Jessica Preaching
Jessica Tamaski preaching for Varied Voices weekend
News from Nick
The newsletter of the
Community of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org
November 21, 2012

Perhaps the World Ends Here
By Joy Harjo

The world begins at a kitchen table.  No matter what, we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table.  So it has been since creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it.  Babies teethe at the corners.  They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human.  We make men at it, we make women.
At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children.  They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.
This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table.  It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror.  A place to celebrate the terrible victory.
We have given birth on this table and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow.  We pray of suffering and remorse.  We give thanks.
Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.

"Perhaps the World Ends Here," from The Woman Who Fell From the Sky, by Joy Harjo 1994

What a gift it is to be invited and share in the meal at the Table of Life and receive the full and living presence of Jesus, our Most Holy Redeemer.  We are graced and blessed with life that is divine.  Our hearts and souls take flight and we are lifted up.  Each time we come forward, extend our hands and say "Amen," we profess our belief in the gift afforded us; Jesus Christ.  Let us rejoice and be glad in what we are given.  We have much for which to be grateful.

To the community of St. Nicholas, to all our family and friends, a most joyful and blessed Thanksgiving.  May God bless and keep us safe, secure and ever in His grace, care and love.

-Manny

  horn of plenty

 

In This Issue
Nick at a Glance: A Few Reminders
Thanksgiving Eve Service
December 2nd: A BIG Day at St. Nicholas
Recap of Diocesan Convention
Diocese of Chicago Publishes New Magazine
Coffee Hour Help Needed
Pledge Card for 2013
Holiday Flower Fund
Prayer Requests
Shout Outs
Readings for This Weekend's Services
Mark Your Calendar

 

Food Pantry

Wednesday, November 28
4:30 - 6:30 pm

 

Wednesday Evening Liturgy to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 21
6:00 pm

  

Children Gather at Sharing Table 

Sunday, November 25
During 10 am Worship Service

 

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

 

Children's Liturgy, Bishop's Visitation, Confirmations & Receptions
Sunday, December 2
During 10 am Worship Service 

 

Fannie May Orders Delivered to Your Home
Week of December 3

 

 

Nick at a Glance
A few reminders:
  • Come and give thanks at our Thanksgiving Eve service this evening at 6PM.
     
  • 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
     
  • Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 2 for a visit by Bishop Epting.  Details below.  
     
  • Varied Voices Weekend, when different voices in our community offer a gift of preaching, is each 3rd weekend of the month. 
     
  • Children's / Youth formation program takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.  NOTE: Because of the Bishop's visitation, we won't be having this program on December 2.
     
  • Healing Weekend, when the Revs Fran & Tony Begonja offer the gift of their healing ministry, is the 3rd weekend of each month.
     
  • Children's Liturgy and Celebration Weekend happens the 1st Sunday / weekend of each month. 
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!

 

December 2: A BIG Day at St. Nicholas
Baptismal Font at St. Nicholas
The Holy Spirit window as reflected by St. Nicholas' baptismal font
Christopher Epting, assisting bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, will be with us on Sunday, December 2nd at 10AM for our Episcopal Visitation (the biennial visit by one of our bishops).

Bishop Epting will preside and preach, and several of our members will be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Please plan to be a part of this special day.

The service will be followed by a special coffee hour.
 
Recap of Diocesan Convention
Convention 2012
Tobyn Leigh and members of the Diocese of Quincy express their gratitude as we take another step in moving forward.

Here are some highlights of the 175th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago which took place on Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17.   

 

  • St. Nicholas was represented by Pat Kalicki and Jessica Tamaski.
     
  • The collection at the convention Eucharist raised $10,250.  That money is earmarked for CROSSwalk. More info. about CROSSwalk is at this link.
     
  • The resolution to continue conversations about reunification with the Diocese of Quincy passed on a unanimous voice vote. More info. about the reunification is at this link.
     
