The Vicar's Corner

It's pretty tough leaving 80 degrees, blue sky and mild, ocean breezes only to be harshly welcomed by the blustering, bitter cold of this, our upper Midwestern home.  All good things such as a quick, 5-day family gathering in Florida must come to an end. 

We had a grand visit, thank you.  Lots of time with family and new friends, too.  And whenever family gets together, you know there's going to be plenty of food, lots of fun and those wonderful conversations that start with "do you remember when...." and end up with all of us laughing with a wee bit of tears in our eyes as well.  That's what it's all about:  the recollection of things past, both the good times and the bad, with our hearts and minds set on what is yet to come; what is yet to be.

Advent is already half finished, or perhaps we choose to think of Advent as having another two weeks to celebrate.  The time set aside for this joyful season is meant to be shared and spent with those whom we love and cherish...the people who are our blood and those, who through time and circumstance have entered our lives and have enriched and blessed us.

You know, as cold as it was getting off that plane last Friday afternoon, it was soon forgotten once I returned to St. Nicholas the next morning.  Don't get me wrong, Saturday morning was bitter cold, too.  It was, unmistakably, a classic, late-autumn/early-winter day.  Yet, once inside, being around the people that are St. Nicholas, members both of our worshiping and Support Group community, all that cold disappeared; the harshness of the winds that whip up from the lake were gone and the joyful presence of the community warmed me oh, so sufficiently.

I am grateful and truly blessed to have some amazingly wonderful, warm and loving people in my life:  the family God born me into and the family that God directed me to.  Again, I am one very blessed man.

Thank you St. Nicholas, the community that is and the very holy man himself; thank you to my family that seems to grow in number though we lose loved ones to death as well; and thank you, Lord, for your blessings, your gifts and your ever present kindness...you keep me very warm, welcomed and safe.

Amen.

 

Santa is pretty busy these days and he can not spare any of his elves...so, calling all eager and willing bodies to help get our church ready for Christmas.

After the 10am Sunday Liturgy on December 22nd, we will get our worship space all decorated and prepared to celebrate the great feast of The Nativity of Christ. 

Our beautiful Angel Tree will rise and lights will go up throughout.  But, we need some help.  So, please consider hanging around, coffee and treat in tote and pitch in and help raise the tree.  It's pretty heavy, so we'll need some muscle, too.

In advance, thank you one and all.

December Calendar

The December calendar is at this link.

Christmas at St. Nicholas

Each holiday season, both Christmas and Easter, the opportunity to remember our dearly departed loved ones or share prayers for a particular cause is offered in the purchase of seasonal plants and flowers. 

At Christmas time, beautiful poinsettias are purchased and placed about the worship space.  They bring such beauty and joy, just as those loved ones we wish to remember brought us joy and happiness, too.

Please consider a donation toward the cost of these lovely plants.  Donations may be dropped in the offertory basket in separate envelopes marked "Flower Donation."

We thank you, one and all for helping to spread the holiday cheer.

God bless. 

Flourish in Faith

Our sincere thanks to all who have turned in 2014 pledge cards thus far.  Please know that pledge cards may still be turned in.  All cards, along with the bread and wine will be processed in at the weekend Liturgies as a sign of thanksgiving and appreciation.

We are mindful and most considerate that not all are able to financially support our church and we appreciate the sacrifices that are made by so many. 

There are others ways to support St. Nicholas:  the Giving Tree, helping out by hosting Coffee Hour on Sundays, baking communion bread for our weekend Liturgies; pitching in to help keep the church/hall clean and orderly, helping with Children's Formation, preaching, lecturing , joining the choir, sharing in Bible Study, joining the Book Club, helping with the Food Pantry on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month...so many opportunities to help grow our church.

And know how grateful and sincerely thankful I am for the kindness, generosity and faithfulness shared by so many on behalf of this, our
Community of St. Nicholas.

God bless, one and all.

-Manny

Bible Study During Advent

The Adult Bible Study is meeting each Sunday during Advent instead of our usual 1st and 3rd Sunday schedule to discuss the Bible and faith, hope, love and peace. 

All are most welcome to join us as we'll be looking to the Bible for the following topics:

• Love on December 15th
• Peace on December 22nd

As usual, we'll meet in the Noah's Ark space following the 10AM service.  On December 22nd, when Children's / Youth Formation won't meet we'll have a movie or other activity for the children during Bible Study. 

