Your faith

Adult education

Boundaries is a program of eight weekly 60-minute classes breaking into six- to eight-member interactive groups beginning Oct. 7 and ending Nov. 25. Registration and payment for the companion workbook is due in the church office no later than Sunday. The Rev. Merrill A. Clark, member of Lutheran Church of the Master, will be the interactive coach for this course. He will be using the text, "Boundaries." by co-authors Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. The program will be at Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream. For information, call (630) 665-3384.

St. Hubert Ministry Center, 729 Grand Canyon, Hoffman Estates, offers a nondenominational job and networking ministry that is free and open to all occupations. The ministry offers the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of careering and get in-depth knowledge of career topics from seminars and meetings as well as learn the process of networking. Meetings are held throughout the month at various locations. For a calendar of meetings, call Bob Podgorski at (847) 925-6005.

A Marriage Encounter Retreat Weekend will be held today-Sunday at Holy Family Parish, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness. The Saturday time is 7:30-9:30 a.m.; Sunday time is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (includes Mass.) All are welcome. For registration or more information, call the parish office at (847) 359-0042 or (847) 907-3441.

Fundraisers

Come and enjoy the Old Church Craft & Holiday Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood. Free admission, great crafts, refreshments and raffles will be featured. For more information, call (630) 837-0190 or visit the Web site www.streamwoodiucc.org

A Skate-a-thon is set for 6-8:30 p.m. Sunday at Mainstreet USA Roller Skating Center, 23 W. Streamwood Blvd., Streamwood (just west of Bartlett Road). Proceeds will benefit the kidney fund of Zuleica Arano Estrada, a local young woman with a rare and deadly kidney disease who must have a new kidney to live.

A $10 donation includes admission and skate rental (roller blade rentals cost extra). No preregistration is required -- just show up and bring your friends for this fun night! All ages are welcome.

To contribute to Zuleica's kidney fund directly, send donations to the Zuleica Arano Estrada Fund, Account No. 4800394465, Harris Bank Streamwood, 185 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood, IL 60107. For more information on how you can help, visit www.livinglordlutheran.org.

Woodfield Women's Connection presents "The Little Black Dress" from 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Poplar Creek Country Club, 1400 Popular Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Hear Dorothy Smith share tips on how to use your own wardrobe to enhance your appearance. Dorothy had dreams of a glamorous, beautiful and perfect life. An ordinary girl growing up, she will share how her reality fulfilled those dreams. Dinner and program cost $16. R.S.V.P. by Wednesday by e-mail at wwconnection@msn.com or by calling Mickey at (847) 490-9881. A $1 discount will be given to everyone who responds before cutoff date and an additional $1 discount if you bring one or more donation items for a food drive.

The annual Lobster Fest will take place today at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington. Lobsters cost $16 alive) or $18 for cooked when paying by check or cash. If using a credit card they cost $17 alive) or $19 cooked.

All proceeds will go to FISH Barrington providing transportation to those who can't afford it as well as helping pay for supplies to help rebuild homes for those still affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Lobsters can be picked up at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Road, Barrington Hills, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To place your order, call (847) 381-0975.

The Barrington Area will hold its 25th anniversary CROP Hunger Walk Oct. 14. Churches, schools, civic organizations, and people of all ages are invited to walk the 10K route and get pledges in an effort to fight hunger in the community and around the world. The walk and all of its festivities will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Barrington Middle School Station Campus and end there with chili and refreshments. There are many ways to be involved: be a walker, be a sponsor, provide chili or provide cookies. To learn more, call Dennis Rossow at (847) 726-9171 or any participating church or school representative.

Living Faith Cathedral Worship Center Church will have its Seventh Anniversary Fashion Show and Benefit Banquet at 4 p.m. Oct. 28 at Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. The banquet theme is "Seeking his kingdom -- receiving his riches!" (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). This year's proceeds will benefit the Capital Building Fund of LFCWC. Anniversary banquet/fashion show tickets cost $75 for adults and $37.50 for those under 13. Call (847) 382-1830 for reservations or ticket information and make all checks payable to Living Faith CWC Church. Contributions are tax-exempt to the extent allowable by law. Make reservations by Oct. 12. The executive offices for Living Faith CWC Church are at 1250 S. Grove Ave, Suite 200, Barrington.

