Students can get help regarding career choices

What are you going to do with your life?

This question can be meaningful as well as troubling for people of any age, but particularly for youth faced with important career decisions.

The Congregational Church of Batavia is offering a free, four-part program for senior high school and college students called, "So What Am I Gonna Do With My Life?" The sessions are from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 8, 10, 22 and 24 at the church, 21 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31) in Batavia. It is open to all students, not just members of the church.

"Students seem to be more stressed out than ever about what to do with their lives," said Marcia Schneider, director of Christian education and youth for the church and leader of the seminar.

The church offered the program for the first time about three years ago.

"There are huge expectations at the high school level," Schneider said. "Everything seems to depend on grades, what volunteer work they do, what college to choose.

I want to talk to them about expectations, and also think about, 'What does God say about all this?' The program is a mix of thinking about career choices from a spiritual aspect, and trying to figure out what would be a good fit."

Schneider says she also wants to help calm the common fears students often experience.

"Our biggest goal is to take the stress out," she added. "They don't have to think that one decision can ruin their lives. They can change it, or change careers. Some people in their 40s don't know what they want to be when they grow up."

The program is designed to help students discover their talents, abilities and interests, follow their heart's desire, and receive counsel from adult members of the church on various vocations.

Schneider has 14 years of vocational counseling experience and 12 years of youth ministry experience. A free workbook is included.

Call the church office at (630) 879-1999 or e-mail Schneider at marcymess@comcast.net to reserve a place.

Sending a blessing: St. Patrick Catholic Church in St. Charles is ending their vacation Bible School today with a special blessing of 36 soccer balls.

"The students have signed each ball and prayed over them," said Sister Joelyn Hayes, religious education director for the church. "Father Akan Simon will bless the soccer balls and they will be sent to other children. We want to send God's blessing on their play. And we hope the lessons will remain with our children."

Nine of the soccer balls will go to the Sisters of St. Francis School in El Paso, Texas, a mission on the border between Texas and Mexico. The other three sets of nine balls will go to three local parishes who can use the athletic equipment.

Over 180 students, 75 youth aides and 50 adults participated in St. Patrick's program this week at the church at 6N491 Crane Road in St. Charles. The program was "Power Lab: Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power."

For more information about the program, visit http://your.harcourtreligion.com/vbs/ok2k.html.

Get Your Car Washed: The St. Charles Episcopal Church Youth Group will sponsor a car wash from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28 at the church, 994 N. Fifth Ave., (Route 25) in St. Charles.

The young people have recently returned from a mission trip to Prestonsburg, Ky., and are raising funds for their pilgrimage in 2009. Tickets are $5 for cars and extra donations are also welcome.

For information, visit www.stcharlesepiscopal.org or call (630-) 584-2596.