Religion--Special Events

Cultural arts program: The Schaumburg Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1320 W. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg, is sponsoring a cultural arts program titled "A Night of Excellence" at 7 p.m. today. Featured will be local talent performing instrumental and vocal numbers. There will also be a display including handmade quilts, paintings, photographs, ceramics, etc. Admission is free and all are invited to attend. For details, call (847) 885-8267 or e-mail heartandsoul@wowway.com.

Country Auction: St. James Episcopal Church's third annual Country Auction will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. today in the Boynton Parish Hall at the church, Washington and North Sixth streets in West Dundee.

Adults ages 21 years and older are welcome to attend. The cost is $15 per adult person. This event is the major fundraiser for the parish. Live and silent auctions, live country music, lots of good food and refreshments, and a down-home super time, are part of the evening's celebration.

Musical entertainment featuring Sherri Farley on hammered dulcimer and Bubba's Country Band will entertain those attending through out the evening. Col. Gene Warrington will call the live auction. There will be a raffle to augment the auction fundraiser, and the tickets will cost $10 each. Prizes are $1,000 first place; $250 second place; and $100 third place. The raffle drawing will be held during the auction festivities and the winner need not be present. For details, call (847) 426-5612.

Diocese celebrating 100 years: Bishop Thomas G. Doran and all priests of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford will officially open a year of celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Rockford Diocese with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday at the Convocation Center at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Ten thousand tickets for the 2 p.m. Mass have been distributed to all 105 parishes in the 11-county diocese of Northern Illinois.

The event will include a choir including some 400 voices, a full orchestra and bell choir specifically assembled for the centennial celebration. The choir is being directed by Fergal King of Algonquin, who has composed a special centennial hymn to be heard for the first time at the Mass.

In addition to representatives from all diocesan parishes, Catholic institutional representatives will be in attendance including the Knights of Columbus, Diocesan administrators, nuns and brothers from religious orders, all permanent deacons in the diocese, and Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Mass will begin a year-long celebration of prayer to honor the Catholic heritage of the diocese that was founded Sept. 23, 1908 by Pope Pius X. During the centennial year, Catholics will be invited to join in a special novena of prayers written specifically for the Centennial Year in addition to regularly praying a newly issued Centennial Prayer. For details, call Penny Wiegert at (815) 399-4300.

Spaghetti dinner at Bethlehem: The Bethlehem Lutheran Church outreach committee invites the community for an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church, 401 W. Main St. in West Dundee. Tickets are $7. The menu includes salad, dinner rolls and dessert.

There will be musical entertainment by the Riverside Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, and the Christian rock group, The Messengers, promoting their most recent CD and acoustical musical offerings. For details, call (847) 426-7311.

Bells of Dundee perform in Elgin: On Sunday, the Westminster Presbyterian Church's Concert Series will feature the Bells of Dundee of the First Congregational Church at 3 p.m.

The Bells of Dundee are an advanced adult handbell choir and meet year round at the West Dundee church. They present many community programs throughout the year, including visits to nursing homes, schools and other churches. The group is known throughout the area for their excellence. Members of the Bells of Dundee include Holly Anderson, Lottie Buckbee, Debbie Clark, Beverly Dillon, Sharon Fink, Karen Gundersen, Debbie Huber, Ann Mountjoy, Sharon Norman, Sue Schmidt, Mary Schmitendorf, Sarah Sullivan and director Kristy Warnke.

This program will be held in the church sanctuary and the public is invited to attend this special concert which will offer a variety of music for all ages. There will be a free-will offering and a reception for everyone will follow the concert. Westminster Presbyterian is at 2700 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin. For details, call First Congregational at (847) 426-2161.

Prayer and discussion group: St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church, 36W957 Highland Ave. in Elgin, will be offering a six-week women's prayer and discussion group at 7 p.m. Thursdays, beginning this Thursday in the sanctuary. The theme for this six-week program will be "Knowing God." This group will give each participant suggestions for growing deeper in her faith and knowledge of God utilizing Bible study, prayer and music. For details, the Rev. Heather Ann Martinez at (847) 697-7695.

Fall rummage sale: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee, will hold its fall rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. A bag day discount sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

The church provides financial support to area organizations in the community serving children and families and continues its assistance to an area family in need with groceries and school supplies. Proceeds will be used to fund these charities which help the hungry, the homeless and those in need in the greater community. Items for sale include everything from jewelry, books, toys, clothing, household goods to furniture. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit the Web site at www.dundeefcc.org.

Quilters Fall Fest: First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin, will host a Quilters Fall Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29. Hand-quilted spreads, runners, and baby quilts will be for sale. All quilt items are made by the Methodists Quilters. Admission is free and tea and baked goods will be available. For details, call (847) 741-0038.

Former Elgin pastor installed at Bethany: The Rev. Wayne N. Miller, Bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, will install the Rev. Steven J. Srock as the new pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia. The installation services take place on Sept. 30 at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Srock formerly served as the pastor of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Elgin for over 21 years. Prior to that call, he served as an associate pastor at Geneva Lutheran Church. Pastor Srock received his undergraduate degree from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Ind. and received his master of divinity degree from Christ Seminary in St. Louis in 1979. A reception celebrating the installation will take place between services at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. For details, call (630) 879-3444.

