Fox Valley religion special events

Church Women United: The Elgin-South Elgin unit of Church Women United will meet at 9:30 a.m. today for a continental breakfast at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 12N462 Tina Trail in Elgin. The program, "God's Wisdom Inspires Hospitality" will be led by Annette Rogman. They will honor one of their women as Valiant Woman for 2008. They also will receive the Fellowship of the Least Coin offering. For details, call Peggy Homfeldt, (847) 741-6358.

Culture Club: Immanuel Lutheran Church's Culture Club will discuss "World Without End" by Ken Follett. The club will meet immediately after the 6 p.m. service today, around 7:15 p.m. in Luther Hall C. The Rev. Bill Yonker will lead the discussion of the book. He noted that Follett's first in this series, "Pillars of the Earth," is one of his favorites reads. The community is invited to join in the discussion. The church is at Route 72 and Van Buren in East Dundee. Parking is available in both the south and western lots. For details, call the church office at (847) 428-4477.

Judaica Boutique: Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors in Geneva will hold a Judaica Boutique and Bake Sale from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. This sale will feature new and gently used Jewish items, including Jewish holiday place mats, mugs, decorations, books, and more. We hope you will plan to attend, to find some wonderful Judaica bargains. In addition, you can participate by contributing any Judaica items that you have available for sale at the boutique. If you want to retain a portion of the proceeds on higher priced items, it can be arranged. FVJN is at 121 S. Third St., Geneva. E-mail Barb Novy at barbara_fvjn@yahoo.com with the details of how you will be able to help. Five percent of all gross proceeds from FVJN events are donated to local nonprofit organizations.

Moody Chorale performs in Elgin: The Moody Chorale, conducted by Gerald H. Edmonds of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, will be performing at 6 p.m. Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2700 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Founded in 1946, the Moody Chorale has long been established as one of the leading collegiate choral organizations in the United States specializing in sacred music. The repertoire includes a broad range of music chosen from all periods of music history. The chorale tours the U.S. twice each year as well as occasional overseas tours. Gerald H. Edmonds, conductor, is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, and holds the bachelor and master degrees in composition from the American Conservatory of Music. Joining the faculty in 1969, he organized the Moody Concert Band in 1970 and conducted it until 1978 when he was appointed conductor of the chorale.

Workshop at center: "The Low-Carbon Diet, A 30-Day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds" will show participants how to reduce their personal carbon dioxide emissions from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, 204 Spring St in Cary. The workshop will give the community an outlet to voice their fears and hopes about global warming, then examine a variety of climate actions that "carbon dieters" can take as outlined in the Low Carbon Diet workbook. According to volunteer host Matt Van Slyke, it's modeled after another successful weight-loss program. Dieters make specific carbon pound-loss commitments outlined in the workbook. Similar to Weight Watchers' behavior modification, carbon dieters form EcoTeams to gain support from each other. The program has engaged more 250,000 households that have cut carbon emissions by an average 25 percent saving over $200 per year, according to Low Carbon Diet's founder, David Gershon. Gershon cites U.S. Energy Information Statistics showing typical American households emitting 54,600 pounds of CO2, compared to 27,000 in Germany and Sweden's 15,000. "So to just get started, 5,000 pounds is often under 10 percent", a modest amount says Van Slyke, which any home can achieve by following the program. Reservations are requested at lowcarbondiet@aol.com.

Mother's conference: Louise Forshe Ministries, 601 Hill Ave. in Elgin, presents a Mother's Conference at 6 p.m. Thursday. Admission is free. The Rev. Louise Forshe is the overseer of Louise Forshe Ministries, which is a community service. She is the pastor of Living Water Church. Forshe is a professional counselor who specializes in women's issues and she has worked with alcohol and drug clients as well as mental health clients. Forshe has studied the Bible and completed a seven-year program through Bible study fellowship. She is a conference speaker, seminar speaker, and a bilingual speaker. Her special message will help you in your spiritual walk. Desiree Lamphier carries the manifest presence of God wherever she goes. Lamphier pioneered Love Him More Ministries, International. She has a deep hunger for the Lord and it splashes on people everywhere she ministers. Desiree is director of a Healing Rooms Ministry, and she has an outreach called Feed Them More Ministries. Desiree lives with her family outside of Detroit. Louise Forshe Ministries is from Rockford to Chicago. For details, e-mail Rev. Forshe at LouiseForsheMinistries@yahoo.com.

Barbecue at Bethlehem: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 417 W. Main St. in West Dundee, will host Fay's Pork Chop/Chicken Barbecue dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 10. This is a drive-thru event in the parking lot of the Bethlehem Community Ministry Building. Each dinner consists of two pork chops or two chicken quarters or one of each applesauce, baked beans, cole slaw, and roll and butter for $11. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the church office at (847) 426-7311. Ticket sales end on Sunday.

