Religion -- special events
Fair-Trade Gift Fair: The third annual Fair-Trade Gift Fair will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. The fair features fair-trade coffee, tea and chocolate as well has hand-crafted toys, home decor items, clothing and more. The fair is sponsored by the Green Sanctuary Committee, the congregation's environmental service, education, and advocacy organization and supports its work in making the church and community more ecologically friendly. Items also will be on sale from noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday after worship. For information, call (815) 338-0731 or e-mail office@cucw.org.
Sister's Christmas Catechism: See "Sister's Christmas Catechism -- The Mystery of the Magi's Gold," the new holiday comedy from Maripat Donovan, the creator of "Late Night Catechism," at 7 p.m. today. It's "CSI: Bethlehem" when Sister invites her audience to be onstage characters in a living nativity/crime scene. The production will be held at the St. Margaret Mary Education Center, 110 Hubbard St, Algonquin. Tickets are $30 for adults or $20 for youth, age 10 to 15. Premium reserved seating is available for $40 per ticket. A pre-show dinner is also available. Proceeds to benefit the youth who will be attending World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia in July. For details, call the youth ministry office at (847) 658-7881.
Healthy Living lecture: Struggling with depression or anxiety? Wrestling with sleepless nights? Have you suffered a deep loss? Are you taking medications and feel hopeless? Hear the inspirational true story of guest speaker Alesandra Rain, who will be discussing these issues and more, at 3 p.m. today at the Stage Left Cafe at Woodstock Opera House. She is the author of "Deeds of Trust," her true story of addiction to prescription medications. For details, call Morning Star Church at (847) 669-9800 or visit www.morningstarwoc.org/ events.htm.
Red Bird Mission Crafts: Epworth United Methodist Church hosts Red Bird Mission Crafts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. The Red Bird Mission, located in the southeastern Kentucky mountains, is an agency of Red Bird Missionary Conference related to the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. There will be baskets, some made of honeysuckle vines and creek willow, that are family traditions developed in an age when self-sufficiency was necessary in the isolated mountains. Another native art is the woven rugs. They will have an assortment of corn-shuck items including a variety of flowers. Other items include handmade dolls, unscented beeswax candles, jewelry, jams and jellies. There are note cards, history books of the area, recipe books, hand painted gourds, woven place mats, and handmade brooms. The wooden crafts consist of toys, games, utensils, cutting boards, cooling racks and furniture. Wood and cloth Christmas ornaments and an assortment of Nativity sets add to the colorful display. For details, call Kara Berg at (847) 931-5400.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: On Sunday, faith communities from all over Elgin will gather for the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Coalition of Elgin Religious Leaders. This year, the service will be held at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin. Representatives from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths will speak and a choir consisting of musicians from several faith communities will sing. Refreshments will be served after the service. For information, call (847) 741-4045.
Community Thanksgiving and Praise: Highland Fellowship Church will host a Community Thanksgiving and Praise service with other Elgin churches at 6 p.m. Sunday at the church, 2250 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin. For details, call the church at (847) 741-6629. The other churches are: Grace Evangelical, Elgin Evangelical Free, Community Baptist, Family Life, St. Hugh of Lincoln, Elgin Bible, New Covenant Fellowship, International House of Prayer, Grace Community, Immanuel Baptist, Elgin Vineyard and Church on the Rock.
Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration: On Sunday, Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Baha'i, Buddhist and other faith communities will gather to give thanks, enjoy fellowship and make an offering for the benefit of others. A Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, 8617 Ridgefield Road in Crystal Lake. The theme of the gathering will be "Giving Thanks -- Sharing the Blessing." The evening will include texts, prayers and participants from the participating traditions. An offering will benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Everyone is welcome to attend. For details, call (815) 455-1810.
Cary Thanksgiving service: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Cary will host the second annual joint Thanksgiving service with Cary United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Sunday, followed by pie and cider. The church is at 410 N. First St. in Cary. For details, call (847) 516-2636.
