Your faith

To submit items, e-mail faith@dailyherald.com, or send fax to (847) 427-1301 Deadline for submissions is noon Monday.

Rebecca Darr: Executive director of WINGS, Women in Need Growing Stronger, will be the featured speaker at the Church Women United in Northwest Cook County annual meeting on Friday, Jan. 23. Coffee and fellowship begin at 10 a.m. at Church of the Incarnation United Methodist, 330 W. Golf Road, Arlington Heights. A business meeting will also be held and the morning will close with lunch. For more information or free child care reservations, contact Barb Olson, (630) 529-2874.

Youth Group Lock-In Sleepover: For junior high and high school students from 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, to 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. Cost is $5. (847) 998-1946, stphilip.info.

Women's Winter Retreat: Women of all ages (high school and older) are invited to the seventh annual Women's Winter Retreat from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Living Lord Lutheran Church. For more information and registration, visit livinglordlutheran.org or call the church office at (630) 830-3630. Registration (suggested donation of $25) includes a continental breakfast and a light lunch and is due by Jan. 18. Free child care will be provided upon request. Living Lord Church is located at 1044 Congress Drive, just south of Stearns Road on Route 59.

The First St. Hubert Parish alumni event: Begins with Mass celebrated by St. Hubert Pastor Father Robert Rizzo at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, in St Hubert Church, followed by a reception with refreshments in the Parish Ministry Center Multipurpose Room and an Open House Walk of the School. E-mail your attendance response to St. Hubert Development Core Team-Alumni Relations Arm Chairperson Denise Herrmann at dherrmann@sthubertschool.com.

Holy Family Ministry Day: From 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. The keynote address will be presented by Peter Steinfels on the topic "The Future of Catholic Identity in a Secular Age." At 1 p.m., those attending can go to one of the following workshops: Fr. Pat Brennan, Continuing the Vision of Small Christian Communities; Fr. Denis Carniero, Ministry of Care: A Service to Others; Fred Chin, Owen Walsh and Teen Ministers, The Presents of Peers; Kathy Drennan, Praying with Children; Fr. George Kane, Following the Call of Christ; Paul LeFort, Alleviating Poverty One Family at a Time; Dawn Mayer, What Does St. Paul Have to Say to Catechists; Tom Moore, Stoney Scales, Tom Stack, Marketing in Ministry. Artist ValLimar Jansen will present the afternoon program. Holy Family Parish is at 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness. Call (847) 359-0042 for information or to register.

Sisterhood Shabbat: The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Judea will lead Shabbat services at its annual Sisterhood Shabbat at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. (847) 634-0777 or www.BethJudea.org.

Artists Studio Day: From 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. This event will allow young artists to learn about the techniques of famous artists to create their own masterpieces. All materials will be provided. The morning's activities also include a snack and "Jesus Time." Different groups will meet for kids in preschool through third grade. Suggested donation is $5 per child to cover materials. Walk-ins welcome, but registration is appreciated. Call (847) 253-4839 for details and to register.

Kitchen shower: A kitchen shower and food collection will be held as part of the Church's annual meeting and Family Supper at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, at Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. The festivities include a chili cook-off. (847) 392-6650.

Catholic Schools Week Open House: St. Hubert Catholic School will have open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at 255 Flagstaff Lane, Hoffman Estates. New Parent Information Night will be from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at St. Hubert. (847) 885-7702. sainthubert.org.

"Building Rapport with Difficult Individuals": With Eugene Roginsky from 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove. This seminar covers techniques in building instant rapport with individuals suffering from anxiety and/or emotional distress. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Chai Center at (847) 537-1771, ext. 234, or thechaicenter@templechai.org.

