Cook Co. religion notes and events

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

Adult education

Beth Tikvah Congregation, located in Hoffman Estates, invites you to join Rabbi Max Weiss as he explores the topics of "Love, Sex and Marriage in the Jewish Tradition." You will examine ancient texts and modern traditions. The classes are Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:30 a.m., Jan. 20 and Feb. 3, 17 and 24. For more information, call (847) 885-4545 or go to www.beth-tikvah.org

Holy Family Catholic Community, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness, will host Community at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, with guest speaker Scott Haltzman, M.D. The topic is "The Secrets of Happily Married Men: Eight Ways to Win Your Wife's Heart."

In most households, women take on the role of relationship manager as they gauge and measure the quality of the relationship. It seems that men, on the other hand, just don't pay that much attention. While they are often wonderfully romantic during the dating phase, men get labeled as "dysfunctional" in relationships once they take their vows. But nothing can be further from the truth. Men care deeply about marriage and making their wives happy. When a man knows how to take a leadership role in the relationship, he can literally save the marriage. He just may not go about it the same way a woman does.

"The Secrets of Happily Married Men" is a step-by-step approach to saving your marriage. It is designed for men by men, but its message is also important for wives to hear.

Join us for this evening of prayer, learning and conversation. For information, call (847) 907-3441.

The public is invited to a singles potluck social evening, sponsored by Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church's Rainbow Friends, from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 9. The event, to be held at the church, is designed to allow participants time to get to know a variety of different people, and to affirm Countryside's values of celebrating all people regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation.

This will be an evening of socialization and fun, along with food and drink. There is no charge for the event, but participants are asked to bring food to share, using their last names as follows: A-J salad, K-P non-alcoholic beverages and Q-Z snacks or sweets. They are also requested to make reservations by e-mailing likethosecrones@yahoo.com.

Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 1025 N. Smith Road in Palatine. Directions may be obtained at www.ccuu.org or by phoning (847) 359-8440.

Children, teens

Catholic high schools across the Archdiocese of Chicago will administer their annual placement tests for all eighth-grade students at 8 a.m. today.

Catholic, public or private school students who are interested in attending archdiocesan high schools this coming fall should report to the high school they wish to attend to take the test, and bring two No. 2 pencils and a check or money order for the $25 exam fee made payable to the school. Test results will be mailed to students Feb. 15.

Area high schools participating include St. Viator, 1213 E. Oakton St., Arlington Heights; Carmel, one Carmel Pkwy., Mundelein; Notre Dame, 7655 W. Dempster St, Niles; St. Martin de Porres, 515 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan.

Big Barn Preschool has openings for winter registration for ages 3 to 6 at 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. (847) 895-3257.

St. Hubert Catholic School in Hoffman Estates has begun the new student registration process for the 2008-2009 school year. A New Parent Information Night will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 in the school library. Principal Vito DeFrisco and Assistant Principal Alison O'Connor will be the featured speakers.

St. Hubert Catholic School provides a caring environment that fosters teaching and learning for students in the 3- and 4-year-old preschool program through eighth grade. The curriculum is designed to develop students spiritually, academically, physically and socially.

If you cannot attend this Information Night and would like more information about St. Hubert Catholic School, call the school office between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at (847) 885-7702 or e-mail the school at office@sthubertschool.com. Tours can be arranged as well as appointments to learn more about all that St. Hubert Catholic School has to offer.

St. Hubert Catholic School, serving the Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg area, kicks off celebration of Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27. Catholic Schools Week is also the official kick off for the 2008-09 school year Open Registration Drive.

The celebration will begin with the 9 and 10:45 a.m. Masses at St. Hubert Church and continue with an open house at St. Hubert School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the Open House, Administration along with Faculty and School Board members will be available for tours and questions. Special guests this year at the Open House will be village of Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod and village of Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson. Refreshments will be served.

New family registration will take place Jan. 27. Bring your child's original birth and baptismal certificates and a $600 nonrefundable registration fee.

St. Hubert Catholic School provides a caring environment that fosters teaching and learning for students in the 3- and 4-year-old preschool program through eighth grade with a curriculum designed to develop students spiritually, academically, physically and socially.

After the kickoff, Catholic Schools Week continues through Feb. 1. If you would like more information about St. Hubert Catholic School, call the school office between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at (847) 885-7702 or e-mail the school office at office@sthubertschool.com. Tours can be arranged as well as appointments to learn more about all that St. Hubert Catholic School has to offer.

Family

As part of the continuing celebration of Beth Tikvah Congregation's 50th anniversary, it will host a "Jumping for Joy" retreat. It begins with a Shabbat dinner at 6 p.m. Friday and continues at 8 am. with a continental breakfast and various workshops and activities. Lunch will be served. Havadalah services will be followed by a Mexican dinner and Mariachi band, and there will be a Judaica Rock Concert to conclude the festivities. For details, call Beth Tikvah at (847) 885-4545.

