Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5:30PM, February 13 th ASH Wednesday Service February 14 th, 5:30PM. FEBRUARY 2018 Vol. 10 No. 8

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1 Elected at the Annual Meeting Congratulations Vestry: Kristy Pemberton, Sally Stafford Delegates: Linda Jordan, Jessica Stewart Nominating : Kristin Maguire, Kathy Shannon Thank You for Serving Vestry: Corby Considine, Mary Williams Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5:30PM, February 13 th ASH Wednesday Service February 14 th, 5:30PM FEBRUARY 2018 Vol. 10 No. 8 The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas The Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer, Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Tom Burns, Deacon

2 St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 4000 W. Loop 250 N. Midland, Texas Office Hours: M-Th 8:30am-4:30pm Saturdays 9:00am-12Noon Website The Bishop of Northwest Texas The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer Deacon The Rev. Tom Burns Vestry Mr. Joe Cobb, Jr, Sr. Warden Finance Committee Liaison Mr. Robert Norrgard Jr. Warden, Facilities Landscape Committee Liaison Ms. Joan Whitt, Clerk Outreach Liaison Dr. Pamela Howell Pastoral Care Liaison Ms. Sally Stafford Children s Education Liaison Dr. Michael Jordan Greeters, Ushers, Liaison Ms. Chris Newman Worship Committee Liaison Ms. Beth Rubin Children s Godly Play Liaison Parish Life Committee Liaison Ms. Kristy Pemberton Gifts and Memorials Liaison Mr. Jeffrey Hewett, Chancellor Mr. Matt Maguire, Treasurer Staff Mr. Darryl Knapp Lay Ministry Coordinator, & Organist/Choirmaster Ms. Sharon Gerald Bookkeeper Mr. Scot Marter Sexton Update Search Committee I am pleased to report that we have made significant strides in our process of finding our next Rector for St. Nicholas. Your Search Committee has reviewed written material on the four candidates provided to us by Bishop Mayer, with help from Canon Ehmer, and have completed interviews over Skype on all four. We have brought one candidate to Midland for a fast 24 hours of getting to know them through social activities, a formal interview and participating in a worship service conducted by the candidate. There are several steps that are now underway to, hopefully and prayerfully, move us to the point of making our recommendation to the Vestry. Stay Tuned!! I am so deeply grateful to the work of this committee of caring, thoughtful, prayerful members: Michele Cobb, Jonathan Jordan, Linda Jordan, Scot Marter, Kimberly Meyers, Courtney Norrgard, Sally Stafford, Jo Weber, Joe Cobb, Sr. Warden. It has been a joy to work together and get to know one another on a new and deeper level, which is what I believe is the icing on the cake in any type of ministry. As you see them, please thank them for giving of their time and their talent both of which were significant. The committee, and myself in particular, are grateful to Canon Mike Ehmer. He has been a source of needed knowledge, and much support and help through this process. ~Joan Whitt Letters from St. Nicholas is published free of charge monthly (USPS ) by St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 4000 W Loop 250 N Midland, TX POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: Letters from St. Nicholas 4000 W Loop 250 N Midland, TX 79707

3 BIRTHDAYS 1 Michael Jordan 4 Linda George 7 Carvel Mills 7 Nicholas McRae 8 Laura Morrow 9 Mary Williams 14 Dr. Jim Corwin 14 Matt Maguire 16 Rick Lopez 17 Sue Smith Huddleston 18 Maggie Ridgway 19 Megan Buck 24 Diana Hinton FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES 10 Mary Anne & Bill Dingus Please notify the Parish Office if there is an omission or change. Thank you. Parish Prayer Requests: Tommy, Jerry, Jo, Tina, Elisabeth, Jonathan, Noel, Karen, Sue, Derrill, Ross, Jimmy, Jenny, Rita, Robbie, Joy, Fran, Victorio, Kim, Glenda, Ray, Troy, Fred, Dylan, Joan (Joann), Wanda, Jimmy, Tana, Darwin, Ben, Gina, Tom, Cynthia, Rachel, Daniel, Ann, Dave, Nancy, Brandy, Gregg, Isaac, Tisha, Wells family, Terry, Ronnie, Linda and family, Janie, Colleen, Kathy, Colleen, The Chalfant family, Charlie, Alexandria, Chris, Kaylene, Gary, Addison, Bobby, Donna, Vivian, Gary, Sarah, Kellie, Marge, Ernest, Susan, Ann, Janet, Gwen, Sydney, Kathey. Dean, Coral, Mica, Sandra, Nikki, Clyde, Tina, Shirley, Garrett, Ben, Dom, Latonya, J.D., Lani-Sue, Kennith, Margaret, Timothy & Family, Raymond& Family For those in the Armed Forces: Jordan, Robert, Stephen, Karen, Gabriel, Isaac, David, Daulton, Charlie, Luke, James, Mika, Tres, Josh, Jacob, Christine, Noah, Jackson, Aaron, Nicholas, Adam, Margarito Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 13 th 5:30-6:30pm Fun for the kids with a little jazz and Greenie the Clown! Really! Women s Friday Book Study We invite all women interested in spending up to 90 minutes on Friday mornings in prayer, thanksgiving, and Bible study to please consider joining the Friday Women s Bible Study that meets from 10-11:30 (ish) to pray together, study the week s liturgy (Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament, Gospel as appointed for the week), and enjoy the spiritual fellowship of other women. You do NOT have to be a member to come; you do NOT have to be an Episcopalian. If you are interested, contact Edna Hibbitts or PamelaHowell for more information. at: prhluv9@yahoo.com