  • Convention passed a resolution making Diocesan Council a more legislative, less program-executing body. The change represented by the resolution reflects existing reality.
     
  • Legislation reducing the size of the chapter of St. James Cathedral passed.
     
  • An amended resolution calling for a creation of a diocesan Wellness Program in 2013, and all clergy and lay employees to contribute 2% of their salary toward their health insurance premiums passed.  The 2% contribution would either be reduced or eliminated if an employee opts into the Wellness Program.  Details will be worked out in 2013.
     
  • Our assisting bishop, Christopher Epting, who will be with us on December 2 for our Episcopal Visitation, gave a wonderful address to Convention.  Click here to read it.
     
  • The convention resolved to ask the diocese to support passage of Ill. HB 5831, gun registration legislation.  More info. at this link

 
Click here to read all the resolutions.

 

Click here to read reports received by Convention.

 

 

New Magazine, Thrive, from the Diocese of Chicago
Thrive Magazine Thrive! magazine debuted at Diocesan Convention last weekend.

Click here to download the issue.
 
Coffee Help Needed!

coffee hour signMaybe your ministry/talent is making coffee!?  We have started a rotation of congregants to make the coffee for the Sunday coffee hour, set up, and clean up after.  It is very easy - be at St. Nicholas between 9 and 9:30 am, make coffee, set out the cups, etc., set out the snacks provided by Jarosch, and then clean up after the coffee hour. The sign-up sheet in Holy Innocents Hall gives the option of one person/team setting up and another cleaning up.  

 

If you are willing to help with this ministry, please sign up on Sunday. Thank you!  

 

Special thanks to all those who already signed up last Sunday! 

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. 

The pledge form is at this link

Hard copies are available at church as well.

Thank you for your support!
 
Holiday Flower Fund
poinsettia 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.    

Prayer Requests

Mary Kay Sugarman: for her continued recovery and restored health.

Jeanette McBeth, a friend and occasional benefactor to St. Nicholas who is undergoing a medical procedure Monday, Nov. 19.  Pray she recover fully and regain complete strength and health.

Fr. Ed Vella, C.Ss.R., a boyhood friend and former religious community member of Manny who is having major surgery Monday, Nov. 19.  Pray the surgery is successful and Ed suffers no complications and recovers fully, completely and quickly.

Maire Kent, 23 year old diagnosed with inoperable cancer.  Pray for her comfort, strength and the faith to endure and accept.  Pray for her family and friends.

 

Sue Lackey, wife of Gary who is a volunteer at our food pantry: Sue is undergoing serious medical testing and procedures.  We pray for her recovery and improved health.

 

Lucy Begonja, mother of our Tony Begonja: Lucy is in the hospital suffering from dehydration.  That she may regain full and sound health.

 

Carey, daughter-in-law to our Pat and Bob Kalicki who underwent recent surgery:  that she regain full and sound health.

 

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.

 

Shout Outs

Our thanks to:

The students, faculty and staff at Elk Grove High School who collected and shared canned food and supplies for our food pantry.

Bob Kalicki and Gary Lackey for braving the tolls and traffic and picking up our monthly and huge food donation in Romeoville.

The members and friends of St. Nicholas who continuously and graciously give to the food pantry and The Giving Tree, all of which helps us carry out our mission and call to serve all God's people.

All who share their Thanks on our Gratitude Tree.

All who sold Fannie May candy for our fundraiser.

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.
Readings for This Weekend's Liturgies
Lectionary
Click here for the readings appointed for Saturday, November 24/ Sunday, November 25.

 

2 Samuel 23:1-7 
Psalm 132:1-13, (14-19) 
Revelation 1:4b-8 
John 18:33-37

 

Worship With Us

 

Saturdays - 4:30PM

 

Sundays - 10:00AM   

 

Wednesdays - 6:00PM  

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

-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.


St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
1072 Ridge Avenue
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
847-439-2067
When we say, "All are welcome,"
we mean it! Come, see for yourself!