In attendance:  Fr. Manny Borg, Vicar; Steve Raftery, Sr. Warden; Jessica Tamaski, Jr. Warden; Bill Barlow; Bob DeHaven; Val Gruenwald; Bob Kalicki; Penny Mandziara; Paul Swanson.  Visitors: Thelma & Ray Malacek

 

November minutes were accepted.

 

Building Committee Update: 

-          Stained glass windows: work in progress  

-          Patio door: fixed, minor millwork remains

-          Rodriguez Dance Theater agreement: for use of building for performances and receptions, as well as dress rehearsals, late January/1^st weekend in February.  This will entail some changes to normally scheduled support group meetings and a Saturday liturgy.  There are some restrictions as to what can be moved (altar, organ).  A rental fee has not yet been determined - comparisons will be made to area venues.      

                                                  

Letter of agreement for Vicar:  Bob Kalicki reviewed the proposed annual agreement - accepted by committee, signed by Manny and Steve Raftery, Sr. Warden.

 

Zip code mailing solicitation:  Bill Barlow reviewed options for a mass mailing by zip code.  The cost would be approximately $1/card, which would be a considerable expense.  There are many designs to choose from - Bill will get samples; Val will look for a previous mailing.  Bob Kalicki suggested targeting recent home buyers.  

 

Comcast:  We are within Comcast's service area; the cost for installation will be $44.

 

Treasurer:  Ray Malacek has volunteered to become the new treasurer.  Bob Kalicki and Ray will work together for a transition period of approximately 3 months. 

 

Episcopal Church Women:  We need a new liaison with this organization - Bob DeHaven will ask his sister, Marcia.

 

Budget:  Revenue for the year is several hundred dollars below the amount budgeted, but this is due to an error in pledge documentation when the budget was developed.  Expenses are slightly below what was budgeted.  For the year, a deficit of $6,075 was anticipated; we currently have a deficit of only $229.  Our income from the congregation currently covers salaries for our vicar and music director.

 

Contract with Congregations Commission:  Polly Tangora has replaced Fr. Steve Godfrey as the liaison for our area.  The new contract does not include any monthly financial assistance to St. Nicholas from the diocese; however, we are being asked to continue the added responsibilities that come with our status as a mission church (e.g., participation in a parish vitality program such as THRIVE, completion of the Church Assessment Tool survey every 3 years), which would add significant expenses.  An individualized 5-year plan for St. Nicholas was created, has been implemented, and was discussed and approved by Fr. Steve Godfrey; this can be discussed with Polly. 

Manny will follow up with Polly to discuss modifications to the specifically stated expectations in the contract for participation in a congregational vitality plan and a repeat of the CAT survey.

 

2014 Congregation's Support Pledge:  Our pledge for the past year has been equal to 80% of the diocese's monthly financial aid to St. Nicholas ($400/$500).  Next year, there will be no monthly stipend, which means our pledge will come out of our base income/budget.  The committee approved a monthly pledge of $100 to the diocese for next year, with the hope that we will be able to increase the amount the following year.

 

Annual meeting: January 26

-    Bishop's Committee nominations: Mike Golden has agreed to be a nominee to the Bishop's Committee.

     Terms are expiring for Bill Barlow, Val Gruenwald, and Paul Swanson.

-    Budget should be available for preview prior to annual meeting.

 

Christus Rio from St. Bede's - will be mounted on the brick wall in the worship space.

 

Bulletin boards - 3 boards will be placed in the gathering space, where they will be more visible to the congregation.

 

Notes submitted by Val Gruenwald

Prayer Requests

For the members of the Support Groups at St. Nicholas who endure, "one day at at time," in their daily battles against addiction.

 

(**written prayer requests)  

Shout-Outs

To Bob Kalicki and Gary Lachey who braved the cold, traffic and tolls to pick up another large load of canned goods and food for our pantry...your efforts go a very long way in aiding the less fortunate!

To Ray Malecek who has volunteered to become our new parish treasurer...thank you, Ray and God bless you for your thoughtfulness and kindness.

To Bob DeHaven who baked the wonderful St. Nicholas cookies and to Val Gruenwald, Tess Setchell, Jessica Tamaski and our wonderful youngsters who decorated the cookies...we all LOVED those special treats.  Thank you for sharing and continuing the time-treasured tradition to honor our parish patron. St. Nicholas would be proud!

Readings for This Weekend

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
1072 Ridge Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL  60007
847-439-2067
www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org