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March 19, 2014
The Vicar's Corner
"Nearer is better than far, but it still is not there."  

We are at the "midway" point of this Lenten season.  Yes, I know and agree; feels like we just started and already, we're half way through this 40-day journey.  Perhaps some of us are not even thinking about where we are this Lent and this is fine.  In fact, it is probably better to focus on the "here and now" and not be overly concerned about how far we've come and/or how far we have to go.

Yet, and at the risk of contradicting myself, it is terribly difficult not to think about that which awaits us at the end of this 6-week spiritual exercise.  A celebration...that's what await us and of what we, as Christians, look so very forward to being a part.  We anticipate, we eagerly await, we look forward to the greatest of Church feasts.  We embrace the glorious and miraculous resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.  And we name this great encounter Easter!

You know, I like to make a game of Lent, with all due respect.  I compare it to my drive from St. Nicholas to home.  Getting over to Beisterfield and head toward 53.  Once on 53 there are several miles to Route 14, at which point I exit and start the journey north and west.  The road is quite familiar; past strip malls and several 'Mom and Pop' stores, too.  Quite a few restaurants that intercept the fast food chain places that are at almost every intersection.  I just barely touch Arlington Heights when Palatine welcomes me.  I see Eurofresh Market, a frequent stop of mine for some fruits and veggies.  I'm half way home.  Barrington in next, replete with golf course and its large and lovely lake just to the west of Route 14.  Right through the very heart of Barrington, I see the tower of St. Anne's Church along with quaint, little shops that constitute the city core and the new Starbucks that always seems to have a steady flow of traffic at its drive-thru window.  Barrington is stretched out, a small but sprawling burg.  Now comes the stretch that is relatively barren, free of much commercialism but blessed with woods and mild, rolling hills and the last of the horse ranches that, in former times, dotted much of this affluent place.  I see the recognizable red, white and blue sign that points to St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Barrington Hills.  I can see more lights just up in the distance and those lights belong to the little town of Fox River Grove.  At the stop light at Algonquin Road and Route 14 is the marker that commemorates the tragic train and school bus accident that in 1995, took the lives of 7 students and injured another 21 youngsters.  Each time I see that marker; a statue of an angel holding children in its arms and at its feet, I am reminded of the fragile and tender nature of our human life.  I am reminded of Jesus' death; so cruel and so horrific.  Life is fleeting...yet for we who believe and place our trust in God, we know there is another life, a far greater life that comes when our earthly journey has come to its end.  Just around the big bend in the road and to the left I see our Metra Station and the area known as "downtown," and I know I'm almost home.  I'm almost there.

As I turn onto my street, my journey is all but over.  I can relax. I can breathe easy and take in the comforts of home and the satisfaction of being just where I had set out to be. 

Lent is a journey.  It is not a sprint.  Lent is a marathon.  No need to hurry through it.  Let's relax.  Let's take it easy.  Let's enjoy the trip, shall we?  There is much to see and much to take in. 

-Manny

Stations of the Cross at 6pm Thursdays in Lent
A blessed, Lenten exercise for all
Lent is such a unique and wonderful time.  We are afforded these 40 days to pray, to meditate and to move "inwardly" and separate ourselves, for just a while, from the business of the day-to-day grind and place ourselves in the presence of the Creator and God's son.

We are invited to delve deeper into private prayer, to immerse ourselves in some well-deserved and well-appreciated silence, too.

Equally, we are invited to pray, as a community.  One of the oldest and most beloved form of prayer is the Stations of the Cross.  All are invited to traverse the path with Jesus; from the garden to the cross.

We will gather on Thursday evenings throughout the season of Lent Thurday evenings at 6pm.  Our last such prayer session will be April 10th.

Come, pray and feel the Lord's presence...He is waiting of us.
Stations of the Cross
This Week at St. Nicholas

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

AA Meeting

12:00 PM  

Food Pantry

4:00 PM  

Evening Prayer

6:00 PM  

Choir Rehearsal

6:45 PM  

Al-Anon Meeting

7:30 PM  

 

Thursday, March 20, 2014

AA Meeting

12:00 PM  

Stations of the Cross

6:00 PM  

GA Meeting

7:00 PM  

 

Friday, March 21, 2014

Vicar's Day Off

 

AA Meeting

12:00 PM  

Order of St. Luke (OSL) Chapter Meeting

7:00 PM  

 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Worship Service

4:30 PM  

AA Meeting

7:00 PM  

 

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Worship Service

10:00 AM  

AA Meeting

7:30 PM  

 

Monday, March 24, 2014

AA Meeting

12:00 PM  

AA Meeting

7:00 PM  

 

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Vicar's Day Off

 

AA Meeting

12:00 PM  

AA Meeting

7:00 PM  

 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

AA Meeting

12:00 PM  

Evening Prayer

6:00 PM  

Choir Rehearsal

6:45 PM  

Al-Anon Meeting

7:30 PM  

This Weekend's Worship Participants
Saturday, March 22 / Sunday, March 23
Lectionary
Saturday Lector (all readings): Bill Barlow

Sunday Lectors: Penny Mandziara, Douglas VanHouten
Sunday Intercessor: LaWayne Williams
Sunday Chalice Bearers: Pat Kalicki, Val Gruenwald  

Bishop's Committee Meeting Minutes
March 9, 2014

Bishop's Committee - The meeting was opened a 8:15 A.M. with an opening prayer by Fr. Manny.

