Notes on Religion

Your faith To submit items, e-mail faith@dailyherald.com, or send fax to (847) 427-1301.

Adult education

The Book of Revelation will be the subject for 30 weeks, beginning Sept. 11, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, for Community Bible Study's only coed evening group in the Chicago area. It meets this year at Cumberland Baptist Church, 1500 E. Central Road, Mount Prospect. Registration is open now. Contact Pam Reed at (847)373-7375.

St. Mary and St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic parishes, Des Plaines, are offering an instructional program for adults that will prepare those interested in becoming members of the Catholic church for the reception of the sacraments of initiation at Easter 2008. Adults considering becoming a member of the Catholic church or who have been baptized as Catholic and now wish to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, or just to enhance an understanding of the Catholic faith are all welcome to attend. Sessions will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the St. Mary Parish Community Center, 795 Center St., Des Plaines, beginning Sept. 6. Each session will feature sharing of information and faith, as well as time for reflection, prayer, questions and discussion. Preregistration is required. For information or to register, contact Fr. Charlie Schlax, St. Mary Parish associate pastor at (847) 824-8144.

Children, teens

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue invites parents with school age children to share champagne, chocolate and conversation with Education Director Alice Bechtolsheim and Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow while learning about Shir Hadash's innovative one-day-a-week religious school. from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday at 206 Landis Lane, Deerfield, home of Education Committee Chairwoman Carole Mostow.

Northbrook Congregation Ezra Habonim, 2095 Landwehr Road, Northbrook, will hold an Open House at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 9 for students and their parents to meet the Hebrew and Sunday School teachers and learn about the program. A free hot dog lunch will be served. For information, call the synagogue at (847) 480-1690.

Catechesis at St. Cecilia Catholic Church resumes after Labor Day. Classes beginning the week of Sept. 10 and end in May 2008. The weekly classes are available for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Late registrations will be accepted until Labor Day. Call St. Cecilia's Religious Education Office at (847) 437-6310 to register. St. Cecilia Church is at 700 S. Meier Road in Mount Prospect.

A Back-to-School Prayer Rally will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 25 the Bethlehem Temple Baptist Church, 1030 Nerge Road in Elk Grove Village. Doors will open at 3:45 p.m. The purpose of this rally is to encourage students of all ages and all faculty members of all schools in the entire community to have a successful 2007-08 school year.

Family

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue will host Picnic & Havdalah Under the Stars from 5 p.m.-sundown today at Fink Park, Clavey Road & Deer Creek Parkway, Highland Park. Bring your sporting equipment, musical instruments, and potluck vegetarian or dairy dish for a summer evening of family fun.

The picnic is free and open to the public. It is a wonderful way to meet Shir Hadash's staff, lay leaders and members in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. It will conclude with a Havdalah service under the stars led by Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow.

St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1601 Pfingsten Road, Glenview, will host a Family Movie Night at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26. "Castle in the Sky (family-friendly, animated) will be shown. Free admission includes snacks, refreshments, pizza. Nursery will provided. For information, call (847) 998-1946 or visit staff@stphilip.info.

St. Stephen's Church presents its Family Fest 11 a.m. to dusk today at the church, Prospect and Spruce, Des Plaines. Events include live entertainment, food from local restaurants, Medieval children's costume contest (at 3 p.m.), rides, raffles, prizes, crafts and games.

Mount Prospect Bible Church, 205 W. Golf Road, Mount Prospect, will host a Community Picnic from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 1 Free food, games for kids of all ages, moonwalk, slip and slide. Free admission. Questions? Call the church office at (847) 439-3337.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, will hold a September Fest from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 9. This event marks the beginning of a new year of ministry in the church. The event will include food, bingo, games, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and more. Admission is a freewill donation. For information, call Cathy Williams at (847) 827-6656.

Fundraisers

Shoe Drive for Soles4Souls, Inc., a nonprofit organization that gives away shoes worldwide, will be sponsored by Women's Fellowship of St. Peter Community Church, Northbrook. Men's, women's and children's new and lightly worn shoes and boots can be dropped off at the church at 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook. Please rubber-band pairs together. The shoes may be dropped off from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday through Oct. 31. For information, call the church at (847) 272-2246.

When you are out and about shopping this summer, keep in mind the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes that St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, will again be collecting. The drop-off dates for 2007 are Nov. 12-18. These boxes are delivered to children in desperate circumstances around the world. Call St. Peter Community Church office (847) 272-2246 for more information.