4 Prayer for the Search of a New Rector Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Godly Play News for our children! I am available anytime to answer questions about the program. We need a few more volunteers. If you are interested, I would love to visit with you. Sally Stafford Godly Play is our Montessori-based children s education program. It allows our youngest members to explore their faith through play. The teacher presents a lesson that is followed by a time for the children to wonder and delve into their relationships with the Divine and each other. This is followed by their choice of art, or a project the teacher chooses, and the morning finishes with a tea party and snacks. We have a growing group of children who are excited and eager for class each week. It is inspiring to see them learning the stories and developing favorite lessons. Godly Play may be designed for children, but it has something for everyone. I have learned as much as the students. Children s Choir immediately follows Godly Play in the Nave. Two volunteers are needed for class each week. The teacher is responsible for the lesson and the assistant keeps everything running smoothly. No experience is needed! It is a fun opportunity to serve our church family February Jubilee Food Pantry Saturdays February 10 th and 24 th Volunteers are always welcome! The pantry is located at 3311 Andrews Hwy. There is a green bin in the

5 Welcome Center for donations of Tuna fish and peanut butter. Thank you. ~Linda Jordan We are so grateful for our Supply Priests during the Search for a New Rector! ~St. Nicholas Parish A list of upcoming Supply Priests For February Pastoral Care Team In the absence of a fulltime rector, we are deeply committed to Parish Family visitations~ (i.e. Hospital, Sick, Homebound). If you would like to be involved in feeding HIS sheep, and ministering to those in need, please contact: Kimberly Meyers ~ kreationsbykimberly@suddenlink.net ( ) or February 4, 2018 February 11, 2018 February 18, 2018 February 25, 2018 Rev. Stockton Williams Rev. Bill Wright Canon Mike Ehmer Rev. Jim Liggett Jane Wolf ~ jane@janewolf.com ( ) Also, if you would like to be a recipient of a pastoral care visit, please notify the church office. St. Nicholas Outreach Are you involved in a community project you think others in our church would be interested in? Do you have a heart for mission or an urge to see the world? We are forming an outreach committee at St. Nicholas and would love to have your help and input. If you would like to serve on this committee, that is wonderful. If you would rather not and want to just share your thoughts and ideas, great! If you are interested in this in any form or fashion, please reach out to Rebecca Nicholson and we will get you connected. Either her at rebnicholson@gmail.com or call ( ). It truly is an exciting time at St. Nicholas. Thanks be to God!! HospiceMidland Grief Support 911 W. Texas Ave COFFEE BREAK FOR MEN Wednesday 9:00 10:00am The first Wednesday of every month; 9-10 am. Enjoy coffee and fellowship with other men who have lost a loved one. Led by Robert Kirk, Hospice of Midland Chaplain rkirk@hospiceofmidland.org GRIEF 101 Mondays, 12Noon 1pm A one-hour class held quarterly offering basic grief information on how to cope with the death of your loved one. March 12 th, June 11 th, September 10 th, December 10 th

