In a few short weeks we enter the holy and sacred Church season of Lent.  My friends, there is so much to gain from a Lenten season fully celebrated ...it is a remarkable time of the year.  I'm sure there are some less than favorable memories of Lent for some of us and I'm sorry if this is the case.  It is my hope that this Lent be a time for renewal, for rejuvenation and restoration of faith that may have been lost or shaken or simply misplaced.  And perhaps this Lent we develop a greater appreciation for this tremendously wonderful and sacred time of the Church year and what Lent has to offer to us.

St. Nicholas will see some changes that hopefully will lead us all into a more prayerful experience of Lent and all the seasons to follow.  Beginning with Ash Wednesday, we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist each Wednesday throughout Lent.  The Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist begins at 7pm and the rest of the Wednesdays in Lent our Liturgy will begin at 6pm.  Please refer to the News from Nick as a reminder of the times.  We will be using a 'new' processional cross that until now, stood near the baptismal font.  You will notice a few "prayer stations" in the worship space.  These "stations" are for us to employ:  stop, pray and spiritually exercise ourselves.  The Stations of the Cross will be displayed for those who appreciate a more traditional and storied Lenten discipline.  Also, we will begin to introduce a new, white wine and white grape juice for use at our celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  The change from the red wine and juice to white has a very practical purpose...this will help keep our altar linens and altar cloths from staining.  There is no compromising of the Sacrament with the use of white wine or juice as opposed to red.  Also, we will switch the chalices, too.  The blessed wine will now be poured from the silver and gold chalices, while the blessed juice will be poured from the glass chalices.  Again, there is a very simple reason for this change:  alcohol, when in contact with metals such as our chalices helps keep the vessels clean and sanitized, thus preventing the spread of any contagious virus.  The science of the Liturgy...for a healthier community!  

My friends, I invite you to come and spend time...with God and with one another, in prayer, meditation and our Midweek Lenten Wednesdays Holy Eucharist.   The church is open virtually every day, hosting support groups and other activities.  If you have time or are in the neighborhood, consider stopping in and spending a few moments in commune with God and without work and busy schedules to distract us.    Lent calls us to change:  to move away from the things of the world...all those distractions and annoyances that come between God communicating with us and us communicating with God.  Silence...time alone...meditation...private prayer...some very solid tools that may indeed help make Lent that much more of a blessing. 

Peace,  

Manny Borg

Carrie Loos...may her vision be cleared and restored to sound health.

Ken Audette...for strength and healing as he continues his treatment.

Bill Barlow's grandmother who has been ill of late...for strength and healing. 

For the Community of St. Nicholas in this time of transition...for guidance, patience and faith.

Many of you probably know the story of stone soup.  But for those who don't, here is one version:  

Many years ago three soldiers, hungry and weary of battle, came upon a small village. The villagers, suffering a meager harvest and the many years of war, quickly hid what little they had to eat and met the three at the village square, wringing their hands and bemoaning the lack of anything to eat.

The soldiers spoke quietly among themselves and the first soldier then turned to the village elders. 'Your tired fields have left you nothing to share, so we will share what little we have: 'the secret of how to make soup from stones.'

Naturally the villagers were intrigued and soon a fire was put to the town's greatest kettle as the soldiers dropped in three smooth stones. 'Now this will be a fine soup', said the second soldier; 'but a pinch of salt and some parsley would make it wonderful!'

Up jumped a villager, crying 'What luck! I've just remembered where some has been left!' And off she ran, returning with an apron full of parsley and a turnip. As the kettle boiled on, the memory of the village improved: soon barley, carrots, beef and cream had found their way into the great pot, and a cask of wine was rolled into the square as all sat down to feast.

They ate and danced and sang well into the night, refreshed by the feast and their new-found friends. In the morning the three soldiers awoke to find the entire village standing before them. At their feet lay a satchel of the village's best breads and cheese. 'You have given us the greatest of gifts: the secret of how to make soup from stones', said an elder, 'and we shall never forget.' The third soldier turned to the crowd, and said, 'There is no secret, but this is certain: it is only by sharing that we may make a feast.'

And off the soldiers wandered, down the road.

On Ash Wednesday, we'll be making stone soup and sharing it as a meal at 5:30PM before making our way to the worship space for Ash Wednesday liturgy at 7PM.

On Saturday, March 5 or Sunday, March 6, please bring what you wish to contribute to the stone soup.  Perhaps it's a carrot, or a bay leaf, or some barley.  Perhaps it's some bread or a stick of butter.  Then come back on March 9 at 5:30PM (it's OK to show up later--we're starting at 5:30 so that the choir can have time to warm up before the liturgy) for a simple meal made with all our contributions.   

We have everything we need, as long as we each use our gifts for the building up of our community. 

Our very own Paul Tamaski is conducting a "used shoe collection" as part of his Boy Scout activities. Any one with shoes they are no longer using, please consider donating them to this most worthy cause.  A large "Drop off Box" is located in the Gathering Space at St. Nicholas for your convenience.  The shoes will be then donated to the needy.  Thank you all for your generosity and support.  

With Easter just around the corner, we wish to make sure that our worship space is decorated with flowers.  With this in mind, we are creating a Flower Fund:  this fund will be used to purchase flowers for Easter.  Funds not used for Easter flowers will be saved and used for flower purchases at Christmas.  Donations are being accepted:  checks should be made out to St. Nicholas with "Flower Fund" written in the Memo line.  Or, simply put your donation in an envelope and drop it in the collection plate on Sunday.  If you wish to make a donation in memory of a dearly departed, please make sure the name(s) of your intended is also provided in a note with your donation.  All names will be printed in News from Nick and with cards placed in the floral arrangement.  The more the fund grows, the more we will be able to purchase.  Your kindness and generosity will be most gratefully appreciated.  Any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.  God bless us, each and every one. 

Peace,

Manny Borg  

News from Nick is published by St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois each Thursday.

Please submit copy to Douglas by clicking here.  Deadline is Wednesday at noon.