The Vicar's Corner

As a society, by and large, we are very proactive about how we conduct ourselves in public when we are not feeling our best.  We make every effort to sneeze away from others and into a handkerchief.  We even try to muffle our sneezes so as not to disturb others.  We politely cover our mouths when we cough.  Yet I wonder just how contagious "kindness" can be. 

So, I put my question to the test.  The other day while driving to St. Nicholas I made a cognitive choice.  Any time I encountered a driver trying to exit a driveway and onto traffic I would yield the right of way.  Granted, I usually do this, though, there have been times, when in a hurry, I did not yield the right of way.  But on this particular day, regardless of what I had going on, where I was headed or how much of a hurry I was in, other drivers would come first. 

It was not too difficult.  Each time I would stop and wave traffic to proceed, friendly waves of "thank you" were offered and even smiles could be seen.  In fact, I noticed cars in front of me who had sped on around and ahead of me were also allowing traffic to merge, too.  It seemed other drivers were willing to sacrifice "the lead" to let others in.  Kindness was spreading...could it be so? 

Now, of course, I did encounter some drivers who were far less willing to comply with my "kindness drive."  They, too, shared interesting hand gestures though they were not waving "thank you" to me.  Sad as it is, not everyone is as enthusiastic about letting go and allowing others to come first.  Of course, these drivers may well have had valid reasons for not yielding to others.  Still, it doesn't take much on our part to extend even the slightest of kindness.  When I arrived at St. Nicholas, I have to say, my spirits were soaring and my heart was filled with an indescribable happiness.  On my way home later that evening, I again followed my plan and allowed others to merge on ahead of me.  What a day!  And to think, it literally cost me nothing to bring even the slightest degree of kindness to others.  And, who  knows, those drivers may well have showed similar gestures of kindness to others,too.  Some one has to set the first domino in action in order to get to the next one, and so on, and so on.

My sisters and brothers, with the new year well underway, let's all make a point of "spreading kindness" as often as we can!  Let's give of ourselves without expecting any thing in return except the gratitude of those who are recipients of our actions and of course, our Lord's favor. Let us all express in word and deed our Christian heritage and give of ourselves so others may experience happiness and joy.  And if we need any reminders...think of Jesus who surrendered of Himself so others may live in freedom and with the promise of Paradise that awaits us all. 

-Manny

New Online Calendar Now Available

Our calendar is now online!  Not only will you be able to see what's on the horizon, you'll also be able to request email reminders for events and subscribe to a live feed of the calendar with any product supporting the iCal format. 

Check it out at this link!

This Week at St. Nicholas

Wednesday, January 15, 2014
AA Meeting	12:00 PM
Food Pantry	4:00 PM
Al-Anon Meeting	7:30 PM
Thursday, January 16, 2014
AA Meeting	12:00 PM
GA Meeting	7:00 PM
Friday, January 17, 2014
AA Meeting	12:00 PM
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Healing Weekend	4:30 PM
Varied Voices	4:30 PM
Worship Service	4:30 PM
AA Meeting	7:00 PM
GSR - AA Meeting	7:30 PM
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Healing Weekend	10:00 AM
Varied Voices	10:00 AM
Worship Service	10:00 AM
Adult Bible Study	11:30 AM
Children's / Youth Formation	11:30 AM
AA Meeting	7:30 PM
Monday, January 20, 2014
AA Meeting	12:00 PM
AA Meeting	7:00 PM
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
AA Meeting	12:00 PM
AA Meeting	7:00 PM
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
AA Meeting	12:00 PM
Al-Anon Meeting	7:30 PM

Please make plans to join us for our 2014 Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 26 following the 10AM service.  Please bring your questions, concerns, and a dish to share. More details will follow soon.

Bishop's Committee Notes

1/12/2014

 

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 Malecek

 

December minutes were accepted.

 

Building Committee Update: 

-          Stained glass windows: Bob D. is working with Capital Glass to determine the best framing.

 

Boiler:  The building is not heating adequately (not getting above 61 degrees), even since the weather has moderated.  The boiler itself is not getting hot enough.  This could cause a potential problem with our fire suppression system, as well as discouraging attendance.  Bob D. and Hank will pursue getting it repaired.   

 

-       There also continues to be a problem with water leaking from the roof.  This is being pursued, as well, and will be discussed with Michael Ruehle this week.

 

Congregations Commission:  Mrs. Polly Tangora, a member of All Saints in Chicago, is the new liaison.  Bishops and Trustees, the Congregations Commission, and St. Nicholas are to meet quarterly.  Manny will meet with Polly on January 18 and will discuss the contract between St. Nicholas and the Congregations Commission, including participation in the THRIVE program.  Canonically, a parish is a mission church if it receives financial assistance; currently, we are not receiving any grant assistance.  A criterion has been that a church must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for 3 years before it can qualify as a parish.  Manny will request clarification of the status for St. Nicholas.

