What is Our favorite?

The first two weeks of October, weather-wise, have been absolutely amazing. It felt more like early August rather than early autumn. Mind you, I'm not complaining. This has been an awesome run on just slightly less than 'perfect' weather. Then again, we wait for the other shoe to drop...will we get snow next week when the colder, wetter weather sets in? Warm temperatures with lots of sunshine and cool temperatures at night which makes for easy sleeping with the windows wide open; not to mention not having to turn on the air conditioning nor the heat...the little girl who visited the 3 Bears' home would call all this "just right."

Autumn is my favorite time of year, hands down. I've always loved this time of year with all due respect to spring, summer and winter. It's not that I dislike the other three seasons. Rather it's just that I enjoy autumn more. For me, there's more to offer this time of year: the color changes, the smell of burning leaves, (where it's legal to do so), there's baseball, football and hockey all being played, pumpkins decorated for Halloween. Incidentally, as I've stated in the past, Halloween is my favorite non-religious holiday, too. Admittedly, I looked forward to going back to school in early September, preceded by a trip to the local Five and Dime store down the street from my childhood home to purchase paper, pencils and the other necessary elementary school materials. There's really no true explanation...it's just a personal thing...we all have our likes, dislikes, our favorites and the last on our list, too. And for me, autumn sits atop the four seasons.

When it comes to this community of St. Nicholas, there is so much to enjoy and love. It starts, first and foremost with the people. We are blessed with such a wonderful and loving family of faith. New members are warmly welcomed and become vital parts of the community in no time at all. First time worshipers at St. Nicholas comment that they receive such a comforting welcome when they visit our house of worship. One young lady who was passing through and chose to stop and worship with us told me she felt "Jesus truly was evident and alive at St. Nicholas." That, my dear friends, was all I needed to hear...whatever happened the rest of that day would not have mattered because her comment made my day, and then some!

We are blessed with the riches of diversity. The music of our Liturgies incorporates the beauty of our Episcopal hymnody and other Christian traditions as diverse as we are; all the while we maintain our proud Episcopal tradition and Anglican heritage. Our worship and praise of the Creator and our Redeemer is from the heart, sacred and personal. All are welcome, no one is excluded. The table of life has been set and there is abundant room for all to come and receive the Bread of Life and drink from the Cup of Salvation.

Yes, my friends, there is much to love about St. Nicholas. The task before us is to strengthen that which needs strengthening and to continue to build up that which is strong and vital. We are all called to do the work of the Lord; to assist in the creation of God's Kingdom on earth, all the while celebrating our faith, loving one another as sisters and brothers and making sure we enjoy ourselves as well. After all, faith can be a fun thing, a favorite thing, too.

-Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org  

Our thanks:

For all the contributions that made our Semi-Annual Parish Meeting such a success.

To all our beautiful four legged family members who were so well behaved and patient while at the Pet Blessings last weekend.