A friend asked me, "How does it feel to be 55?" My response, 'how should I know, I've never been 55 before.' Quite honestly, I feel today much as I felt the other day, as I felt last year and the year before that. What has changed is that I've moved yet further away from the year I was born. Then again, we can all resonate with this, right?
We all age and as we age, we mature and grow. This growth should not just be taking place in and with our bodies. We should also be maturing and aging with grace with regard to our faith and our relationship with the Creator and with one another. We don't necessarily pray as we did when we were children . . . we have moved forward with our thinking and understanding of God and our connectedness with all things Divine. God remains the constant. God does not change. What has changed is the manner in which we communicate and interact with the Creator and how we interact, communicate and connect with one another in our day-to-day activities.
The flip-side to all this is that there is a comfort in knowing when we come to church to worship and celebrate, we know what we are in store for; there is a familiarity with the actions in our Liturgy. There is a warm and peaceful feeling in our house of worship, in our St. Nicholas. After a busy week with our jobs and family responsibilities, it is a "right, good and joyful thing" to come to church, settle in and allow the Spirit to overcome and overwhelm us with the true and lasting gifts that only the Spirit can provide.
So we have the blessings and comforts of familiarity and all things constant and unchanged. Conversely, we have the reality of our human nature and how we change, grow and mature. These opposites, "change" and "familiar" can and must co-exist when it comes to life in and of the Church and in particular, this church, this community of St. Nicholas. We grow and mature which means we must embrace, on occasion, some changes while holding tight to the truths and time-tested and treasured gifts of our past. When we mix together these two realities, fold in "change" and "familiar," we create a church that is alive and dynamic; a place that welcomes all just as God created us...different, dynamic and yet, all of us children of the one, true and eternal God. Amen. -Manny |
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Like Quiet Time in Church Before the Service?
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We want to let you know that effective immediately, choir practice on Sunday mornings will end no later than 9:45AM. This will afford the opportunity for some quiet, meditative time in church prior to the start of our Sunday service, which will begin promptly at 10AM.
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Ready, Set, Start Reading and Sharing...
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The book group has completed its study of Bible and Sword, and will next be reading An Unquiet Mind, by Kay Redfield Jamison. The author, a highly respected professor of psychology and psychiatry (tenured first at UCLA and later Johns Hopkins), describes her experiences coming to grips with her own bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive disorder), which had plagued her since early adulthood. This is a striking and highly readable work, by someone uniquely qualified to discuss mental illness as it really happens from both the clinical and the personal point of view. One focus of our discussion will be how such a disorder complicates the concept of "what kind of person" someone really is.
Stay tuned for information about the date and time of our next meeting. All are welcome, so please contact me for more information.
- Steve G.
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50th Anniversary Celebration
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Be sure to mark your calendar for the celebration of our 50th year of ministry as a community. If you haven't yet responded to your invitation, please do so as soon as possible.
The people of
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
Cordially invite you to join us as we celebrate
Our 50th Anniversary
Saturday, September 28, 2013
3:00 p.m. Liturgy
Reception to follow
R.S.V.P by September 14, 2013
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Seeking Donations of Soda and Bottled Water
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For our 50th Anniversary Celebration Reception
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 We would warmly welcome donations of 2-liter bottles of pop, and/or bottles of water for the reception following our 50th Anniversary Celebration on September 28th. If you would like to donate, please bring pop or water to church on Sunday (or any time). If you have questions, please contact Penny Mandziara via email or at 630-860-0464. Thank you! |
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An Interactive Murder Mystery Party
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Presented by:
The Rodriguez Dance Theatre
at
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
Friday, October 11, 2013
Red Carpet and Cash Bar at 6:30 PM
Elegant Small Plates, Live Music and Mystery at 7:30 PM
St. Nick's Lisette Rodriguez and Rodriguez Dance Theatre (RDT) are kicking off their seventh season with their first significant fundraising event, to be held at St. Nicholas on Friday, October 11, 2013. All members of our community are invited to share in a rollicking, 1920s themed "evening of dancing and murder".
Board Member Bob DeHaven explains that Dance to Death will be RDT's first Gala event. "It has been great fun for me to see Lisette's company grow, just in the two years that I have been on the board. The company members keep challenging themselves, and Lisette keeps raising the bar of both physical and artistic expectation. Although the main goal of a fundraiser is to increase our revenue to keep strengthening the company, it has been equally important to provide a great evening at a good value. We are still developing our audience and our reputation in the community. This event is intended to showcase the company's talent, in the midst of a great evening. Our goal is to provide the best in food and entertainment for a donation that is equal to or less than what you might spend on an elegant night out. As we discussed the event with the company, everyone was eager to make it a party that anyone would love to attend."
