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 moreand 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...

Carmen M.

When I moved here from Indiana, I rented an apartment in Rolling Meadows. I checked the telephone book for churches and began calling around. When I called the church, and Father Steve answered, I explained my need. "I am new in the area and do not drive, but am looking for a church home. I hope there might be a parishioner who lives close by, who could give me a ride to church." Read more...

Steve Martz, pastor

I believe that if what we do in church does not help us to experience the living God, then the Christianity we profess is nothing more than a collection of rules. I also believe that each of us is uniquely made in the image of God, and the spiritual journey often begins when we discover and rejoice in who God created us to be. It continues when, knowing who we truly are, we develop and deepen a life-giving relationship with the God who made us. Read more...

Paul Brouillette, assisting priest

I’m pretty much a new-comer to St. Nicholas with the Holy Innocents, 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...