 It was a long weekend. A long but very successful and rewarding weekend. Douglas and I had a garage sale and we were able to move out a bunch of stuff. What hadn't sold...it's coming to St. Nicholas' sale and that means lots of vintage and antique goodies that hopefully will catch the eye of a prospective and discerning buyer!
Thursday, the first of a two-day sale, we were blessed with visits from a number of neighbors who came and shopped. More importantly, our neighbors stayed, talked and we shared stories of ourselves. They brought food and drink to share. We got to know one another. We engaged in conversations that have forged newer and deeper relationships with the people who, literally speaking, surround us. What a better and more pleasant way to live when the people around us are friends and cherished ones and not just "the people next door or across the street."
Our St. Nick's Knacks Rummage Sale is our biggest and largest fund raiser of the year (aside from the Capital Campaign which is an on-going fund raiser until all the funds needed are raised). While the primary objective is to raise much needed funds that help sustain and promote various ministries at St. Nicholas, there is some thing even more important: the time spent with one another while we work. We gather to pray as a community. We gather to work and toil, to put things together and take things apart as a community, too. And all the while, we get to know each other better; we grow closer to our sisters and brothers of this wonderful place we call St. Nicholas Church.
My friends, with so much going on in our lives, it is difficult for me to ask yet more of you. But, this is our church: this building where we spend a mere fraction of our time but provides the greatest, sacred and most valuable of space for us to gather. This is why it is so vital that we, each of us, again, as we can, how we can and when we can, pitch in and help make this year's rummage sale and all our parish events successful, meaningful and the source of many fond memories which, in time, we will look back at and smile.
Come on down...sign up and let's get our sleeves rolled up and get to the business of selling all these treasures. And what a good time we will all have. -Manny |
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Get Your Running Shoes on This Sunday!
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Let's get the Hall and Gathering Space set up for the sale
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 We need YOU this Sunday!
What a great job we all did last weekend; moving and hauling things out of one place and into another. This Sunday after the 10am Liturgy, we go at it once again. We have to move the items from the Noah's Ark Space and into the Hall. Also, the chairs from the Hall need to be stored in the church for the time being. The Hall will be divided up according to specific items. The credenza near the kitchen is the Holiday Area, the south wall is where electronics, books, office supplies, music and video items go and so on. Items need to be placed on or under tables for easy viewing. Clothing -- and there's a lot of it -- either stays in the Noah's Ark Space or into the Hall. We shall see on this one. So, dear friends, 'ready, set, GO.' Let's make it happen. In advance, thank you everyone. St.Nicholas rocks! |
St. Nick's Knacks Rummage Sale
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August 15 & 16, Friday and Saturday
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Well, good people, the rummage sale is now just over a week away! There is much to do. With this being our largest fund raiser of the year, we really, REALLY need everyone to help out as they can and when they can.
A sign-up sheet is posted in the Gathering Space. Please consider sharing an hour or two of your time with setting things up during the week of Aug. 10 through the 14th and during the two days of the sale on Aug. 15 and 16. It is crucial we have plenty of our parish family involved in this. If you're able to sit for a few hours, you are welcome to do so at the check-out tables. There's plenty of volunteer opportunities for everyone. This Sunday, Aug. 10th, we will move the chairs and other items out of the Hall and place them in the Noah's Ark Space. All the rummage items in the Noah's Ark Space along with everything already in the Hall will be placed on tables and areas for display and purchasing. We need plenty of help. We need YOU. Also, we need: 1) The donation of your clean, sell-able items (PLEASE NO electronic equipment such as televisions, computers and monitors)
2) Clean newspaper for wrapping glass and fragile items 3) Clean plastic and/or paper bags 4) More folding tables These items can be brought in any time. Place these items near Manny's office. Please remember to mark your tables with your name. This is going to be a great event...share in the fun and excitement by sharing in the work and effort! God bless us, one and all and may this year's sale be a smashing success. |
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The Launch of Our Capital Campaign
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Please consider donating to help our church grow and flourish
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 On Saturday, July 26, the Bishop and Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago met. On their heavy docket of Diocesan matters was the proposal presented by the Community of St. Nicholas Church in Elk Grove Village. In kind and with much joy, we are pleased to announce what the B & T has offered us: $12,500.00 Grant $12,500.00 Interest Free Loan to be repaid in a manner yet to be determined The amount of the loan would change depending upon our cutting the cost of some of the planned renovations and improvements. However, the total of the grant WILL NOT be altered. Thus, we delete the title "Boiler Fund" and rename it Capital Campaign. The loan offered by the Diocese will take time to be repaid, but repay it we shall do. It may take us years to do so, but little by little, we shall do what we can, as we can and when we can to offer back to the Diocese that which they now provide us. We are in this together, as a community, as a people of faith and all our efforts are for the greater good and our commitment to St. Nicholas; the church structure itself and the people who call this place home. Certainly, the replacement of the boiler is front and center. However, this drive to redo the church and Hall is multifaceted. A new boiler; new lighting system that will reduce our utility costs and afford us a less expensive means of lighting and replacement bulbs; shades on the west and south side church windows that will also help reduce our utility costs while protecting our soon-to-be-installed stained glass windows while drastically reducing glare; reconfiguration of one of the power units outside that will provide us both additional heat in the winter and cool air during the summer. For additional information or questions one may have, please contact Bob DeHaven, Hank Mandziara, Bob Kalicki or Manny, all members of the Building Committee. It is our pleasure provide information and answer any questions. My dear sisters and brothers, it is my honor and pleasure to announce all this to you. What a wonderful gift we have been given. As good stewards of our church and builders of God's Kingdom here on earth, it is up to each and every one of us to share in this great endeavor. The Capital Campaign will only be as successful as all are generous and caring. If you would like to contribute, please write a check to St. Nicholas with "Capital Campaign" in the memo line. Certainly, I understand not all of us are able to contribute. Please, I ask no one to take on any additional financial responsibilities that could burden or overwhelm. I do ask us all to share as we can, when we can and how we can. Every offering helps. We will keep the community abreast of how we are doing in our efforts. And the whole while, we continue to pray for the guidance and direction the our Lord provides...to lead us onward and ever on the path of righteousness and holiness. Thank you, each and everyone for the amazing efforts all have shared in thus far. There's still work to be done...shall we get to it? You bet! Amen and as always, my blessings, gratitude and love. -Manny Vicar: St.Nicholas Episcopal Church |
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Children's and Young People's Formation
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Asking for some help, please!