A fundraiser to re-build a demolished Palestinian home will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Lutheran Church of Martha and Mary, 606 W. Golf Road. Pastor Gretchen Winkler will reflect on her recent trip to the Holy Land with ICAHD, the Israeli Committee Against House Demolition, and report on the current Israeli-Palestinian situation. Middle Eastern food will be served, and there will be opportunities to shop for Palestinian-made Fair Trade products and to contribute to the rebuilding effort. Information regarding a March 2008 tour of the Holy Land will also be shared. Tickets will be available at the door for $15 adults; kids are free. R.S.V.P. to the church office at (847) 259-2568.

Community Presbyterian Church, located in Mount Prospect at Elmhurst Road/Route 83 and Gregory Street, is looking for crafters to participate in its upcoming fall arts and crafts festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29. It will include indoor locations ($35 for one 8-foot table/$60 for two tables) or outdoor locations ($45 for 15-foot by 15-foot space) for crafters to display their handmade goods. The festival will also include a bake sale and brat fest. If interested, call the church office at (847) 392-3111 to get more information and receive a registration form.

Lectures, seminars

The Story of Life Workshop is for grieving people to help them explore their loved ones' lives and tell their story. It will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rainbow Hospice, 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145, Park Ridge. Registration required. Fee is $15. For more information or to register, call Rainbow Hospice Bereavement Support at (847) 692-8884.

"How To Become a Fat Burner" will be offered from 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 5 at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road., Des Plaines. Julie Graber, founder and nurturing force behind Delightful Health, brings a workshop that will provide the knowledge on how to become a "Fat Burner." Freewill offering. For information or to register, call (847) 297-0997.

The Rev. Patty Pipia facilitates a five-week series of Prosperity Classes at 10 a.m. Sept. 8 through Oct. 6 at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road., Des Plaines. Required books are "Spiritual Economics" by Eric Butterworth and "Prosperity" by Charles Fillmore. Can be taken for SEE credit. For more information or to register, call (847) 297-0997.

Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines, will hold a seminar from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 16 on Simultaneous Healing. Come experience the power of retroactive miracles and Holographic Memory Resolution (HMR), as you go deeper and learn to use your spiritual strengths to heal yourself. Cynthia Hosman, licensed counselor, Unity Northwest chaplain, & HMR practitioner, will conduct this seminar. Suggested fee is $20. For information or to register, call (847) 297-0997.

Christus Victor Lutheran Church will offer the Alpha course beginning Sept. 6. Alpha is a 10-week practical introduction to the Christian faith. You can choose from a Wednesday daytime or a Thursday evening course, both held at Christus Victor Lutheran Church.

The evening course will take place on Thursday evenings, starting Sept. 6, with dinner served at 6 p.m. followed by the talk and small group discussion ending at 8:45 p.m. Child care is provided.

Daytime Alpha will be held on Wednesday mornings, from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning Sept. 12.

For information, contact Christus Victor Lutheran Church at (847) 437-2666, e-mail to alpha@christusvictoregv.org or visit the Web site at www.christusvictoregv.org. The church is at 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road in Elk Grove Village.

Meditation will be held at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines, at 7 p.m. Aug. 26. This group will meet monthly on the last Sunday of every month. Call the church office at (847) 297-0997 if you have questions. Freewill offering.

Miscellaneous

St. Peter Community Church, (affiliated with the United Church of Christ) 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, will launch its new program year on the Sunday after Labor Day, Sept. 9, including an ice cream social from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (847) 272-2246.

Christus Victor will celebrate Rally Day Sept. 9 with a classic and custom car, motorcycle and bicycle show from noon to 3 p.m. at 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road in Elk Grove Village.

All makes and models of cars and motorcycles are welcome. If you are a proud owner, we invite you to show it off at this community-wide event. Ballots will be available for all participants to vote on their favorite. Prizes will be awarded.

Grab a hot dog and coke, and browse the bake sale area. Enjoy a great day of fellowship and fun.

If you have an entry for the first car, motorcycle and bike show, register at rallyday0909@sbcglobal.net. A donation of $5 would be appreciated.

For information, contact Christus Victor Lutheran Church at (847) 439-2666. Services are held Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. We are at 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road in Elk Grove Village.