Fundraisers

Living Lord Lutheran Church will host a Chili Dinner and Variety Show from 5-8 p.m. Sunday to benefit the kidney fund of Zuleica Arano. The Chili Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and costs $5. The Variety Show starts at 6 p.m., with a freewill offering collected.

Don't miss the delicious chili, corn bread, desserts and the fun and exciting family-friendly talent show, including performances by the West Chicago Community High School Chamber Choir, the B&B of Batavia Square Dance Club and many more.

Come out and support this worthy cause, or send donations to the Zuleica Arano Estrada Fund, Account No. 4800394465, Harris Bank Streamwood, 185 W. Irving Park Rd., Streamwood, IL 60107. For more information, call the church office at (630) 830-3630, or visit www.livinglordlutheran.org.

Living Lord Church is located at 1044 Congress Drive in Bartlett, just south of Stearns Road on Route 59.

Lectures, seminars

"Save a Life Outreach," sponsored by St. Peter Damian High School Youth Ministry, will be presented from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 20 at St. Peter Damian Parish, 109 S. Crest Ave., Bartlett. (Doors will open at 6 p.m.). Adults and teens are invited to participate in this informative and healing event about suicide prevention. To register or for more information, call Liz DeSimon at (630) 837-5411, ext. 123, or e-mail ldesimon@stpeterdamian.org. The event is free.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (ELCA) will hold a series of New Member Classes at 11 a.m. on Sundays, Feb. 10, 17 and 24 in Room 213 of the church, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. Anyone interested in membership at Prince of Peace, contact the church office at (847) 885-7010. For information about Prince of Peace, visit the church's Web site at www.princeofpeace.net

Join Beth Tikvah Congregation as they welcome Rabbi Doug Kohn for an inspirational book talk Sunday. After his diagnosis and treatment for cancer in 2004-2005, Rabbi Kohn edited a book on Judaism and cancer titled "Life, Faith and Cancer: Jewish Journeys Through Diagnosis, Treatment and Recovery." The book includes the stories and teachings of Rabbi Kohn and 18 other Jewish religious leaders who also have or have had cancer. This moving discussion will be held from 9:15-10:45 a.m. Copies of Rabbi Kohn's book will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be served. For more information call (847) 885-4545.

Holy Family Catholic Community is sponsoring a day-long Small Christian Community Institute Jan. 26. Three speakers will be presented, and 10 breakout sessions conducted.

The keynote speaker will be Bill Wise, chief compliance and business ethics officer of Analog Devices, Inc. An adjunct faculty member at Boston University and holder of a law degree from Suffolk University, Wise will speak on "The New Evangelization and You: Our role in taking the 'Gospel … to the heart of society.' "

For information, contact Wilma Growney at (847) 428-7468 or wilmagrow@aol.com. Advance registration is encouraged as there is limited seating for each breakout session. Everyone is welcome. Holy Family Church is at 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness.

Miscellaneous

Ivan Dragicevic, visionary from Medjugorje, will be at St. Peter Damian Parish, 109 Crest Ave., Bartlett, Tuesday.

On June 24, 1981, along with five other children in the parish of Medjugorje, a small village in Hercegovina, Ivan started having apparitions of Our Lady calling her children back to God, to conversion.

For many who cannot travel so far, Medjugorje is able to come to us through Ivan, who lives to spread the messages of Our Lady.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. Rosary prayers will be said until Ivan's apparition with Our Lady, Queen of Peace at 6:40 p.m. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m., followed by Ivan's testimony at 8 p.m. The evening will conclude with Eucharistic Adoration and benediction. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call (630) 289-6401.

Faith World Outreach, 6N100 Route 59, Bartlett, is partnering with Angel Food Ministries to provide groceries to those in need. For $25, a family in need receives a box of quality groceries, both fresh and frozen items. For information, call Faith World Outreach at (630) 830-0193 or go to www.angelfoodministries.com.

The Vatican Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles will be displayed before, during and after all the weekend Masses Jan. 19 and 20 at St. Marcelline Catholic Church, 822 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg.

With an extensive assortment of photographs and historical descriptions, the exhibit presents 126 of the principal Eucharistic Miracles (about 140 panels) that took place throughout the ages in various countries of the world and which have been recognized by the church. By means of the panels, one can "virtually visit" the places where the miracles took place. The exhibit has already visited more than 500 parishes in Italy and in other countries and has been translated into numerous languages.

St Marcelline Catholic Church, 822 S. Springinsguth Road is having a S.P.R.E.D meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 2 in the religious education wing. As An Archdiocesan agency, S.P.R.E.D. helps parishes provide appropriate faith formation for their members with developmental disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, seizure disorder, various genetic disorders or any type of learning challenge. Contact Julia Hess at (773) 539-3634 for more information.

Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg is looking for names and addresses of former friends and members of the congregation for the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration in March. Please contact Sandy Marcks at sjmarcks@ameritech.net with this information.

