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News from Nick
The newsletter of the
Community of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org
| February 6, 2013
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The Ravens of Baltimore defeated the gold-mining 49'ers from San Francisco in one of the more memorable Super Bowl games. The action was electrifying; why, there was even a power outage, blackening the Superdome for several minutes! What looked like a blow out turned out to be a nail-biter. Back and forth; a huge tackle followed by an amazing catch while dancing along the side line. The traditions, the half-time show, the commericals and the play on the field...that's what makes the Super Bowl such a world-wide event. It is America's version of the World Cup....it is our Tour de' France...it is our Wimbledon. It is what makes us stand out on the sporting world's stage. It is this most American extravaganza that lets us be who we are, that is, when it comes to sports.
What makes St. Nicholas so unique? Hard to say; better yet, where to start! The people...each member of this community of faith presents their gifts, talents and abilities and we do so with such care, love and a willing spirit. Certainly, other churches would say they do the same and correct they would be. However, and I say this with all due respect to being rather partial to St. Nicholas and my impartial nature as a priest...there is something indescribably rare about our home! I can only speak for myself but I certainly hope I speak for everyone, but coming to St. Nicholas is a joyful thing. I look forward to walking across the threshold of those double-glass doors and experiencing Jesus just as Jesus presents Himself, here and now. The Welcoming Table is front and center in the Gathering Space, replete with name tags, worship programs, sign-up sheets and the like...it truly "welcomes" one and all. I see the Giving Tree and the offerings underneath; a testimony to the amazing generosity we have and share. St. Bede's Chapel to Our Lady, in quite repose, welcomes us to prayer and time alone with Jesus' mother, our Blessed Mother Mary. The Noah's Ark Room is tucked away, almost hidden. Yet, this little space certainly sees enough activity to warrant its worth. And beyond the wall of brick and glass is our worship space, where we celebrate our faith in song and prayer. The simple gifts of bread and wine, though, for but a short while, placed upon the altar, soon become the Body and Blood of our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Redeemer.
Again, every church would rightly claim they have the same "things" we do. And yet again, no one has quite what we have...that indescribable spirit, energy and zest that truly makes St. Nicholas the jewel it is! We are not as grand and immense as the Cathedral at Chartres in France or the cathedral in Cologne, Germany. We have no bell tower with Westminster chime, nor do we have a single raised spire that seemingly touches the heavens. What we have is this wonderful building that is filled with our own personal treasures and precious pieces. And above all, we have US... EACH OTHER...YOU AND ME...and that, my sisters and brothers is what makes St. Nicholas so rare and unique.
February will be a very busy time for us at St. Nicholas. There will be family fun, food and the serious and spiritually enriching nature of worship and celebration, especially as we begin the holy and meditative season of Lent. In order for us to know exactly what's happening now and what's on the agenda, I have included in my weekly reflection a 'mini-calendar' for all of us to be on top of things. So, without further ado...
- 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.
- February 12, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. At 6:30 pm, Holy Innocents Hall at St. Nicholas all are welcomed to join in the fun and Pre-Lenten celebration. The eve of Ash Wednesday traditionally finds Episcopalians gathering together, as community, preparing for Lent, and sharing in the time-treasured fare of pancakes for supper. Again, all are warmly invited!
- February 13, Ash Wednesday Liturgy. We will gather at the church at 7 pm and begin the holy season of Lent. Ashes will be distributed as we will worship in song and prayer the Liturgy for this special day.
- "Continuing a Conversation." (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Sunday, February 24. After the 10 am Liturgy, we are inviting the community to gather and discuss how we can better build and strengthen St. Nicholas Church. A light luncheon will be offered.
-Manny
manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org
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Mark Your Calendar
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Saturdays - 4:30 pm
Sundays - 10:00 am
Wednesdays - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
February 6, 20 & 27
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Children's Formation
Sunday, February 17
After the 10 am Liturgy in the Vesting Room next to the parish office.
