Author Archives: ginny

Signs and Wonders: Chariots of Fire

Posted on by
Reply

Elijah's chariot Pictures, Images and Photos

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.

Join Our Mailing List

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

Presiding Bishop Katharine’s New Zealand Welcome

Posted on by
Reply

[Anglican Taonga] Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori arrived in Auckland on June 25 to begin an informal weeklong visit to the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Jefferts Schori arrived on a day of persistent, heavy rain, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of some 60 people, including archbishops William Brown Turei and David Moxon, who took part in the powhiri — a Maori welcoming ceremony — at the College of St. John the Evangelist.

The presiding bishop was clearly among friends who were determined that she should experience manaakitanga — a Maori word meaning hospitality — on her arrival in the country.

Moxon said the New Zealand church had benefitted from three decades of Episcopal Church generosity and hospitality.

If you’ve been to St Nicholas, you’ve experienced a little manaakitanga too – the poetic, yet vigorously modern language of the “New Zealand Prayer Book/He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa” graces some of our weekly prayers. Currently, the Prayers of the People are taken from the NZ Prayer Book, and sometimes the lovely “Night Prayer” is used for the occasional evening service.

The Woman With The Alabaster Jar

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Join Our Mailing List