The Barrington United Methodist Women will host its annual rummage sale Oct. 12-13 at the Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road. The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 and 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 13. There will also be a half-price sale from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 12 in selected departments. Saturday shoppers can take advantage of the bargain Bag Sale, with all of the goodies you can fit into a $5 bag in selected departments.

Donations of goods will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7; from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9; and from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 10. Tax donation receipts will be available.

For information, call (847) 836-5540 or visit www.BarringtonUMC.com.

Lectures, seminars

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin will host Prairie Fest from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. This free event is a "festival of information and ideas for sustainable living." Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Register and then attend sessions and workshops that interest you. Come and go as you please.

The keynote speaker will be Debra Shore, commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, who will speak about "Treating Water Like a Resource, Not as Waste."

Refreshments will be available for purchase. The church is at 39W830 Highland Ave., three miles west of Randall Road. For information, call (847) 888-0668 or visit uucePrairieFest.com.

Holy Family Church, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness, will show the award-winning film "Deliver Us From Evil," at 7 p.m. Friday 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.

Holy Family Parish, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness, will host special guest speaker Robert Ludwig, Ph.D., who will present "Reconstructing Catholicism: Our Way into the Future" at 7 p.m. Oct. 10. All are welcome. For information, call the parish office at (847) 359-0042 or (847) 907-3441.

Miscellaneous

St. Hubert Catholic School during the 2007-2008 school year will begin building an alumni database and coordinating the first winter alumni event, a school open house, at 6 p.m. Jan. 11.

For more information, check the school Web site at www.sainthubert.org.

St. Hubert School Knights eighth-grade graduates and beyond, we would like to hear from you and learn your news. Send your alumni information as soon as possible to Assistant Principal Alison M. O'Connor at sainthubertschool@yahoo.com.

St. Hubert Catholic School serves among others the Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Streamwood, and Hanover Park areas and offers 3- and 4-year-old preschool classes, half-day and full-day kindergarten, grades first through sixth and junior high grades seventh and eighth.

For registration materials and more information, call the school office between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at (847) 885-7702. Tours can be arranged as well as appointments made to learn more about what St. Hubert Catholic School has to offer.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 119 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg, welcomes everyone to attend the sixth annual Blessing of the Animals from 3 to 5 p.m. today. Bring your pet or photo of your pet to be blessed and attend a special service honoring all God's creatures at 4:30 p.m. Heather Dwyer from Rainbow Pets will be present to show different types of pets from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Special music will be provided by violin students. Please have pets on a leash or in a carrier for the safety of all. For information, call (847) 895-8877, or visit www.lord-of-life.org.

St Paul United Church of Christ in Barrington will host a Blessing of the Animals at 2 p.m. Oct. 28. After the pet blessing, stay for food, face painting, vet and pet adoption information and lots of fun. You and your pet might even want to come dressed for Halloween. St Paul is at 401E. Main St. For information, call (847) 381-0460, or check the Web site at www.stpaulUCCbarrington.org.

Lutheran Church of the Atonement, along with Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, is offering health screening from 7-11 a.m. Oct. 27 at the church, 909 E. Main St. (Lake-Cook Road) in Barrington.

The screening includes testing to pinpoint potential risk factors: Finger Stick Cholesterol Panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides, glucose) as well as blood pressure, body fat analysis and osteoporosis screening. The cost per person is $25, payable at the time of registration. A limited number of appointments are available.

A 12-hour fast is required prior to the cholesterol test. For information and to schedule an appointment, call HealthAdvisor 1-800-323-8622 and mention Code 3-C56.

Performances

French Creole Fiddler Dennis Stroughmatt will perform at 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at Christ Lutheran Church, 41 S. Rohlwing Road, Palatine.

Considered an authority on French Creole music, he'll perform fiddle music as well as spin a few tall tales. There is no charge for this presentation.