6 BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP A group for adults who are experiencing grief and loss of a loved one. Encouragement and basic coping skills offered in this 6-week series of classes. Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm Sessions: February 19 th, April 2 nd, May 7 th, July 9 th August 13 th, September 10 th, October 15 th. HANDLING THE HOLIDAYS This two-session workshop offers support and a guide for how to plan for the holidays without your loved one. Mondays, 6:30 8pm. November 5 th and 12 th ECW Outreach Please consider the idea of No Carnival Dollars as our outreach fundraiser for This involves setting a date by which we donate an amount calculated by the cost of ingredients if we baked or created something plus the typical amount we would spend buying someone else s item. This has been an unusual year in the parish, and our time is heavily committed, but needs in the community and church remain to be met! We have suggested Valentine s Day as the target date for donations to our fundraiser that requires minimum effort! This will allow us to vote on our local outreach recipients and also decide about participation in the ingathering at National Convention. Thanks to each of you for prayerful consideration. ~Edna Hibbitts Daughters of the King The Daughters of the King is a national, Episcopal women s group whose purpose is prayer: thanksgiving, supplication, intercession for others. Prayer requests are kept anonymous unless the sender gives permission to use specific names and privacy respected by the Daughters and can be sent to Pamela Howell at prhluv9@yahoo.com with the subject line: DOK prayer request. St. John s Episcopal Church 401 N County Rd W Odessa, TX St. John s Episcopal Church Women invite you to a Spring Tea Saturday, March 3 rd at 10am All women are invited to join us for tea, for fellowship and for refreshmentat St. John s 401 N. County Road West, Odessa, Texas.

7 Please RSVP: reply to this by Monday February 5. Guests are always welcome! ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH VESTRY MEETING DECEMBER 21, 2017 Vestry Members Present: Joe Cobb, Sr. Warden, Bobby Norrgard, Jr. Warden, Joan Whitt, Clerk, Pamela Howell, Chris Newman Matt Maguire (Treasurer) Staff Present: Darryl Knapp, Deacon Tom Burns, Sharon Gerald 1. Opening Prayer & Devotional Tom Burns gave the devotional. 2. Consideration of the minutes of the November meeting Pamela Howell moved to accept the minutes as printed. Bobby Norrgard seconded the motion and the motion passed. 3. Financial report A. Sharon Gerald reviewed the financials: 1. $128, in the General Operating Fund 2. $380, total pledges for $365, pledges received to date 4. $448, expenses January 1, 2017-December 21, 2017 B. Sharon reviewed the results of the Stewardship Campaign: 1. Received 59 pledge cards for 2018 out of approximately 89 cards mailed. 2. $334, total pledged as of December 21, C. Sharon reported the Standing Committee approved our request to amend Box A of the 2016 Parochial Report and, thus, our 2018 apportionment amount. The new Box A for 2018 is $506,449 and the apportionment amount is $70, The apportionment monthly payment for 2018 will be $5, The apportionment monthly payment for 2017 was $4, showing a difference of $1, D. Chris Newman moved the financials be accepted. Bobby Norrgard seconded the motion and the motion passed. E. Matt McGuire reported on the 2018 budget 1. He reviewed the Balance Sheet with previous year comparison He adjusted some numbers to reflect the special onetime gift to the Huxley s, items that were special donations which would not reoccur and the apportionment reduction. This show that there was more income than expenses. 2. Matt reviewed the proposed 2018 Budget totals of approximately $500,000, after some revisions, which, when compared to 2018 pledges, shows that a $90,000 shortfall of expected income. He suggested the Vestry carefully review this budget which will need to be approved at the January meeting. Decisions will need to be made to either/or: a. Cut the budget b. Ask parishioners to prayerfully consider increasing their 2018 pledge by 4%. c. Ask those who have not pledged to prayerfully consider making a 2018 pledge. d. Taking some/all of the shortfall from savings/reserve e. Contact individual parishioners to see if they can make up the shortfall. It was pointed out that several Vestry members are absent so Matt will get in touch with them to review this information prior to January meeting. f. Following discussion, the Vestry agreed to send a Year End letter to the Parish asking for additional contributions and completing pledges if they have not done so. Joan Whitt agreed to write the letter so Darryl

