As they continued walking and talking,

a chariot of fire and horses of fire

separated the two of them,

and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind

into heaven.

Elisha kept watching and crying out,

“Father, father!

The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

— from the Second Book of Kings

This Week’s News

Single liturgy Sundays begin July 4

There will be ONE liturgy on Sundays beginning July 4 at 10:00 AM (with special music that Sunday, according to choirmisstress Mary). There is a dehumidifier in the sanctuary now, although the Holy Innocents Hall addition is air-conditioned.

Last call for help with some meals

Thanks to all who responded to the request to assist Kelly Klotz and her 10 year old son Odin with meals as Kelly, a single mom, recuperates from a fall at St. Nicholas.

Kelly is still in pain from the injury, though that did not prevent her from making it to church on Sunday. Way to go, Kelly and Odin!

Given the pain, though, it would be nice if we could send a few more dinners their way. Fr. Steve is coordinating this effort. If you can help, let him know.

Fall worship schedule survey goes electronic

Thanks to everyone who has filled out this survey. Because we want to make sure everyone has a chance to participate in the decisions that we will be making, we are about to send out an electronic version (to everyone currently on the mailing list). Everyone on our email list will receive it. So if you have already filled out a paper version, you can disregard the electronic survey.

It is important that everyone fill out one version of the survey. Not only will it ensure your voice is heard, it will also enter you automatically in a drawing for a $25 gift card. The drawing will occur after the 10 a.m. liturgy on Sunday, July 4, and you must be present to win.

I’ve been feeling a bit older lately. The other day, Carla and I were out shopping and noticed a team of perhaps nine-year- old baseball players spilling out of the Dairy Queen. My mind went back to managing David’s team — the Condors — at that age, and then to managing Jonathan’s Marlins at the same age.

“Do you miss those days?” I asked Carla. Turns out she mostly didn’t. I do, but I realized I like these days, too. When I’m at my best, I manage to appreciate the present moment, and to retain some of the enthusiasm — and perhaps innocence — of the nine-year-old I was about a half-century ago.

The present moment at St. Nicholas is one of wonder and hope. I was again struck this past Sunday by the relational energy in our congregation. The spirit was moving in the liturgies on Sunday — especially the later one, though I think this was just a function of numbers — and I could feel it again in both Yummy Hours.

The hope is for the coming program year, which brings a new liturgy come September and new faces as well, we hope.

The hope is in the type of community we have become — and are becoming. As both Manny and I have said in different ways recently, St. Nicholas is a remarkable community. Not perfect, mind you. But truly remarkable.

My hope for us in the coming years is that we continue to become even more remarkable. I’ll have more to say about this in the coming months.

For now, I will just note my hunch that the great relational energy that has been evident here so much in recent weeks and months is the seed of a new way of being church, a way that will take us more and more into service of others, and deeper and deeper into life in the spirit.

At least, I hope so!

Let me know what you think…

— Steve