Meetings... A Necessity of Life

All of us, regardless of age, career paths, attitudes and feelings, all have meetings that we are invited to attend, expected to be in attendance or required to present.  Like taxes, it is just part of our lives that we, for better or worse, must endure.  Personally, I feel that, even at the 'still young age' of 53, I've encountered a life time of meetings.  There are more, many, many more meetings undoubtedly to come...and that's okay.  I've resigned myself to this reality and I'm at peace with it.  Because, you see, we are powerless to this fate that meetings are part and parcel to life in this fast and busy world of ours.  I make it a point to enjoy any and all meetings.  Regardless of the nature of the meeting, whether it is pleasant or challenging, I focus on the ultimate good that will come forth.  Would I prefer to be elsewhere?  Some times, yes.  Other times, and I will be completely honest, I look forward to the meeting, the time spent with others and the opportunity to share ideas, opinions and work toward the greater good.  Meetings...they are what they are!

With all this being said, let's talk a little about, what else, a meeting: our Semi-Annual Parish Meeting to take place this Sunday, October 2nd, immediately after the 10am Liturgy.  With all due respect to favorite football teams kicking off at noon, this meeting is important, it is needed and it is a splendid opportunity for us to get together and enjoy one another's company.  We ask all our parish family members to come, listen, eat and share.  Tape or DVR the game; kids can watch a video in the Noah's Ark Room and food will be passed around and shared.  We have a couple subjects that we wish to pay special attention to, namely finances and Stewardship.  No one wishes, in particular yours truly, to belabor a point, especially finances, which is such a subjective and personal matter.  Nonetheless, and in spite of my personal feeling of this subject, it is necessary we gather to discuss, openly and honestly, how we can better build our community of faith, creating a vineyard that is full with the harvest, ripened and ready to be worked and enjoyed.  There will be time for questions and answers and an 'open mike' for any and all to discuss other subjects near and dear to one's heart. 

Please, come and spend time with your parish family at the Semi-Annual Parish Meeting.  Come to worship at 10am and stay and continue the celebration, in meaningful and important conversation, with good food to share,  while the Spirit, we pray, leads us forward and onward as we all work together to bring in the harvest that is rich with the labors of our love.  In true St. Nicholas fashion and tradition, a good time will be had...it's who we are and it's how we do things!  And that my friends is reason enough to celebrate...the family, the community we have created, this St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. 

Your brother in Christ, 

Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org  

Our thanks:

To our treasurer, Bob Kalicki, for obtaining a refund of $1,312.57 as a rebate for small employer health insurance payments.

To Val Gruenwald, Jan Tossman and John Knepper who are working at creating a Children's Program.

To Steve Gruenwald for his dedication and direction in leading our adult formation and book reading sessions.  Keep turning those pages folks and read on!