As I am sure you all are aware, St. Nicholas maintains a food pantry. Currently, the pantry is stocked by generous donations from the congregation, members of St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights, Little Boots Foundation, La Preferida, a vending company and a Food Depository in Romeoville.  We are grateful for everything that we receive and are able to make available for those in need in the community.  As noted in the News from Nick each week, the Pantry is open on the First, Third and Fourth Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  When guests come to the pantry, they are allowed to help themselves to the items they will use.  Except for a few items (cereal, tuna, canned meats) we usually do not limit the amount of one item they may take.  They are asked to be respectful of the fact there are other guests who use the pantry.  We do limit them to three bags of groceries per visit.   Yes, this way does cause shortages of some items, and creates an overabundance of other times.  If we have an overabundance, we share with other pantries and the community.

One question we have received at times is how do we know the people who use the pantry are in need, and the answer we give is "It is between them and God."  We feel that we are filling a need for those who may be working, thus not qualify for aid elsewhere, but are having trouble making ends meet.     

We are seeking ideas on where we might be able to obtain food and other non-perishable items for the pantry and how to get the word out about the pantry.   However, our main goal for this is to find out how you, the Congregation, would like to see the food pantry run.  Do you have ideas on how to help out the community more than we currently do?   Would you prefer to see us do things differently?  If we did something differently, would you help out more?  Currently there is a core of 5 volunteers who run the pantry.   Please help us, help others.

-Scott Cummings

Hello! My name is Jan Tossman. I'm a new member of your warm and welcoming church.  I refer to St. Nicholas as "The little church with the BIG heart." What a blessing it was Sunday to attend services and spend time afterwards with Manny and his enthusiastic congregants in fellowship.  The meeting was enlightening, with the sharing of ideas and experiences and hope for growth and rededication as St. Nick's looks forward to welcoming members of St. Bede's.  I am committed to helping grow St. Nick's.  I have volunteered to spearhead a "Community Outreach" team to brainstorm and put into effect ways to increase St. Nick's visibility within the community.  The end goal is not solely to increase membership and encourage participation, but to honor God's command that we be disciples for His glory.  Getting more people through our doors will enable God's voice and St. Nick's message of love and acceptance of all people to reach more hearts.  It is my hope that you will join me on this worthwhile mission, for it is not a task for one individual.  As a new member of St. Nick's, I almost hesitate to take on a leadership role, but I feel God is calling me to do this.  I see a need and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and see what we can do together. 

And - by the way - St. Nick's really knows how to set out a spread.  What delicious food we shared and what great hospitality I experienced.  Thank you, everyone, for making me feel right at home.  I look forward to worshiping and working with all of you in the months and years ahead.  

If you would like to join my team, please contact me directly.  No special skills are required - just a love for St. Nick's and a strong commitment to grow this wonderful church into the church she is meant to be.    

-Jan Tossman    847-259-2679         silkpalette@gmail.com

Thank you to everyone who has supported St. Nicholas by using their Dominick's Fresh Values Card.  Every time you make a purchase at Dominick's, Safeway contributes a percentage of your purchase amount to St. Nicholas.  Safeway Stores and escrip, the companies administering the program, are requesting that participants renew their commitment to the program by Nov. 1.

 All you need to do is log on to the escrip website, www.escrip.com, and click on the "Yes" button with the checkmark in the lower left part of the screen.  On the next page, go to the bottom and choose "Dominick's" for the type of card and enter your card number. That should be all there is to it.  If you have any problems, please let Pat Kalicki know.  Just remember to renew by Nov. 1.

If you are not a current participant, it's easy to join this fundraiser.  Contact Pat and she will get you registered.

October 9, 2011 - The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost  

The Episcopal Church uses the Revised Common Lectionary.  When a choice is given for the Old Testament lesson and Psalm, at St. Nicholas we use the first option, or Track 1.  More about the Revised Common Lectionary is at this link.  

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.