Mother's Day concert: On May 11, three diverse and engaging musicians will regale Elgin area residents at a Mother's Day concert at 3 p.m. The concert is a benefit for the Community Crisis Center. The theme "Always Home, Always Hope" fits this organization that provides safety, shelter, and new possibilities for victimized women and children, while also being a motif particularly appropriate for Mother's Day. The event is jointly sponsored by the Crisis Center and the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Their sanctuary will be the site of the concert. It will be a free-will offering. Lyric baritone David Farwig from Colorado will open the concert with an uplifting program of excerpts from Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Songs of Travel." Folksinger, music educator, and Elgin resident Peg Lehman will follow with contemporary and original folk songs to engage and delight the audience and build a sense of community. Lee Krahen-Buhl, folksinger, songwriter, and wit, will conclude the concert with original folk and repartee that will intrigue audience members, make them think, and sometimes make them laugh. Gifted local accompanist Nancy Miner will accompany Farwig on the piano. The Community Crisis Center was founded in 1975 by a group of dedicated volunteers to help those in crisis due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or economic circumstances. It offers a 24-hour crisis hotline; information and referral; emergency shelter; individual and group counseling; medical, legal and welfare advocacy; emergency assistance with food, clothing, rent and utilities; and transitional housing. More than 6,000, individuals, including more than 635 children, receive services each year. In a recent year, the center served 1,848 adult victims of domestic violence and 364 child witnesses to domestic violence, and provided 10,534 nights of emergency shelter to 353 women and 329 children. Except for the Batterer Intervention program, all services are provided at no cost. Farwig is a world-traveled soloist, recording artist, chorister, and conductor, who has performed with orchestras, choruses, and choral ensembles across the country and with U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Lehman is a folksinger, songwriter, and teaching artist who has sung at folk festivals, community events, concert halls, coffee houses, churches, conferences, camps, and hundreds of schools and libraries around the country and has also appeared on National Public Radio. Krahenbuhl, singer, writer, actor, and director lives in Toledo, Ohio, where he teaches at the University of Toledo. Lee's original recordings include the solo album "Thirsty" (1994) and the 2008 solo anthologies "Unnational Anthems" and "Sketch." Nancy Miner, who will accompany David Farwig on the piano, is a member of the volunteer music ministry of the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, where she has served as piano accompanist for the Adult Choir for 25 years. She also enjoys working with Larkin High School students, serving as accompanist for IHSA solo and ensemble contest and senior recitals. For information, call the Crisis Center at (847) 697-2380 or the church at (847) 741-5124.

Augsburg Choir in concert: The 60-member Augsburg Choir is sharing its music with the East Dundee community. Collegiate Choir members from Augsburg College will perform at 7 p.m. May 13 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. The Augsburg Choir, under the direction of Peter Hendrickson, represents the finest in choral music. Praised for its versatility and musicality, the ensemble performs a diverse repertoire, including compositions by many well-known Scandinavian and American composers. In recent years, the Augsburg Choir has premiered works by Sven-Erik Back, Knut Nystedt, Stephen Paulus, Sverre Bergh, Steve Heitzeg, Carol Barnett, Egil Hovland, and Sigvald Tveit. The Augsburg Choir was honored to perform before HRH Crown Prince Haakan of Norway in 2005 during his visit to the Twin Cities, and King Harald V of Norway in 1995 on the occasion of his visit to Augsburg College. The Augsburg Choir's annual Advent Vespers services have been broadcast on public radio and in 2004 and 2005 were seen on Twin Cities Public Television. The recordings from their 1995-96 and 1997-98 tours are widely available. All are welcome. There is no fee to attend. Call the church office at (847) 428-4477 for directions or more information.

Meditation class: Beginning May 13, a Tuesday morning meditation class is being offered from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, 204 Spring St .(lower level) in Cary. It will be under the direction of Bhante Sujatha, Sri Lankan Buddhist monk. The meditation practice to assist in finding happiness and contentment in life is open to everyone. The introductory class on May 13 will be two hours from 10 a.m. to noon. Bhante Sujatha will discuss what meditation is and why it is practiced and provide practical instruction of meditation postures, mindful breathing, concentration, Loving Kindness practice, and opening of one's wisdom eye. A regular meditation practice helps you melt away feelings of isolation, awaken your true compassion even for those who have hurt you, and free yourself from needless suffering, while helping others find happiness. Within your own heart is a limitless source of supreme energy; the energy of love. No other force in the universe compares to it. All the world's great spiritual traditions, both past and present, agree on this simple principle. Loving-kindness Meditation teaches a traditional practice for cultivating love, and applying it as a life-changing force. Dating back 2,600 years, "metta," an ancient Buddhist meditation practice in loving-kindness, is a timeless method for unlocking your heart's immense natural healing resources. "Metta" meditation is not a technique for repressing your awareness of life's pain. Rather, it is a way to break down the artificial mental barriers that separate you from others. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www. newthoughtmchenry.org.

