We've almost made it...the beauty of the Easter season has almost been fully experienced and celebrated, as the feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost are all that remain.  Then, we enter the season of Sundays called, "after Pentecost," till we get to Advent, but that's a long ways off, thank goodness.  Some congregations refer to the season after Easter as "ordinary time."  I've always found that phrase, "ordinary time," disappointing, as there is nothing ordinary about faith and our worship of Christ our Redeemer.  Perhaps it's merely semantics, but words have great force and impact, some times more than actions.

Speaking of action:  the Triduum Services were, in this man's humble opinion, superb!  There was grace, reverence, beautiful music, some drama and yes, a mishap or two by yours truly, though nothing serious.  On a whole, two enthusiastic thumbs up.  The services were successful because detailed planning, organization, coordinating and timing went into these events.  And I'm sure, if I may condescend and assume to know what God "thinks" or "feels," that God was quite pleased and honored by the homage paid by the Community of St. Nicholas.  A huge thank you, again, goes out to everyone who helped plan, arrange, volunteer and assist in the Triduum and Easter Sunday Services, especially the Liturgy Team, who helped decorate the church and got every thing just right!  You are all amazingly talented, blessed and generous to a fault with your talents, time and treasures.  I'm excited about next year and what we can do to make things even better.

Now, to clarify a few things:  there was no Holy Communion on Good Friday.  Theologically and in keeping with our faith that there is no reception of the Eucharist, as Jesus is no longer, "with us," for we recall and commemorate in solemn fashion Jesus' death on the cross and laying in the tomb.  Consequently, there was no Procession of the Elements, (the consecrated bread from the tabernacle) on Maundy Thursday.  The weather cooperated with us as we were able to light the "new fire" outdoors on the patio...it was a most moving experience.  What a blessing to have Jessica and Paul Tamaski "serve" as our acolytes for all the weekend services and what a remarkable job they did!  The Flower Fund, which is always accepting donations for year-round floral arrangements, was a blessedly successful endeavor.  And, we even have funds remaining so we can assure ourselves that come Christmas, the worship space will have proper floral decorations.  Your generosity was most appreciated.  Of course, donations of flowers or plants are always welcomed and appreciated.  The Liturgy Team will soon gather to talk about next year's Triduum services and how to make what was so good even better.   One thing I know that would make the services even more successful...more of US in the seats.  There's always room for more family and friends. 

As for our Saturday and Sunday Liturgies, we hope to have more involvement by our members of the community...that more of us will step forward and volunteer to be readers, lectors, ushers and acolytes, too.  There is ministry enough to go around for all of us.  This includes teachers for the Children's Formation that will restart come this September...our children deserve to have their own "Liturgy of the Word."  And I know we have some very talented people who could read and teach these Bible stories to our young ones.  A meeting will be scheduled for later this summer to organize our Children's Formation for the fall/winter/spring season...of course all are welcomed to be a part of this important ministry.

Also, we hope to formulate, with the use of our Book of Common Prayer and the appropriate scripture readings, both Morning and Evening Prayer services to be used when clergy is unavailable or ill.  The use of Morning and Evening Prayer in place of the Liturgy, (Mass, Service, or the Holy Eucharist) is a rich tradition in the Episcopal Church.  Certainly, it is favorable to have the gifts of bread and wine present at our Liturgy, but there will be occasions when the priest is not available and we can not afford to have substitute clergy come in and preside at the weekend Liturgies.  Thus, Morning and Evening Prayer fulfills the role of Saturday and Sunday worship appropriately and reverently.  Lastly, the holding of hands during the Lord's Prayer is by choice...always was and always will be.  While there are no announcements or any written statements in the programs, the invitation is still there for those who wish to hold hands.  Yet, we must also be aware and receptive to those who wish not to participate.  The holding of hands is not a "requirement," within our Liturgy nor the Church.  Those who choose not to hold hands or may be unable to do so, while those who wish to hold hands are warmly invited to participate as they wish.  And, rather than making the large, circle around the worship space, we can remain in our places and still reach out and hold the hands of our neighbors and thus, maintain the dignity of the Liturgy with less motion and blessedly, less noise.

I hope this helps and may well answer any questions that may have arisen.  Know this: I'm always available and willing to answer any questions or attend to any concerns one may have...this is your church...it is our church.  Let's all celebrate our richness, our diversity and the communal love we have, one toward another and for God our Creator.    

Your brother,

-Manny     

Work on preparing the vicarage for sale is progressing rapidly and should be completed soon, which means we have to get the vicarage completely emptied.  We thought we would be able to finish it this last Sunday, but due to the large amount of rain falling, we had to delay it to this coming Sunday.  There isn't much left, so it will go very quickly.

The building of the garage and fence will commence once Elk Grove Village has given their final permissions, hopefully soon.

Pat Kalicki

pat@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

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