Have You Liked Our Facebook Page?

One of the topics of discussion at the Annual Meeting was more targeted communication.  We will create more specific email campaigns about upcoming events.  However, we also need help on your end.  One of the best ways to keep up on the happenings at St. Nicholas is to like our Facebook page.  You can also help us by liking and sharing our content. Getting the word out takes a village, and we appreciate your help!

Boiler Fund

As we heard on Sunday, we're facing significant issues with the boiler that heats the worship space.  If you would like to contribute toward the Boiler Fund, please write Boiler Fund on your check and mail to St. Nicholas (1072 Ridge Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL  60007) or place it in the collection plate on Sunday. 

We are in the process of getting bids on what a new boiler would cost, but even as we do so, we are aware that some action must be taken sooner rather than later.

We are grateful for the support of the community as we make sure we are good stewards of our buildings.  Every donation counts.  We can do it!

The Vicar's Corner

February is that month that, for some, gets overlooked.  Perhaps because it is the shortest of the months or because the weather around these parts is usually miserable and often times teases us.   One day we encounter a glimmer of the warmth of spring and the next day we are provoked and confounded with bitter winds and wet snow...as if the weather gods were poking fun and laughing at us mere mortals. 

However, February has a very serious and historically significant nature.  February is Black History Month: a time for all Americans, in spite of and because of our diversity unite and celebrate the contributions and beauty of our black sisters and brothers. 

I now share with you with the following fascinating and informative material gathered via the website "About.com" for all to enjoy.  

"In the 21st century, many Americans question the need for Black History Month. Some argue that black history should be celebrated year-round, as it's no different from American history generally. Others resent the month because they feel it singles out African Americans in ways that other racial groups are not. In fact, cultural observance months for Latinos, Native Americans and Asian Americans take place every year as well-and have for years. Harvard-educated historian Carter G. Woodson did not spearhead a time of year to recognize the achievements of blacks to exclude others but because the history books of his era largely ignored the contributions people of color made to U.S. Society. Reflecting on the origin of Black History Month will help naysayers clear up misconceptions about its founding and purpose.

Recognizing African Americans

Well versed in the achievements of African Americans, Woodson wanted to publicize their contributions to the world. He accomplished this goal by establishing the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (today known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) and announcing the creation of Negro History Week in a 1926 press release. "We are going back to that beautiful history and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements," he reportedly told students of Hampton Institute. Blacks and socially conscious whites embraced the idea, founding black history clubs and teaching young people about the event. The wealthy even donated funds to spread awareness about black history.

Why February?

For years, African Americans have jokingly questioned the fact that Black History Month takes place in the shortest month of the year. The decision to celebrate African-American history in February was not an attempt to shortchange blacks but arrived at because one week in that month encompasses the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, which fell on the 14th and the 12th, respectively. The African-American Douglass distinguished himself as a leading abolitionist, while Lincoln, of course, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. That document allowed enslaved blacks to live as free men and women. Without the activism of abolitionists such as Douglass, Woodson, born to slaves, may have never received the opportunity to read or write, let alone earn degrees from academic institutions as prestigious as the University of Chicago and Harvard University.

The black community had long celebrated the birthdays of Douglass and Lincoln. "Well aware of the pre-existing celebrations, Woodson built Negro History Week around traditional days of commemorating the black past," according to Daryl Michael Scott, a history professor at Howard University. "He was asking the public to extend their study of black history, not to create a new tradition. In doing so, he increased his chances for success."

From Negro History Week to Black History Month

Woodson died in 1950, but Negro History Week celebrations showed no signs of slowing down. By then several city mayors recognized the week. To boot, the burgeoning civil rights movement helped bolster interest in black life and the role African Americans played in making the U.S. the world superpower it is today. Given this, by the time the nation celebrated its bicentennial in 1976, the federal government decided to turn Negro History Week into Black History Month. That year, President Gerald R. Ford told Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." The U.S. government has recognized Black History Month ever year since. Before his death, Woodson is said to have expressed hope for a Negro History Year.

How Black History Month Is Celebrated

There's no shortage of ways to celebrate black history. Teachers give lessons to students about important African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman and the Tuskegee Airmen. Bookstores highlight the works of black poets and writers. Meanwhile, galleries display the work of black artists. Museums feature exhibitions with African-American themes, and theaters present plays with African-American subject matter. African-American churches celebrate the month with a slew of events that raise awareness about the achievements of blacks in the U.S. Some blacks view the month as a time to reflect on slavery, the civil rights movement, the black power movement and the best ways to lift up the African-American community today."

 

(Material provided by About.com, Black History Month Facts with much gratitude and thanks).   

 

-Manny

2013 - A Year in Review

For those who missed it, we opened the 2014 Annual Meeting on Sunday with a retrospective of highlights of 2013.  The video is available here:

2013 - A Year in Review

This Week at St. Nicholas

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, Taylor Gans, Richard Gans, Eunice Dohra, Corky Stratton 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

For all who contributed reports for our Annual Meeting: Val and Steve Gruenwald, Steve Raftery, Mary Fletcher-Gomez, Hank Mandziara, Bob DeHaven, Bob Kalicki, Hal Stratton, Rev. Tony Begonja, OSL and Manny.  Thank you, one and all.  Great work.

To Hal for making color copies of the Annual Report...ah, the beauty of it all!

To all who brought and shared a dish at the Annual Meeting...so many goodies and never enough time to try them all!  Everything was just perfect.

To Jessica who prepared the financial power point presentation . . . technology at its best!

To LeWayne and Tameica Williams and Jen Garcia who did a super job of cleaning the kitchen after the Meeting...ladies, you are amazing.

To all who came to the Annual Meeting, enduring the cold and winds of January just to be part of this special and necessary church activity. 

A big thank you to Douglas VanHouten who painstakingly put the wonderful and lasting final touches to the Annual Report, adding pictures, proof-reading, aligning things, creating the video presentation and making the whole program look just right.   Great work, Douglas.

February 1: Brigid (Bride)

February 1/2:  Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Celebration of Candlemas

February 3: Anskar, Archbishop

February 3: Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

February 4: Cornelius, the Centurion 

Readings for This Weekend

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