Notes on Religion

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

Adult education

St. Hubert Ministry Center, 729 Grand Canyon, Hoffman Estates, offers a nondenominational Job Ministry, free and open to all occupations. It presents an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of careering and get an in-depth knowledge of job search from the seminars and meetings and career topics covered. Handbills, resumes and networking are all included in meetings. For information or to receive a calendar, call Bob Podgorski at (847) 925-6005.

Holy Family Parish, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness, will offer an ongoing Bible study led by Jim Papandrea, Ph.D., director of Adult Faith Formation. In the 2007-08 year, it will complete the last third of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) including the last week of Jesus' life and the passion narratives.

No experience is necessary. Learn how to read and interpret the Bible and participate in small group discussion of Scriptures. Two class time options are available: Monday evenings (7 to 9 p.m.) or Thursday mornings (9:15 to 11:15 a.m.) starting the week of Sept. 10. Nursery care is available Thursday morning. Call the parish office for information, (847) 359-0042.

Children, teens

The Big Barn Preschool, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg is now accepting fall registration. Fall programs begin the week of Sept. 3. The preschool offers half-day as well as full-day programs. Call Mary Fisher, director, (847) 895-3654.

Salem United Methodist Church will begin a new season of Sunday School Sept. 9. Beginning at 9 a.m. with an Inquiry Breakfast, the morning will feature a special worship service titled "Sing a New Song!" Regular fall Sunday School classes will begin at 9:15 a.m. Sept. 16. For information, call (847) 381-0524 or e-mail sumchrch@mc.net. Salem's Web site is: www.salemumc.info.

Family

Beth Tikvah Congregation, 300 Hillcrest Boulevard in Hoffman Estates, will hold its annual Temple Picnic at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. There will be activities for all ages including: waterball volleyball, tug-of-war, a Moon Walk, "the Human Flush," face painting and sand art. A hot dog lunch is provided along with ice cream, cotton candy, desserts and drinks. The Hoffman Estates Fire Department will have a truck for all to see. There is no cost, but R.S.V.P. at (847) 885-4545.

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, 1449 N. Quentin Road, Palatine, is having its annual Church Picnic immediately following Sunday Liturgy Sunday. There will be food, ice cream, games and fun for all ages. Church services are from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and visitors are always welcome. (847) 358-7321 or www.hroc-oca.org.

Fundraisers

Come and enjoy the 40th year of Chick-N-Chop barbecue and Bake Sale from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood. There will be entertainment by the IUCC Music Ministry and a bake sale. Tickets available in advance or day of event. Call (630) 837-0190 for more details. Take out is available. www.streamwoodiucc.org.

Immanuel United Church of Christ is looking for crafters for its Old Church Craft & Holiday Fair, which will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood. Call (630) 837-0190 for information or an application. Cost is $40 per booth for crafters. www.streamwoodiucc.org.

Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, Schaumburg, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, youth will park your car during Septemberfest for a $5 donation. Parking lot is located just one block east of Schaumburg festival grounds. Senior and junior high youth annual mission trips will benefit. This summer they traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich. and Mexico to work with less fortunate families and communities.

As a "thank you" for supporting our youth, the Hospitality Center will be open from 9 am.. to 7 p.m. Sept. 1-3. We have clean restrooms, cool or warming center, freshly baked cookies, lemonade and cold water all at no Charge.

Saint Philip's Episcopal Church, at Route 14 and Wood Street, Palatine, will host an English Car Boot Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15. An "English Car Boot Sale" is like a flea market. Admission is free. Visit www.stphilipspalatine.org or call (847) 358-0615 for details.

Lectures, seminars

"Footsteps," the Holy Family Parish ministry that facilitates the Catholic Church Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, will be holding an information session at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 26 at Holy Family Parish, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness. For information, call (847) 907-3439.

St. Theresa Parish, 455 N. Benton in Palatine, will be offering its RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) process for anyone interested in joining the Roman Catholic Church. Meetings will be held Monday nights. An inquiry group is forming now. If interested, call (847) 358-7760 and leave a message for Deacon Lou Riccio.

Community on Wednesday returns to Holy Family Parish, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness. Join for an evening of prayer, learning and conversation as special guest speaker Michael Leach presents "I Like Being Catholic" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 5. For information, call the parish office at (847) 359-0042 or (847) 907-3441.

Holy Family Church, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness, will show the award-winning film "Deliver Us From Evil," at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and Oct. 5 in Common Ground. This film gives insight into the problem of child sexual abuse, from the experience and eyes of a pedophile who spoke openly about his lifestyle. Oliver O'Grady presents a transparent profile of an individual who "grooms" his victims and their families in an effort to build trust. This film will prepare families to recognize warning signs.

Miscellaneous

Congregation Kneseth Israel will host an open house and family picnic Aug. 26. Children will be entertained by Ken Schultz, "The Flying Fool." Prospective members are welcome.

Congregation Kneseth Israel is also making plans for the High Holy Days and the beginning of religious school. High Holiday services will be led by Rabbi Jonathan Kohn and Cantor Jack Falk. Rosh Hashana begins on the evening of Sept. 12. Religious school for prekindergarten to high school also will begin in early September. For information about the holidays or school contact the congregation office.

This week's torah portion is Re'eh. The service is led in prayer and study by Rabbi Kohn. Shabbat service is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the synagogue, 330 Division St., Elgin. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 741-5656.

Beth Tikvah CongregationŒin Hoffman Estates will kick off its 50th anniversary this fall and they are looking for past members. If you used to belong to Beth Tikvah at any time during the past 50 years, call Lucy at the temple office, (847) 885-4545.