8 could get in the mail on December 27, Sr. Warden s report Joe Cobb said he had nothing specific to report and that he was involved with others in finishing up this year and getting geared up for Jr. Warden s report Bobby Norrgard reported: a. He is writing a form letter to send to the owner of the vehicle that is parked in our lot. If, after receipt, the car is not removed the towing protocol will be initiated. b. The No Through Street signs are being reviewed and will be on order by the end of the year. c. He reviewed quote from Obsidian Forge to replace lighting in the outdoor tower, St. Nicholas sign, the Meadow Cross and in sanctuary above the choir. Chris Newman moved to authorize the Jr. Warden to spend $ to be taken from account 6570 (Property Related Expenses). Pamela Howell seconded the motion and the motion passed. d. He reviewed a quote from Mr. Key to replace the rod mechanism for the front door. Pamela Howell moved to authorize the Jr. Warden to spend $ to be taken from account 6570 (Property Related Expenses). e. He reported that Sharon is getting quotes to replace her computer and quotes to replace both the Rector s and Darryl s computer. It is his opinion that computers should last at least 5 years before the Vestry would need to revisit replacement. Pamela Howell moved to authorize the Jr. Warden to spend $ plus IT work to replace the Bookkeeper s computer. Chris Newman seconded the motion and the motion passed. f. He reported that money spent so far in 2017 totaled $ and after today s motions it totals $ This leaves a balance in acct 6570 (Property Related Expenses) of $10, g. He reported that he is in the process of determining if we can upgrade the internet at the church from DSL to cable internet. This would increase the speed and throughput of the internet considerably. This same review was done 3 years ago but was prohibitively expensive due to a new cable line required. 6. Deacon s Report a. Tom Burns reported he did not spent any money in November. b. He reported the Card Ministry to nursing homes is going great and another 2 bags of cards were recently delivered to Terrace West Nursing Home. c. Bishop Mayer informed him that all clergy need to complete 4 modules of Sexual Harrassment/Abuse in the Workplace by the end of the month and he has completed. 7. Lay Ministry Coordinator s report Darryl Knapp reported the Candlelight Carol Service went well with many in attendance. He said it was the first performance of the Children s Choir and was pleased with it. 8. Old Business There was no old business 9. New Business a. Chris Newman has finalized the slate for i. Nominating Committee: Kathy Shannon, Jane Wolf, Kristen McGuire ii. Convention Delegates: Mary Williams, Linda Jordan, Jessica Steward iii. Vestry: Kristi Pemberton, Sally Stafford. The Vestry and Nominating Committee regretfully recognized that a mistake had been made in asking a

9 10. Adjourn 3 rd person to serve on the Vestry. It was not taken into account that Bobby Norrgard, due to leave Vestry, had agreed to serve another year as Jr. Warden. All felt very regretful at this error which in no way reflected on the 3 rd person who had agreed to be nominated. Following a prayer, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM. ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH VESTRY MEETING JANUARY 18, 2017 Vestry Members Present: Joe Cobb, Sr. Warden, Joan Whitt, Clerk, Corby Considine, Pamela Howell, Michael Jordan, Chris Newman, Beth Rubin, Mary Williams Vestry Members Absent: Robert Norrgard, Jr. Warden Matt Maguire (Treasurer) Staff Present: Sharon Gerald Staff Members Absent: Deacon Tom Burns, Darryl Knapp Opening Prayer & Devotional The Vestry gathered at 5:30 for dinner prior to the meeting. Joe Cobb opened with a prayer before dinner. Pamela Howell opened the meeting with a prayer at 6:00 PM. Consideration of the minutes of the December meeting. Mary Williams noted the misspelling of Jessica Stewart s name and moved the minutes be accepted with correction. Chris Newman seconded the motion and the motion passed. Due to absences and work on the budget, reports were suspended with the exception of a written update from Bobby Norrgard, Jr. Warden. Bobby reported the Office Heater s motor stopped working on 1/8/18. One Way was called and repaired it with cost of labor and parts totaling $ There is a work Saturday tentatively scheduled the morning of February 10, 2018 at 9 am. Items will be gathered to be recycled or thrown away from both inside and outside of the church. The goal is to clear out unnecessary items in the storage closets to create additional room. Please contact Bobby or Scot if you wish to participate. Financial Report Sharon Gerald reviewed the January financials: $114, in the General Operating Fund $347, total pledged for 2018 She has received 63 pledge cards of 89 mailed in the Stewardship campaign. $ expenses January 1, 2017 December 21, All bank accounts are reconciled. The Chart of Accounts for the new software company are completed and approved by Matt Maguire. Year end reports are printed and filed. Matt Maguire presented the proposed 2018 budget on tv screen for ease of going line by line to discuss. The budget totals $421, and pledges total $347, However, backing out the gift to the Huxley s lowers expenses by $22,000.