The mystery was written for RDT by Alesha Claveria, a freelance author and playwright who splits her time between L.A. and Washington D.C. The storyline is about Lisette's fictitious Grandmother Rose turning 100 years old, and begins like this:
"The wealthy Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village is abuzz with excitement. All the most upper crust citizens are gathering for the event of the year, a party no guest will forget! Rose Rodriguez, venerated founder of the world famous Rodriguez Dance Theatre, is turning 100 years old. Her family and friends are throwing Grandmother Rose a 1920s themed birthday party. After all, that's when the old woman first rose to international dancing acclaim, during "The Roaring 20s" - era of speakeasies, short skirts, and bootlegged hooch. So in honor of Grandmother Rose's contribution to the world of dance, the dancers in her company are bringing the 1920s roaring back with performances, dance lessons for guests, food and drinks. Guests can watch flapper girls tear up the floor, learn to dance the Charleston, and enjoy a little bootlegged hooch themselves! Anyone who's anyone will be there to honor the famous Grandmother Rose as she turns one hundred. But, as it turns out, old Rose may have a surprise of her own! And when someone is found dead at the party, guests will have to wonder who, if anyone, will make it out alive. Murder wasn't part of the evening's scheduled entertainment . . . was it?
RSVP now for an evening of dancing and murder! Dress as you would for an elegant night out. 'Roaring 20s' garb not required, though it would be fun!"
Invitations may be found at the welcome table and reservations may be made online at www.rodriguezdancetheatre.com or by mail. For more information, call 630-310-7304 or ask Bob or Lisette.
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What's on the calendar (click each date for the lessons for that day)
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September 18: Edward Bourverie Pusey, Priest, 1882
September 19: Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, 690
September 20: John Coleridge Patteson, Bishop of Malanesia, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871
September 21: St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
September 22: 18th Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 20
September 23: Theclas, Martyr, 1st Century
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This Weekend's Worship Leaders
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Saturday Lector (all readings): Cyndi DeBock
Preacher (both services): Bill Barlow
Sunday Lectors: Pat Kalicki, Bob Kalicki
Sunday Intercessor: Eason Williams
Chalice Bearers: Earl Williams, Penny Mandziara
Sunday Coffee Hour Host(s): Connie Nicholson, Marilyn Brown
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying for:
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For our Mindy Golden who suffered a mild heart attack and underwent surgery: for her quick and complete recovery and a healthy and vibrant future.
Repose of the soul of Pamela DeHaven, wife of our Bob DeHaven who passed away this past August: may Pamela rest in the full and lasting peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and may all who mourn her passing be comforted and consoled. For a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis in Syria: that all weapons of destruction are removed and dismantled, once for all. For all the victims of the shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.: may they rest in peace as we raise their names in prayer and blessings. For victims of crime and violence: may they know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
For all students and teachers as they start another school year: that all are safe, secure and ready always ready for the challenges ahead.
For all our members and friends who are in transition: returning to school, seeking new employment and new homes; that peace, stability and joy are found.
Cathy Walters and her continued recovery and return to a full and active life with her new heart!
Ethel 'Corkey' Stratton, Hal's Mom, she has suffered mini-strokes and is battling dementia and Alzheimer's: that she regain some strength and mobility and her loved ones are blessed with patience and acceptance.
Bernie, Eunice's youngest son who continues to recover from his serious health battles.
Victims of violence, war, oppression, discrimination and poverty.
**Pray for the repose of the souls of Vivian, Joe and Sarah.
For Eunice Dohra, Marcia Kizior, Pamela Joy DeHaven, Richard and Mary Gans: members and family of our community of St. Nicholas who continue to experience health concerns: for the full restoration of sound health and a productive life.
(**written prayer requests collected during Liturgy) |
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Fran and Tony Begonja, Jennifer Brundige, Thelma and Ray Malecek, Penny and Hank Mandziara for sharing Healing, Blessings and Prayers this past weekend.
Penny and Hank Mandziara for taking care of the church curtains.
Thelma Malecek who "nursed" the nearly dead Easter lilies from last year back to life...talk about "healing ministry!"
Hal Stratton, Steve Raftery, Ray and Thelma Malecek for putting the church back together again.
Pat Kalicki for making sure the carpets were cleaned just right.
Bob DeHaven for making sure our new altar was restored perfectly and installed in its proper place.
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