Salem United Methodist Church, 115 W. Lincoln Ave, Barrington, has engaged Esther Eunjin Lee as their new children and youth director. Pastor E, as she likes to be called, came to the United States from Korea when she was 10 years old. She has worked with Korean United Methodist Churches, but never in what she calls an American church. She is excited to be getting that experience. Esther is beginning her second year as a student at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois where she is studying to become a United Methodist minister.

A special "Coffee with Pastor E" will be held Sunday in Fellowship Hall following the 9:30 am summer worship. All who are interested in knowing more about Esther Eunjin Lee are invited to attend.

Salem United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Hough (Route 59) and Lincoln Avenue in downtown Barrington. For more information, call (847) 381-0524 or e-mail sumchrch@mc.net. Salem's Web site is: www.salemumc.info.

at www.cdfamily.org.

Performances

Church of the Holy Spirit will celebrate back-to-school with a free concert and ice cream social in the church courtyard at 1451 W. Bode Road, Schaumburg. The concert features Shamrockin, Schaumburg's "hardest working Irish Show band."

Shamrockin offers an intriguing mix of traditional and contemporary Irish, Americana, folk and Irish roots rock. Blending folk, jazz, and world music influences it brings together a host of various instruments, four male voices and two female voices.

The concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. today in the Church of the Holy Spirit Courtyard. Families are invited to bring blankets, a picnic basket and lawn chairs. The committee will have ice cream sundaes, water, soda, and candy for sale. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Proceeds from the program will go to the debt reduction campaign for the Parish Ministry Center.

Special services

Celebrate the Joys of Conservative Judaism at Congregation Shirat Shalom in Elgin. Friendly, participatory Shabbat services are led by Cantor Alexander every Saturday at 9:45 a.m., and are followed by a community kiddush luncheon. Services include a spirited Torah discussion, focusing on the "parsha of the week."

Adult Education classes are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. A class on "Spiritual Preparation for the High Holy Days" will be held at 12:30 p.m. today.

Hebrew school registration is now open for the fall; call and hear about individualized programs. Egalitarian High Holiday services will begin with Erev Rosh Hashana services, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12; tickets are available now.

For information, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

A Quarterly Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 31 at Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Vitas Hospice Chaplain Nicole Sasser will lead the service that includes special music, candle lighting, reflection and sharing time. Refreshments follow the service. For information, call Rita at (630) 213-0100.

Beth Tikvah Congregation, located in Hoffman Estates, announces the following summer services:

Friday, a special Shabbat Service held outdoors at the Village Green in Prairie Stone Park.

For information call the Temple office at (847) 885-4545 or visit www.beth-tikvah.org

Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, offers two worship services each weekend during the month of August. One, The Evening Table Gathering at 5 p.m. Saturdays. Communion is offered every Saturday evening. There will be one worship service on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. There will be "Bible Bits," a mix of education, competition and fun.

The Rev. Paul D. Leichty, cofounder and director of Anabaptist Disabilities Network, will speak on "Gifts Honored by All" at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Christ Community Mennonite Church, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg.

Salem United Methodist Church, 115 W. Lincoln Ave, Barrington, will hold its annual Church Picnic and Worship in the Park 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 26 at Langendorf Park, Shelter F. Under the trees and in the midst of nature, Salem celebrates with breakfast, worship, singing, games and a picnic lunch. The community is invited. For more information, call (847) 381-0524 or e-mail sumchrch@mc.net. Salem's Web site is: www.salemumc.info.

Immanuel Lutheran Church, 200 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine, will offer outdoor worship at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Palatine Park District Amphitheater. (847) 359-1649. www.ilcp.org.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, 421 E. Main Street, Barrington, offers an opportunity to share in blessings and gratitude on Wednesday evenings.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday a hymn is sung, readings are given and then the meeting is open to the congregation to share how prayer and a trust in God has brought healing, wholeness and resolution to all kinds of challenges including addictions, health problems, relationship difficulties, employment needs, etc. Plan to join in this healing hour.

Parking is at the rear of the church building, across from Wool Street Grill.

Women's programs

The Ladies of St. Marcelline, 822 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, invite all members of the community to attend the next "Women at the Well" session. Women at the Well is a program cosponsored with the parish and Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. Our next scheduled evening is Sept. 20. It is held in the parish's Family Room where a light meal is provided. Following the meal, attendees will hear a presentation titled "The Colleen Willard Story." Colleen was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and multiple health problems. She was wheelchair bound and in constant, severe pain. As her health deteriorated, she surrendered to the will of God, and, made pilgrimage to Medjugorje. The evening begins at 7 p.m. in the parish Family Room. A donation of $7 is requested of each woman to help fund the program. Call (847) 524-4429 to make a reservation.

The Women's Book Discussion Group of St. Paul United Church of Christ, 401 E. Main St., Barrington, welcomes all women to attend informal and lively discussions. It meets once a month at 10 a.m. in the church library. There is no cost, but read the book before the meeting. The book for Sept. 11 is"Dance of the Dissident Daughter" by Sue Monk Kidd. Call (847) 381-0460 for information or to register.

For Women, By Women, About Women Bible Study Group continues on Thursday mornings beginning Sept. 6. The group will explore Esther's story, found in the Old Testament. Women of all walks of faith, all ages, and Scripture experience are invited to join on Thursday morning from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness. Nursery is available. For additional information, call (847) 359-0042.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 720 Dundee Ave., Barrington, will hold a Women's Fellowship Luncheon Sept. 9. The catered luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. Guest speaker for the luncheon will be Jane Rubietta, spiritual motivational speaker, author and co-director of Abounding Ministries, a nonprofit organization that draws people to God through writing, speaking, music and retreats. Tickets for the luncheon are $15. For information or to purchase tickets, call (847) 382-7002.