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 It was a moment with the Divine: It was 6:52am, Wednesday morning. I was headed southeast toward the church for what was to be a full day of scheduled appointments and other duties. I was praying my Morning Creed: no radio, cell phone on mute, just God and me. Looking into the morning sky, it was hard, if not impossible not to take notice of the unusual and almost 'mystical' nature of the cloud formation and rising sun. There it was, that full, large orange orb slowing rising into the eastern sky. The clouds however, they were spread across the horizon in what appeared to be layers, one atop another with just a slim separation, one between the other. The sun, slowly but surely moved upward, almost weaving its way through those layers of clouds. As the sun rose higher and higher, it became more and more obscured, hidden amidst the clouds that grew darker and more ominous.
Once the sun no longer straddled the horizon, it was completely concealed, masked within those clouds. The layers of clouds were moving in a northerly direction and truth be told, one could see how quickly the clouds were moving...it was all so visible and recognizable. Morning gloom conquered the morning light. I had pulled over onto the gravel drive and watched, overcome with amazement and wonder...silently, humbling taking in a display that only God could create.
Now, I am fully aware that any meteorologist worth their keep could explain what was happening: perhaps a low-pressure system or just maybe it was a series of stratus, cumulus or stratocumulus clouds rolling in from the east. Such pronouncements are not for me to make for I am no meteorologist. What I am is a person who wishes to see the hand of God in each moment of the day. What I desire is to take such experiences and let them carry me throughout the day, throughout my life so I can truly be, as St. Francis of Assisi stated, "an instrument of peace."
That is the point I wish to make. My friends, we begin the holy season of Lent. This is a time for us to slow down, pause and allow God the Creator to speak to us and be heard; for us to see God's handiwork all around us. God has much to say, so much to impart upon us. It is our job to quiet down, hear and listen, seek and discover what God has to say and what God can do.
The great mystics throughout the history of Christianity ( St. John of the Cross, St.Catherine of Sienna, St. Gemma Galgani, Isaac Ambrose, Sir Thomas Browne, George Fox, founder of the Quakers to name just a few) were able to see/experience/rejoice in the presence of God each and every moment of the day. Their experiences of God were constant because they were able to take those "moments of the Divine" and keep it alive, active and relevant throughout the day, every day, of every week of every month of every year. That is not what made them 'saintly.' Rather, it was their acceptance and embracing of God's immense presence in their lives and their willingness to share and put into motion God's gifts to them that makes them such outstanding characters of faith.
This Lent, let us embrace the mystic within us all. Let us recognize God's presence, even in the most sublime of moments; let us carry that experience and share with others the joy we have been given. Let us become modern day mystics. Let us embrace the mysticism that God is and that God provides. Let us recognize God working in, above and all around us. I'll leave you with the words of Meister Eckhart, who formed a most loving, intimate and mystical union with God: "The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God's eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love." Let us all strive to be one with God and one with each other.
