News from Nick Logo
September 11, 2013
The Vicar's Corner
"And the seasons, they go round and round."  This line from one of my favorite songs certainly sets the tempo for this particular edition of News from Nick.  We Midwesterners understand all too well the nature of the seasons: the effortless flow from spring to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter and back to spring.  We all have our favorite time of year, that is a given.  For me, hands down, it would be autumn.  Love the color changes, the scents of a field full of ripened crops and freshly cut hay, it's not too hot and it's not too cold...it is " just right."  The dusk of summer is very much in sight as autumn is knocking at our door.  Fall mums have been planted and have made themselves very much at home.  Before an early winter freeze visits and before the grounds harden, the tulips and lily bulbs shortly will follow to their designated garden spots.  In several months' time, we will see the efforts of these late summer/early autumn plantings come to even greater and more colorful fruition. 

 

Within the church, we are doing some other forms of planting.  We have been tilling a much different soil, preparing ourselves and our environment for events that will provide us untold delights.  Later this month, a formal, Liturgical celebration of 50 years of sailing in peace, love and unity as a community of faith in our present church building, with Bishop Lee as our celebrant and preacher will set the tempo.  And yet, there is much more to come.  Prepare to be entertained with concerts from our own St. Nicholas Choir under the skilled and capable leadership of Mary Fletcher-Gomez; dancing, mystery and an array of fabulous foods will also make their way into our place with an old-fashioned murder mystery right here at St. Nicholas.

 

If we're going to host so many events, it is fitting to have a facility that is up to par.  Why put new wine into an old wine skin?  The church and gathering space are being updated and undergoing major changes.  New windows on the south side (windows closest to the parking lot) have been installed with more repairs to come.  New vents have been installed in three of the west side windows and another vent will be installed above the choir room door.  These vents will allow fresh air to flow throughout the worship space and not to mention keeping our facility up to "city code."  In time, beautiful stained glass windows that once graced St. Bede's Church will find their new home in the windows of our St. Nicholas.  All good things will come as we go about these repairs and additions, slowly but ever so surely.   

 

In time and with much hard work, planning and cooperation we will reap the fruits of our labor. The gardens, those outside and the garden that is us are taking on new life.  Let's all savor what is transpiring before our very eyes.  Let's celebrate our efforts, our hard work and sacrifices and all the while, remember that these and all our efforts are for God's greater glory.  And by the way, I have it from a very reliable source, which is my heart, that God is highly pleased with our efforts.  Again, another reason to celebrate!

 

Amen.

     

-Manny

50th Anniversary Celebration
Have you RSVP'd?
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

Invitation
St. Nicholas Choir CDs Available
They make great gifts!
We would love to give you a complimentary copy of our new CD, commemorating St. Nicholas' 50th Year of Ministry.  All we ask is for a donation of at least $5 toward the Choir Robe fund.  Pick up your copy this weekend at church.  Thank you for your support! Here is the promotional video for the CD release:

How Can I Keep From Singing?
How Can I Keep From Singing?

Speaking of the St. Nicholas choir, please mark your calendar for November 24, for a full-length concert by our choir.  Details to follow soon.
Choir CD 2013
Dance to Death
An Interactive Murder Mystery Party
Dance to Death

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. Created for RDT, 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.

PADS Volunteer Orientation
Public Action to Deliver Shelter

The PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program, providing overnight shelter for the homeless in NW suburban Cook County from 10/1/2013 to 4/30/2014, is conducting training and orientation for the 2013-2014 season.   The training/orientation lasts for 2 hours, and it is held at the Journey's the Road Home (the parent organization of the PADS Program) office at 1140 E. Northwest Highway in Palatine.  There are quite a few training and orientation sessions available during both daytime and weeknight hours from September through February.   There are approximately 23 churches in NW suburban Cook County that participate in providing overnight shelter through the PADS program.

 

For more information about PADS, the web site is www.journeystheroadhome.org and the phone number is 847-963-9163, Hope Center, Ext. 17.

 

If anyone has questions about being a PADS volunteer, they can talk to Laura Lampe at church, or send her an e-mail, or call her.  She has been a PADS volunteer since 1992, and would be glad to speak about her experiences.

The Week in our Church
What's on the calendar (click each date for the lessons for that day)
September 11:  Harry Thacker Burleigh, Composeer, 1949

September 12:  John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York, 1830

September 13:  John Chrysostom, Saint and Bishop 
                        of Constantinople, 407

September 14:  Feast of the Holy Cross

September 15:  17th Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 19

September 16:  Ninian, Bishop in Galloway, 430

September 17:  Hildegard of Bingen, Mystic and Abbess, 1179
This Weekend's Worship Leaders
September 14/15

Saturday Lector (all readings): Barb Bosslet 

Sunday Lectors: Katie Black, Colleen Davy  

Sunday Intercessor:  Tameica Williams 

Chalice Bearers: Earl Williams, Pat Kalicki 

Sunday Coffee Hour Host(s):  The Williams family 

Prayer Requests
The Community of St. Nicholas is praying for:
For all those who died 12 years ago in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  Rest in peace and be assured that we, as a nation will never forget you.

For our Jewish sisters and brothers who celebrate holy days and feasts: may the God of Abraham, Sarah, Issac, Rebecca, Ruth and Jacob, the God of Joseph, Mary and the Father of Jesus bless and sustain us all.

For Jim, a good friend of St. Nicholas, Support Group member and dedicated volunteer with food pantry ministry:  Jim is to undergo shoulder surgery this week.  Pray for a swift and complete recovery and Jim is back with us very, very soon.

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)  

Shout-Outs
To Penny and Hank Mandziara, Val and Steve Gruenwald, Pat Kalicki and Steve Raftery for enduring heat, humidity and a lot of work...but the church chairs are cleaned, wood polished and the ceiling is free of dirt and debris.  Great job, one and all!

To Connie Nicholson who continues to lend her 'green thumb' to tend to our new gardens. 

To Giles Kelly of Winning Bid Auctions of Wood Dale who donated two vans full of merchandise for our rummage sale.  Your contributions helped us so very much.
 
To our friends from St. Simon's Parish in Arlington Heights who donated food to our pantry.
Readings for This Weekend
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 14 / 15

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10

 

We worship together:

Saturdays at 4:30PM
&
Sundays at 10AM
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
1072 Ridge Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL  60007
847-439-2067
www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org
Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.