"A Night to Remember": The lecture, by Richard Goldwasser, Ph.D., at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, will provide attendees with a better understanding of memory loss and how it impacts your self-esteem and confidence level, your behavior (as you try to hide your memory lapses) and how poor memory affects your personal and work relationships. Dr. Goldwasser will teach the audience one of the best memory techniques around that will easily allow you to memorize 10 or more items There is no charge for the morning lecture. The complete validation memory test will be given to each attendee for a minimum donation of $10; proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association. Bagels and coffee will be served. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. (847) 634-0777.

"Ask the Experts": At 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie. Facilities will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use library materials, get help with genealogy Web sites on the Internet, or ask genealogical-related questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m. jewishgen.org/jgsi or (312) 666-0100.

Family movie night: From 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. Free. Includes pizza, snacks and refreshments. (847) 998-1946, stphilip.info.

Catholic School Open House: Queen of the Rosary School in Elk Grove Village hosts an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at 690 Elk Grove Blvd. (847) 437-3322 or www.qrcougars.org.

Chili Cook Off: The Senior Ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, sponsors the fourth annual Chili Cook Off at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. Cost: $20 per family, $5 for adults, $3 for children. (847) 827-6656.

St. Alphonsus Liguori Pashion Mission: From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26 and 27. The guest speakers will be the Sparough Family Mission Team, who will speak on "Wise Fools and Happy Stewards." During the three-part mission, they will use dramatizations of stories and Gospel scenes, spiritual analogies illustrated by juggling, guided imagery prayer, engaging preaching, song and blessings. This mission is for the whole family. Each evening will have a different focus: Monday - Discipleship: Following the Master of Folly; Tuesday - Reconciliation: Holding on and Letting Go; and Wednesday -Mission: the Challenge Juggle. The Parish Mission will be held in the church, 411 N. Wheeling Road. For details, call (847) 255-7452 or visit www.saintalphonsus.com.

New pastor: The Rev. Francois "Co" DuToit will be installed as the 24th pastor of The First Congregational United Church of Christ of Des Plaines on Sunday, Jan. 25. The ceremony will take place 3 p.m. at the church, 766 Graceland Ave. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. (847) 299-5561.

Winter organ concert: In observance of Christian Unity Week, Faith Community Homes will host a Winter Organ Concert featuring church organists from Arlington Heights at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at St. John United Church of Christ, 308 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights. Participating organists include: Paul Cochran, St. John UCC; Don Mead, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church; Carole Medal, First Church of Christ, Scientist; and Christopher Urban, First Presbyterian Church. Freewill offering to benefit Faith Community Homes. (847) 342-0846.

Beloved Light Events Conscious Connection Group: A group about "Practical Mysticism" and the application of the Universal Laws meets at 5 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday of every month, beginning Jan. 25, for lessons, discussion and meditations at 3255 Arlington Heights Road, Suite 512, Arlington Heights, Call to register at (847) 845-8818. Suggested donation is $15.

Potholes: Associate Pastor Andrew Bee will preach on the subject "Potholes" at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, Jan. 25, at Meadows Baptist Church, 2401 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Adult, student ministries and children's church Bible classes meet at 9 a.m. A second adult Bible class and the Adventure Club for children ages 4 through sixth grade meet at 10:30 a.m. The Awana Club for children ages 3 through sixth grade meets each Thursday at 7 p.m. (847) 255-8764.

Family trip with purpose: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, is planning a "Family Trip with a Purpose" to Camp Restore in Baton Rouge, LA., the week of spring break, March 21-28. Pastor Greiner will host a brief informational meeting at noon Sunday, Jan. 25. The trip is designed to give you and your family an opportunity to help with the ongoing hurricane recovery. (847) 259-4114.

Open house: St. James School in Arlington Heights' open house will begin after the 11:45 a.m. Mass Sunday, Jan. 25, and ends at 2:30 p.m. The brand new facility is now open and all grades (preschool through eighth grade) are in one building at 820 N. Arlington Heights Road. Registration begins Jan. 25, for the 2009-10 school year.

