TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023

Juneteenth and Discipleship

Yesterday marked June Nineteenth or Juneteenth, a day that is now officially a national holiday. Growing up in small town Texas as a kid, even though June 19th was not an official holiday, members of the African-American community would celebrate it with picnics and events in the community parks. But for the most part, I was a spectator from afar.

The reason Juneteenth came about, as I understand the history, was that while the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect January 1, 1863, essentially freeing slaves in the Southern states who were in rebellion in the American Civil War, most African American slaves in the Southern states, particularly in points as far away as Texas, were not notified of their freedom until June 19th, 1865, two and a half years after their emancipation. Even though the enslaved had been declared free and that freedom had been won by military campaign, they continued to live as and were treated as enslaved even though the reality no longer existed and had been done away with. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The war was over. But it was not until the news of their altered status was communicated to them that they were able to become the free people they already were by law and military liberation. The life of faith is no different. In Christ’s life, death, and resurrection our humanity has been changed by God. We have been liberated and declared righteous through Christ. And the point of the rest of our lives is to try and become what we have already been made and declared in Jesus Christ; the righteous and grace filled human being God intends, even when we don’t feel it or lose sight of that reality or forget our altered status. In Christ, we are really free, fully alive, our best selves, and bound to and responsible for each other. In the present life that unfolds before us, may we become what we already are in Jesus Christ our Lord.

-Chris Currie

Summer Sundays

Please remember that on Sundays now through August 13, we have a single worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary and via livestream. This Sunday we will have our final class on the Book of James at 8:30 a.m. in the Phifer Library. There will be children's activities during worship for children in first grade and under in Frampton Fellowship Hall.

Summer Service Hours for 7th-12th Graders

Our Carrollton Camp Ministry is July 17-21 and 24-28 at Noble Minds School, 1333 S. Carrollton Avenue. We are looking for rising 7th through 12th grade students to help support the camp and earn service hours in the process. Here’s how students can help:

Option 1: Youth “Shepherd” for the children

Volunteer shepherds stay with a group of children throughout their camp day, serving as mentors. They accompany the children to their daily activities at camp.

Days and Times: 9:00 to 4:00 p.m., 6 hours a day for the 2 weeks of camp

Commitment: 80 hours Total

Option 2: Teach reading only at the camp

We will be using a program called “Read for Joy” developed by STAIR, Start the Adventure in Reading, and need volunteers to provide this camp activity.

Days and Times: 9:00 to 3:00 pm, 6 hours a day for the 2 weeks of camp

Commitment: 60 hours Total

To volunteer, students must:

• Complete an application
• Pass a background check (with approval from a parent)
• Participate in a training session on Sunday, July 16 from noon to 2 p.m.
• Be available to volunteer July 17-28.
• Must be vaccinated against COVID-19

Please contact Pastor Sarah for an application and further info.

Bed Linens, Bikes, & Other Items Needed

The NOLA YAV group (Young Adults & Volunteers) is delighted to welcome three YAV's from Scotland this coming year! Because they will be traveling internationally, we hope to provide them with the following items in gently-used or new condition. Please contact dan@pbysouthla.org if you can provide any of the following by August 20:

• 3 sets of twin bed linens, comforter, and pillows
• 2 bicycles
• 3 umbrellas
• 1 twin bed memory foam mattress topper
• Sunscreen, bug spray, shampoo & conditioner

YAF (Young Adults & Families)

On Friday evening, the YAF group enjoyed an impromptu gathering at the Fly.

Sunday Mornings for Children

On Sunday morning, Michele Murphy led the children in a craft activity during worship, after which Barrett Wheeler and Ethan Rault enjoyed Father's Day with their little ones.

A Busy Week for Camp RHINO!

The SCAPC RHINO ministry (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) has grown from a disaster recovery program that began after Hurricane Katrina to a premier mission trip destination for volunteers across the country. Camp RHINO offers high school students a chance to “start young” in learning about urban ministry and rebuilding hope. Last week's groups were from First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, and Worthington Presbyterian of Ohio.

Campers joined Louisiana Just Recovery Network in Convent, LA where they helped maintain a cemetery.

Campers assembled hurricane preparedness kits.

Campers gathered in Frampton Fellowship Hall each morning for energizers.

Campers cleaned out a house in Vacherie, LA that will be transformed into a community center.

Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Molly Stagg who died on Thursday, June 15. A service was held this morning at First Presbyterian Church in Bogalusa.