MEMBER DEATHS member of First Presbyterian Church. Carl Downing Send your milestones to Membership STAFF CELEBRATIONS We enthusiastically welcome Tom! Kevin Kane Coordinator Camille Zander: -Don Frampton [email protected] Steven Blackmon celebrates 30 years at SCAPC e came for the three-hour tour and ended up 10:30 am service, a special reception was held in Frampton 1 2 3 "Hon Gilligan’s Island," said a choir member Fellowship Hall. Game of Songs (a play on ‘Game of teasingly about Steven’s 30-year tenure as Music Director Thrones’) was the theme. and Organist. What a whirlwind trip it has been! Steven Besides the weekly Sunday morning music, Steven is has faithfully dedicated his gifts to producing an award- also the church’s go-to computer expert and resident geek winning music ministry, and he is well-respected across of all things technological. In his spare time, he is the the city for his talent in conducting, arranging, and Dean of the New Orleans chapter of the American Guild performing. of Organists; performs with the New Orleans Vocal In a letter to the congregation, Senior Pastor Don Arts and VOCE choral groups; teaches voice, piano and Frampton wrote: "For the past 30 years Steven has expertly organ; accompanies soloists and instrumentalists for built our music program into what is truly one of the recitals and concerts; and photographs some of the more finest in the country. Few churches have been so richly unique sights in the New Orleans area. blessed for so many years, and no one loves this church We honor and thank Steven for his devotion to his more than Steven. We are grateful to God for Steven’s work and his meaningful contribution to our worship outstanding and ongoing ministry." services through music. Thank you, Steven, for enriching Sunday, August 28, was declared Steven Blackmon our lives with beautiful music and your incredible day. After acknowledging his gifts to the church in the presence. -Bonnie Shoemaker (1): Steven Blackmon and Colleen Frampton in 1995 (2): Recent photo of Randy Evans and Steven (3): SCAPC's newest Heritage Members (see names above)

14 ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WWW.SCAPC.ORG 15 St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church

1545 State Street New Orleans, LA 70118 www.scapc.org (504) 897-0101

Advent Christmas & Calendar

November 27: 1st Sunday in Advent, 8:30/10:30 worship December 4: 2nd Sunday in Advent, 8:30/10:30 worship December 11: 3rd Sunday in Advent, 8:30/10:30 worship (White Gift) December 18: 4th Sunday in Advent, 8:30 worship/10:30 Music Program December 24: Family Service, 5pm / Lessons & Carols Service, 7pm December 25: Worship, 9:30am (one service)