September: the waning, warm days that make way for cool and comfortable evenings. School bells across the country
are ringing in earnest assuming of course that no teacher strike has kept our young people out of the classroom (much to their disappointment I am sure).
I have to say, I love September; always have. Why? Because I loved the ritual "return to school" parade. Perhaps I was in the minority with this feeling, this "attitude," but I loved the return to school come the end of summer vacation. I fondly recall dashing off to the local Kresge Five and Dime store (precursor to present day K-Mart, thank you) complete with hard wood floors and an old fashioned lunch counter, to pick up my needed supply of pencils, paper and a dozen folders. My sisters and brothers would make the same pilgrimage. For my family, all 9 of us, it really was a parade! You see, it was that magical time of catching up with friends not seen much throughout the summer respite. Who grew taller or who was wearing glasses or other such matters were the conversation topics for a spell, yet sort of set the tempo for the first part of the new school year. Situations such as these are trivial matters for us adults though for a kid, these happenings were monumental events.
In my little corner of the world, that is, southwest Detroit, I grew up across the street from my parish church and school. While the school bell was silenced during the summer, certainly the church bells high atop the campanile were loud and persistent and always on time. And those bells were cherished...both school and church.
Our children and young people give me pause to consider what it is they will remember; what it is they will take and what it is they will cherish from their time at St. Nicholas.
This sacred responsibility of nurturing, mentoring and leading our children rests upon the willing, able and collective shoulders of the entire community. We teach best by example: we worship as a community...we share our time and our talents and our treasures as a community...we rejoice and we mourn, we raise our voices and sit in humble, silent meditation as a community. For it is certain that when we are together, two or more, our Lord and Savior is very present. And how much more wonderful our house of worship is when our children and young people are engaged and active, vocal and heard!
School bells are ringing and so are our church bells, well, our synthesized bells on the organ. Nonetheless, they can be heard. It is my hope as much as it is our collective responsibility that we do our best to make sure all that happens at St. Nicholas is cherished, celebrated, embraced and practiced throughout life not just by our children and young people, but by the entire parish family. School's in...now let's take our seats, shall we?
Amen.
-Manny |
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Children's Formation Program Begins This Sunday
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 The Children's Program resumes this Sunday, September 7, after the 10AM service. The group will meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. Thank you to those who have stepped up to the plate and have answered the call to help with this program! We still could use a few more people to help lead and educate our children and young people. There are lots of things one can do...write letters and cards to our homebound parishioners, bake cookies for the food pantry (1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month), make care packages for our overseas military personnel, sponsor a light lunch for our parishioners who have been ill of late. There's plenty of room for growth and development. Please, consider spending a little time with our young people; they are the future of our church. Please contact Val Gruenwald or Manny for additional information. God bless us all. |
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Are You Ready For Bible Study?
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The fun starts up again on September 21st!
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 After a summer break, Bible Study will resume on September 21, 2014 after the 10am service. Please consider joining in the scriptural and spiritual conversation. Last season's Islam and Christianity study was fascinating and certainly inspired lively conversation. We will begin our program on Sunday, Sept. 21st after the 10am Liturgy as we shall delve into Sacred Scripture, engage in our relationship with Jesus and study how we understand and interpret the Bible. All are welcome. |
 The St. Nicholas Choir resumes rehearsal this evening after a well-deserved summer break. They are immediately diving in to the work of preparing to record their second CD, Noel: Christmas at St. Nicholas, with a projected release date of December 1, 2014. Stay tuned for more details! We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Brundige to the choir this season! |
Employment Opportunities...
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Immediate placement available.
Unloader - General Labor Positions Available in Elk Grove Village.
3rd Shift - 8:30pm to 5:00am.
$9.00 per hour - 40 hours a week.
3rd Shift Pay Incentive Available.
Apply today...work today!
Staffmark offers employees a competitive salary and benefits packages, including Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance.
Interested? Call Staffmark at 847-605-0555 or send your resume to schaumburg@staffmark.com
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A day of prayer and peace.
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 September 11, 2001 is a day many of us will not soon forget. The horrors of that day remain very fresh in the collective minds and hearts of most Americans. We wish to commemorate this day...with prayer and in peace. All are invited to come and share in this most memorable of days at the Bensenville Library as we gather to remember, to pray and to celebrate peace. The Commemorative Service begins at 6:30pm, Thursday, September 11, 2014 in the Library Garden of Knowledge (weather permitting). All are encouraged to come, share in this event and bring family and friends along. The Bensenville Library is located at 200 S. Church Road, Bensenville, Illinois. For additional information, please contact the library directly at: 630-766-4642. |
National Pet Memorial Day
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Sunday, September 14, 2014 at 2pm
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 Please join us for a Memorial Service to remember our pets who have gone to the "Rainbow Bridge." The event will feature a Memorial Service followed by a ceremonial Blessing of the Animals to honor all our furry friends. Create a custom memorial frame for your pet's picture. Purchase a luminary that can be lighted to honor and commemorate our pets that have passed on. Heartland Animal Shelter will be on hand with adoptable pets, too. There is no charge for this event though donations are warmly accepted. The event will take place at the Paw Prints Grooming and Spa, Inc. located at 1133 Nerge Road in Elk Grove Village beginning at 2pm. For additional information call: 847-923-7000 |
Community Meal Sponsored by St. Nicholas.
