"Attention shoppers, sales in the Gathering Space and sales in Holy Innocents Hall." If this was some major retailing facility and we had overhead announcing capabilities, we may well hear just such an announcement. As it is, our house of worship will indeed be transformed into a quasi-retail facility very soon. Our annual St. Nick's Knacks Rummage Sale is upon us.   This is an 'all hands on deck' sort of gathering, too.

You may remember in my sermon last weekend, I made mention that we are called, as God's people, 'to gather as a community, as a family of faith to worship and give praise to the Creator and to God's Son, Jesus our Redeemer. Also, we are called to gather, on occasion, to celebrate friendships old and new and to help in the building of the church through social and ministerial functions.' The annual parish rummage sale is just such a ministerial function and it is also social. Know this; the income gained through our collective efforts goes a long way in helping fund the day-to-day activities that take place at St. Nicholas. The rummage sale is our major fund raising effort, aside from the Annual Stewardship Campaign which is also a yearly event but not in the same vein as the rummage sale. We'll talk more of the Stewardship Campaign in upcoming editions of News from Nick. Right now, we focus on the rummage sale.

In years past, we had great community turn outs. Volunteers came in throughout the week to help sort out clothing, organize household goods, arrange the Boutique Room and help price the thousands of items. We'll need that same effort again and more so. First things first...we need the commitment of each member of this community to 'pitch in' any way possible. Donate items that you've longed to get rid of and didn't know what to do with. Here's your chance to clean out those closets, the garage and basement. Donation of time is a wonderful and very necessary way to help and share. Come spend an hour or two during the week (Monday, August 13-Thursday, August 16) setting the hall for the sale. We need lots of hands for the sale days in particular: Friday, August 17 & Saturday, August 18 from 8:30am to 3pm. Volunteers are needed to assist customers, help walk the floors, monitor the facility and staff the check out table. All are welcome and children are warmly welcomed and invited. Don't forget to wear our St. Nicholas T-shirts, too!  Lastly, the end of the sale also requires us to clean up the place. Most left-over items will be donated to a charitable agency that will come and pick up the bagged and boxed items. Some items will be kept back and taken to an auction house that will try and sell these items for us. If there's a way to help out the church, I'm all for it. As you can see, the efforts of the entire community of St. Nicholas are desired, warranted and welcomed. There is room for all of us and I assure you, the work is not too demanding, the efforts certainly worthwhile, the company blessed and the rewards are divine.

A beloved community member once said to me at a rummage sale a few years ago, "Fr. Manny, you must have been a used car salesman in a previous life...you can sell anything." Well, that may well be. In this case, here and now, my efforts are certainly genuine and from my heart: to continue to create and foster a stronger and lasting community, while building the Kingdom of God as Jesus has asked of us. This is my intent and wonderfully and fortunately, I am not alone in my efforts. There is a whole church full of amazing people, all of whom bring unique talents and gifts forward, all for the betterment of St. Nicholas and the love we hold for one another.  

Check your schedule and see how and when we can all help with this year's St. Nick's Knacks Rummage Sale. And in advance, a most heart-felt thank you to all. What a blessing we are to one another and what a pleasure it is for me, personally, to be part of such a wonderful and loving community of faith, family and fun. God bless us all and let's make this year's rummage sale the best it can be!

-Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org

Marcia Kizior, sister of Bob DeHaven, who is in poor health.

Sarah Reed, 96, mother of Thelma Malecek, in thanksgiving,  is now home after a brief stay in the hospital.

Family and friends of Joanne: Melissa, who is suffering from M.S.; Don who is experiencing back pain; Steve who is experiencing anxiety and the effects of a stroke and Doug and his struggles with alcohol.   

Connie Kuffel, a niece of Marilyn, who is battling cancer again and is now undergoing chemotherapy, for her full and lasting recovery. 

Pamela Joy DeHaven, who recently underwent extensive surgery, that she regain full health and strength.

In thanksgiving and in joy for the successful leg surgery Maria Phetkhamphou experienced and that her therapy and recovery are equally successful   

Rachel: the sister of a friend of Donna Tamaski, who died in a head-on accident and Rachel's son who was seriously injured.  May Rachel rest in the full peace of Christ.  

Our sisters and brothers at St. Bede's Church, that they know of our joy at having them join our family.      

Kathy Seghers, sister to our Jennifer Garcia.  Kathy is now home. Pray for her full recovery. 

Nathile Paul, Vernon Forde's sister.  Ms. Paul is recuperating from surgery.   

Ethel (Corkey) Stratton, the mother of Hal Stratton 

Paul Brouillette

For those in transition: those searching for work, those who are moving and those encountering changes in life.