Folk meets lit at Elgin concert

Take the banjo-picking and spirited lyrics of a folk singer, cross them with the astringent wit of a literature professor, add the wisdom and compassion of a Quaker, and you have Bill Jolliff, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, teacher, and poet, who will perform at a coffee house at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

Jolliff, who is professor of American literature at George Fox University, a Quaker school in Newberg, Ore., has been invited to the Midwest to lead a men's retreat March 13-15 at Camp Emmaus, the Church of the Brethren camp near Mt. Morris, Ill. Men from three Illinois congregations will participate. While Jolliff is in town, he has agreed to bring his skills as a performer to this Sunday night event of the Highland Avenue Congregation. On Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday before the coffee house, Jolliff will lead the men's retreat in reflections on the theme: "The Complexity of Simplicity: Being a Person of Faith in a Time of Disappearing Prosperity." The coffeehouse will be in the spirit of the monthly coffee houses Highland Avenue held for many years - in the fellowship hall, with small tables, candles, popcorn, coffee, tea, cider - an intimate friendly setting for listening and singing along.

The community is invited. There is no charge. Free-will donations will be accepted. For information, call (847) 741-5124.