Amen. -Manny
(Sources: Goodreads.com, Wikipedia)
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Lent as an Experience of Faith
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 It is a mere forty days. Jesus ventured in the desert for the same number of days and nights. There, Jesus prayed, meditated and fasted, all in order to prepare Himself for the sacrifice He was to make of Himself, for us. The desert is a stark, desolate environment. There is life in the desert...but it is hidden, minimal and scarce. This is where Jesus chose to spend time, alone, to commune with God the Creator. This Lent, our worship space will be plain, bare and simple. The plants have been removed as have most of the images of saints and holy women and men. The intent is to create an environment that, like the desert, is simple. Let us journey together: To better prepare ourselves for the great Paschal Feast of Easter, let us journey together, in prayer, in silence, in worship and in the faith that Christ Jesus is with us, accompanying us on our venture through Lent. |
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Ash Wednesday, February 10
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Join us for Worship at 7pm as we begin Lent
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 We begin the holy and sacred season of Lent, tonight, February 10th as we gather in worship at 7PM for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. As a people, we search for a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Creator. As a people of faith, let us gather for communal worship as we begin our Lenten journey, together. |
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Congratulations to Those Elected
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Bishop's Committee and Delegates for 2016 Diocesan Convention
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 A hearty CONGRATULATIONS to the new members of St. Nicholas' Bishop's Committee and our delegates to the 2016 Annual Diocesan Convention to be held this coming November. Hats off to Pat Kalicki, Claudia Boyle and Val Gruenwald who will begin their term as members of the Bishop's Committee at Sunday's meeting. What a pleasure and honor to have you on board. Three cheers to our representatives to Convention which will convene in late November: Jennifer Brundige and Jennifer Garcia will be our delegates while Thelma Malecek and Cyndi DeBock will serve as alternates in the event either Jennifer not being able to attend. On behalf of the entire St. Nicholas Community...thank you all for you continued service and commitment to this house of worship. Blessings upon you all. |
Join us for a Harp Recital
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Sunday, February 21st at 1:30 pm at St. Nicholas Church
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 Jesslyn Cohen, a young lady who was baptized and attended St. Nicholas Church will grace us all with a Harp Recital. All are welcome to attend and experience the beautiful and angelic sounds of the harp as played by Miss Cohen. The recital is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, February 21st at 1:30 in the afternoon. A light reception will follow in Holy Innocents Hall.
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Black History Month and our Church
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God Bless our Sisters and Brothers and Their Divine Efforts
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 The Reverend Kenneth de Poullain Hughes, 1902-1978
Kenneth de Poullain Hughes was born in the Caribbean island nation of Grenada on March 29, 1902. During the forty-four years of his ministry as an Episcopal priest, he served as a committed and outspoken advocate for racial improvement within the Church and the broader communities of which he was a part. The trajectory of his ministry spanned many turbulent decades in which the United States and the Episcopal Church confronted racial injustice and Civil Rights' reforms.
Hughes received his Bachelor of Arts at the City College of New York in 1929 and completed his seminary work at the General Theological Seminary in 1936. He was called to serve as Rector at Saint Mark's Church in Charleston, South Carolina in 1936 and served the first five years of his ministry there. Hughes was confronted in Charleston with many forms of racial intolerance and prejudice. Saint Mark's was the only church in the Diocese of South Carolina that was not considered "in communion" with the Convention, and Hughes was one of six priests in the diocese that was not allowed a seat or voice at the annual diocesan convention. All six of these priests were associated with traditionally African-American parishes. Although Saint Mark's had sought recognition by the diocese multiple times since its founding in 1866, Hughes would not see his church fully accepted by the diocese during his service as rector.
In January 1940 Hughes assumed duties as the Rector of Saint Bartholomew's Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He served the remainder of his active ministry at this church, until his retirement in 1970. He also married Constance Elaine Moon in Cambridge with whom he had three children. Although working outside of the American South, Hughes discovered that racial prejudice proved to be a factor in his ministry in Cambridge just as it had in South Carolina. Hughes soon began to publicly challenge racial segregation within the Church and society. He wrote several articles for The Witness, where he described the unequal nature of racial segregation this way: "the mere fact that [the black parishioner] was separated was a limitation of his freedom and implied his inferiority and the superiority of his separators." Hughes articulated how segregation undermined Christian unity and how the practices of many Christians were at odds with the purported values of the Church.
Hughes presided over considerable improvements to his church, including the relocation of Saint Bartholomew's to Harvard Street into a building formerly occupied by the First Methodist Episcopal Society. The new church building allowed for more parishioners and provided much-improved parish house facilities. The new church was consecrated on November 9, 1941, and inaugurated a period of important growth for the congregation. Saint Bartholomew's was soon admitted as a parish of the Diocese of Massachusetts in 1945, under the guidance of then Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill.