Hymn Festival: On Sunday, Westminster Presbyterian Church are co-sponsoring a special Hymn Festival along with the American Guild of Organists at 3 p.m. at the church, 2700 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Timothy Albrecht, university organist and professor of church music from Emory University in Atlanta will lead the congregation in singing some of the great hymns of the faith, along with Westminster's Chancel Choir. There will be a reception with homemade desserts. Admission is free. For information, call (847) 695-0311.
Bells Brunch: The annual Bells Brunch will be served this year from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the First Congregational Church, Main and Church streets in Huntley. Use the Church Street entrance. It includes a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. Everyone is invited; bring the whole family. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children, age 12 and younger. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Income from the event helps pay for a trip to the next bell festival. For information call (847) 669-3691.
Donations needed for Thanksgiving baskets: This Thanksgiving many will be giving thanks for the bountiful blessings they enjoy. However, there are those who aren't as fortunate and won't be able to have a traditional turkey dinner. Morning Star Church, 41W350 Powers Road in Huntley, has seen this need in the community and, as in many years past, will be distributing Thanksgiving baskets overflowing with everything needed for a Thanksgiving feast. Food item donations to fill these "baskets of blessings" are greatly appreciated. Non-refrigerated items that are needed for each basket include: two boxes of stuffing, canned vegetables (two each of corn, string beans and yams), one 5 pound bag of potatoes, one bag of apples, one package of brown-and-serve rolls, two packages of turkey gravy, canned cranberry sauce, 1 pound of mixed nuts, one large can of pumpkin pie filling, two cans of apple pie filling, evaporated milk and 1 pound of assorted chocolates. Refrigerated items needed for each basket are: a 12- to 14-pound frozen turkey, frozen Cool Whip, 1 quart of eggnog, 1 pound of butter or margarine, a dozen eggs and two packages of frozen pie crust. Financial donations of any amount are also welcome. A gift of $50 will prepare a basket for one family. Morning Star Church wants to ensure that no one in our community is left out this Thanksgiving, so call (847) 669-9800, ext. 155 or e-mail outreach@morningstarwoc.org if you wish to donate or know someone who might be in need of one of these baskets.
Thanksgiving service: First Presbyterian Church (USA), 240 Standish St. in Elgin, will have its annual Thanksgiving Eve service with Holy Communion at 7:30 p.m. Gather with family and friends, celebrate God's blessings, partake of Holy Communion and hear the reflections of two church members. All are welcome. Child care will be provided. Parking is available in the back parking lot. For details, call Ruth Barkby at (847) 742-6365.
Pie Fest at Light of Christ: Light of Christ Lutheran Church will hold Thanksgiving Eve worship at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the church, 100 Hanson Road in Algonquin. The Rev. Kendall Koenig is known for making fabulous apple pies. If you would like to have the opportunity to taste the pastor's specialty and other members' pies, join them for the annual Thanksgiving Eve Pie Fest after the 5 and 7 p.m. services. An important focus of the "Pie Fest" will be assisting those community members who are not as fortunate. Bring canned goods and non-perishables which will be donated to the local food pantry. The 5 p.m. service will feature the Children's Choir and the New Hope band, led by Melody Kuphal and the 7 p.m. will include the adult choir. Jane McMullen, director of music, will lead the choir. The senior pastor delivers the message. For details, call Steve Fiorentino at (847) 226-5237 or the church at (847) 658-9250.
Thanksgiving Pie Fest: Thanksgiving Eve worship will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. The Rev. Erik Zingelman, associate pastor, will share the message. The Bethany Choir will sing. Immediately following worship is the annual Pie Fest. The Pie Fest has been a tradition at Bethany for more than 20 years. Each family is invited to bring a pie to share. Throughout November, members have been collecting food and other items for the Crystal Lake Community Harvest Project. These donations are part of the harvest display in the sanctuary. Other Thanksgiving outreach opportunities include: purchasing a Thanksgiving dinner basket and making a donation to the World Hunger fund of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. For information, call the church office at (815) 459-2690.
