Your faith

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

Life After Fifty-Five: On Saturday, Jan. 31, LAFF (Life After Fifty-five), Congregation Beth Tikvah's senior group, will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the temple in Hoffman Estates for game night. Bring any game you enjoy: mah jong, bridge, dominoes, etc. Enjoy dessert and coffee. For more information, call Leora at (847) 359-0439.

Songwriter workshop: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 720 S. Dundee Ave., Barrington, will host a workshop with songwriter Ginny Owens from 1 to 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.

Guest speaker: The Rev. Chuck Newfeld, newly appointed Illinois Conference Mennonite minister, will be the guest speaker at Christ Community Mennonite Church, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. (847) 895-3676.

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.

Souper Bowl: Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights, will celebrate "Souper Bowl" Sunday, following 10:30 a.m. worship, Sunday, Feb. 1. Teens will serve samples of soup to members and collect donations of money and nonperishable food for the local food pantry. www.congucc.org or (847) 392-6650.

Preschool registration: The Prince of Peace Church Preschool will open registration for the 2009-2010 school year starting at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 2, in the Welcome Center. Registration forms are available at the church, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. Interested families should feel free to schedule a visit at the preschool before registration if they are interested. For more information about registration, call the preschool at (847) 885-7036.

Tu B'Shevat: Chabad of Northbrook's Jewish Women's Circle presents a women's evening in honor of "Tu B'Shevat," the new year of the trees, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook 755 Huehl Rd (corner Dundee Road) Northbrook. Try your hand at a variety of salads and dressings, and take home a mini salad cookbook. Suggested donation is $8. For details, call Miriam at (847) 564-8770 or www.chabadnorthbrook.com

Human sexuality: Beth Judea Rabbi Howard Lifshitz will hold a discussion with the United Synagogue Youth from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, about "Discovering Sex with the Text" in the Beth Judea USY Youth Lounge. Rabbi Lifshitz will use biblical texts to frame what Judaism teaches about human sexuality. Cost: free for members; $10 for Jewish nonmembers. Snacks will be provided. For questions, contact Youth Director Aaron Polonsky at (847) 634-0777, ext. 114, or e-mail Aaron at YouthDirector@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 to 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 B'Shevat 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.

Movie night: Watch the movie "3:10 to Yuma" (a modern-day Western) at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the home of Steve and Bonnie Gerth, who live a block from St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. Call for directions at (847) 998-1793. Free. Bring a dish to share.

Spaghetti dinner: The Prince of Peace Church Preschool will hold an "Oodles of Noodles" Spaghetti Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. Dinner will be served at 5:30. There are lots of activities, crafts, a movie and an interactive opera. Cost is $6.50 for adults and $4 for children 3 and older. For more information, call (847) 885-7036. The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Preschool is located in the church at 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. www.princeofpeace.net.

Chili benefit: A Chili Cook Off with silent auction and raffle will be held at the Lutheran Church of Martha and Mary located at 606 W. Golf Road, Mount Prospect, by a mission team from the Lutheran Church of Martha and Mary and St. Paul United Church of Christ, Palatine, from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for children, under 3 years free, and can be purchased at the door. Proceeds will assist the team's upcoming February Mexico mission trip activities such as house construction, three-day medical clinic, Bible school, and soup kitchens. (847) 259-2568.

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.

Art class: Maxine's Art Class is offered from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays Feb. 7, 14 and 21 at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. Cost is $5 per session plus materials. (847) 998-1946, www.stphilip.info.

Alternative worship: Experience Worship is a new alternative worship service at Christ Lutheran Church, 41 S. Rohlwing Road, Palatine. Gather at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays, Feb. 8 and 22, and March 8 and 22 at CLC's Holy Grounds coffee shop. Join for fellowship and an informal night of uplifting praise and worship. All ages welcome. Check it out on Facebook: Experience Worship @ CLC - Palatine. For more information, call (847) 358-4600.

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.

Small group discussions: Small Groups begin the week of Sunday, Feb. 8, at Congregational UCC, 1001 Kirchoff Road in Arlington Heights. Discussions will center on matters of faith and how these relate to everyday life and relationships. Each group will be limited in size from six to 11 participants and will meet once a week on the second and fourth week of each month. Groups are being organized now. For more information, call (847) 392-6650.

Three Faiths-One God: At 10:15 a.m. 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.

Responsibility talk: On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Congregation Beth Judea's United Synagogue Youth will meet in the BJUSY Youth Lounge from 7 to 9 p.m. to have a discussion titled "Responsibility: A Look at Israel and its People." USYers will talk about how to help solve the debate of which people the Israeli governments has the responsibility to help and defend. Cost: free for USY members; $10 for Jewish Nonmembers. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. Contact Youth Director Aaron Polonsky at (847) 634-0777, ext. 114 or e-mail him at YouthDirector@BethJudea.org.

"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.

Mardi Gras mayhem: A Ladies Night Out with Cajun-style buffet and live music will be held Friday, Feb. 20, at St. James Parish Center, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Doors open at 6 p.m., buffet begins at 7 p.m. $30 per person/cash bar. Bring a dessert to serve 12 and receive two free gift basket raffle tickets. Contest for best Mardi Gras mask. Tickets on sale through Monday, Feb. 16. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Contact Jennifer Lindgren at (847) 394-4173.

iPrayer: On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Congregation Beth Judea's USYers (United Synagogue Youth) will meet in the BJUSY Youth Lounge from 7 to 9 p.m. to take part in iPrayer. USYers are asked to bring their MP3 player loaded with music. No MP3 player? Then bring a CD player, Walkman, 8-track or even a 45 record. Cost: free for members; $10 for Jewish nonmembers. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. Contact Beth Judea Youth Director Aaron Polonsky at (847) 634-0777 ext. 114, or e-mail him at YouthDirector@BethJudea.org

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.

Preschool registration: The Big Barn Preschool is accepting summer and fall registration. Full-day and part-day preschool are available. There are a limited for 3- to 5-year-old preschoolers. For more information, call Mary Fisher at (847) 895-3257.

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.

Women's Bible Study: Led by laypersons, meets every Wednesday morning, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Newcomers welcome. www.congucc.org or (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.