Hughes was a founder of the Union of Black Episcopalians, an organization that evolved from an earlier coalition of African-American clergy to promote racial improvement in the Church. In 1962 he was the recipient of the Bishop Norman B. Nash Fellowship of the Diocese of Massachusetts, an honor which enabled him to travel to several African countries to experience the Church's work in that part of the world. Following his retirement in 1970, Hughes remained active and was recognized for his continued advocacy against racial injustice. He served as the distinguished keynote speaker at the Committee on Minority Recruitment and Equal Opportunity Employment conference in 1977. In his remarks, Hughes noted that "The Church is trying to correct past injustices and to enter into the 21st century...For that, I am thankful."
Kenneth de Poullain Hughes worked diligently as an advocate for positive change within the Episcopal Church and American society. He passed away March 31, 1978.
Sources: The Church Awakens: African-Americans and the Struggle for Justice) |
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Bread Bakers - we need your help
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 The supply of bread we use for our worship is very, very low. We appreciate the time and effort that goes into making bread. So, with immense thanks, we put out the request for bread bakers to come to the rescue. Recipes are be available, placed upon the shelf just outside the church doors. If the pans used for bread baking here at church are unavailable, consider using a traditional cake pan or form a loaf as you desire. Thank you for the care and consideration shown by so many in such countless ways, all of which helps make St. Nicholas the wonderful place it is. God bless. |
| Remember St. Nicholas before you click... |
The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For the Church universal: As we journey through this most holy season of Lent, let us pause, listen and hear God's voice speak to our hearts as we engage in the life of our local church and community of faith.
For those who came before us, those women and men who sacrificed and surrendered themselves to help create and build our faith and our Church.
For the people of Taiwan as they continue to recovery from the devastating earthquake: Pray for those who perished, for those who are now homeless and for those who are left destitute; that the world-wide community will come to that nation's aid and assist them in their efforts.
For prayers answered for members of this community of faith: the power of prayer at work.
For those who continue to work, "one day at a time" at reclaiming their lives away from alcohol, drugs and other addictions: Pray their efforts are successful and happiness and peace of mind is theirs.
For those who are searching for gainful employment, those who are battling addictions and those who are experiencing depression: Pray all find a better way of life, filled with good health, happiness and success.
For the homeless, those who are without adequate food and sufficient necessities: Pray that all receive that which they need and require to live happy, healthy and productive lives.
For our beloved pets who bring so much joy to our lives: let us always care for them and their needs, especially when the weather is so cold and unforgiving.
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, Katie, Elaine and Barry Malas, Susan Lackey, Marcia Kizior, Kesha, Eunice Dohra, Bernie, Ron, Dale Rickey, Cathy Walters and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
***Pray for Karen R., who is battling rheumatoid arthritis.
Please let Fr. Manny the current condition of those for whom we are praying and if we wish to keep their names on the prayer list. Thank you.
(***written prayer requests)
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To the caring and dedicated community members who pitched in and helped create a very enjoyable and successful Chili Supper event: to those who wrote letters, picked up and labeled the prizes, to those who made the beautiful baskets that were raffled, to those who set up tables and took them down, to those who brought in the other necessities, to those who purchased tickets and 'took a chance,' to those who helped clean-up and to EVERYONE who came, ate, enjoyed and shared in this wonderful time. Amazing...each and every one of us.
To Jeff Westerheide who donated his time, talent and treasure in preparing his famous and mighty good chili for us. We are heart-broken that he and Vince are relocating to Florida. We shall carry them always in our hearts and recall fond memories of the gifts they shared with us. Blessings and Bon Voyage, dear friends.
To all who shared a dish, shared feelings and opinions and took an active role in the Annual Meeting. We are only as strong as we are united. Thank you, one and all.
To all who made the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper a delightful night: to Penny and Hank Mandziara who purchased the groceries, to the fine gentlemen who prepared the meal, to those who cleaned up and of course, to all who came and enjoyed. What a time we had. Blessings to all.
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| 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: |
| Wednesday, February 10, 2016 |
| | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Ash Wednesday Service | 7:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, February 11, 2016 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Friday, February 12, 2016 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM |
Saturday, February 13, 2016 | | The Principled Group | 7:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, February 14, 2016 | | Bishop's Committee Meeting | 8:15 AM | | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, February 15, 2016 |
| | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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