Children Gather at Sharing Table
Sunday, February 10 and 24
During 10 am Worship Service
3rd Annual St. Nicholas Chili Supper Saturday, February 9
Following the 4:30 pm Worship Service
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 12
6:30 pm in Holy Innocents Hall
Bible Study February 17, after the 10am Liturgy in the Noah's Ark Room
Healing Liturgy Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17. Blessings and anointing to be shared by the Revs. Tony and Fran Begonja
Varied Voices Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17. Steve Raftery will proclaim the Gospel and share his reflection with us
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February 10, 2013...Bishop's Committee and Liturgy Team Meetings.
|  We have a busy Sunday, February 10th. Bishop's Committee Meeting at 8:15am. After the 10am Liturgy, we will have a Liturgy Team Meeting to begin our conversation on the Triduum. Remember, if you have a desire to be part of the Liturgy Team, know you are cordially and warmly welcomed to come on board.
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| New Treasurer | 
Bob Kalicki announced at the Annual Meeting that he will be stepping down as Treasurer and that Scott Cummings has agreed to assume that position. Scott and Bob will be going through a transition over the next few weeks. A big THANK YOU to Bob for diligently performing the duties of Treasurer since November 2008. And a big WELCOME to Scott as our new Treasurer. |
| In Thanksgiving for a New Co-Bursar | |
Our thanks to Jennifer Brundige . . .
Not only has Jennifer been received into the Order of Saint Luke and will share in their healing ministry, she has agreed to work with Erlene entering and tracking our contributions to St. Nicholas, allowing Erlene to take the time she often needs to go to New York for family matters and not worry about her "work" at St. Nicholas. Both Erlene and Jennifer will be working with our new treasurer, Scott.
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| St. Nicholas Directory | 
Please check the "Draft" directory at the Welcome Table to verify that your personal information in the directory is correct.
If we don't have information, such as email and/or cell phone, and you wish to share it, please note it. On the other hand, if we have information you prefer not to share with others, please make a note of that also.
If you have any questions, please talk to Pat Kalicki, or you may call her at 847-882-3364, 847-417-7871, or email her - pat@stnicholasepiscopal.org. |
Chilly? Chili! 3rd Annual St. Nicholas Chili Supper with Raffles, February 9, 2013, after 4:30 Liturgy
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It's almost here! The Third Annual St. Nicholas Chili Supper is all set for Saturday, February 9th, immediately following the 4:30 Liturgy. Come one...come all! Bring family and friends, haul in the neighbors and anyone who likes a good bowl of chili!
We're very grateful for all the area merchants who have donated raffle prizes, and to all who have pounded the pavement to make the ask! You gotta' play to win! So, come on out, join us in our worship and then stay, enjoy some chili and fixings and perhaps go home with a prize . . . not to mention a tummy full of good, homemade chili. All are welcome. Let's make this a big success as well as a great time out with family, friends and the community of St. Nicholas! You can help spread the word by joining the event on our Facebook page, and then inviting friends! |
Pancakes for Dinner? You Bet! Join us on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm
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What the heck is Shrove Tuesday? The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the custom for Christians to be "shriven" before the start of Lent.* OK, so why pancakes? Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: In many cultures, this means no meat, dairy, or eggs. We are beginning this very Anglican tradition at St. Nicholas this year in honor of the fact that it was near and dear to our members from the former St. Bede's. We are very excited to make this part of our life together. Please join us at St. Nicholas on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm in Holy Innocents Hall. All are invited to come and share in a simple, though filling supper of home-made pancakes. Please sign up in church on Sunday so we'll know how many pancakes to prepare. *Thurston, Herbert. "Shrovetide." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 6 Jan. 2013
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| Bible Study Continues on February 17 |  All are welcome to join us as we continue our new Bible Study on February 17 after the 10 AM liturgy. You need NOT have been in attendance at the January session to join in.
Connie Nicholson is doing a wonderful job of designing and preparing the bible study, and leading us in lively conversation. Come and see for yourself!
