The kids at Clearmont Elementary were certainly much louder than they usually are.   With all that excitement building up as the end of this school year is just about here, I can certainly understand and appreciate their anticipation.   I was watching them rush out of the building, backpacks in tote, some of the girls holding hands.  Their parents, huddled in the parking lot and in our driveway, were awaiting their little ones.

I always loved school.  September meant not just returning to school but catching up with my friends and classmates, many of whom I would not have seen the whole summer.  My parish school was a "magnet school," that is, it attracted children from all around Southwest Detroit.  Many of my classmates lived miles away while others lived up and down the street or in the homes directly across the alleyway.  Returning to school was a joy and an opportunity to grow and learn.  And, with my birthday in mid-September, school often resumed on my birthday, along with all the new TV shows for the fall season.  In my mind I thought these were all gifts for me!  Too bad I grew up and learned the cold, hard truth of the nature of "coincidence."

Back to Tuesday at St. Nicholas: it was hardly quiet around here.  I arrived at 9am and began with the computer work that awaited me.  While the Nooners' Meeting was being held, I worked in the church, getting the baptismal font emptied and cleaned out.  There were things that needed to be moved around and put away.  The summer months signal the move from the church space to Holy Innocents Hall, where in the comfort of air conditioning we will celebrate and worship.  It is bitter sweet being in the church when it is so quiet.  I enjoy the solitude and the opportunity to be so close to the Blessed Sacrament and to get necessary things done.  However, I think of how lively and loud the place is on weekends, with so many familiar and friendly faces.  Well, the place is rather lonely and in need of her congregation.   So is her vicar, who so enjoys the company of his community of faith.

As soon as the Hall was empty, I began the move of worship items from out of the church and into the Hall; the St. Bede's altar, the old ambo, Holy Water stand, a processional cross and the Lectionary stand, too.  Now the Hall is ready for our weekend worship and without disrupting or displacing the support group's meetings held in the afternoon and evenings.  What a joy it is to be able to share a common space with such cooperation and understanding.

The doorbell rang and the monthly donation of cookies and crackers arrived.  And what a donation this was!   Because we receive so much at one time, we put aside some of what we receive so as to share with the Salvation Army, who in turn brings us surplus goods from their storage space to use in our food pantry.  Blessings being shared...that's what it is all about!  Later in the afternoon, a van full of canned goods and staples from the Romeoville food warehouse arrived.  We unloaded, stacked in the pantry storage room, recycled the empty boxes and called it a successful donation day!

Before I knew it, it was 5:30 and I had an hour before the 6:30 Building Committee Meeting was to begin.  So, back to the computer I went to finish up some of the paper work that I had begun so much earlier in the day.  I typed quickly, took a few sips from my (now cold) cup of coffee and munched on the baby carrots that I brought with me from home.

An early-in-the-month-of-June Tuesday at St. Nicholas, from the early morning until well into the evening...many things were undertaken and accomplished.  People came and went.  Food donations came, were put away and secured for future distribution at our food pantry.  The phone rang several times.  The mailman came and delivered a few bills, some circulars and even a letter.  There you have a day in the life of a suburban Episcopal church in the Midwest.  True, these recorded events may not be earth shattering or news that will be of much importance to many.   But for those of us who call St. Nicholas our spiritual home, it is news worth taking note of because in this small space, many lives were touched and affected because St. Nicholas was there for them.And that, my friends, is certainly news worth sharing.

-Manny 

Staging begins around 10 a.m.; Parade steps off at Noon 

This year's parade features a new route that is about 2.5 miles long, beginning at Montrose and Broadway and ending at Diversey and Sheridan. If you've never marched before, it is an amazing experience you'll never forget.

We'll have two giant puppets, signs, streamers, music, and even a truck if you get too tired! All you need to do is show up-- and wear a blue t-shirt!

To march with us, please email Matthew Zaradich for more information. Please put "Episcopal Pride" in the subject line. Further information will be provided as it comes available. We need an accurate count of marchers, so please email as soon as possible!

It has come to our attention that the Holy Innocents altar in front of church has become vandalized. The committee overwhelming agreed to determine what needs to be done to polish out the marks on the top of the altar and move the altar into the worship space. The current altar is becoming unstable and the wood has cracked in the base. Moving the slate altar inside is a great decision. It will allow us to use the Holy Innocents linens that were made for that altar.

-Steve Raftery

Senior Warden

There will be free food distribution, hosted at St. Colette Church in Rolling Meadows, from the Greater Food Depository Producemobile on June 13th from 9-11:30 a.m. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at 3900 Meadow Drive, Rolling Meadows (east parking lot). Rain or shine. More information at (847) 394-8100.

**Barb Liss who passed away from cancer  

**Pernell Rion and his continued recovery from stem cell transplant  

(**written prayer requests collected during Liturgy) 

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a

Psalm 5:1-8

Galatians 2:15-21

Luke 7:36-8:3

Saturday Lector (all readings):  Ellen Whalen 

Sunday Lectors:  Bob DeHaven, Vernon Forde

Sunday Intercessor: LaWayne Williams 

Chalice Bearers:  LaWayne Williams, Earl Williams