The Vicar's Corner

This weather of late has been remarkably wonderful...almost "perfect" if you ask me.  Not much in our world comes close to being perfect.  So when such near-perfect weather presents itself, we are to make full and good use of it.

Hiking boots on, I ventured to a small but rather rugged forest preserve just a stone's throw from our home.  The place is a year-round refuge for outdoor folks; hiking, fishing, camping and cross-country skiing, too.  It is a wonderful spot.  I decided to take the longer path; lots of hills and some sharp curves were on the agenda but I was not to be deterred.

The sun was out, God was in God's heaven and all was well in my little world.  I began the power walk right into the woods: the journey commenced.  As I walked I prayed; sometime silently and sometimes aloud, as if I were announcing my Creed to the creatures of the forest.  I was in a zone.  I walked fast and and I walked hard.  I stayed focused on the trail but not really paying too much mind to what trial I was actually taking.  Eventually, it dawned on me that I was no longer on a "marked trail," but into the damp, muddy and swampy fields.  The cattails were tall...I mean really tall.  I kept walking on what appeared to be another hiker's footprints.  I figured they must have gotten out some how as I saw no body laying amidst the tall grasses and other growth.  And I kept walking.  It wasn't that I was scared, mind you.  I knew I'd get out eventually.  After all, I could still hear the truck traffic on the main road.  I figured if I could hear the trucks and determine from whence they came, I'd head in that direction and I'd be safe.  Well, it's not that easy when a forest and swamp lands intercept your path.  I was sweating and my heart was pounding...okay, maybe I was just a little "concerned."  I left my cell phone in the car...that was smart.  So much for emergency use.  But, behold, just before me, past a group of evergreen trees I could see the bend of the gravel road that would lead to the parking area.  Success.  I had survived.  Truly, it was not all that dramatic a situation.  However for poetic license, I had to make it sound dramatic, right?

When it comes to church, there is a friendly familiarity to what we do.  We know of what we commemorate, of what we celebrate.  We recall Jesus' breaking of the bread and the pouring of the wine with His disciples.  We have heard the Lessons from Sacred Scripture.  Some passages are very dear to us and perhaps some passages not so catching or memorable.  And yet, we come each week and some thing "new," some thing "wonderful" happens.  We are refreshed.  We are rejuvenated.  We are made gift of God's unique and loving grace yet again.  This is why our worship is so dramatic...so dynamic...it is never the same...it is ongoing, varying and flowing.

St. Nicholas Church provides us a safe place to worship, to gather with family and friends around a Common Table, the altar, where we have Jesus presented to us from humble, earthly gifts of bread and wine.  Through the sacred words of consecration and God's divine intervention, Jesus is afforded us and we partake in the banquet.  Drama of the highest degree!

It is our sacred responsibility to make sure St. Nicholas stands tall and remains just such a safe place for ourselves, our children and the generations that are to follow.  Preserving our church today secures a solid and sound tomorrow.  Please pray and consider with generosity, kindness and love the current requests of our Stewardship Drive and Capital Campaign. Let's make sure we keep St. Nicholas on the right path...the path to a long, enduring and successful future. 

God bless us, one and all.

-Manny

The choir of St. Nicholas will release its second CD, Noel: Christmas at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, in November.

We would be honored if you would support this endeavor and purchase one or more copies.  The choir has decided to donate a portion of the revenue to the Capital Campaign Fund.  To help us in planning, you may pre-order your CDs at this link.  No payment is due until the CDs are in hand.

It's hard to believe, but this coming Saturday, October 18th is the last day for this season's Elk Grove Village Farmer's Market.

Thank you to all who have visited and supported the local merchants.  So, let's make sure we don't miss the final day.  Come on out and pick up some fresh veggies, fruits, breads and pastry and share some time with family and friends. 

Contemporary Issues Discussion Group

The Contemporary Issues Discussion Group is discussing the topic of Marriage.  For your planning purposes we next meet on the second Sunday of November (the 9th) and will skip our December meeting.

All are welcome to join us in the Noah's Ark space following the 10AM service.

An invitation to the community of St. Nicholas to come and take part in St. Martin's Holiday Craft Fair.

The event is set for Sunday, October 26th from 12 noon until 4pm.  St. Martin's Episcopal Church is located at 1095 E. Thacker Street, Des Plaines, Illinois.

For additional information, please contact: Darlene Norton  at darlenenorton@yahoo.com or 630-726-0098.