 

Snow plowing:  Manny spoke with Ross Vitale, the principal at Clearmont School, about the agreement regarding plowing.  The problem arises on weekends, when the school lot is not plowed but when we have the greatest need.  A member of AA has offered to plow our lot; Manny will follow up on this arrangement.

 

Annual Meeting:  The Bishop's Committee will hold an election to replace departing members (Bill, Val, and Paul).  Mike Golden, Thelma Malecek, Kristin Jacobs, and Neal Setchell have all agreed to be candidates.  Because we are currently "down" a member from the last election, we will hold a simple "aye or nay" vote for all 4 candidates.

-          We will look to elect delegates for the annual convention at this time, as well.

 

Advertising:  A small ad for our church services in the Daily Herald Holiday Worship insert, distributed throughout the Herald's "north region," would cost $220 for the upcoming Easter season.  There is money in the budget for outreach that could be used for this purpose.  We will place this ad and monitor the outcome.

 

Direct mail advertising:  Bill Barlow - Sending a postcard through the Direct Mail Company to 52,000 households in Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates would cost $8900 (not feasible in our budget).  We will continue to pursue other avenues.  We can get address listings for free from government offices and develop and mail out our own postcards.  We can also expand our presence on Facebook and other social media.

 

Application for Building Use contract:  Reviewed - some questions arose; this was tabled and will be revisited.  Issues included insurance coverage and flexibility of fees.

 

Financials:  Revenues exceeded our budget by $2627 in December, due to holiday plate offerings.  Expenses were higher than budget primarily due to irregularities in billing for property insurance and electricity.  All expenses are up to date.  We are "in the black" for the month by $2956.

 

Year to date actual vs. budget:  An error in pledge documentation was corrected.  Income was more than $10,000 higher than planned.  Expenses were close to estimates.  The final balance was $9400 better than the anticipated end-of-year balance. 

 

2014 Budget:  The new budget was created based on income and expenses of 2013:  congregation income of approximately $92,600, with expenses of approximately $94,800.  Bob updated categories on the budget sheet. 

 

Diocesan pledge:  We received a notice from the diocese indicating that we have not paid our full pledge for 2013.  There was a misunderstanding about the amount, and we have fulfilled our pledge.  Bob K. will clarify that with the diocese. 

 

Gift:   A gift of $500 was given to St. Nicholas by a congregant; this was entered under "Giving Tree."

 

Treasurer:  Ray Malecek will now be our treasurer.  Bob Kalicki will serve as the financial secretary. 

 

Bursar:  Jennifer Brundige is serving as our bursar.  Insurance and canonical recommendations indicate that there should be 2 people in this role, with both present when money is counted.

 

Notes submitted by Val Gruenwald

Prayer Requests

For members of our community who are unemployed, over and under employed: that all may find peace in a chosen and desired vocation that sustains and affords a comfortable life.

 

For all our St. Nicholas community members who are under the weather and in need of healing and prayers:  may they find peace and be blessed with sound and better health.  Ruth Harber, Joanne Mangiaracina, Connie Nicholson, Taylor Gans, Richard Gans, Eunice Dohra, Corky Stratton, Ken Tamaksi and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.

 

For our military personnel who are overseas and engaged in battle:  that they soon return home safe and secure. 

 

For those who are suffering from the pain of depression:  may their burdens be lightened and may they find healing.

 

 

Shout-Outs

To Jessica Tamaski, our wonderful Junior Warden who took on the task of organizing this year's Fannie Mae Holiday Candy Drive. Great work, young lady!

To our Cyndi De Bock who has had her first book published, Belgium to America.  Congratulations and much success to you!

To Hank, Hal and Steve for their hard and dedicated work in putting the Cristo Rex statue in the church and reorganizing the Gathering Space.  Jesus has always been here...only now in an even greater and more beautiful way!

A huge THANK YOU to those who stayed and helped take down and store away the Christmas decorations, vacuum the carpets, hang new colors and spruce up our worship space.  Your kindness and consideration is so greatly appreciated.  What an honor and joy it is to be part of the Community of St. Nicholas.

We all wish to express our most sincere and loving Thank You to Val Gruenwald, Bill Barlow and Paul Swanson who have faithfully and selflessly given of their time and energy as Bishop Committee Members the past three years.  We will miss you, but blessedly and fortunately, you won't be far!  God bless you all for your care and concern for all things St. Nicholas.

Also, a hearty Thank You to Bob Kalicki who officially turns over the Treasurer's reins to Ray Malecek, our new Parish Treasurer.  God bless you Bob, for your dedication and service. So glad you'll be around to help and assist.

Readings for This Weekend

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