10 Matt pointed out for comparison that 2018 pledges are $20,000 less than what was pledged in Matt referred to the line item for apportionment and said that with the adjusted amount for Parochial Report errors the apportionment has still increased by $13,000. Matt reviewed the budget line by line and the Vestry made the following cuts: $2855 for the Bishop s dinner when he is here for his yearly visit. Dinner will be held in the home of a Vestry member and cost will be absorbed by the Vestry. $1754 for Literature. The Vestry will suggest that the Book of Common Prayer purchased for persons at their Confirmation be given and paid for by their Sponsors. Books for Book Study won t be underwritten by the church and members will purchase their own books ( which many have been doing). Monitoring more closely the pamphlets in the Welcome Center Tract Rack and only ordering ones which are being taken, such as Forward Day by Day. $ for Vestry Retreat. The Vestry decided the retreat will be held at the church or home of a member instead of paying the nominal usage fee to Midland Lutheran Church. $1859 from Office Supplies. The Vestry decided to switch from a monthly newsletter which is mailed to an electronic one. Copies for homebound parishioner will be mailed. Copies for parishioners without a computer will be found at the Welcome Center. $2000 will be cut from the Search Committee. The Vestry, with input from the Search Committee, said that expenses will be minimal and due to the generosity of all members can be absorbed by the committee. $1200 will be cut from Adult Education. The 2017 expenses were for a video program series. $1722 will be cut from Deacon s Discretionary Expenses. $1272 will be cut from Rector s Discretionary Expenses. By virtue of not having a Rector for the first quarter of the year, various expenses related to the Rector position were adjusted but no cuts were made. The Vestry unanimously agreed that they didn t want cuts to employee salaries to be made. There were additional items that he will need to adjust either up or down due to not having December financials but the upshot was the Vestry cuts brought the deficit down by almost $12,000. Matt noted that prior to budget time Sharon had trimmed up anything that she could find. Solutions to deficit The Vestry identified possible reasons for this situation and concluded pledges may have decreased due to generous gift to the Huxley s or were waiting until a new Rector is in place. The Vestry explored the available options: Write a letter asking for year end gifts or 2018 pledges if not already made. The Vestry agreed with this idea and Joan Whitt

11 will write and get it to Darryl by 12/23/2017 to be mailed. Contact parish in some form and ask those who have already pledged to increase their 2018 pledge and for those who have not pledged to prayerfully consider doing so. Take deficit from the General Operating Fund. Pamela Howell moved the accept the deficit budget with the caveat of taking money from the General Operating Fund if it cannot be raised by pledges or gifts. Mary Williams seconded the motion and the motion passed. 5. Old Business Sharon Gerald reported that she still has not heard from George Lohman regarding giving him requested check. 6. New Business There was no new business. 7. Adjourn Following a closing prayer, the meeting was adjourned at 8 PM. ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2018 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING JANUARY 28, Opening Prayer Deacon Tom Burns opened the meeting with a pray. Joe Cobb, Sr. Warden, in the absence of a Rector, called the meeting to order. Janet and Corby Considine performed a humorous skit for the parish. 2. Declaration of a Quorum Jeff Hewett, Parliamentarian, declared a quorum was present. 3. Cobb announced that Joan Whitt would be Clerk of the Meeting and outgoing Vestry Members would serve as tellers. 4. Nominating Committee A. Jane Wolf presented the slate for Vestry, Diocesan Convention and Nominating Committee. 1. Vestry: Kristi Pemberton, Sally Stafford Convention Delegates: Linda Jordan, Jessica Stewart Nominating Committee: Kristin Maguire, Kathy Shannon B. Joe Cobb called for nominations from the floor and there were none. C. Russell Meyers moved to accept the slate by acclamation. Mary Williams seconded and the motion passed. 5. Search Committee Joan Whitt reported that the Search Committee received 4 names from Bishop Mayer along with answers to written questions submitted by the committee. All were interviewed by Skype and one candidate has come to Midland for a formal interview. After a background check and face to face meeting with Bishop Mayer, the Search Committee will make their recommendation to the Vestry for approval Budget Presentation by Matt Maguire, Treasurer Please refer to the January 18, 2018 Vestry minutes for a detailed explanation. John Todd made a motion to accept the Treasurer s report. Nathan Williams seconded the motion and the motion passed. 7. Presentation of Annual Reports All reports were printed in the Annual Parish Meeting Report booklet and parishioners were directed to those for reading rather than extend the length of the meeting by reports. 8. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:12 AM

12 Only One Service February 14 th 5:30PM with The Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer

13 LENTEN BOOK STUDY.. Why Only These 27 Books? When Were They Written? How and When Were They Selected? Who Decided? Why Were They Selected? What Was Left Out? An overview of the development of the New Testament. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Wednesdays in Lent 6:00 PM February 21 st through March 28 th Fr. Jim Liggett

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16 ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4000 W. Loop 250 N. Midland, TX Periodical Postage PAID at Midland, TX Monthly Newsletter (USPS ) FEBRUARY 2018 St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 4000 W. Loop 250 N. Midland, TX All are Welcome, Really! Sunday Service 9:30 AM Holy Communion No Wednesday 5:30 PM Healing Service & Eucharist (Suspended temporarily) Phone (432) The Mission of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church is to Reflect the Love of Christ and to Respect the Dignity of all People. Website The Episcopal Church welcomes you!