Performances

A spectacular celebration of sacred music by eight Barrington churches is coming to Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 (doors open at 6:30 p.m.).

Participating churches include: Atonement Lutheran Church -- Helen Ailabouni, director; Barrington United Methodist Church -- Karen Maxwell; Presbyterian Church of Barrington -- Kirsten Hedegaard; St. Anne Catholic Community -- Rory Cooney; St. Mark Episcopal -- Cory Thompson; St. Matthew Lutheran )-- Cathy Gathman; St. Michael Episcopal Church -- Robert Lind; Salem UMC -- David Hartley.

Featured soloists for the concert are: Kimberly Albrecht, soprano -- BUMC; Colleen Bolthouse, soprano, Atonement; David Hartley, baritone -- SUMC; and Prelude music by Jeffrey Neufeld, organ, BUMC.

Special services

Addison Aglow International will hold a praise and worship titled "One Hour with Jesus" from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, 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.

Congregation Kneseth Israel holds Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue, 330 Division St., Elgin. Guests are welcome. CKI believes that each person can participate in the observance of Shabbat through the use of English, Hebrew and age-appropriate activities.

Religious school for pre-kindergarten to high school is offered. For details, call (847) 741-5656 or visit www.ckielgin.org.

Celebrate the Joys of Conservative Judaism at Congregation Shirat Shalom in Elgin. Friendly, participatory Shabbat services are held 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".

A class on "Believing in G-d" will be held at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 19, immediately following lunch.

Shabbat services at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 will be followed by a Tu Bish'vat Seder, celebrating the New Year of Trees as the mystics did in Safed. Guests are always welcome. For information, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

Immanuel United Church of Christ has new hours. The church at 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood, will offer the following times of worship on Sundays:

9 a.m.: Worship (traditional with a bit of contemporary), fellowship and coffee following the service.

10:15 a.m.: Adult and children's education in the west classroom

11:30 a.m.: Worship (Contemporary service)

Fourth Sunday of the month only: 6 p.m.-- No sanctuary required. This time is set aside to work on mission projects.

Call (630) 837-0190 for information. www.streamwoodiucc.org

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (ELCA) will host a Service of Prayer for Christian Unity at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the church, 930 W. Higgins Road. The service is being sponsored by the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Clergy Association. This year's observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity marks the 100th anniversary of the event, first introduced in 1908. All are welcome. For information, call the church at (847) 885-7010, or visit the church Web site at www.princeofpeace.net.

St. Marcelline Catholic Church announces the resumption of weekly exposition and adoration of the blessed sacrament. These are held each Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Family Room Chapel. 822 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. (847) 524-4429.

A prayer service for peace in the Middle East will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday 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, "The Jewish Ethical Tradition and the Middle East Conflict," by Larry Hamilton.

Larry Hamilton was a Lutheran pastor from 1982 to 1993. Raised in his early years as a Jew, he made the decision in 1993 to reclaim his Jewish identity and underwent a formal ceremony of return to the Jewish faith. A graduate of Harvard College, Trinity Lutheran Seminary and the University of Chicago Law School, he practices law in downtown Chicago.

Call (847) 381-0243 or visit www.elca.org/middleeast for more information.

Women's programs

Women of all ages (high school on up) are invited to the sixth annual Women's Winter Retreat from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 26 at Living Lord Lutheran Church. The theme for the day is "Celebrate!" Attendees will share fun, good food, inspiring music and messages, and spiritual nurturing. For information and registration, visit www.livinglordlutheran.org or call the church office at (630) 830-3630. Registration ($25, or $10 for students) includes a continental breakfast and a light lunch and is due by Sunday. Living Lord Church is at 1044 Congress Drive, just south of Stearns Road on Route 59.

Women at the Well is St. Marcelline's newest ministry designed for women. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Family Room. A light meal is planned, along with a presentation titled "Laughing Your Way to Wellness" by Colleen Caron, a nurse and certified laughter therapist.

The evening also includes prayer, a time for fellowship and an opportunity to share thoughts on faith, family, health and womanhood with the other women. A donation of $7 is requested to help fund the program.

To make your reservation, call (847) 524-4429. St Marcelline Parish is at 822 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg.

"What Does the Lord Require of You?" will be the topic of guest speaker Pastor Gretchen Winkler, of the Lutheran Church of Martha and Mary, at the Church Women United Annual Meeting Friday.

Winkler will share her photographs and reflections on a study tour she took of the West Bank with the Israeli Committee Against Housing Demolitions. She will enlighten us about the difficult situation Palestinians live with in the Occupied Territories.

Fair trade embroidered goods made by women of the West Bank will be available for purchase. We will also conduct our annual business meeting, take our annual offering for the work of our unit and share in a lunch provided by the executive committee. Coffee begins at 10 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 41 S. Rohlwing Road, Palatine. For more information, contact Barb Olson, (630) 529-2874.