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 We are planning our Children's and Young People's Formation Program at St. Nicholas which starts up again in September. Val Gruenwald will lead the class on the 1st Sunday of the month. However, we are seeking some assistance for the 3rd Sunday of the month. Consider taking one or two Sundays to teach our children how to bake the bread we use at our Liturgy; take them out to the gardens and show how to plant seed and bulbs and explain the miracles of nature and how God blesses us with these gifts; create cards and letters for our sisters and brothers who are unable to join us at church on the weekends...there are so many options and ideas. So, please pray and give serious consideration to being a leader, a teacher and disciple and teach our children well. Contact Val Gruenwald or Manny and in advance, a heart-felt thank you. |
Lawn Care at St. Nicholas
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A little help with mowing, please!
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 Talk a walk down Ridge Avenue and you'll see how the lawns are so well cared for and manicured. St. Nicholas' lawns are certainly no exception. No sir. However, in order to keep our lawns looking fine and tended, we need the helping hands of our parish family. If you can afford a few hours a week, enjoy the great outdoors and are comfortable with a riding and push mower...well then, do we have a proposal for you! Consider spending those few hours by caring for the lawns here at our church. And, consider the rewards...they are absolutely heavenly. Mike Golden has already taken his ride and what a wonderful job he did. Eason Williams has also put his hat in the ring and will help out, too. So, who is next? Please see Manny for additional information. Again, thank you to the entire Community of St. Nicholas for everything we do to keep our church alive and well. |
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For Ed Baehr, brother-in-law and uncle to Donna, Jessica and Paul Tamaski: Ed is to undergo angioplasty surgery this week. Let us pray all goes well, recovers quickly and fully and Ed is able to keep at his job.
For Cathy Walters, sister to Mindy Golden: Pray that Cathy continue her recovery from her recent hospital visits and she regain full and lasting sound health.
For Carrie and June, friends of Donna Tamaski: Carrie had surgery and it was determined she has brain cancer and June has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Let us pray for Carrie and June that they receive the strength and grace to travel the difficult road to full and lasting recovery and may they be filled with courage and peace.
For the people of Sierra Leone who suffer from the Ebola epidemic: Pray that aid reaches those in greatest need and that that nation recovers quickly from this horrific situation.
For those who struggle with depression, anxiety, loneliness and despair: pray for peace in their hearts and souls.
For the homeless throughout the region who struggle to find housing now that the PADS sites are closed for the season: pray all our troubled sisters and brothers find security, safety and shelter.
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: Joanne Mangiaracina, Vernon Forde, Richard and Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, Anna Hall, Paula O' Conner, Dale Rickey, John Knepper, Jim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Silas Pociask 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 the members of the Support Groups at St. Nicholas who endure, "one day at at time," in their daily battles against addiction.
(**written prayer requests)
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To EVERYONE who pitched in this past Saturday and Sunday after worship and moved, hauled, organized and prepped for our upcoming rummage sale. Great work to each and all. And Ruth Davy...great job sweeping out the garage...it's amazingly clean!
To the Bishop and Trustees Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago who have shown great faith and confidence in St. Nicholas and afforded us a very generous donation to help us in our reconstruction/renovation projects.
To Mike Golden who put "pedal to the metal" and did a great job at his first go-round with mowing the lawns. Great work, Mike.
To Eason Williams who has also stepped up to the plate and will volunteer at mowing the lawns, too. Way to go, Eason.
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Readings for This Weekend
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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
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Saturday Lector: Cyndi DeBock
Sunday Lectors: Katie Black, Jen Garcia
Sunday Intercessor: Brandon Garcia
Saturday Chalice Bearers: Mindy Golden, LaWayne Williams
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This Week at St. Nicholas
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As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link. Here is the schedule for the next week: |
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Wednesday, August 06, 2014
| | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, August 07, 2014 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Friday, August 08, 2014 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM |
Saturday, August 09, 2014 | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, August 10, 2014 | | Rummage Sale Set Up | | | Bishop's Committee Meeting | 8:15 AM | | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, August 11, 2014 | | Rummage Sale Set Up | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, August 12, 2014 | | Rummage Sale Set Up | | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, August 13, 2014 | | Rummage Sale Set Up | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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