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Come help feed the needy and hungry on Sept. 19th
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 "Providing Advocacy, Dignity and Shelter," more commonly known as P.A.D.S. not only serves the area's poor and homeless with safe and clean overnight shelter, P.A.D.S. also provides fun and filling meals. On September 19th, St. Nicholas will be part of this ministry for the first time. We will provide the meal which will be prepared and served at Christus Victor Evangelical Lutheran Church. Our own Vince Ortero and Jeff Westerheide will coordinate this event. Jeff, Vince and our Laura Lampe have long been involved in this very important and necessary ministry. There is always room for more helping hands... More information regarding the September 19th meal will be forthcoming. Stay tuned. Mark your calendar and plan on helping out. God bless us, one and all. |
Bishop's Committee Report
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July 13, 2014
Building Committee Report: Bishop & Trustees Committee will meet on July 26 to review our request. St. Nick's will provide 50% of the funds needed ($27,000). Shades for the south and west sides are important because they have insulating value and stop heat loss in addition to reducing glare. - cost approximately $ 5,200. The lighting system adjustments/revisions are included (Project Green). Heating and Air-Conditioning: Hank Mandziara said that Bob DeHaven did a great synopsis and thanked Michael Ruehle and the committee for all of their great work. No money will be moved until after the meeting by the B&T Committee and Hank is to approve all invoices. Motion: N Setchell moves that we go ahead with the project with St. Nick's offering to pay 50% of the cost - $ 27,000, DeHaven seconded the motion, unanimous approval. - And many thanks to Alyson - a very good friend for St. Nick's!! Minutes from the July 1, 2014 Meeting of the Building Committee have been received and are on file. Parish Picnic: will be the Third Sunday in July from Noon until 4 PM and followed by the Saturday Eucharist. Petting Zoo is in question - Father Manny will contact his resource person on Monday. Stewardship: Steve Raftery - "Walking The Way" inserts with information will be out earlier this year and more information will be out in August. Dates October 5 - November 9. Kneelers: Neal Setchell asked about progress. Lisette Rodriguez has the sample and the Elk Grove High School may make them. Manny's Notes**Keeping God's People Safe via the Internet: is a program by the Diocese that is required for all members of the Bishop's Committee, all members of the Clergy, and all in Children's Formation. It is available at no charge and consists of 10 modules available via Diocesan Website Link and one must sign in. **There is also an Anti-Racism Program that should be completed. Cost of course is not known. **Lawn Mowing: Sadly, Ed Z. expired. He mowed the lawn faithfully and had purchased the lawn mower and arranged for the lawn to be aerated and seeded on a regular basis. The Wake is at Grove in Elk Grove Village on Sunday from 2-4 PM. **Manny has spoken with Jim from the Support groups about help and our need for assistance will be published in News for Nick. **Driveway and holes: Driveway was sealed last year. Volunteers are needed for this project. Nothing has really been done for years. The tag for Cold Patch on the Giving Tree is gone - no results yet. Hank says the tamper is in the garage. The south side drive is worse. **Update - Camp Chicago: Our $ 100.00 donation can be sent to "Outreach Chicago" now that we have an address Rummage Sale: free website listings - "Top 50 Rummage Sales"; Craig's List, Early Birds; Daily Herald ad would be an expense - but group says worth the expense. Kristin has a sister who could help. Jennifer Garcia suggests we issue a ticket for coffee and Danish on the away out. We could do a poster that says "Open Weekends". Financial Secretary Bob Kalicki**Landscaping Budget: Requests a check for reimbursement to Connie Nicholson from this budget. DeHaven moved we do this, Raftery seconded the motion, unanimous approval. **New Canon Copier: Training is available and DeHaven will contact Canon. **Old Canon Copier: charge is $ 55.00 per month. It has a new drum. Cost per copy is 18 cents and used toner containers are available (no more messes!!) Suggested sale price - ask $ 1000, accept $ 600.00 **Little City: $ 50.00 request from Outreach Budget was approved Treasurer Ray MalecekYear-to-date: only $ 45.00 behind in pledges - some pay quarterly Move to accept finance report by P Mandziara, second by DeHaven, unanimous approval Closing prayer by Manny Motion to adjourn at 9:15 by Setchell, seconded by Mandziara -Thelma Malecek, Clerk
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For Violet Jane Gabor who is to be welcomed into the Community of Faith as she is baptized this Sunday, September 7th. Welcome to the Family of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, dear little one.
For all who labor, who toil and work so hard to provide for family and friends.
For all who have been affected by the forces of nature.
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: Connie Nicholson, 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, Cathy Walters, Ed Baehr, Carrie, June, Harry and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
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 Alicia K. and her family"
(**written prayer requests)
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To Joe, a friend and supporter of St. Nicholas who donated a wonderful picnic table...so kind of you, Joe. God bless.
To Jack Groat of Little Boots Rodeo who showered us with more tasty cookies and crackers. On behalf of the pantry guests and the entire Community of St. Nicholas...thank you, Jack, for your kindness once again.
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Readings for This Weekend
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Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
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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, September 03, 2014
| | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, September 04, 2014 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Friday, September 05, 2014 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM |
Saturday, September 06, 2014 | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, September 07, 2014 | | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | | Children's / Youth Formation | 11:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, September 08, 2014 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, September 09, 2014 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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