My mornings are some what regimented.  Then again, whose mornings aren't?  After I have prayed, cleaned myself up and microwaved and sipped some  "day old" coffee or tea, I go about doing a little reading.  Part of this reading is to take a quick-look at both the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.  I need that catching-up on what's happening "back home."  The other day, I read a story that truly tugged at my heartstrings.  The story made me smile and yet, damped my eyes with tears.   William and Edna Kreger had been married 76 years.  They met while in school, as freshmen, at Roosevelt High in Wyndotte, Michigan (Wyndotte is a cute little community downriver from Detroit).  William passed away on January 4th at the full age of 96.  12 hours later, his beloved wife died, too.  Edna was a youthful 97.  I imagined the history these two people helped create.  What wonderful stories Edna and William must have shared.  Their hearts truly did beat as one.   God bless and welcome them to their eternal reward.

Patience, endurance, unconditional forgiveness, an enduring acceptance and an immense level and degree of love...that is what formed the foundation of that 80-year love affair Edna and William shared.  They understood and embraced one another.  Their attributes as well as their shortcomings helped mold their lives together.  They gave and shared, they rejoiced and they grieved.  Their lives were full.  Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren spoke of the unique and lasting love Edna and William first forged in friendship and later in their marriage, which continued to be a very loving and enduring friendship.   

We here at St. Nicholas are commissioned to form lasting relationships such as the one Edna and William created.  We are called by God to form community, with Jesus at the center of our connected lives.  We are invited to share our patience, our endurance, our unconditional forgiveness, our enduring acceptance and our immense level and degree of love...toward one another and toward Jesus our most Holy Redeemer.

One way of showing and sharing is involvement in our church, the ministry, the events and the life of St. Nicholas.  There is no shortage of things to do, of ways to get involved.  The invitation is extended.  Now, let us accept and be part of this relationship.  

January will be a packed month of parish life and activities at St. Nicholas. Because we have so much going on, I plan on running this portion of the weekly reflection for the next few weeks. Granted, this may not be my typical approach to reflection sharing, but again, we have so much going on this month and into early February, keeping everyone abreast of the entire goings on at St. Nicholas requires a different approach. So, without further ado...

• Sunday, January 20th after the 10 am Liturgy, the Children's Formation will resume in the Vesting Room. Val Gruenwald will meet with our young people and lead them in conversation and activities that involve the scripture lessons for the day and on a joyful journey of faith. We would certainly welcome additional assistance in this ministry. If there is another community member, or maybe more, interested and willing to share their faith and time in this worthwhile ministry, we would warmly welcome YOU!
   
• Also, on January 20th we will begin our Bible Study Program. We will meet in the Noah's Ark Space. All are warmly welcomed and encouraged to join in the conversation. Connie Nicholson is spearheading this effort. We're excited and anxious to see where our conversations will take us. Bring your coffee, cookies and an open mind and heart!
   
• January 23rd, we will be meeting Bishop and Trustees at St. Nicholas for our quarterly report. Typically, meetings of this sort have important matters to discuss. Such will be the case at this meeting.   Your prayers and support are requested. There are many good things happening at St. Nicholas and we all want that momentum to keep us moving forward. This is what B&T is also wishing for us. Together, working as one, we will attain our goals as we go about our duties of building the Kingdom of God here on earth as we rebuild and recreate St. Nicholas.
   
• January 27th, our Annual Parish Meeting and Pot Luck Luncheon is scheduled. We eagerly and warmly encourage and invite the entire parish family to come and be part of this vital parish activity. We will meet immediately after the 10 am Liturgy. Bring a dish to share--salads, soups, deli trays and such are fine. I promise to keep the meeting 'on point' and not go too terribly long.
   
• February 9th, our 3rd Annual St. Nicholas Chili Supper. What a great time we have getting this event up and running, not to mention the great chili and prizes available! Lots of help needed for this event to be successful. This is a great "fun-raiser," for all of us, with laughs, lively conversation and some pretty darn good chili, too. We could use help soliciting gifts for the door prizes and raffles. And of course, mark your calendar for the 9th of February; bring friends and family, too. There's always room for more at our table! Come for the 4:30 service and stay for the chili supper, immediately following the service. 

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

Bishop's Committee News

The Bishop's Committee met Sunday, January 13:

• The Annual Meeting was discussed. There will be an election of a new Sr. and Jr. Warden in addition to new members to the Bishop's Committee. Anyone interested in being on the Bishop's Committee is encouraged to contact Manny, Pat, or Steve.
• Currently, the most pressing need for the upcoming Chili Supper is for volunteers to contact businesses for prize donations.  Closer to the event, Jessica will post a sign-up sheet for other help she needs.  Jeff and Vince will be cooking the chili this year.
• The quarterly meeting with Bishop and Trustees and Congregations Commission representatives will be held Wednesday, January 23.
• Bob Kalicki reported that we saved $76 on the December electric bill with the switch to a lower-cost provider.
• The Elgin Deanery Meeting will be hosted by St. Nicholas - to be held Tuesday, March 5.
• Plans to begin a "Pizza with the Pastor" one Friday a month were discussed. The first one will be held Friday, March 8.

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.   

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.

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.

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

 
Click here for the readings appointed for Saturday, January 19 / Sunday, January 20   

John 2:1-11