Open and Affirming Sunday: Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights, will celebrate Open and Affirming Sunday during worship services at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. The service celebrates the inclusion of members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community as part of the local church. Newly elected church officers and committee members will be installed. www.CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

"Vibration Instruments of China": At 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Learn the unique background and religious use of the seven metal singing bowls of Tibet, chimes, gongs, cymbals and bells that are used for rituals dating back to the Chinese Empire and used today in therapy and yoga.

Ten Most Common Mistakes Good Parents Make: Presented by Dr. Michael Maniacci from 7:30-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove. (847) 537-1771, ext. 234 or thechaicenter@templechai.org.

Free meal and fellowship: Offered from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. (847) 998-1946, stphilip.info.

"Saved by an Angel": An evening with Leon Leyson, the youngest survivor on Schindler's list, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Niles West High School Auditorium, 5701 Oakton St., Skokie. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $18 at the door. For more information and for advance tickets, visit learnchicago.com or call (312) 283-0772. The event is co-sponsored by the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

"Welcoming Families of Intermarriage": The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Judea presents Mark Travis, who will discuss with the Sisterhood "Welcoming Families of Intermarriage" at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28. Join the Sisterhood in the Beth Judea Social Hall. Meeting is free and open to all Beth Judea members. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. (847) 634-0777.

St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic School Open House: From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28. A second open house will be available from 7 to 8:30 p.m. that same day. The week of Jan. 25-31 is Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Chicago. St. Alphonsus is at 411 N. Wheeling Road. (847) 255-5538 or www.saintalphonsus.com.

Immanuel Lutheran School Open House: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 200 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine. For details, call (847) 359-1936.

Songwriter workshop: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 720 S. Dundee Ave., Barrington, will host a workshop with songwriter Ginny Owens from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Cost is $50 for National Songwriters Association International members and $55 for nonmembers. Register by mailing a check payable to "NSAI Chicago" and addressed c/o Jeff Wilson, 1821 Walden Office Square, Suite 400, Schaumburg, IL 60173. For more information, call Anita Lin at (847) 376-0839.

Fourth Step Seminar: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. This seminar will allow those who are working the 12-Step Program of A.A. the opportunity to undertake the fourth step in a safe and supportive environment. There is no cost. (847) 998-1946, stphilip.info.

Spaghetti Dinner/Play: Sonshine Preschool of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner/Play Saturday, Jan. 31, at 304 W. Palatine Road in Prospect Heights. Before play seating is 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The play, "On Top of Spaghetti," is at 5:45 p.m. After-play seating is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Donations for tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for teens, $2 for children. Tickets are available now by calling (847) 520-1611 or (847) 537-4430. There will also be a blind auction.

Girls' Night Out: Arlington Countryside Church, 916 E. Hintz. Road, in Arlington Heights, is hosting a Girls' Night Out from 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. All women are invited to an evening of pizza, football-related activities, and a movie. Cost is $5 at the door. Call (847) 255-2140 for more information.

Tefillin event: At 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. The morning session will feature opportunities to learn about the mitzvah of tefillin. A form of prayer, tefillin involves wrapping leather straps attached to boxes containing Scripture around the forehead, arm and hand in an intricate pattern that spells out the name of God. Beth Judea, located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove, will be one of the hundreds of congregations worldwide that are participating in the wrap. Extra sets of tefillin will be provided, and instructions will be given to those who are in need of assistance. Norm Kurtz, president of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, will begin the wrap with an instructive demonstration that will begin at 8:30 a.m. Kurtz will then lead shacharit minyan at 9 a.m., which will be followed by a breakfast, tefillin-related entertainment from Orin Rotman, Beth Judea's resident scholar, and a showing of the FJMC-produced video "The Ties that Bind." (847) 634-0777 or www.BethJudea.org.

Catholic Scripture Study: "Reading the Bible with the Dead: How the Early Church Interpreted Scripture" will be presented by Jim Papandrea, Ph.D from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 4, 11 and 18 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2515 W. Palatine Road in Inverness. (847) 359-0042. Fee: $30.

