To reiterate something I wrote last week: ‘no one really likes having to attend a meeting.’ Then again, last Sunday’s St. Nicholas Annual All-Parish Meeting was not your “run-of-the-mill” meeting. Absolutely not. What we had was one amazing and uplifting gathering. When all was said and done and the closing prayer was said, truthfully, I hated to see everyone leave. There is a comfort, a sense of belonging when we’re gathered together; as a community, as a family of believers. What a joy it is for me to have this divine opportunity to serve such a church and such a wonderful community.

So much was accomplished in a relatively short period of time. We elected our new members to the Bishop’s Committee. Two delegates and two alternates to the 2015 Diocesan Convention have been elected. We discussed the updates to our church and what is yet to come. Finances were talked about, openly and with full transparency. We talked about where we want our church to be, what we envision for our house of worship and our dreams of what could well come to be. There was a lengthy conversation about our desire to become a “parish,” to drop the term “mission” from our title. There are both pros and cons to this move. However, there seems to be a rather strong and healthy head of steam for us to pursue this very matter. We will move carefully, judiciously and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As members were sharing their thoughts and concerns, I took some liberty and looked out at the many faces that filled the Hall. Certainly, I was paying attention to what was being said, be assured of that. However, looking out at this, my parish family, I felt such an overwhelming sense of pride, of happiness and a love that is so rare and special.

My friends, we did ourselves proud. We accomplished much, we focused our attention to the work that was before us, we ate our fill and we left the Hall in probably better condition than when we started. Truly in good ol’ St. Nicholas style and fashion, we did it right and we did it our way!

To everyone…you are forever in my prayers and always in my heart.

Blessings to one and all, and a million times over…thank you.

Amen.

-Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org

Manny