An apple or an orange?  A cup of coffee or a cup of tea?  Lake Shore Drive or the Kennedy Expressway?  Cubs or White Sox (or neither)?  We are constantly confronted with decisions, with choices to be made.  We have to make up our mind as decisions determine what course of action we are to take.  Certainly, some decisions are much more important than others.  We can all agree on this.

Last weekend at our worship services, I focused my sermon on just such a topic.  St. Nicholas is at a point -- in its 50+ years of existence -- of making a rather important decision.  We have a choice before us:  do we remain a "mission church," or do we venture forward and become a "parish church?"  Though we are a church, we consider ourselves a household, too.  As such, we have decisions to make; decisions that will have far-reaching effects on us and our future.  Households have financial matters that determine what and when a major purchase can be made.  We are no different.  We have bills to be paid on a monthly basis.  We purchase paper and office equipment.  There are candles and wine that are expenses we must take into consideration.  Like any household, we look at our bills, we pay what needs paying and go from there.

Becoming a parish has serious, financial factors associated with it.  Let me explain:  St. Nicholas has always been a mission church.  We were born out of expansion into the suburbs shortly after World War II.  "Suburban sprawl" was reflected in the birth of new parishes, to name a few, Holy Innocents, St. Bede's, St. Columba's, St. John's, St. Patrick's, St. Mary Magdalene.  Many have faded into the archival records of the Diocese.  The closing of a church is devastating.  It punctures the heart of its members and stays with us for a long time.  Yet, the church structure is just that...it's a building.  The real "church" is the people and we recommit ourselves to another faith community, meld into one and grow forth from there.  It's happened twice for St. Nicholas as Holy Innocents of Hoffman Estates merged first and a few years ago, St. Bede's of Bensenville joined with St. Nicholas.  We are one family and we continue to see some positive signs of additional growth. 

Back to the nature of mission and parish churches:  As a mission church, the Diocese holds the title to the facility.  The bishop and members of his staff have a great level of authority as to what we can and can not do.  If we were to do any structural additions or infrastructure improvements, we must first go through the bishop's office, consult with him and other committees.  We did just that when we undertook the installation of a new boiler/heating/cooling system, shades for the windows and new lighting.  It was all part of the Capital Campaign.  We can see and feel the difference this drive created.  We have heat and cool air and shades to protect our eyes and the lovely stained glass windows, too.  The new lights in the church and gathering space are less expensive to operate and provide much greater and brighter light.  As a mission church, we currently have only two (2) delegates at the yearly Diocesan Convention.  Parishes are allowed three (3) delegates.  (This may well change as there is a resolution at this year's convention that would allow all churches in the Diocese three delegates.)  As a mission church, we have a representative of the Congregations Commission and Standing Committee meet with us and represent us at Diocesan meetings.  They are our "voices" when the bishop meets with his staff and discusses how the churches are fairing.  Michael Ruehle and Rev. Kara Wagner-Scherer serve as our reps and they serve us well and with great regards toward St. Nicholas Church.  We have a degree of freedom, certainly that is granted to us.  However, we are also beholden to the bishop and have far less latitude and freedom as, say, a parish church is afforded. 

Now, if we are to become a parish, there is a process in which we are to be engaged. We would need to present to the Diocese that we can be financially self-sufficient for at least three years.  Well, we've already done this, though we've not presented any proof of this to the Diocese.  We would also lose our representatives, that is, we would not have those "voices" speaking on our behalf to the bishop and the various committees.  We would have to do that for ourselves.  Certainly, I have no doubt we are capable of functioning and speaking for ourselves.  However, we have to be truly honest and realistic about our financial status. Can we sustain ourselves, for the long term, without creating a series of "in the red" quarterly reports?  We would have to shoulder the finances, those great and those that are small, for and by ourselves.  Certainly, the Diocese will be there, to assist, if we were to petition for a grant or a loan.  Nonetheless, this is daunting.  With freedom comes grave responsibilities.  I am hopeful and an optimist.  Yet, I have some fears and reservations, all of which are based on my deepest love and concern for this church and her people.  Also, there is the option that as a parish, we could still have the bishop "hold the title" to the church and thus, we would still have some assurance of financial assistance if/when needed.  There is no guarantee that the Diocese is always going to be able to "bail out a church."  We all have to fend for ourselves to some degree.  It is the cost of running a church...just like it is running a household. 

This matter is going to be a major focal point at our Annual Meeting scheduled for February 7th, 2016.  (This will be a pot luck luncheon meeting.)  I ask all the church family to truly ponder this question; discern and pray for guidance as we look at what is best for our beloved and cherished St. Nicholas Church.

We hold the future in our hands.  Whatever we decide; to remain a mission or become a parish church, the decision will be based on what is best for us today, our church family and those who will follow us.  May God give us the strength to make decisions wisely, the courage to confront these and all matters with faith and hope and a love that is unquestioning and uncompromising.  And may God grant us wisdom, patience and compassion.  All this we ask, in Jesus' most Holy Name.  

As a reminder, the memorial service for Vernon Forde will take place this Friday, November 20 at 3:00PM. 

A reception will follow the service.  

Stewardship Weekend has arrived.  We have had several weeks of inserts to read about how best to be engaged and invested in our church, and the time to consider how we can each, individually and collectively, help to grow our community of faith.

This weekend, I ask that we bring with us our Pledge Card.  All will be collected and, on this particular weekend, all will be processed to the altar along with the Offerings.  If you are not ready to provide that card, fear not.  You can bring it later when you've had the necessary time to discern and decide. 

Please, pray and ponder how we can continue to help our church grow and thrive. 

On behalf of the church family, as your vicar, I thank you for your continued generosity, kindness and commitment to our house of worship, our church, our St. Nicholas.  May God bless and sustain us, one and all and let us rejoice at the bounty we have been given. 

With my blessings and my love.

-Manny

It is so easy to get caught up in all the "necessities" of the holiday season.  There's shopping and visits to be made, cards to write out and homes to decorate. 

However most important is the time we all need to pause, contemplate and give thanks for the countless blessings with which we are made gift. 

Come join us on Wednesday night, November 25th at 6pm for our Thanksgiving Eve Service.  All are welcome.  Come and let us celebrate our faith as we offer a moment of heart-felt thanks.

The time goes so quickly.  It's time to elect 3 new members to the Bishop's Committee (the governing board of our church). 

We ask each parish member to consider serving our church as a member of the Bishop's Committee.  We meet every 2nd Sunday of the month at 8:15am.  The service is important and necessary and the rewards are divine.

Please think long and hard about having your name submitted.  We will elect our new members at the Annual Parish Meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 7th, 2016 immediately following the 10am Liturgy.  A "Pot Luck" Lunch is part of the equation, too. 

It's that time of year; we're making our lists and we're checking them twice.  Here's a little help that is quite nice...

Shop Amazon and a contribution is made to St. Nicholas.  Talk about a "win-win" deal.  However, in order that St. Nicholas is credited with a portion of the sale, you must first go to our webpage, click on the Amazon icon.  Then, shop away.  Access our webpage through:  www.onebreadonebody.org  or  www.stnicholasepiscopal.org. 

Or, click here to go directly to Amazon with your code already pre-filled.

Every time someone shops Amazon through St. Nicholas' webpage, an angel gets their wings!

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, Ruth Yunker, 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, Payton, 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.

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