News from Nick
The newsletter of the Community of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org
| November 7, 2012 |
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A Stewardship Reflection
When I crossed the threshold of St. Nick for the first time, more than 10 years ago, I felt a bit like a lost soul. I had been an active member of Roman Catholic parishes for most of my life, and my faith had grown and deepened within that faith community. But I knew I could no longer accept the increasingly exclusive policies coming from the Vatican - no matter how progressive my local church might be. The final straw was a document essentially saying non-Christians may not be welcome in heaven. Having married into a Jewish family, with a loving father-in-law who lost most of his relatives in the Holocaust, and a husband who supported the decision to raise our children Catholic, that was something I could never swallow. And so, with a heavy heart, I left what I knew and had loved, and came to St. Nicholas, hoping to find a new spiritual home with similar beliefs about God, and far more loving beliefs about all of God's children. I did find this, but was surprised by just how much more I found. I had felt very much alone in my previous church once my children were old enough to decide not to attend church anymore. I have never felt alone at St. Nicholas. The most important surprise was that my son and daughter-in-law felt this was a church they could be confident would support the values they wanted their children to learn - and so I could take Rose, and then Molly when she arrived, with me to St. Nick where we could worship together and I could share my faith with them. And Steve, for the first time in our marriage, became an active participant in church activities. The conversations sparked by the topics we've covered in the discussion and book groups have opened doors I'm not sure would have been otherwise opened. But even when I come alone, I am surrounded by people I've grown to love, and the experience of God's presence is heightened by sharing the liturgy with them. This is what St. Nicholas means to me. And stewardship? Because St. Nicholas is the home where my faith family dwells, I think about stewardship the way I think about supporting my family home. Home is where we gather, where each person is nurtured, where God is worshiped and God's love is shared. It's where we talk of what matters most to us, explore the depths of our experiences, discuss - and debate - what we believe. It takes hard work and financial support to make a home the place where all this happens. Making sure that we keep our home lit and warm and in good repair, that we keep our family fed and nurtured and healthy, and beyond the basics, that we provide for our family's development and enrichment, and for a better life for those beyond our doors... we do this without question because we do it out of love, and we celebrate the results of what we've helped to create. When asked by the crowd which was the greatest commandment, Jesus said all the laws and commandments come down to just one: "Love your God with all your heart; and love your neighbor as yourself." St. Nicholas is where I find this message being lived. And I want to do whatever I can to keep that experience alive for my immediate family and my faith family. This is what stewardship at St. Nicholas means to me. Val Gruenwald |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Food PantryWednesdays November 7, 21, & 28 4:30 - 6:30 pm Fannie May Orders DueSunday, November 11 Bishop's Committee Meeting Sunday, November 11 8:15 - 9:45 am Children Gather at Sharing Table Sundays, November 11 & 25 During 10 am Worship Service 175th Diocesan Convention Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard Friday, November 16 Saturday, November 17 Children / Youth Formation in the Sacristy (room next to the office) Sunday, November 18 Following 10 am Worship Service Healing Weekend Saturday, November 17, 4:30 pm Sunday, November 18, 10:00 am Jessica Tamaski, Preacher Wednesday Evening Liturgy to Celebrate Thanksgiving Wednesday, November 21 6:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 21 6:30 pm Book Discussion - When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner Saturday, December 1 9:30 am - Panera's 90 Biesterfield Road, EGV
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Nick at a Glance |
A few reminders:
- We ask that you prayerfully consider making a financial pledge to St. Nicholas for 2013. So that we may budget according to our resources, we'd be most grateful if you could turn in a pledge form by December 1, 2012.
- Fannie May orders are due at church on November 11.
- Children's Formation after 10am Liturgy, November 18, 2012 in the Sacristy, the room adjacent to the office. Adults are welcome to come, share and learn of our program, too.
- Meeting for all who are to be Confirmed or Received into the Church on November 18, 2012 after the 10am Liturgy. We will gather in the church for what I promise will be a very brief meeting.
- Mark your calendar for our Thanksgiving Eve service (details below)
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Thanksgiving Eve Service |
We'd love to have you join us on Wednesday, November 21 at 6PM, when we'll celebrate a Thanksgiving Eve Liturgy.
All are welcome!
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Holiday Flower Fund
| We have turned the calendar to November. Before you know it, we enter the season of Advent and yes, Christmas is here. In order to celebrate the holiday with full cheer, we wish to make sure the church is decorated with seasonal flowers and greenery. Please consider donating to our Flower Fund. With your donation, we will purchase poinsettias, ivy and greenery which will accentuate our worship space with holiday color and beauty. Your donation can be in memory of a dearly departed loved one. We will honor their memory with prayers and appropriate name markers in the plants. Checks may be made out to St. Nicholas with Flower Fund in the memo line and/or cash donations made in an envelope marked, "Flower Fund." Please enclose a notation listing who the details, e.g., "Given by Mary & John Smith in memory of Jane Smith." Any remaining funds will go toward the purchase of Easter flowers. In advance, thank you to the good people of St. Nicholas for your continued support, generosity and love.