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"Continuing a Conversation," Sunday, February 24, 2013 after the 10 am Liturgy with a Light Lunch
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"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God."
-Philippians 1:9-11
Sunday, February 24 - Continuing a Conversation
Where is St. Nicholas going? What will our community be like in three years? Will we be a few steps closer to realizing our vision? If we do not change anything, will the future be any different than the past?
Creating a strategic plan is an important step in the future of our community. We want to encourage everyone to contribute their thoughts. Please join us on Sunday, February 24 after the 10 AM service as we renew our journey of discernment. We will outline our approach for making a three to five year plan and discuss the ways in which all can participate
Renewing our Ministry - A Plan for St. Nicholas
Nearly two years ago, as the community of St. Nicholas conducted its search for a new permanent Vicar, (Manny) we conducted small group discussions and completed a Church Assessment Tool (CAT) Survey. These discussions became "the beginning of a conversation" concerning our mission, our gifts and our needs as a congregation in ways which helped us to identify and confirm Manny as our permanent Vicar.
Continuing the Conversation
We have been well blessed in these two years. Manny's installation as Vicar was a gift to all of us; we have been joined by our new members from the congregation of St. Bede's; and joined by others who have found their way here along independent paths, and have found our community to be a welcoming and meaningful presence in their lives.
Enriched by Manny's leadership and new energy, The Bishops Committee has determined that this is an appropriate time to "continue the conversation," to embrace the collective needs and gifts of our new members and, along with Manny's gifts and leadership, build a vision to renew and fulfill our mission as a congregation of faith in this community.
Making a Plan Begins with Listening
The process of planning sounds daunting to many but it needn't be. There is great consort among many of us at St. Nicholas on what we do well, and where we would like to grow in our ministry to each other and the community in which we live. As one member of the committee said recently," much of what we need to do is simply to write down what we already know." That is true! Yet with new voices and new leadership, this is also an important time to actively listen- to strive to discern and embrace the gifts and needs of our community today, and to envision where our energies and our faith may lead us.
-Bob DeHaven
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| Prayer Requests |
Cathy Walters, Mindy Golden's sister. Cathy has heart health issues and is in process of deciding what treatment may be.
Dan Coyle, who has finished chemo and radiation for cancer of the tonsil. For continued healing.
Repose of the soul of Rose Marie Neuhart, a life long friend of Nancy Allan. May she rest in the full peace of Christ.
Repose of the soul of Todd Hubbard, a friend of Douglas': Todd, age 47, died rather unexpectedly after a brief illness. May Todd rest in the loving arms of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.
Richard Nordberg, father of Penny Mandziara, who is encountering some serious health complications: pray for his recovery and well being and for patience, understanding and acceptance to all who love and care for Richard.
Shannon, a dancer with the Rodriguez Dance Theatre: Shannon was hit by a car on January 7th and has been in a coma since. Pray for her recovery and for her parents and all who love and care for Shannon.
Repose of the soul of Sarah May Stiles Reid, mother of Thelma Malecek, grandmother of Ron and Laura Malecek: we pray the Good Lord welcome our sister into paradise where she may rest in the full and lasting peace of Christ.
Bernie, youngest son of our Eunice, who continues to encounter serious health matters while recovering from major surgery.
Ken, the brother of our Mary Beth Jarvis who suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve. Ken is currently in critical condition, having lost sight in his left eye and motion on his left side. Pray for Ken, his recovery and his well being and pray for his family and friends for strength and support. 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. 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:
Jennifer Brundige for becoming our substitute in the bursar's office!
Scott Cummings for becoming our new church treasurer!
Kathy and Ken Gans and the arrival of their new baby girl!
Donna Tamaski for working with our children and their formation this month!
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| Readings for This Weekend's Liturgies | |
Click here for the readings appointed for Saturday, February 9 / Sunday, February 10
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| Worship With Us | |
Saturdays - 4:30 pm
Sundays - 10:00 am
Wednesdays - 6:00 pm ( September to May )
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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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