 

Those present:  Fr. Manny Borg, Vicar; Steve Raftery, Senior Warden; Jessica Tamaski, Junior Warden; Thelma Malecek, Recorder; Bob DeHaven, Mike Golden, Kristen Jacobs, Bob Kalicki, Penny Mandziara and Neal Setchell; and Ray Malecek, Treasurer

 

Bob Kalicki moved the minutes be approved as printed, Mike Golden seconded, unanimous approval.

 

Jessica Tamaski - Update from Building Committee - meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

 

Boiler/Heating System:  Michael Rhuele (Congregation's Commission Representative) spoke and suggested options.  The IFF works with non- profits and assists in competitive bids.  They have an extensive range of services.  There is $1000 available from the Diocese and this money is to be used to determine exactly what it is that we need to best achieve our goals -obtaining the most cost-efficient unit within our budget.  We need a decision so we can get the boiler in by September.  Bob DeHaven had additional comments.

 

Stained Glass windows: moved from room in NE corner to closet in main office.  We have experienced many delays.  Samples for framing are expected shortly.

 

Chili Supper:  Jessica Tamaski reports that it went well - 75 people in attendance!  It was a great response! Lower attendance may be due to extreme weather (snow, ice, low temperature). $1300 profit.

Manny reported that he invited people from the Support Groups meeting here to join us.  His invitation was greeted with delight - and several attended and had a wonderful time with us.

 

Manny Borg, Vicar:  Spoke of accountability, organization, and our continuing responsibility to be orderly - including a thoughtful 'clean-up' that would incorporate redistribution of items that we are no longer using [including an extra Paschal Candle stand ('rocket') and an ambo which will gladly be sent to a church in need]; cleaning out the Furnace Room, Electrical Room  and a general critical examination regarding appropriate storage.  Two freestanding metal cabinets with doors have been ordered ($149.00 x 2 - costs covered by a donation - thank you!) for storage.  Bob DeHaven voiced concerns on where the cabinets might be placed - citing ADA (American Disability Act) requirements that cannot be compromised.   This issue is especially close to his heart since his sister is wheelchair dependent.  Bob Kalicki was glad to hear that the monies for the cabinets had been donated.  Much time was devoted to discussion regarding the cabinets followed regarding where they would be placed, but of course the site selected would follow both ADA requirements and also safety requirements.

* Cabinets may be used for storing paper supplies (toilet tissue, etc) and Val will use for church school supplies. Locks are available if necessary.

*Changing table: Sanitation issues are described as 'dirty, not cleaned', supplies are 'ancient' and it is 'not very sturdy'.  Suggestion for a wall-mounted changing table (that folds up when not in use) is great - Kristin Jacobs found that a sturdy wall-mounted changing table is available for about $ 250 (will check with Kristin).

*Storage area for liturgical items - candlestick holders, etc. - essential to have appropriate storage area as opposed to random places.

*Reorganizing Holy Innocents Hall:  Father Manny is supervising the organizing and is being assisted by members of the Support Group - for which he is most grateful!

*Pantry - from NW corner room to NE corner room of Holy Innocents Hall and (for the moment) three walls are being used for items for Pantry clients.

*New Private Office (in place of former pantry in NW corner room in Hall) is in transition.

Private office: Glass windows & doors assure privacy - and safety for all using this space.

Ownership and children/children and ownership:

a special place for the children to call their own.  They will each have their own drawer. 

*All tables - formerly stored in the corners of Holy Innocents Hall have been moved into the storage area on the east side of the Hall immediately inside the locked door where the Pantry items had been stored.

*Light bulbs have been moved.

**Steve Martz (former vicar at St. Nick's) called and asked if he could pick up the green Processional Cross that he had purchased from personal funds.  Request granted.

 

Steve Raftery - Building Usage Document:  Discussion followed with topics including:

Alcohol:  Tradition at St. Nicks is that alcohol is not served at social functions.

Jim (Support Group) states it's no issue for his group.

Will check with Anna at the Diocesan Office re: Alcohol, Gambling

Homeowners insurance (check with your policy) usually covers those who rent at St. Nick's

Apartment Dwellers  (check your policy) - may need to get additional insurance

Alcohol:  must have licensed bartender, must check identification - separate one day license

 

Easter: The Ad for Easter Services was completed by Hal Stratton - many thanks to Hal!  it was designed very nicely.  It will appear on April 9th in the Easter Services special section of the Daily Herald (Northern section) for the sum of $245.00.  The Daily Herald does special sections for Christmas and Easter.  The ad is a one-time ad and hopefully we will have first-time worshipers for the Holy Days.  The Northern section essentially stops at the northern edge of DuPage County but extends both east and west in Cook County and into Lake County.

