Boiler Fund

Forward Day by Day Prayer Books Have Arrived

For those who have been wondering and searching for the Forward Day by Day Prayer Booklets...good news.  The booklets arrived, safe and secure.  They are available and ready to be taken home.  You will find them in the Hall sitting on the table situated between the two double doors. 

Sorry for the delay in their arrival.  While Mother Nature may on occasion slow down our mail service, still, she is powerless to stall our faith and desire!

By the way, you may want to bookmark this link to the daily reflection from Forward Day by Day.

The Vicar's Corner

Just to let you know, this past Sunday, on a cold, damp and cloudy Pennsylvania morning, Punxsultawney Phil indeed did see his shadow.  That means for those who place their meteorological hopes on a groundhog, we are facing six more weeks of brutal, winter weather.  What joy! 

For all Denver Bronco football fans, this year's Super Bowl was nothing more than a Super Bust!  Seattle Seahawks provided an old fashioned thumping to the tune of 43 to 8.  Those of us who had hoped for a competitive game were sadly disappointed in this rather one-sided affair.  As a long-time (and long-suffering) Lions fan, I have come to understand and appreciate the many levels of frustration and disappointment.  Yet, one thing I have not experienced is watching my beloved Motor City Kitties get trounced in a world championship game...at least not yet.  Still, hope springs eternal and I remain ever faithful and not some "fence sitting, fair weather fan."  It's "all in or all out," for me when it comes to my allegiance to my favorite teams. 

Being true to our causes, dedicated to the things we hold as sacred and important is often times rather challenging.  Standing up and being vocal for equal rights and fair housing, pay equality for all American workers, ending racial profiling and abuses against women and children...all valid and immensely important causes well worth the energy and effort we put forth. 

Our country has seen many struggles in her efforts to see that freedom and equality ring true for all her citizens.  This job has not been completed.  Our country must still exercise true freedom for all.   The Civil Rights Movement in the late 1940's and early 50's ushered in that struggle and changed the trajectory of our nation and her treatment and recognition of our sisters and brothers of color.  Rosa Parks refused to surrender her Montgomery, Alabama bus seat after all the "for whites only" seats were filled.  Her actions fueled the growing Civil Rights Movement.  There were others who preceded Rosa with their own actions and civil disobedience of where they sat on Alabama buses:  Irene Morgan and Sara Louise Keys stood tall and firm in the resolution to be treated fairly and with dignity and they refused to surrender their bus seats.  Browder v. Gayle was a landmark court case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Both the lower and Supreme courts ruled the Alabama bus systems must desegregate and found their segregation laws as unconstitutional.  Three days after the Supreme Court ruling in 1956, Alabama desegregated their entire bus system.  The tide was turning, but there was still much to do.  These young women and men stood tall and firm in the beliefs and in their desire to make a difference in the world.  They remained resolute to their cause and in their individual and collective efforts, a huge difference was made.  

Fighting personal battles is not unfamiliar to any of us.  We all face difficulties and challenges.  Wilma Rudolph was born with infantile paralysis and was forced to wear a brace on her left leg for many years.  Regardless of this impediment and the pain she endured, Wilma was persistent to be "normal" and walk, run and enjoy life.  In 1960 at the Rome Olympics, Wilma won 3 Gold Metals and was proclaimed "The Fastest Woman in the World."  She won the battle.  She kept her course. She was true to her convictions and beliefs. 

What about our faith?  What about how we demonstrate our beliefs and "personal creeds' when we're not in church?  This is much more difficult and daunting, isn't it?  We all know "what to do" and "how to do" things while in our worship space.  The real test of being a practicing Christian is when we are engaged in the day-to-day actions of the world.  When we're in traffic or in the grocery store, or when we we're asked to wait for just a moment and we don't have that moment to spare.  We are challenged and tested when a family matter become family crisis or when a friend is in dire need and we're already exhausted and pushed to the limit but still need and want to help. 

What inspires us to continue to sacrifice and to "live out our faith?"  What is our driving force?  It is my hope that, first and foremost, our force is always Jesus; our source and the driving force of life, grace and peace.  Let us also look toward one another: let us inspire and lead in matters of faith and in our day to day interactions.  Let us all receive and share the Light that is Christ Jesus and serve as guide for those who need our assistance to see the true and righteous path.  Let us be sincere and forever true to our cause and stand firm in our beliefs.  There is no telling what the true effect our actions will yield...but how joyful will the noise be that we make and all for God's greater glory.

-Manny

2013 Contribution Statements

Thanks to Jennifer Brundige, the 2013 contribution statements were emailed on January 26 to those for whom we have an email address on file.  All other statements were sent in the mail.

The reply-to address for those emailed was accidentally entered incorrectly, so if you have questions about your statement, or haven't received it, please click here to contact Jennifer. 

Chili Supper

Our Chili Supper is always a fun evening!  We hope you'll make plans to join us with a truckload of friends in tow, and a big appetite!

New St. Nicholas Parish Directories

Pat Kalicki is hard at work on the new edition of the parish directory.  If you haven't already done so, please check your listing in the draft this weekend to make sure everything is correct.  The deadline for making any corrections is February 16, 2014.

Thank you for your help, and thanks to Pat for her work!

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

To Laura Lampe who delivered a basket-full of new socks to local P.A.D.S. sites.  The generosity of St. Nicholas will keep quite a few people warm and cared for.

To all who share time, talent and treasure with St. Nicholas through the Giving Tree and the Food Pantry.

To Lisette Rodriguez who was relentless in organizing this past weekend's dance recitals and all her amazing dancers who performed so beautifully and gracefully...super job, one and all! 

To Bob DeHaven who did such an outstanding job overseeing the entire organization, set-up and follow through of the dance recitals this past weekend...great job, Bob! 

Readings for This Weekend

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