The Vicar's Corner

Alright, I'm the first to admit, I am not much of a "good patient."  It's not that I ask for this or that at all hours of the night.  It's not that I'm cranky or mean or that I throw things at my care giver.  No, that's not me at all.  I'm not a good patient because I really don't like to rest, and rest is what is most necessary when it comes to making a full and lasting recovery.

It's like this: I have not acquired the art of 'doing nothing.'  Sure, I can sit in the comfort of my home and watch a movie on Netflix or something recorded on our DVR.  But, while I'm watching the movie, I'm also writing a letter or making notes for a sermon or a piece I'm writing for a meeting or gathering.  Multitasking was never a subject taken in college or graduate school.  However, I'd have to say, I think I would have passed that class!   And, I suspect that many of the members of St. Nicholas also would have received high grades in that same course.

We're all terribly scheduled people.  As if we're not busy enough, you have this vicar of yours asking time and time again for your help and assistance at church and Village functions.  Such nerve!  Such crust!  Asking already busy and fast-paced people to engage themselves with more things to do.  I stand guilty of these charges.   I am sorry for the requests I make of you, well, sort of.  You see, this is how and why a church survives and thrives: by engaging in activities that encourage, invite and entice people to get out, get involved and be part of the life of the Church and the place in which the church exists. 

We saw great St. Nicholas turnouts for the Village Parade and Little Boots Rodeo.  Was there room for more?  Absolutely.  However, we are always grateful for those who do show and we remain hopeful that next time, more will come. 

We have a Parish Picnic coming up next month, the 19th of July to be exact.  There's lots of opportunities for involvement here.  In fact, just showing up, having a hot dog or a burger with your fellow parishioners is a step in the right and joyful direction!  Come August, we have our annual rummage sale and we'll definitely need many hands on deck to make this event successful.  In September, St. Nicholas will sponsor a Friday night meal for the needy and lonely...what a great time to share our culinary skills and Episcopal hospitality with those who are less fortunate.  And,there's more to come...

My dear sisters and brothers, I'll make a promise with you:  the next time I am sick (turns out I had strep throat and a cold, too) I will be a good patient, I will rest and I will stay away from work at the church until I am better.  This way, I won't infect anyone with any nasty, unwanted virus.  But, and there's always a but...you all have to agree to be good to yourselves, too.  Rest when rest is needed.  Relax when it feels right.  Take a walk with your loved ones; read a book that has long been on your "bucket-list" of things to read/do; watch a movie and don't do anything else and that means no laundry being moved from the washer to the dryer or folding clean clothes...just watch the movie, enjoy some popcorn and a cold pop to wash it all down. 

And lastly...when we have rested and relaxed...remember that our church, our St. Nicholas will always need OUR assistance to grow, to live, to thrive.  Sign up to be part of the action...get to know your fellow parishioners and all the while, we strengthen and reinforce our relationship with our Creator which is why we do the "church things" we do...for Him.
 

Little Boots Rodeo, like all such events is only as successful as its volunteer efforts go.  Wonderfully so, St. Nicholas did its fair share and pitched in at this year's event. 

Skillfully and with lots of fun, the Pennies in the Corn booth once again saw booming business!  Kids of all ages had a grand time crawling around, hunting for those little copper-colored coins hidden underneath a lot of dusty corn. 

So to our fearless and corn-loving volunteers: Tess, Neal and Jillian Setchell, Laura Lampe, Pat and Bob Kalicki, Jennifer Garcia, Val Gruenwald and Connie Nicholson . . . THANK YOU for a job very, very well done!

Saturday, July 19th is our annual St. Nicholas Parish Picnic.  From roughly 12 noon to 4pm, we'll have food, games and fun on the front lawn, culminating with our 4:30 liturgy. Weather permitting, we'll worship outdoors.  St. Nicholas will supply the hot dogs and hamburgers.  We ask volunteers and donors to bring side dishes, buns, snacks and some sweet treats, too.  Please sign up at this link, or on the sign-up sheet posted in the gathering space at church.  Please let us know how many will be attending and what you'll bring to share.  We ask each and all to see how we can participate and share our gifts and talents with one another. 

In advance, thank you one and all.  God bless us.

Prayer Requests

The Community of St. Nicholas is praying

 

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

 

 

Shout-Outs

Readings for This Weekend

This Week at St. Nicholas

As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link.  Here is the schedule for the next week:

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