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Reflection from Manny
 Resolutions and the New Year: Let's Recap and Refresh, Shall We? We're turned the page, changed the calendar and ushered in yet another year: 2012. Last year was a most eventful time for all of us at St. Nicholas. Our community of faith underwent tremendous change. We have seen growth as new friends have been made and this is a most blessed thing indeed. Sadly, we've lost a few friends, too. All houses of worship gain and lose members...it is all part and parcel in the life cycle associated with any human endeavor, regardless of the Divine intent of these mortal gatherings. The bitter-sweet news of St. Bede's Church merging with St. Nicholas gave us all pause for prayer and thanksgiving. We mourn for our sisters and brothers who will say goodbye to their spiritual center. Though with that same voice, we welcome, warmly, all who will call St. Nicholas "home." The cycle of life continues... One of the time-tested traditions of the new year is we place upon ourselves resolutions...ideals, intentions and hopes that will help make our life better, healthier and improved. Personally, resolutions are fine and dandy. Then again, doesn't life present enough challenges without us putting more pressure and expectations upon ourselves? Perhaps we need to cut ourselves some slack; give ourselves a break. But, we're not off the hook just yet. There are some things that we can do that may help us get a better or more enlightened perspective of who we are, our relationship with Christ and one another and provide some 'fun,' too. So, here we go. The following questions, my dear friends, are meant to jog our memory. This is not a 'test,' rather it is a 'refresher,' if you will. However, it does serve as a reminder...the things many of us were taught so many years ago is still relevant and important today. In later editions of News from Nick, I'll provide more questions that will focus more closely on where we are as individuals and collectively as a community of faith with our views and beliefs of Christianity and religion. Stay tuned for all of that. Don't peek into the Bible or google for any answers. Go with what we can remember and what we know. With that, here we go... 1) What sea did Moses, the Hebrew people and the Egyptians pass through? 2) What mountain did Noah, his family and the ark land upon? 3) What does the name "Moses" mean...what is its origin? 4) Name the 10 Commandments. 5) What river did John baptize Jesus in? 6) Name the 12 apostles. 7) Who are the 4 Gospel writers? 8) Of the 4 Gospels in the New Testament, which was written first? 9) Name the Beatitudes. My sisters and brothers, let this be an impetus and guide for all of us as we begin this New Year, 2012, the Year of our Lord. And in the process, pray these 'refresher' moments serve as insight and growth that will hopefully allow us to reacquaint ourselves with our faith; reacquaint ourselves with our God; reacquaint ourselves with the fundamentals of our faith. After all, faith and spirituality can be fun and we all want a year that is fun, successful and blessed, too. Happy, happy New Year and may the best come to us and we, in turn, share our best and our gifts with one another. Good people of St. Nicholas, Happy New Year to one and all. May 2012 be a most blessed, joyful, peaceful and prosperous time, filling us with grace, wisdom and the willingness to invest fully and completely in our faith, in our service to one another and engaged in the life and times of our community of St. Nicholas. -Manny manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org |
News from Nick:
Ready, set, bake! The new sign-up sheets for baking the bread used at our Liturgies has been posted and are ready for signing. Fear not the kitchen and the kneading of the dough. It takes a little time, some patience and a little T.L.C. Please, consider being a bread baker and sharing the gift of baking and the joy of sharing our faith with one another. Thank you, one and all.
Thanks to: