Category Archives: Lay Ministries

Must Be Present (At 10 AM Sunday) To Win

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One Bread, One Body: News From St Nicholas July 4-10

Naaman Washing Clean

Naaman Washing Clean

But his servants approached and said to him,
“Father, if the prophet
had commanded you to do something difficult,
would you not have done it?
How much more,
when all he said t you was,
`Wash, and be clean’?”
So he went down and immersed himself
seven times in the Jordan,
according to the word of the man of God;
his flesh was restored like the flesh
of a young boy, and he was clean.
— from the Second Book of Kings

10 a.m. worship, drawing this Sunday

We begin our summer schedule this Sunday, July 4, with worship at 10 a.m. through the Labor Day weekend.
Also, those who participated in our worship survey — either on paper forms, or electronically — will have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate in a drawing that will be held that day. The only catch is that you must be present to win.

So, come, enjoy some special music — Paul Brouillette will be bringing his guitar — and a great Independence Day!

Bishop’s Committee report

Extended meeting held 27 June 2010
Present: Val Gruenwald, Pat Kalicki, Steve Raftery, Mary Anne O’Rourke, Paul Swanson, Jessica Tamaski, Manny Borg, Steve Martz
Not present: Bill Barlow, Karen Martin

The meeting focused on planning for the 2010-2011 program year. No official actions were taken. Here is a report on the areas discussed:

Opening week-end(s).

Our next Rummage Sale will be Saturday, September 11, with Sunday, September 12 as the “unofficial” opening of our program year.

The “Grand Opening” of the year will be the following weekend as we hold our first Saturday liturgy. Our primary means of publicity for that liturgy will be doorhangers that we will distribute over three weekends in August and September. The doorhangers will invite our neighbors to come and see St. Nicholas.

More evangelism

We also will be doing doorhangers again in November as we invite neighbors to join us for a celebration of the Feast of Nicholas. We will hold a community dinner as part of that celebration. Our intent is to take full advantage of our patron, St. Nicholas, considered by many to be the world’s most popular saint, and we will make this an annual event. The dinner and St. Nicholas celebration will be held on Saturday after worship. In 2011, we will inaugurate another annual evangelism event that will be focused on Sunday.

Having Fun

We agreed that one of the major strengths of our community is the genuine affection we have for one another. Unlike many parishes, we do not focus much on hot-button issues or differences. We want to build on, and celebrate, this strength. Denise Butera and Anna Stefaniak are working with Steve Martz to plan some social events, including a movie night in August. We also discussed a chili dinner this winter, which we may tie to the Super Bowl. Also discussed were International Dinners — think of it as a potluck on steroids — where we invite people to bring dishes they especially enjoy cooking, and that reflect their ethnic heritage.

Adult formation

The approach during 2010-11 will involve three elements. First, the contemporary issues/reading group that Steve Gruenwald leads will continue.

Second, we will have Fall and early Spring Saturday/ Sunday adult education series before or after the liturgies. One series will focus on biblical subjects, including Major Figures of the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as infancy and passion narratives. The other will center on spirituality subjects.

Finally, we will inaugurate Fall and Spring midweek series with outside presenters. As we do not usually draw well during midweek, we will also be inviting neighboring churches from the Elgin Deanery of our Diocese, and from other denominations in Elk Grove Village. The Fall series, on “Courage,” will be led by Jeffrey Ediger, an independent scholar and former college professor who has taught this and other courses at the Church of the Atonement, where he is a member.

Children’s formation

We had an extended discussion of formation, and agreed the Val, Jessica, and Pat will head a team that will recommend an approach — or approaches — that will more effectively meet the needs of our children and their families. The sentiment was for an integrated program that involves the children in the liturgy, service, and learning.

LGBT

We agreed that our LGBT outreach needs reinvigoration. Steve Martz will work with LGBT members to develop a mix of social, movie, and discussion events during the coming year.

Sunday liturgy

We reviewed the survey results that have been received so far. We were heartened that the majority of those responding will continue to worship on Sunday. (Heartened because the point of the Saturday liturgy is to attract new people to St. Nicholas.) At the same time, we noted that it appears the Saturday liturgy will draw enough of our Sunday participants to make it difficult to continue two Sunday liturgies. We agreed unanimously that, if the numbers continue in the final stage of the survey to be what they are to date, it would make most sense to hold one liturgy on Sunday.

SEE YOU SOON

by Father Steve Martz

I’m going to be taking the next couple of weeks off, returning to work on the evening of the 10th when Carla and I host a party for the choir and our music director to thank them all for a wonderful year of music, and for everything they do to make St. Nicholas such a special place. And they do quite a lot — as I was reminded again this past Sunday as I listed to Tim Black and Mary Fletcher-Gomez sing a wonderful anthem.

It’s going to be a lay-low vacation for me, as I read, rest, exercise, and do a few things around the house. If anything comes up during this time that requires a priest, please contact Manny.

See you soon,

— Steve

PS, as always, Let me know what you think… about whatever is on your mind (and I’ll respond after the 10th).

The Woman With The Alabaster Jar

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The Woman With The Alabaster Jar

And a woman in the city,
who was a sinner,
having learned
that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.

She stood behind him at his feet,
weeping,
and began to bathe his feet
with her tears
and to dry them
with her hair.
Then she continued kissing his feet
and anointing them with the ointment.

— from the Gospel of Luke
Signs & Wonders

This Week’s News

Can you help prepare some meals?

Kelly Klotz and her son Odin were with us for the first time this past Sunday, and a few days later while at the church, Kelly fell and tore a bunch of ligaments in one of her ankles.

She is in a lot of pain, and is also a single mom. Steve is coordinating some dinners for her and Odin while she (literally) gets back on her feet. If you can help, let him know.

Survey will help us decide Fall worship schedule

With the debut of our Saturday liturgy set for September 18, we will soon have to decide whether to continue our Sunday schedule of worship at 9 and 11 a.m. or bring together those liturgies into a single 10 a.m. worship experience.

This is a big decision and one we won’t make without your input.

We’ll have a survey available at church the next two Sundays, and we’ll add an online survey later in the month to make sure everyone has had a chance to weigh in.

Combining our two existing liturgies into one is a change we would prefer not to make and certainly will not make lightly, as we do not want to disrupt your Sunday routine.

At the same time, if a goodly number of our present Sunday worshippers are likely to become Saturday worshippers, we probably will combine the two Sunday liturgies. That’s because one larger liturgy will make for a much more vibrant experience than two small liturgies.

Before we make a big decision such as this, we want to hear from everyone who will be affected by it. So look for the survey, complete it, and make sure your voice is heard. Thanks!

New Bishop’s Committee members

During the very brief business session we held at last week’s parish potluck — we were having so much fun, leaders decided all the other business could wait — Steve Raftery and Jessica Tamaski were elected to the bishop’s committee. The congregation also ratified the earlier selection of Paul Swanson Jr.

Celebrating fathers

Now that our May celebration of mothers has ended, Manny is inviting us to celebrate fathers during June.

If you’d like, bring a photo of your father — or of anyone who has been like a father to you — and place it on the table set aside for photos.

WHAT A GREAT DAY

Toward the end of this past Sunday’s potluck, I was in the sacristy saying goodbye to Manny Fr. Steve Martzas he prepared to head to Detroit to spend time with his family.

I commented that the spirit and energy of the day had taken my breath away. “Sometimes,” I said, “I become so caught up in the day-to-day activities here that I lose sight of what an incredible place this really is. Then we have a day like today and I just want to pinch myself so I never again forget how amazing this church really is.”

“I know,” said Manny. “I try to describe what St. Nick’s is like to other people, but it is something you have to experience. It’s unlike any other congregation I’ve known. I just really love everyone here.”

The journalist in me wishes I could remember word-for-word what Manny said next. I don’t want to get the quote wrong, so I will just say the gist of it was that St. Nicholas elicits in him some of the same feelings his family does.

Given the depth of his affection for his family, that is high praise for St. Nicholas.

Indeed, it is hard to describe what makes this congregation as special as it is. None of us can exactly put our finger on it. But most of us can feel it. This past Sunday, it was palpable, and it was amazing. Joy seemed to be floating among us.

I share all of this to make sure you know how loved and appreciated you are. And to thank you for being who and what you are.

— Steve

PS — As always I welcome your thoughts.

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One Bread, One Body

The Newsletter of

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
May 27-June 6, 2010

Where did our prayer list go?
candle

Beginning in June, we will publish a monthly prayer list while picking up any new prayers or pastoral needs in the weekly edition.

One Bread, One Body will remain weekly, but will be more concise and readable. Let us know what you think.

Memorial

Day

2010


mem day 3

A time to remember all who have given selflessly in service of our country, and especially to remember those who have sacrificed their lives.

Calendar

May 27-31

Thursday, May 27

Noon AA meeting

7 pm GA meeting

Friday, May 28

Noon AA meeting

Saturday, May 29

1 pm AA meeting
8:30 pm AA meeting

Sunday, May 30

Happy Memorial Day

9 & 11 am Worship
7:30 pm AA meeting

Monday, May 31

Noon AA meeting
7 pm AA meeting

You will receive a monthly calendar for June

in a separate email
Stephen Martz
St. Nicholas Church
Join Our Mailing List

mem day 2

trinity 1

Jesus said to the disciples,
“I still have many things to say to you,
but you cannot bear them now.
When the Spirit of truth comes,
he will guide you into all the truth.

— from the gospel of John

This Week’s News

Belated congratulations…
…to Emma Santana and Patrick Brouillette, who were married at St. Nicholas on May 15 by Pat’s father, our very own Paul Brouillette.

Congratulations as well…
…to the bishop elect of Utah, Chicago’s very own Scott Hayashi. Scott is currently serving as canon to the ordinary here in Chicago a post he has held for the past five years. His consecration as the 11th Bishop of Utah — in which he previously had served as a parish rector — will be on November 6.

Food Pantry update
Thanks to Paul Brouillette, Bob Kalicki, Mike Mydill, Jay O’Reilly, and Manny Borg for traveling to Romeoville and/or unloading two vanloads of food on May 25.
Meanwhile, Bob Kalicki reports that we have urgent need for these items for our next Pantry date, which in June 2:

  • canned corn
  • apple juice
  • spaghetti sauce

If you can bring some of these on Sunday, May 30, our patrons will eat better the following weeks. Thanks!!

Mark your calendar for 6.6

On Sunday, June 6, we’ll hold a parish meeting after the 11 a.m. liturgy. Rather than meet as a parish only for the canonically required annual meeting in January, we try to meet several other times during the year. This meeting will conduct a bit of business, include a potluck, and give us a chance to talk about how we can welcome newcomers to St. Nicholas — especially during the Fall season.
Celebrating fathers
As our celebration of mothers concludes, Manny is inviting us next to celebrate fathers during June. If you’d like, bring a photo of your father — or of anyone who has been like a father to you — and place it on the table set aside for photos.

Signs & Wonders

GOODBYES….AND, I HOPE, SOME HELLOS

Steve Martz
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough farewells for a while. Of course I am terribly excited for Deb Seles as she heads toward Idaho to become rector of a parish in Twin Falls, and I am delighted for Ethan Jewett as he officially leaves St. Nicholas to take the next steps in his journey toward ordination.

But I shall miss them both a great deal. They are two incredibly wonderful human beings and I have felt graced by their presence in my life. As I said at Deb’s farewell May 16, she is one of those people who were here before I came in 1995, and she and her late husband Emory were much involved in the early days of seeking to rebuild St. Nicholas.
Those were special years in my own life as, full of enthusiasm — and even greater naivete — I embarked upon the great adventure of parish ministry for the first time. Of course, I did a lot of dumb things — and a few good ones — and Deb was a kind witness to them all.

One of the most enjoyable memories of those years was shepherding her through the initial stages of her discernment process and helping in some small ways to set her on the road that now leads to Twin Falls. I could never have imagined that our conversations would eventually lead her to the edge of the desert. Our God is indeed a God of surprises!

* * *
As I said May 23, what I have appreciated so much about Ethan is the way our minds and our-push-the-boundary theologies came together and made so much possible during the last six years.
I think one of my strengths for parish ministry is that I truly am able to enjoy each person who is part of this community. It is rare for me, however, to have encountered, as I did in Ethan, someone whose theological orientation and way of seeing the world is so close to my own. It made for a unique gift to me in my parish work.
At our best, we fed each other’s imagination and made one another’s ideas and approaches much stronger. The work with Ethan, and also with Mary Anne, especially in 2007-2008, was stimulating and creative and downright fun.
So, yes, it is exciting and delightful that Deb and Ethan are setting forth on new paths. But it is also, for me personally, difficult to bid them farewell. I can only hope — and trust that those goodbyes will be more than balanced in the years ahead by wonderful people to whom I — and we — will say hello.

— Steve