Healing Private Wounds: Christ Community Church, 37W100 Bolcum Road in St. Charles, will host "Healing Private Wounds," a seminar for victims and families traumatized by sexual abuse, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 6.

To register, call Kay at (630) 485-3346 or e-mail Kaye@ccclife.org by Oct. 1. There is no registration fee. A mid-morning snack will be provided. The keynote speakers are Shirley Jo Petersen an incest survivor and author of "The Whisper," and founder of Healing Private Wounds; and Sheila B. Johnson, mental health therapist and inspirational speaker. Topics include: overcoming shame, trust and intimacy issues, identifying the rippling effects of sexual abuse, and restoring relationships. The seminar is recommended for anyone experiencing relational, emotional, physical or spiritual abuse. Also welcome are spouses, clinicians, clergy, or anyone interested in understanding the healing process for victims of sexual abuse. For details, call Sheila Johnson at (847) 903-1156.

Celebration of the Christian Mystery: St. Mary Catholic Church, 397 Fulton St. in Elgin, is offering six sessions on the Catholic Catechism exploring "The Celebration of the Christian Mystery: Sacraments." The sessions will be offered Oct. 8, 15, 29, Nov. 5, 12 and 19 and will be preceded by Mass at 7 p.m. The sessions will be presented by the Rev. Edward Seisser from 7:30 to approximately 8:30 p.m. Bring a copy of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" to the sessions. It is free. All are invited. To register, call the religious education office at (847) 888-2718. Or register at the door.

Under the Broom Tree: Administer Justice will host "Under the Broom Tree," an event to encourage pastors, provide information on Administer Justice and raise funds for the nonprofit organization. The free breakfast will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 10. The event features Dwayne Hanon, founder and executive director of Broom Tree Ministries. The program includes the presentation of the Barnabas Award to a local pastor or church for encouragement and outstanding service to the poor in the Fox Valley. Hanon formed Broom Tree Ministries in 1996 after a clear calling to provide free spiritual retreats to pastors and their spouses. Since 1996, Dwayne and his wife, Rita, have hosted more than 3,000 guests from 35 states, 10 countries and 92 denominations.

This non-profit organization delivers low-income legal, financial and conflict services to thousands in need in the Fox Valley. It does not charge for its services and relies on donations from individuals, businesses, grants and more than 75 area churches. It will take place at the Lindner Center at Judson University, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. The event is for pastors and their spouses and is free.

For information on sponsorship or to register, contact Leah Geocaris at lgeocaris@ administerjustice.org or (847) 844-1100, ext. 16.

Pastor speaks about inner city ministry: Grace Evangelical Church in Elgin will host a free men's breakfast at 7 a.m. Oct. 13. The speaker will be the Rev. Ed Hearn, a pastor in the inner city. Since May, he has led a new inner city ministry titled The Church of Grace, a nondenominational assembly on Chicago's south side. He will give his testimony and talk about having the courage to do what you want to do for God. To reserve your spot, call (847) 742-6818.

Program on the Ethiopian Jewish Community: As a young child, Riki Mullu left her homeland of Ethiopia, and emigrated to Israel. She will speak about her personal experiences at Temple B'nai Israel in Aurora at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 14. Mullu will also speak at Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13.

Mullu is on a fundraising tour this fall for United Jewish Communities (formerly United Jewish Appeal). Mullu's visit to the Fox Valley is made possible by the Aurora Jewish Welfare Fund.

Riki Mullu will speak about her personal experiences at Temple B'nai Israel at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Services start at 7 p.m. She will also speak to Sunday school students and parents at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 14. Temple B'nai Israel is at 400 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora, (630) 892-2450. Mullu will also speak at Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at 121 S. Third St., Geneva. The Temple B'nai Israel and FVJN appearances of Riki Mullu are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome and money raised for UJC goes to Israel and also to Jews in need worldwide.

Heart Beat: "Heart Beat," a charitable, luncheon, concert and festival of tables, will take place at 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 525 Church Road in Elgin. Attended by over 400 people, this event will feature a performance by award-winning Christian recording artist Mark Harris. Guest speaker, Constantine Mavroudis, head of Children's Memorial cardiac surgery and founder of the Hellenic Heart Program, will discuss his many achievements and success stories. Raffle prizes include a $1,000.00 gift certificate to Woodfield Mall plus many other valuable prizes. Proceeds to benefit Children's Memorial Hospital Cardiac Surgery, Hellenic Heart Program, in partnership with The Philoptochos Society of St. Sophia. Event hosted by The Philoptochos Society of St. Sophia, an organization dedicated to philanthropy on a local and national level. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For tickets, visit www.heartbeatevents.org or call (847) 62-HEART (43278). This is by reservation only.

Oktoberfest Party: St. Laurence Catholic Church, 572 Standish St. in Elgin, is having an Oktoberfest Party on Oct. 20. Proceeds will benefit the church renovation fund.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. There will be a German dance band, 50/50 raffle and 24 baskets worth $200 each to be raffled. They will be serving brats, sauerkraut, hamburgers, potato salad, beer, wine, Soda and sweets. Tickets are $12.50 per person in advance or $15 at the door. For information, call the church office at (847) 468-6900.