 

Keys: Key census"Please notify Manny if you have a church key"

 

Funding/Treasury

*Ray Malecek - Treasurer:

Boiler Fund:  $ 4,100.00 as of March 9, 2014

Budget reports:  Both Electric and Gas bills have jumped due to extreme length of cold spell.

Pledges:  January pledges - deficit, remain in arrears - may be weather-related issue

February pledges are current

 

*Bob Kalicki - Financial Secretary:

Money Market has Bob Kalicki on the account.  If anything happened to Bob, St. Nick's would need a court order to obtain funds.  Ray needs to be/will be added to the account.

 

Amazon.com:  St. Nick's gets a rebate from Amazon if you order using the church account.  We received $ 20.00 in January and $ 15.00 in February because people used the 'church code'.

 

Bob Kalicki moved we accept the Treasurer's Report and Mike Golden seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Closing Prayer by Father Manny      

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 AM

 

-Thelma Malecek, Recorder

Prayer Requests
The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
For Patti, Penny Mandziara's sister-in-law:  Patti is in hospital in seriously poor health.  Pray she regains strength and healing and her family find the resolve to remain positive and strong. 

For Alice, Eileen and Mary, Mike Golden's sisters all of whom have taken serious falls and suffered arm injuries:  that all three heal quickly and return to good and lasting health.

For Lucy, Mindy Golden's sister who is having medical treatment on her leg: that she is soon healed and is up and around without any trouble.
and...
For Joan a co-worker of Mindy who is undergoing chemo treatment for Lymphoma:  Pray Joan is free from any trace of cancer and is home with her loved ones in sound health.

For Vernon Forde who is in hospital:  Pray, please, for his full and lasting good health and recovery.
and...
For Charles Lee, Erlene's Dad who is also hospitalized in New York:  Pray Charles gains good health and is able to return home to his loved ones. 

For Jean Fitzpatrick, Tom Smith's fianc�e, who is having some medical tests regarding her heart:  Pray that Jean receives favorable news and regains sound health.

 

For Tom Smith who had minor surgery earlier in the week: pray he is back to his lively self in no time at all.

For Emily Valleho, Vince Ortero's sister:  Emily was hospitalized recently.  Let us pray for Emily's swift and full recovery and she regain her strength and stamina once again. 

For Dale Rickie, a friend of St. Nicholas who is undergoing extensive medical exams and therapy treatments:  that good news be his and sound and lasting good health is gained and retained.

For Harry, a friend of St. Nicholas who is undergoing chemo and radiation therapy for cancer:  remain strong Harry and know you are in our prayers.
 
For Hal's cousin who has been diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma.  Tests will continue to determine the next course of medical intervention to be taken.  Let us pray that strength and faith are in abundance for Hal's cousin and his family and friends.

For victims of racism, sexism, homophobia and elitism...let us all treat one another equally and fairly.

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.  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.

 

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

 

    ***"Prayers for Nancy L.: for peace and serenity at this time during her illness.      
 

(**written prayer requests)  

Shout-Outs
Val Preaching Thanks to Val Gruenwald who proclaimed the Gospel and shared her reflection with us.  Truly, we are blessed when the gifts of the Spirit as so lovingly shared.

Thanks to the members of the Order of St. Luke who shared healing and anointing with us.  Grace received and grace shared.

Thanks to the Williams family, Jennifer Garcia and Pat Kalicki who have pitched in to host coffee hour on Sunday...sweet efforts from such sweet folks.

Thanks to Hank Mandziara who was 'Johnny-on-the-spot' and repaired the sinks in the men's room...our clean hands thank you.

Thanks to John Knepper who picked up the baked goods for the month of March at Jarousch...your kindness will be repaid four-fold in chocolate, icing and cream filling!

Thanks to Pat Kalicki who put together our 2014 Parish Directory...you certainly have your finger on the parish pulse.

Profession - OSL Congratulations to Thelma & Ray Malacek and Jennifer Brundige who were professed in the Order of St. Luke last Saturday.
Readings for This Weekend
The Third in Lent - March 22/23
Exodus 17:1-7

Romans 5:1-11

John 4:5-42

Psalm 95
Holy Women, Holy Men
Here is what we are celebrating on the Episcopal Church calendar:
March 19:         St. Joseph

March 20:         Cuthbert, Bishop

March 21:         Thomas Ken, Bishop

March 22:         James DeKoven, Priest

March 22/23:    3rd Weekend of Lent

March 24:         Oscar Romero, Archbishop and the Martyrs of
                         San Salvador

March 25:         Feast of the Annunciation
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.