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Valerie G. I had been a devoted and active member of Roman Catholic parishes for many years.
I embraced the core beliefs of the church with few exceptions, and greatly admired its devotion to social justice, works of charity, and intellectual pursuit.
I disagreed with official church positions on certain issues, but was always able to find a parish where the thinking and climate were more open and progressive.
About 6 years ago, however, the disagreements began to snowball. I was very concerned that the church hierarchy was becoming increasingly conservative.
Nonetheless, it was painful to leave what I did believe in and love. Being Catholic was part of my identity, plus I dreaded losing the many positive connections in my church.
As I looked for another church, I sought one with the same core theological beliefs. Going to mass and receiving the sacrament of Communion were such important parts of my life,
I couldn’t imagine giving those up. Read more... Douglas V. I began feeling a growing sense of longing to be more engaged in a community organized around at least some common goals, one of which being the care and love of one another. My partner had become increasingly ill-at-ease with the polity of the church of his childhood, and thus we were both poised to begin a “church search.” Read more... Mary Anne O. I have experienced in my life varying periods of strong
belief, times of persistent doubt, and times when I was so preoccupied with the
everyday business of living that my spiritual life was pushed into the
background. During the past few years I have been able to refocus on my relationship
with God and my own spiritual journey. Read more... Ethan J. After almost twenty years of struggle with organized religion, I decided I needed a focus for spirituality in my life.
I became increasingly drawn to the Episcopal Church over the years, because of its progressive stances on social justice
issues, such as the ordination of women and the role of gays and lesbians in the Church. Read more... Steve Martz, pastor
I have been at St. Nicholas since 1995, but things really became fun in 2006 when it merged with Holy Innocents. Merging congregations is always a challenge, but our merger has been really exciting. It’s brought a sharp increase in our ministry to those in need, added variety to our worship, and given us an age range from 1 to 90-plus. Soon it will result in an addition to our building so we can grow and serve more people. I love being pastor of this church right now. Read more... Paul Brouillette, assisting priest
I’m pretty much a new-comer to St. Nicholas, arriving in January 2007, but I’m not a new-comer to the church in general.
I was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in 1970, and in 1976 was received by Bishop Montgomery as an Episcopal Priest in the diocese of Chicago.
Since then I’ve exercised my ministry in the Episcopal Church in four different parishes, always as a “tentmaker.” Read more... |
1072 Ridge Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
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