"Understanding Prayer": Class offered on Wednesday evenings from 7:45-9 p.m. Feb. 4, 11 and 18 and March 4, 11 and 18 by the Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. (847) 634-0777.

Organ recitals: First Presbyterian Church presents Wednesday at Noon organ recitals at 12:10 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 4 to March 25, featuring a 35-minute recital. 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Freewill offering. (847) 255-5900

Kabbalat Shabbat service and Tu Bish'vat Seder: At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, Elgin. CongregationShiratShalom.org, (847) 695-6246

One Shabbat One World: Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook hosts a community Shabbat dinner Friday, Feb. 6. This Shabbat dinner is part of the international "One Shabbat One World." Guest speaker Shmuel Goodman will talk about "Navigating the World of Business and the Real World." Services begin at 6 p.m., Shabbat dinner and program 6:45 p.m. Adults: $20, Children: $12, at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook 755 Huehl Road (corner Dundee Rd) Northbrook. RSVP or for more information, visit www.ChabadNorthbrook.com or call (847) 564-8770.

Book Group: "The Shack" by William P. Young will be the subject of discussion of the book group "Reading is Believing" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at North Northfield United Methodist Church, at Sanders and Dundee in Northbrook. (847) 272-2250 or www.northnorthfield.org.

Health and wellness presentations: St. John Lutheran Church will sponsor a series of health and wellness presentations, conducted by Chiro-One Wellness Centers, on Saturday, Feb. 7: "Stress Management"; Saturday, Feb. 14: 'Nutrition & You"; Saturday, Feb. 21: "A Healthy Family"; and Saturday, March 7: "Add Years to Your Life". All sessions will begin at 2 p.m. and are free. St. John Lutheran Church (school building - lower level meeting room) is at 1101 Linneman Road, Mount Prospect. (847) 593-7670.

Survivors of Suicide: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcomes those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide to participate in its Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide program meetings: from 7-9 p.m. on Sundays, Feb. 8 and March 8, at Catholic Charities Northwest Office, 1717 Rand Road, Des Plaines; from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, Feb. 18 and March. 18, at Holy Family Church Counseling Center, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness; and from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays, Feb. 26 and March 26, at Carmel High School, One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein. (847) 376-2118.

Mexico mission: If you would like to learn more about St. Peter Lutheran Church's upcoming mission trip to Mexico July 11-18, plan on joining Pastor Greiner for an informational meeting in Bartz Hall from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights. This trip will be an opportunity to help with the construction of a home in Juarez, Mexico and help run vacation Bible school among the children of Mexico. (847) 259-4114.

Three Faiths-One God: At 10:15 a.m. on Sunday Feb. 8, Lutheran Church of the Cross will present this documentary. It is facilitated by a rabbi, a pastor and an imam, among other experts. Similarities and differences of each faith are compared. 2025 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights

"You Be the Judge II; An Exhilarating New Exploration of Jewish Civil Law": How does an ancient system of law adapt to the modern world? See how Talmudic scholars respond to new advances in technology and society while remaining faithful to eternal principles. It will be presented six Tuesday evenings beginning Feb. 10, or six Wednesday mornings beginning Feb. 11. at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, 755 Huehl Road, Northbrook. MALE accredited for layers (pending). For more information and registration, call (847) 564-8770 or ChabadNorthbrook.com.

Ceremony of remembrance: Candle-lighting ceremony to honor the lives of loved ones at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E Central Road, Des Plaines. A reception with light refreshments will follow. Bring a photo of your loved one to share with others. RSVP to Amy McGann, bereavement coordinator at Odyssey Healthcare. (847) 718-0517.

A special wedding service: In honor of National Weddings Month and Valentine's Day, a special wedding service will be held for any couples wishing to renew their marriage vows at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Victory Centre, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. The Rev. LeRoy Kennel of Schaumburg will officiate the ceremony which includes message, special music and wedding cake following the wedding. Free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged. For information, contact (630) 213-0100, or rlopienski@pathwaysl.com.

