This is my favorite time of year.  Yes, I'm aware I've said and written this opening line, each October, for the past few years.  Forgive my repetition my good friends.  However,  I really do love this time of year and I merely wish to share my happiness with the people who mean so much to me.

This past Sunday was a most joyful time at St. Nicholas.  Our guest Courtney Reid assured me she had a grand time with us.  Courtney sat in on our Bishop's Committee meeting, offered some sound advice and proved to be a most welcomed presence.  She was impressed with our choir and sang loudly, and with Episcopal pride.  Courtney found Holy Innocents Hall to be large, inviting and a great gathering place and she absolutely loved our worship space.  She said the church was "warm and comfortable, a holy  peaceful place, like being home."  I couldn't agree more.

After worship, there was more joyful noise in the Hall.  Then again, a fresh Jarosch cake will always brings smiles and peals of happy noise.  People stayed, talked, drank all the coffee, shared conversations and had fun.  In the parish office our cracker-jack team was busy counting the offering and checking the books, making sure all is done just right.  Next door in the pantry room, the Outreach Team was meeting, planning and setting a successful course for the church and making sure our presence in the Village is clear and well defined.  After locking things up, turning off all the lights, making sure all is as it should be, I set out for St. Alexius Hospital in nearby Hoffman Estates to spend some time with Vernon.  When I arrived, he was sitting up, half asleep, watching the football game.  I gently touched his arm to awaken him.  He smiled and took my hand.  We prayed, I shared Jesus in the Holy Communion, blessed him, gave him a hug goodbye and set off for home. 

It was close to 4pm when I finally made it back home.  A long day to say the least, but a long day very well spent.  Since I hadn't eaten anything all day -- aside from a piece of cake that was given me after worship -- my appetite had been nudged, to say the least.  Douglas had prepared a homemade, fresh chicken pot pie, baked the old fashioned way in a large, vintage oven skillet.  It was amazing.  I could have eaten the whole thing, as my hunger was that vast.  I resisted.  I did not fall victim to temptation and I made no late night raids to the fridge for another piece.

It was dark, the winds had picked up and the night was calling me.  So, pulling on my running shoes, I ventured out into that Sunday night and set out for a long and leisurely walk.  It was so refreshing.  With what little I have atop this 57-year-old head, the winds till managed to sweep my hair this way and that. The trees swayed to and fro and leaves blew up into miniature "dust devils," which is all the more appropriate as Halloween is soon upon us.  Nothing to be afraid of.  After all, it's just God's handiwork on display.  God's mighty hand playing with the very things He created.  The sky was clear and the stars were bright.  The more I walked, the warmer I felt which helped take the night chill out of the equation.  At one point, I could not resist the urge to jump into a large pile of leaves that had blown together.  It was joyful. Letting my child-like abandon take hold and direct my action made me feel all the more energized and refreshed.  I could have walked the entire night. 

Yet, that would be a bit much.  In fact, it would almost be selfish on my part; to take in so much of a good thing and not leave a little bit for the next day.  Like the homemade chicken pot pie that was waiting in the fridge, I'll have more of that later and enjoy it even more so.  And I will go out again and take another long walk, let the wind push me on and quite likely jump into another pile of crisp leaves that extends an invitation to me to come on in, enjoy, and be a kid again.

Autumn is color and sound, touches of brilliant red and burnt orange, vibrant yellows; and all these colors splashed across an earthly canvas.  Winds that still have some warmth to them but slowly and assuredly inching more toward the north and producing a bite that will leave us chilled.  And with that chill, we'll think and wish of new life and early spring blossoms just making their way into the world.  We'll ponder warmer temps and the longer days of summer, followed closely by autumn again.  All of this is God's gift to us, the cycle of the seasons...enjoy and savor all of it.  Hey, did I tell you, this is my favorite time of year?

Amen.

-Manny

We all have responsibilities that require of us our time, our talents and our treasures.  Our church is no different. 

Currently, our 2015 pledge actuals figure is below where we need to be.  Certainly, we understand all too well that circumstances change, finances are not always available and we may not be as able to share as we desire.  Please, we understand, truly we do. 

However, do not hesitate in talking with us.  We are here to help and assist.  We are a people of faith and we believe that God always provides. Please contact either of our wardens, Jessica Tamaski and Penny Mandziara; our Finance Team of Ray Malecek and Bob Kalicki; or our vicar Manny for guidance and assistance.

Thank you, one and all, for the sacrifices made to St. Nicholas which allow us to continue to provide ministry, the Sacraments and service to so many.

God bless us, one and all.

We have a wonderful choir.  We have engaging and lively worship.  On occasion, we would like to videotape and audio record particular events. 

However, we also need the consent and approval of the Community of St. Nicholas.  The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese has instituted a program called "Keeping God's People Safe," which requires of us to be mindful of what we record, where and when we place such recordings and the necessity of the community's consent.

Thus, we will have a consent form present at the weekend Worship Services for the next few weeks.  The form will ask each of us if we agree to have occasional video and audio recordings done at St. Nicholas for the purpose of placing said recordings on our webpage and a few other sites that feature churches offering their programs for others to see and hear.  We ask everyone to please take a moment, read the form and, if you are in agreement, provide your consent by signing the form.

Your cooperation is requested and appreciated.  In advance, thank you one and all.

Do you know where your teenager is?  On Friday night, October 23rd, they may well be at St. Nicholas for a movie night, with pizza, pop, friends and fun.  Sweet!

We will be showing the movie, "Napoleon Dynamite."  We warmly invite our youth, their friends and those of us who may well be past teenage years to come and enjoy this wry comedy that is, interestingly enough, filled with some Biblical teachings.

Movie starts at 7pm...bring some munchies along, too.  Dang.  Don't miss it!

How about a classic, black and white thriller to set the tone for Halloween? 

Friday night, October 30, at 7pm, we'll be airing the movie "The Haunting."  A 1963 gem of a horror film and sure to set your spine to tingling.  Nothing like a good, old fashioned "spooky movie."  This is it.

Pizza, pop, thrills and chills will be served and you're invited to bring along some munchies, too.                                                                      

There's no better to way to tell others what church you call "your home," than with a classic and original Follow Me to St. Nicholas Episcopal Church t-shirt!

If you would like to purchase one, we will be taking orders soon. 

Give us your size and we'll get you that shirt.  Cost of each shirt is very reasonable.  And, we all look so good in blue, true!

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: Joan DeBock, Vernon and Erlene Forde, Courtney Adams, Art Lorenze, Karen, Sharon, Elaine and Barry Malas, Lenny Spirek, Jill, Connie Nicholson, Ron Glos, Marcia Kizior, Joanne Mangiaracina, Fran Baylor, Kesha, Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, Bertha, Caleb Roth, Rocco, Ron, Tony Begonja, K.C., Dick Day, Dale Rickey, Phil Cooper, Tim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Cathy Walters, Carrie, Tim, Pat, Lenny, Perry, Kathy J. and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.

PUBLIC ACTION TO DELIVER SHELTER is the full name for P.A.D.S.  No matter how we say it, there is a need for emergency overnight shelter for the thousands of homeless throughout Chicagoland. 

In our area, a number of churches open wide their doors to shelter men, women and children with a warm, safe place to sleep, a shower, food and clean clothes, too.

Christus Victor Evangelical Lutheran Church, our neighbor right on Arlington Heights Road hosts P.A.D.S. and is always ready and willing to invite more volunteers.  They open their doors on Tuesday nights.

If there is an interest, please contact Christus Victor directly at: 847-437-2666, or see Laura Lampe, Jeff Westerheide, Vince Otero or Manny for additional information. 

God bless us all.

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