church

Scandinavian Jazz Church to hold final Christmas festival

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After 112 years in New Orleans, the Scandinavian Jazz Church on Prytania Street will close and be sold at the end of the year, but not before holding its final annual Christmas festival this weekend. The festival features homemade Scandinavian food, handmade crafts, live music, a raffle and silent auction, and cooking demonstrations. It will take place at the church at 1772 Prytania Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and again 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. More information can be found at the church’s website, and additional details about the church’s history and closing can be found in the announcement below:
The Scandinavian Jazz Church, an Uptown New Orleans landmark, will close its doors at the end of 2018 following more than 110 years of service and programming. The decision comes following several attempts over the past decade to repurpose the facility without losing sight of its original mission of service to the local and visiting Nordic community, and as the religious home to a small congregation of people with Norwegian, Swedish and other Nordic heritages and backgrounds.

business

New radiology office planned for church property on South Claiborne

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A new radiology office is planned for a vacant portion of the South Claiborne Avenue property occupied by the Church of the Annunciation, and it has received initial approval from the City Planning Commission. In order to allow a medical office, the Church of the Annunciation needs to change the zoning at 4505-4535 South Claiborne and 3000-3010 Jena from two-family residential to medium-intensity mixed-use. The parcel at 4519 South Claiborne — now used as a parking lot adjacent to the existing brick church and two-story house currently used as an office — has already been sold to a doctor who plans to build a new office there, consultant Rick Eisenstadt of Sherman Strategies said in a hearing on the zoning change last week before the City Planning Commission. “Our client here is a local radiologist, Dr. Jonathan Amite, who envisions putting an imaging center on this location, which we think is very consistent with the unofficial medical corridor that it sits next to,” Eisenstadt said. No one spoke against the project before the City Planning Commission, though some neighbors did write to the commission with concerns.

church

New Hope Baptist Church gets final City Council approval for new community center

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New Hope Baptist Church received final approval from the New Orleans City Council last week to build its new, 18,000-square-foot community center along Felicity Street in Central City. The new two-story building will be situated on several lots along Felicity Street across the Rev. John Raphael Jr. Way from the church building, and also includes a parking lot across Felicity from the church. It will include a gym, classrooms, offices, performance spaces and offer health programs, day care, adult education, food service and other services, supporters have said. District B Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell and other councilmembers praised the church congregation for their vision and their patience with the project. “This development has the potential to have a profound positive impact to this area of Central City,” Cantrell said.

Advertiser specials

Advertiser: Christmas Trees Have Arrived!! Annual Fundraiser at First Unitarian Universalist Church

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Premium, fresh cut, Frasier fir Christmas trees (2 to 12 feet), wreaths and fresh garland have
arrived at First UU Church located at 5212 Claiborne Ave. (at Jefferson). All proceeds go to
support First UU Church and its various social justice and community service programs.

Opening day is the Friday after Thanksgiving – doors open at 9am! Then open each weekend
until Christmas from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays while supplies last!

church

Unity of New Orleans hosts Ayurveda lecture this weekend

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Lecturer Meghan Hays, will visit Unity of New Orleans Spiritual Center to speak on one of the world’s oldest known forms of medicine: Ayurveda. The lecture takes place on Sunday, Sept. 10 form 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at Unity, located at 3722 St. Charles Ave. About Ayurveda
With roots in ancient India, Ayurveda is often called the “sister science” or “healing side,” of yoga.

church

Unitarian Church to hold Hurricane Harvey fundraiser

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In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans (FUUNO) will be holding a Fundraising event to benefit those affected in the Houston area. FUUNO will hold the event in their church’s Sanctuary, located at 5212 S. Claiborne Avenue, from Noon – 4:00pm on Saturday, September 9. The church is seeking to raise funds, canned food, and diapers for the victims of the storm. All donations will go to local initiatives. “We want to offer folks the opportunity to give to effective local charities in Houston.

church

Unity Spiritual Center to host presentation for the ancient healing art of Jin Shin Jitshu

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On Sunday, August 6, Margaret Nicolson, a certified Jin Shin Jitshu practitioner, will give a free presentation and demonstration of this ancient healing art at Unity of New Orleans Spiritual Center, as part of the Bob Tucker Wellness Forum. Jin Shin Jitshu is a Japanese art form, which relieves pain and tension in the body. Its literal translation is “the art of the creator through compassionate man.” Practiced before the birth of Buddha, Jin Shin was rediscovered in the early 20th century by Master Jiro Murai. The presentation will take place from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., at Unity of New Orleans, located at 3722 St. Charles Ave.

arts, books and music

Trinity Artist Series honors French Independence through music & dance (photos)

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Dr. Courtney Bryan, left, and Calvin Johnson, right, perform a Sidney Bechet tune at the Trinity Church Bastille Day Celebration 2017. The celebration, which was part of Trinity’s Artist Series, featured local, national and international acts. (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)

Trinity Episcopal Church celebrated Bastille Day 2017 during their Artist Series performance on Sunday, July 16. The celebration included local, national, and international acts performing music, all either in French, about France, or performed by French musicians.

church

Lake Charles reverend to host ‘A Course in Miracles’ workshop Uptown

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The Rev. Myron Jones, O.M.C, an ordained minister who facilitates a weekly study group in Lake Charles, La., and lectures widely about the landmark tome, “A Course in Miracles,” will conduct an afternoon workshop, “The Three Steps to Awakening,” on Saturday, June 17. The workshop will take place from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Unity of New Orleans Spiritual Center, located at 3722 St. Charles Ave. The fee is $75. Jones has been an avid student of the Course for over 35 years.

church

St. Stephen Catholic Church on Napoleon Avenue begins restoration project

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Officials from the Archdiocese of New Orleans held a ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday morning to celebrate the launch of a $6.2 million renovation project at the historic St. Stephen Catholic Church on Napoleon Avenue. The ceremony was led by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Monsignor Christopher H. Nalty, and capital campaign chair Michael Riess. An anonymous donor has also pledged a challenge grant of $500,000 to $1 million for the project. Click to see a drone video that shows the top of the St.