Congregation Beth Judea Auction: Viva Las Long Grove, an evening of gaming tables, live auction and silent auction will be Saturday, Feb. 21. At 7 p.m. there will be appetizers, noshes, beer, wine and desserts. At 7:45 p.m. the gaming tables open and the poker tournament starts. Gaming will consist of blackjack, roulette, poker and bingo. There will be blackjack, hold'em and bingo tournaments for cash prizes. (There will be an additional entry fee required for tournaments.) Cost: $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Admission includes chips for roulette and blackjack and a bingo card. Advance tickets must be purchased by Feb. 13. Attendees must be 21 or older. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. Call or RSVP to Beth Judea at (847) 634-0777 or e-mail LNeiman@BethJudea.org.

Valentine's Dance: Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine is holding a fundraising Valentine's Dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. The proceeds will go to improving the Bethel Courtyard and other Bethel Church charitable projects. Live music by Sideman Big Band. Cost is $25 plus one nonperishable food item for the food pantry. For reservations, (847) 397-4372.

Goddess Energy: Deborah DeBari, clairvoyant and certified astrologer, will present a special seminar on the Goddess Energy from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines. Find out which goddess can help you with healing, creativity, spirituality, wisdom and abundance, to name a few. Discover which goddess resonates with you. Call (847) 297-0997 to reserve your space. Suggested offering of $30.

Organfest: First Presbyterian Church presents Organfest at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Freewill offering. (847) 255-5900.

Chorus performance: In honor of Black History Month, Pastor Pearley Champion will bring the Peace, Mercy and Charity Chorus of Forest Park to perform, and Pastor Daniel Lee will share a message at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at Victory Centre, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged. For information, contact (630) 213-0100, or rlopienski@pathwaysl.com.

Our Lady of Fatima: The statue, Our Lady of Fatima will be brought in by members of St. Peter Damian at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, to Victory Centre, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Evening rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. with this special statue. (630) 213-0100.

Mardi Gras and All That Jazz: From 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1624 E. Euclid Ave., Mount Prospect. Includes dinner, entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for children 4-10 years of age. (847) 824-7408.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois: "1898 German Jewish Genealogy and Assimilation into Chicago Life - Culture and Cooking" will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie. The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth Israel will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use the library materials, get help with genealogy Web sites on the Internet, or ask genealogical related questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m. www.jewishgen.org/jgsi or call (312) 666-0100.

Parish mission: The Catholic Churches of Northbrook will come together this spring to host a Parish Mission. Our Lady of the Brook and St. Norbert will jointly welcome Fr. Richard Fragomeni Feb. 22-25. He will alternate between the two parishes, with a theme of "Two Parishes, One Church, One Lent." The series begins Sunday, Feb. 22 at St. Norbert, addressing the topic "Church: Why Bother?" On Monday, Feb. 23, Fr. Fragomeni will speak at Our Lady of the Brook on "Church: Where do I Fit? What do I do?" and Tuesday, Feb. 24, the location is once again at St. Norbert, as "Church: What's the Catch?" is explored. Finally, on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, the series will conclude at Our Lady of the Brook with a look into the future with "Church: Envision This". Each evening begins at 7 p.m., and concludes at approximately 8:30 p.m., followed by refreshments every night except Ash Wednesday. The Wednesday service will include the distribution of ashes. Our Lady of the Brook is at 3700 Dundee. (847) 272-5686, olbparish.org. St. Norbert is at 1809 Walters Ave. (847) 272-7090, stnorbertparish.org.

Unity Northwest Church anniversary: celebrating 50 years of being a spiritual center. Join in on Sunday, Feb. 22, for services at 9 and 11 a.m. Unity Northwest is at 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines. (847) 297-0997.