Alumni reunion: St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School will have an alumni reunion from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in the school cafeteria, 274 Division St., Elgin. The potluck get-together is for all St. Joseph Elementary School alumni. Bring a dish to share if you can. For details, call Zhennie P. Graf at (224) 805-6317.
Seminar on spiritual paths: On Nov. 24, a variety of spiritual paths will be the topic of a special seminar, led by noted theologian and author Ron Miller, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. Miller is chair of the religion department of Lake Forest College and one of the co-founders and leaders of Common Ground, an interfaith educational forum. The Rev. Dan Larsen will introduce the program examining the Unitarian Universalist approach to spirituality based on the beloved hymn "Spirit of Life." Miller will respond in light of the different spiritual approaches represented in by the new windows in the social room -- Earth Centered Spirituality, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish Christian, Humanist, Islamic, and Native American. There will be an hour break for lunch and informal conversation. Sub sandwiches, chips and beverages will be provided. The program is open to the public, but registration is limited. The cost is $40 payable to the Congregational Unitarian Church. To reserve a spot, call (815) 338-0731 or e-mail office@cucw.org.
Christmas Past Sale: First Congregational United Church of Christ will hold a "Christmas Past Sale" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 30 and 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 at the church, 30 N. Washington St., Carpentersville. Gently used Christmas decorations, lawn decorations, lights and many items will be available for bargain prices. This sale is being sponsored by the Women's Fellowship of the church to help the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville.
Holiday Cookie Walk: A Holiday Cookie Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 1 at Cary United Methodist Church, 500 First St., Cary. Get a start on the holidays and choose from a huge selection of cookies at $8 a pound. Proceeds of the sale will be given to local and global missions. It is sponsored by United Methodist Women. For details, call (847) 639-7627 or visit www.caryumc.org.
Christmas Delights: St. John Lutheran Church Ladies Society will hold their annual bazaar, "Christmas Delights," from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road, Burlington. There will be Christmas decorations, crocheted and knitted items, kitchen items, embroidery, quilts, baked goods, and lunch will be available for purchase. For details, call the church at (847) 683-2338.
Family Christmas concert: First Congregational Church will host its family Christmas concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. The FCC Music Department presents "And All The Stars Looked Down," featuring works by Victoria, Wilberg, Whitacre and Rutter. Audience members will hear familiar carols, "Good Christian Friends Rejoice," "Fum, Fum, Fum" and the men singing "Mary Had A Baby." The handbell choir will ring "Infant Holy," "Stille Nacht" and "Wassail Song." Favorites such as Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and "Happy Holiday" will close the concert. Come expecting to sing some carols with the choirs as well. Ann Tucker, director of music, and Toni Gambini, bellmaster, direct this year's performance. Joining the Vestry Adult Choir and Jubilate Adult Handbell Choir is the Alleluia Sound Choir. Barb Thorsen and Jo Ann Black will be the accompanists. For information, call the church office at (815) 459-6010 or visit FCCCrystalLake.org.
Jingle Jazz: First Congregational Church of Dundee presents "Jingle Jazz," a concert of jazz Christmas tunes featuring the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage, at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the sanctuary of the church, 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. A free will offering will be taken. These talented high school jazz musicians from DuPage and Kane counties are directed by Robert Blazek. Visit the Web site at www.yjed.com. For details, call First Congregational at (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit the Web site at www.dundeefcc.org.
Hanukkah celebration: Congregation Tikkun Olam will hold its annual Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 7 which is the fourth night of Hanukkah, at the Nunda Township Hall, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a community menorah lighting followed by a brief Shabbat service and then a potluck dinner complete with latkes. Attendees are asked to bring their menorahs with candles for the fourth night as well, a dairy salad, side dish or dessert to share, and a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and/or nonperishable food for the local food pantry. Interfaith families, unaffiliated Jews are welcome to attend. RSVPs are required by Dec. 2 to (815) 334-7110, and directions will be given at that time. For information on the congregation, its religious school or adult programs, call (815) 334-7110 or visit www.tikkun-olam.org.