Back to the 'real world.'  That's the feeling I have now that I've returned after a few days back in Michigan.  The wedding was quite nice.  All the necessary requirements were met and the happy couple are legally wed.  The bride is the daughter of one of my closest friends from high school.  When she called and asked if "Uncle Manny" could be at her wedding, well, that's an invitation awfully hard to resist.  I've known her since she was born.  Besides, a brief respite after the busy Lenten/Easter celebrations was warranted and appreciated.  Though such trips home are not necessarily 'restful,' I jumped at this opportunity to be home and take part in this sacramental celebration.  I was able to spend time with my family which is always a treat, though stressful, too.  You see, my sisters and brothers who live in Metro Detroit all want to get together. This is fine and certainly what I'd love to do.  However, time is limited and five of my eight sisters and brothers live in Michigan, not to mention a slew of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and even a great grandniece.  You get the picture...the spirit is willing but the flesh and time are weak and limited.   To be sure, my time home was rewarding and definitely most thoroughly enjoyed.  I'm grateful my St. Nicholas family afforded me this time away.  Thank you all.

So much goes on at St. Nicholas.  There are the activities behind the scenes. For example, the planting of flowers and plants in our gardens that brings us all so much pleasure.  The cleaning of the church and Hall, silently and faithfully carried out by those who take the time to care for our house of worship.   The morning meetings and the late afternoon and evening sessions that help direct, build and guide our community into the future.  The dedicated members who create our worship programs, those who make sure our church books are kept up to date and send out financial statements.   There are the actions we see on weekends during our Services.  There are those who have chosen to preach on Varied Voices weekend, our Eucharistic Ministers and Lay Chaplains who bring the Good News and the Body of Christ to our home-bound members and those who are in the hospital. There are those who read the Lessons and bring up the bread, the wine and the offering, our musicians and choir, the cup bearers and all who worship with us.  The groups that come together to reflect upon the Bible, who discuss contemporary issues, our children who are guided in the ways of our faith.  Those who are signed up to be part of the Moveable Feast, those who are going to help feed our hungry and needy sisters and brothers in the Village.  Those who will sign up to help out at this year's Little Boots Rodeo, the Village Parade, our parish family picnic and St. Nick's Knacks Rummage sale.  You name it...our community steps in and steps up.  Now mind you, there is room for more of us to be better engaged and part of these and other activities all of which goes to make our church what it is.

Yes.  So much goes on at St. Nicholas and so many are actively engaged in the life of this particular house of worship; this St. Nicholas Church.   Along with our co-patrons of St. Mary Magdalene, St. Patrick, St. Bede, the Holy Innocents, St. Luke and St. Joseph, we are well represented and grace comes to us in so many blessed ways. 

If you wish to become better involved, well then, take your pick as to what you wish to do and it's yours.  Are you called to proclaim the Gospel and preach a sermon?  So be it.  Let's talk and we'll make it happen.  Feel like cleaning the church and Hall, helping out in the gardens or assisting in the Food Pantry?  No problem.  Let's talk and we'll make it happen.  Do you wish to read the Lessons at our Services, share the cup at the Holy Communion?  Let's talk and we'll make it happen.   Our children deserve our fullest attention.  Considering maybe helping out in teaching and guiding our young people with their faith journey?  Let's talk and we'll make it happen.  The opportunities are available.  The harvest is rich but the laborers, well, we could always use more of them.  What church couldn't? 

Yet, know this:  while I have stated our needs, do be mindful of how immensely grateful and humbled I am by the amazing show of spirit and commitment by so many for our church.  We are rich and wondrously blessed.  There's still a ways to go.  Come on board and be a greater part of this community, this house of worship, this family of St. Nicholas Episcopal.

Lastly, I'm sharing an email I recently received.  For no other reason but to express and share how an act of kindness, however subtle or sublime, makes a difference in the lives of those we encounter.   

I am a former Vicar of St Nick's. I was there from 1982 until I retired in 1994.

...yesterday in a Chicago MD office I visited with some people in the waiting room, the Simpsons, who spoke so highly of the care you gave to them. I believe it was a funeral but, thanks to an interruption, I am not certain of the details.

Just thought you'd like to know."

-Chuck

The Rev. Charles H. Hensel

(***written prayer requests)