He came into St. Nicholas ever so quietly and when he completed his work, he left us all in awe.  Richard Franzen asked about how he could help us "fix-up" our gardens and do some thing with the vegetable patch that was in mighty sad shape.

Well, we marvel at the work he and his fellow scouts did to the grounds of our church.  Not a day passes that some one doesn't shout out "Wow, what beautiful gardens you have!"  And ever so right they are.

On Sunday, October 26th, at 3:30pm at the Faith Community Church of Christ in Bensenville, our young friend Richard will be presented his rightful award of Eagle Scout.

Let us raise our collective voices and send out a loud and heart-felt CONGRATULATIONS!  What Richard has given us is a living legacy...gardens that will always remind us what young minds and hands can truly do to change our world for the good and better.

God bless you, Richard and again, know how very proud we are of you.

Prayer Requests

The Community of St. Nicholas is praying

 

 

September 14, 2014 Meeting  

 

Building Committee Report:

• Shades. South side shades will be installed on the outside of building. The shades will work independently of one another with 4 control units/switches. They measure approximately 10 ft. tall, 12 ft. wide. In order to accommodate the shades, the Juniper bushes were removed and the small evergreen trees will be transplanted elsewhere.
  West side shades will also be installed behind the stained glass panels.
  As part of essential insulation, positioning will be adjusted accordingly to moderate inside temperature.
  Better quality shades, which will yield better insulation/efficiency, were approved unanimously. Additional cost will be approx. $ 1000 (within projected budget).
• Heating & AC. 2012 Code requirement must be adhered to prior to permit approval- no exceptions! Ventilation Schedule is required and heat recovery ventilators need to be larger. Project time-line - completion in two weeks.
• Stained Glass Windows. Contractor has all windows
• Outdoor Sign. Funds in 'sign fund' at 50%. No flashing sign (LED or otherwise) is permitted within the Village. Also, sign must not be lit between 11 PM - 7 AM. Bidding in progress.

Stewardship Packets distributed to members of the Bishop's Committee. Members of the BC will meet on Sunday, Sept 21st for a 'folding/stuffing party' to assemble Stewardship letters. Bob Kalicki suggested including a letter to our absentees members. Manny will write said letter.

Convention dates: Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23.

This year the provider will make 4 samples and those wishing to do wreaths will indicate which wreath kit(s) they would like to make. Kits will contain all materials for the kit(s) selected. Friday, Dec. 5th - 7 PM. Additional information will be provided.

 

Vicar Announcements:

• Grant Opportunity - 2015
  It was recommended we defer this year since we received money from B&T for A/C and there are other parishes in greater need at this time than St. Nicholas. We will reconsider and ponder seeking assistance in 2016, perhaps for assistance to purchase a new sign to attract newcomers to church and advertise upcoming Liturgical and social events.
• "Call to Action" is seeking places to hold "open conversations" and St. Nicholas was suggested as a possible location. B.C. discussed this possibility. However, prior to granting permission, more research will be done to determine content and topic(s) to be discussed.
• September 28: The last service at St. John's in Mt. Prospect will be held this day - and the Dean has requested that Manny be present that day to represent the Deanery. The Service will be at 10 AM - and all are invited to attend. We will have Morning Prayer at 10 AM on Sept 28.
• Tim Black Plaque - Connie Nicholson says the plaque is completed, will be placed by the Lilac in front.

Treasurer Report:

We were only $ 2700.00 in arrears in pledges over the summer, otherwise are doing well. Many thanks to all members who observe their pledge and to all who contribute and share.

Bob Kalicki states that Money Market account (formerly with better interest at present institution & no longer the case) will be moved to our current bank to consolidate banking activity in one institution.

Bob Kalicki states this will be accomplished today after church

Asking price $ 1000.00 - includes 5 toner cartridges @ $ 200 each and 4 containers for catching residue. Penny will call the Diocese to ask that this be posted in the newsletter for the Diocese.

 

Penny Mandziara thanked Father Manny for his presence on Sept. 11th Ceremony at the Bensenville Library. The presentation was well received.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 AM following a closing prayer by Father Manny.            

 

-Thelma Malecek, Clerk  

Shout-Outs

Readings for This Weekend

Saturday lector: Ellen Whalen
Sunday lectors: Jennifer Garcia, Laura Lampe
Sunday intercessor: Connie Nicholason
Sunday chalice bearers: Colleen Davy, Sandra Glos

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