Man of the Year Dinner: The Midwest region of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs will hold its annual Man of the Year Dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Congregation Beth Emunah, 3220 Big Tree Lane in Wilmette. Congregation Beth Judea's Men's Club of Long Grove honors Gregg Pollack of Northbrook as its 2009 Man of the Year. (847) 634-0777. Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. BethJudea.org.

A celebration of sacred music: By a conglomeration of Barrington churches at 7 p.m.(doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Sunday, Jan. 25, at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59). Now in its third year, the festival features a variety of sacred music styles from the participating churches as well as massed choir pieces directed by festival founder Dr. James Skomer of Salem United Methodist Church. Participating churches include: Atonement Lutheran Church, Barrington United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church of Barrington, St. Anne Catholic Community, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, St. Michael Episcopal Church, Salem United Methodist Church, and Village Church of Barrington. (847) 359-6663.

Ash Wednesday service: 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines. (847) 297-0997.

Memorial service: A Quarterly Memorial Service will be held honoring all those who have passed away at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at Victory Centre, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Chaplain Lori Geschrey of Odyssey HealthCare Hospice will lead the service, and candle-lighting, special music and a time for sharing memories are included. Everyone is welcome from all faiths. (630) 213-0100.

The Ministry of New Beginnings, a Catholic-oriented, nondenominational, social support organization for separated, divorced, widowed and single persons, meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in the Hughes Center in front of St. Matthew's Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. The cost is $3 per meeting, with the first visit free. (847) 891-1220.

St. Hubert Job and Networking Ministry, 729 Grand Canyon Blvd., Hoffman Estates, is nondenominational, free and open to all occupations. For details, call Bob Podgorski at (847) 925-6005.

A small group meets to write their life stories from 2-3:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, 1400 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. To register, call (847) 439-0668 or e-mail princepeaceumc@sbcglobal.net.

Prince of Peace Preschool and Kindergarten, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, is now offering a Pre-3 Class for children turning 3 years old after Sept. 1, 2008, and before Jan. 31, 2009. The class will begin in January 2009. This special class offers an introduction to preschool from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. There also is a Parents' Day Out program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with lunch and snacks provided. For details or to register, call (847) 885-7036

Congregation Beth Judea's Gan Shabbat program, for children ages 9 and younger along with their families, will be from 10:30-11:30 a.m. After Gan Shabbat, all participants will be encouraged to join the main service and the community Kiddush. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. (847) 634-0777.

Rainbows Grief and Support Sessions will meet Mondays at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. The classes are for children (as young as preschoolers) and adults who have experienced a loss of a family member through death, divorce, deployment or even absence due to a serious illness. Classes are facilitated by trained adults. For details, call Shirley Laube or Lynn Manning at (847) 253-4839.

Basic Buddhism classes continue at Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhist Church on the first Sunday of the month at the church, 1 W. Euclid Ave., Mount Prospect (corner of Route 83 and Euclid). (847) 259-3018.

Jewish Yoga: Offered from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays, at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. The class is open to nonmembers. (847) 459-1677, congregation-betham.org.

Beth Am Food Pantry's food distribution: Offered the last Sunday of the month from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Nonperishable food donations are always welcome. Congregation Beth Am is at 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 459-1677.

A free beginning yoga class: From 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays at Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhist Church, 1 W. Euclid Ave., Mount Prospect. Bring your yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. (847) 259-3018.

St. Edna Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, offers several support groups including ones for those who have been widowed, a group for mothers who have lost a son or a daughter and a group for those struggling with divorce. (847) 398-3362, ext. 318.

A Women's Bible Study, led by laypersons, meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. The group is reading "Daughters of Eve" by Virginia Owens. The book examines the women in the Bible and their message to women today. Newcomers are welcome. For details, visit CongUCC.org or call (847) 392-6650.

CoffeeHour is a women's Bible study and outreach of Arlington Countryside Church in Arlington Heights. A variety of studies are offered at different times. For details, visit www.acchurch.org.