Rummage sale: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1647 Ravine Lane in Carpentersville, will have its "Huge Rummage Sale and Bake Sale" on May 16-17. Things for the house, things to eat, things for the yard, things for everyone in the family. Come on down, shop, enjoy and save. There will be a silent auction and a $3 bag sale on May 17. Sale hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 and 8:30 a.m. to noon May 17. Money raised by the auction goes to global and local missions. If anyone wishes to donate items for the sale, they can drop items off at the church May 12-14 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. They cannot accept computer equipment, large appliances or large furniture. For details, call Trinity UMC at (847) 428-1627.

Calvary Lutheran Church: Calvary Lutheran Church, 535 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin will hold two special events on May 17 and 18. A "Summer Kick-Off" Potluck Dinner and Game Night are scheduled at 5:30 p.m. May 17. Members and guests are asked to bring a dish to share, as well as your favorite game. Beverages will be provided. On May 18 Calvary's Sunday School will serve its annual Sunday School Breakfast at 9 a.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy breakfast and singing with the children, as another year of Sunday School closes. Calvary is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. For more information, call (847) 741-5433 or check out Web site www.clce.org.

Learn about church history: On May 17, the Rev. Richard Simon, a Catholic scripture scholar, will give a presentation at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. His topic will be "Where Did the Bible Come from Anyway?" He is heard regularly on Relevant Radio's "Searching for the Word." Simon is currently pastor of St. Lambert's in Skokie. All are welcome to attend. For details, call Joe Marmion at (847) 658-0504 or e-mail at marmion@aol.com.

Highland Summer Adventures: Beginning May 22, a new summer day camp program, "Highland Summer Adventures" will be offered at Highland Christian Academy in Elgin. The program, open to children from preschool 3 through sixth grade, will offer both full-time and part-time childcare options (6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) through Aug. 15. Creative weekly themes have been chosen to provide a summer adventure of art, music, creative learning and exploration with separate tracks for younger and older children. Each week will include age appropriate activities and fun as well as flexible extended childcare options. For information, call Pam Backey, preschool and administrative director, at (847) 741-5530, ext. 17 or download a registration form at www.highlandsummer.com.

Camps at Good Shepherd: Good Shepherd is offering two-week camps throughout the summer. The camps will run June 9-20, July 7-18, and July 21-Aug. 1 and are for all ages preschool through sixth grade. A variety of topics are available to choose from including arts and music, soccer, volleyball, and Exploring our World. Before- and after-school care also will be available. For details, visit www.goodshepherd-elgin.org, or call the preschool office at (847) 697-4745. Good Shepherd Lutheran School is accepting applications for the 2008-09 school year for preschool through eighth grade. Preschool and kindergarten both offer full-day options, and both locations offer after-school care. Good Shepherd strives to meet the individual needs of children in the classroom and provides a wide variety of learning experiences. The Van Street location houses kindergarten and first through eighth grade. The preschool is at the Nesler Road Christian Life Center. For details, visit the Web site at www.goodshepherd-elgin.org, or call the school at (847) 741-7795.

Church to host flea market, craft fair: King of Glory Lutheran Church, 36W720 Hopps Road in Elgin, is accepting applications for its outdoor flea market, collectibles, and craft show. It will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14. The 10- by 10-foot vendor spaces are $30. To reserve your spot or for details, call Donna Peddy at (847) 742-8699.

Vacation Bible school: Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee invites the community to mark their calendars the fourth week in June for vacation Bible school. Normally, Immanuel host VBS on the third week in June but changed their schedule to accommodate the later release of Community Unit District 300 schools. It will take place June 23-27. This year, Immanuel will be using Group Publishing's "Power Lab, Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power" material to teach children biblical truths. Power Lab doesn't rely on traditional teaching methods; rather kids will experience Bible stories in powerful, life-changing ways. Each day children will take part in fun Bible learning they can see, hear, touch, and even taste. Bible Point crafts, team-building games, and lively Bible songs are just a few of the Power Lab activities that help children apply what they learn into real life. The children also will participate in a hands-on mission project called Operation Kid-to-Kid that involves nearly a million other children across North America. Older children will be out in the community serving others for the week of June 23-27. "Last year, we introduced service projects for kids in the fifth and sixth grade. We are hoping to have them working again this summer," stated David Meier, VBS director. Meier estimates that Immanuel hosts more than 200 children during VBS and more than 70 volunteers. The program begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at noon. Registration will open in mid-April. Immanuel accepts children from the ages of 3 to 12 and welcomes all in the community to join in this fun week. There is no registration fee. A donation of $25 per child for the entire week is encouraged. The church is at 310 E. Main St. For details, call the church office at (847) 428-4477.