Celebrate the life of poet, scholar, and theologian Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273) at 2 p.m. Sept. 8 during the Mount Prospect Public Library's commemoration of the 800th anniversary of his birth. Rumi was a Sufi mystic who, through poetry, music, and dance, searched for the ineffable meaning of life. The program will feature a brief, 10-minute documentary film on Rumi's life, distinguished lecturers who will explore the timelessness of his beliefs and their impact on life in the 21st Century, readings from Rumi's work, and traditional Turkish music. It is sponsored by the Niagra Foundation, the Turkish American Society of Chicago, the village of Mount Prospect, and the Mount Prospect Public Library. To register, go to www.mppl.org/events or call (847) 253-5675.

Performances

"The Trial of Abraham: A Dramatic Presentation" will be presented from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at Northbrook Public Library Auditorium, 1201 Cedar Lane. In a mock courtroom setting, Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue will explore the moral and religious issues raised by the Old Testament story of the "Binding of Isaac," which describes the near sacrifice of Abraham's only son as a test of Abraham's loyalty and obedience to God. After the prosecution and defense rest their case, the audience will serve as jury and deliberate and render their verdict as to whether Abraham should be found guilty or innocent. This reading is traditionally read on the upcoming Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana, a celebration of the Jewish New Year.

Shir Hadash is noted for its arts-oriented services, its popular one-day-a-week religious school, and its inclusive congregation. Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow is the founding rabbi of Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue.

St. Paul Lutheran, 100 S. School St., Mount Prospect, invites all to join an African Drum Circle at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 in the park on the school grounds. There will be a performance by She Boom featuring Rick Neuhaus. Then Rick will give a lesson on how to play the Djembe hand drum and lead an adventure of African rhythms using hand drums and other percussion instruments.

If you have your own Djembe, hand drum or percussion instrument, feel free to bring it with you to play. If you do not have a drum but would like to play, they will be available for you to borrow. The church needs a count, so please e-mail info@anotherbeliever.com or call the church office at (847) 255-0332 so they know how many drums to have available. Also, you will want to bring a small stool or chair (something on legs and about 2-3 feet tall) to sit on for playing your drum.

World-class pianist Huntley Brown will be performing a concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 26 at First Baptist Church of Park Ridge. Huntley is just returning from the Ukraine where he played for the Franklin Graham Crusade. Huntley is a regular at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington and he has performed concerts throughout the world. First Baptist Church is located at 1266 N. Northwest Hwy. in Park Ridge. Call (847) 692-6101 for information.

Special services

A community Friday Night Shabbat dinner will be offered Friday at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook. Services are at 7 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook 755 Huehl Road (corner Dundee Road), Northbrook. For information, call (847) 564-8770 or visit www.chabadnorthbrook.com.

The Shul at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook invites all to High Holiday services. The traditional services are easy-to-follow. The English-Hebrew prayer book, along with song and commentary, make everyone an active participant. The kids will enjoy the special children's interactive programs, just for them.

Membership not required. Call (847) 564-8770 or visit www.ChabadNorthbrook.com for more information and schedule of services and programs.

During all morning worship services Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran, 100 S. School St., Mount Prospect, staff will be called forward to prayerfully begin a new church and school year of "Growing as Family." In addition to recognizing ministry anniversary years of service, the new DCE Intern Tony Dixon, who will be specializing in senior high and college ministry, will be installed. (847) 255-0332.

On Sept. 13, thousands of people around the world will once again join with Unity churches and prayer groups in a sacred partnership of prayer -- the 14th annual Unity World Day of Prayer. World Day of Prayer is an interfaith event open to people around the world. Unity Northwest Church will participate by holding a special prayer service at 7 p.m. Sept. 12. This will begin a 24-hour prayer vigil held at the church. Unity Northwest Church is at 259 E. Central Road, in Des Plaines.

Unity's non-denominational prayer ministry, Silent Unity, maintains a 24-hour prayer vigil every day of the year and receives more than 2 million letters and telephone calls for prayer annually. Anyone in need of prayer support may call 800-NOW-PRAY (669-7729). This service is free.

A special Healing Service, facilitated by the Rev. Patty Pipia, will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road in Des Plaines. A freewill offering will be accepted. For information, call (847) 297-0997.

Women's programs

Women's Circle Pre-holiday Cooking Class will be offered at 8 p.m. Aug. 28. Learn how to make a variety of kugels, from a basic noodle kugel to a gourmet apple kugel and lots in between. Suggested donation $8. At Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, 755 Huehl Road (corner Dundee Road), Northbrook. For more information, call (847) 564-8770 or visit www.chabadnorthbrook.com.