Call the church for information, (847) 358-4600.

Seniors

Life after fifty-five, the senior group of Beth Tikvah Congregation in Hoffman Estates, welcomes the Mystery Shop to present a mystery party. Join us at 6 p.m. today for dinner. The cost is $12 per person to cover dinner and entertainment. Call Leora at (847) 359-0439 for more information.

Special services

Addison Aglow International holds praise and worship titled "One Hour with Jesus" from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday or the first Monday of the month at Addison Presbyterian Church, 233 N. Mill Road, Addison. The service is open to women, men and teens. Baby-sitting is not available. For details, visit the Web site at www.aglow.org or call Nancy at (630) 543-3016.

Harvest Bible Chapel announces the grand opening of its new worship center Sunday in two identical services at 9 and 11:15 a.m. In addition to the 2,200-seat worship center, at the former Safety Kleen property, 1000 N. Randall Road, the new facility will feature a new gymnasium and educational space for children's ministry.

The grand opening service will feature music led by the Harvest Worship Team, a message from God's Word from the Rev. Dr. James MacDonald, founding and senior pastor, children's ministry for boys and girls, and the service will be translated into Spanish.

For information, visit the Web site at harvestbiblechapel.org or send an e-mail to ssmith@harvestbible.org.

Congregation Kneseth Israel offers Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue, 330 Division St., Elgin. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 741-5656.

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."

Tot Shabbat services, for children of all ages, are on the third Friday of the month.

Adult Education classes are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. A four-week class on Hebrew comprehension will begin Oct. 9. On Oct. 13, a class on "Rosh Chodesh -- 'Just' a Women's Holiday?" will be held at 12:30 p.m.

Sh'mini Atzeret services will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, and Simchat Torah services will also be on Thursday, at 7 p.m.

For more information, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org. Congregation Shirat Shalom is at 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, Elgin.

Beth Tikvah Congregation, located in Hoffman Estates, will celebrate the holiday of Simchat Torah at 7 p.m. Wednesday. This holiday traditionally celebrates the completion of reading the Torah (over the course of a year), but then immediately starts to read it at the beginning again. To help in the celebration, the music of the Jon Novi Group will be presented. Everyone is invited to dance and rejoice as the congregation dedicates a new Sefer Torah. For information, call (847) 885-4545 or go to www.beth-tikvah.org.

The Community Church of Barrington, 407 Grove Ave., Barrington, will celebrate its 160th anniversary Sunday. Sunday School, for all ages, at 9:30 a.m. followed by the morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. There will be a luncheon following the service. For more information, call (847) 381-1294.

St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 1201 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine, will present The Living Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17.

Participants will gather in semi-darkness to recite the Luminous Mysteries. As each bead is lead, a candle will be lit, until the formation of the rosary is illuminated, surrounding the congregation. Single persons, couples or families will lead each bead. Other languages beside English will be represented. Worship aids and "How to Pray the Rosary" pamphlets will be handed out. Cord mission rosaries blessed with Holy Water from Lourdes will be available to all. Hospitality will follow in the Gathering Area. For information, call Elayne Maruska, (847) 358-0089.

A prayer service for peace in the Middle East will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 909 Main St. in Barrington. The service includes reading from the Bible, music and prayers for peace in the Middle East.

Following the service there will be a presentation "What is daily life like for the ordinary Palestinian?" by Ed and Marilyn Thompson. The Thompsons traveled with a group from Chicago to the Holy Land in April 2007 and since have become advocates for the plight of Palestinian people.

The service will continue to be held on the 15th of each month until a just and lasting peace is achieved. For more information, call (847) 381-0243 or visit the Web site at www.elca.org/middleeast.

Women's programs

Join the Women's Book Group of St Paul United Church of Christ Oct. 9 for a lively discussion of Elain Pagel's best-selling book "The Gnostic Gospels. The group meets at 10 a.m. in the church library. There is no fee, but please read the book in order to fully participate. The next meeting will be Nov. 13 with "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. St Paul is at 401 E. Main St. in Barrington. (847) 381-0460.

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