We Move Forward with Faith and Hope

None of us is exempt to change. Change is inevitable. Some changes are healthy and welcomed. Sometimes, change is unwanted and far too challenging and rubs up against our individual tastes. Still, plan as we may and prepare though we do, change will find its way to our doorstep. In the life of any worshipping community, change is very much the norm: when ushered in with patience, planning and cooperation, change can be dynamic, evolving and advancement toward growth. There is a movement and constant flow, inspired by the Holy Spirit and put into motion by the actions of each member of the faith community, one member to another.

Our faith community is no different then any other church. We have our ebb and flow. The Spirit is very active here. New committees are up and running while other programs continue to take shape and evolve. There is nothing static about St. Nicholas. We welcome movement, the Spirit's presence and the challenges that are born out of the human experience.

Since February of this year, over 9 months, our community of faith has been living in a very definite and distinct form of change; the calling forth of our next vicar. For many of us, this may well be the first time we've been part of just such an experience. Certainly, there are others who have already been part of this very Episcopal practice: the calling forth of a new clergy member to lead the congregation in matters spiritual and otherwise. What is important to remember is that this transition is to be viewed in a positive light. We have not, collectively nor individually, crawled into some ecclesial hole and pulled the hole in on us. In fact, our response has been just the opposite. We have seen growth: a refreshing breath of fresh air has blown in and has brought a change that has ushered in new life to this community of St. Nicholas.  A new sense of ownership has been embraced.   

Yet, my sisters and brothers, there is still work to do. The process of calling forth the next vicar continues. With prayer and continued dialogue and the hard work of both the Bishop's and Search Committees, we are well on our way to achieving our goal. We warmly welcome to this weekend's Liturgies Susan Czolgosz, our Diocesan liaison, who has been a tremendous aid in guiding us through this period of change and transition. Susan assumed this role after Fr. Randall Warren moved on. Susan will bring us up to speed on this process and where we go from here. She will be available for questions and answers after both weekend Liturgies. Let's welcome her in true St. Nicholas style...with open hearts and warm smiles, just as we've been open and receptive to the Holy Spirit's presence during this important and decisive period in the life our of our church.

-Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

Fannie May Orders Due this Sunday, November 13

 Please return your Fannie May orders no later than Sunday, November 13. Either put them in the provided box on the table in the gathering space or give them to Pat Kalicki. The orders will be processed and all of the orders you sold will be delivered directly to your home the week of December 5. You do not need to be home. Remember Saint Nicholas receives a 30% discount off regular prices; 10% is passed on to our customers and we receive the other 20%.

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, Little Boots Foundation, La Preferida, the people of St. Simon's in Arlington Heights, 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 items. 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