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St. Nicholas Gratitude Tree
| A new feature in the Gathering Space is our Gratitude Tree. Conceived by our Stewardship Team and lovingly created by Penny and Hank Mandziara; the Gratitude Tree provides us all the opportunity to express, in writing, our thanks and gratitude for the many blessings with which we are bestowed. We invite all our parish family to stop by, take a moment and write down what we are thankful and grateful for and place that tag upon the tree. The Gratitude Tree is a gift to us, just as each and every member of our community of faith is a gift to St. Nicholas and to one another.
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Stewardship - Annual Pledge Drive 2013
| We are in the midst of our Annual Pledge Campaign, and ask that you consider making a financial pledge to St. Nicholas for 2013.
Hard copies are available at church as well.
Thank you for your support!
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PADS: Public Action to Deliver Shelter
| The local PADS sites throughout the Village and surrounding suburbs are now opened. Each night, our homeless sisters and brothers find their way to these sites and are afforded a warm, safe and clean place to eat, clean up and rest. These wonderful places need help: if there is anyone interested in sharing their time or material to this worthwhile ministry, please contact our Laura Lampe and Vince Ortero or contact the Village Hall for additional information. "For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me..." Mt. 25: 34-35
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Fannie May Orders Due Sunday, November 11! |
Please return your Fannie May orders no later than Sunday, November 11. Either put them in the provided basket on the table in the entry area 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 3. 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%.
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Prayer Requests |
John Laveen, dear and long time friend of Ruth who passed away. May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Lou, a friend of St. Nicholas and member of the Nooners Group: Lou is undergoing a very serious kidney surgery to remove tumors. Pray for his full and swift recovery.
Bruce Ogilvie, father of Christy Ogilvie McCreary: Bruce is to undergo medical testing at Mayo Clinic.
Connie Davidson, a friend of Nancy Allan who is has been diagnosed with cancer: for her well being and recovery.
Bishop James Allan, our Nancy Allan's relation: he has taken a turn for the worse and his health is in rapid decline; pray for his peace and comfort and strength and acceptance for his family.
Shirley Martinez, a friend of our Scott Cummings: she is battling cancer; pray for her health and well being.
Vivian, sister to our Thelma Malacek, who is battling ovarian cancer: for successful surgery and a full and complete recovery. Also, Vivian's friend, Peggy, who has been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer: for strength and peace for Peggy and family.
Linda Buzard, choral director of St. John the Divine in Urbana and a friend of Bob DeHaven, is battling breast cancer: pray for full recovery and sound health.
Richard Nordberg, Penny Mandziara's father who is in hospice: for his health, well being and God's mercy be with Richard.
Bernie, the youngest son of our Eunice Dohra has finally returned home! Yet, his condition remains serious.
Peter Barlow, son of Bill and Kathy Barlow: for his safety and the safety of all our military men and women overseas.
Marcia Kizior, sister of Bob DeHaven, who is in poor health.
Pamela Joy DeHaven, in thanksgiving for recovery and continued remission.
Hope Smith, whose cancer has reappeared: for strength, peace and guidance.
Ethel (Corkey) Stratton, the mother of Hal Stratton
Eunice Dohra
Richard and Mary Gans
Carrie Loos
For those in transition: those searching for work, those who are moving and those encountering changes in life.
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Shout Outs |
Our thanks to:
Our young people for sharing their faith with us and creating such a beautiful and loving Sunday Children's Liturgy.
Neal Setchell: for his help in driving and chaperoning our youth preparing for Confirmation to an evening out. Good food, good fun and a good time.
The Good Lord for the abundant blessings bestowed upon us all.
The Outreach Team, Stewardship Team, Bishop's Committee, Youth Ministry, Music Ministry, Food Pantry Crew...for putting so much time, energy and love into their ministry, as we continue to build the Kingdom of God and build up the Community of St. Nicholas.
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Readings for This Weekend's Liturgies | Click here for the readings appointed for Saturday, November 10 / Sunday, November 11.
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44
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Worship With Us |
Saturdays - 4:30PM
Sundays - 10:00AM
Wednesdays - 6:00PM
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-News from Nick Archive-
Miss an issue of News from Nick? Need to refer to an earlier issue? No problem--issues are archived and available at any time at this link.
News from Nick is published by St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois each Wednesday.
Please submit copy to Douglas by clicking here.
Deadline is Tuesday at noon.
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St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
1072 Ridge Avenue
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 847-439-2067
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When we say, "All are welcome,"
we mean it! Come, see for yourself!
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