Northwest suburban religion notes

Western Wall' prayer center: The Congregation at North Northfield United Methodist Church in Northbrook has created a Western Wall as part of a prayer center for Lent. The Western Wall of Jerusalem inspired this wall, where people offer prayers by writing them on slips of paper and inserting them into crevices in the wall. The prayer center, located in the sanctuary of the church, also includes prayer resources and kneelers. The wall is available for use by the public from 9 to 11 a.m. weekdays, and also by appointment (please call the church office to set up a time at your convenience). In addition, special activities are continuing at the church during Lent. On Wednesdays through April 1, snacks will be offered from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m., followed by a sanctuary program with Scripture, storytelling and songs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact the church, located at Sanders and Dundee, at (847) 272-2250, or visit Web site at www.northnorthfield.org.

'You Can't Take it With You': The Halfway to Heaven players drama group will present "You Can't Take it With You" at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, in Fellowship Hall at Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Soup and sandwiches will be served. On Saturday, March 14, there will be a matinee at 1:30 p.m. that will include dessert. The Saturday evening performance will be at 7 p.m. with a catered turkey dinner. Ticket prices are $15 for Friday (proceeds go to the Boy Scouts), $10 for Saturday afternoon and $25 for Saturday evening. To purchase tickets, call (847) 352-8181.

Inspiration: Several films on the theme "Where Do Ideas Come From: Insight, Inspiration and Intuition" will be shown at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 N. Smith Road in Palatine. Discussion will follow each film. More information on this series may be found at http://citizenstruth.info/afdfilms/. (847) 359-8440.

Drum circle: Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines, will have Drum Circle at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13. Bring your own drum or percussive instrument or they will be provided.

Fish fry: St. Raymond de Penafort Church in Mount Prospect will host Friday night fish fries during the upcoming Lenten season. These events will take place between 5 and 8 p.m. March 13 and April 3 in the school cafeteria, accessible via the main entrance to the parish's Catholic elementary school at the corner of Elmhurst Avenue at Milburn Street. Both eat in and carryout meals will be featured. Cheese pizza will also be available. Dinner costs are $7 for adults, $4 for children older than 2, and $6 for seniors during the 5 to 6 p.m. hour. A donation-only bar will also be available for adults.

Stations of the Cross: St. James Church, 831 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, will offer Stations of the Cross at 7:30 p.m. Fridays during Lent. www.stjamesah.org.

Adult education: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, will offer an adult education class on Birchat Hachamah at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, following Shabbat services and lunch. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

Revelation Bible Study: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1190 N. Hicks Road, Palatine, offers a study on the book of Revelation. The Rev. John Glover will walk through the book of Revelation from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays, March 14, 21 and 28. (847)-359-3451.

St. Pat potluck: Don something green, bring a green dish to share, and come to the St. Patrick's Day Family Potluck Saturday, March 14, at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) in Barrington. Enjoy corned beef and cabbage, games and a movie starting at 5:30 p.m. For details, call Elaine at (847) 921-5356

Got Shabbat: Families with children ages 4 to 8 can spend a Shabbat afternoon at JCC's Got Shabbat? from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Enjoy craft projects, food, Shabbat songs and Storybook Yoga with Katie Klatt-Bowen. Call Susan Ellenby at (224) 406-9223.

For women: A women's retreat will be offered from noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. Suggested donation is $10. RSVP to Carol at (847) 509-0487.

'Godspell': During Lent, join friends and neighbors at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1111 N. Elmhurst Road, Prospect Heights, when musicians and actors from three area churches present the rock musical "Godspell" by Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz. A freewill offering will be collected to benefit The Night Ministry, an organization offering on-site aid to Chicago's homeless population and provider of Chicago's only youth homeless shelter. (847) 537-4353.

Passover Seder: The Olive Tree Congregation in Prospect Heights is hosting a Messianic Passover Seder at 6 p.m. Friday, April 10, at The Atlantis Banquets, 1273 N. Rand Road in Arlington Heights. Attendees are invited to participate in a family-style Seder with traditional foods and music, all pointing to Yeshua (Jesus) as the Passover Lamb. Sign language interpreters provided. Space is limited; registration deadline is March 28. Register by March 14 to receive an early registration discount. For details, call (847) 222-1230 or visit www.olive-tree.

Sock hop: Congregational United Church of Christ is holding an all-church sock hop from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Pioneer Park in Arlington Heights. The party is part of the yearlong 50th anniversary celebration at Congregational UCC, 1001 Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. The party includes a pizza dinner and root beer floats. The Windy City Hitmen DJ will supply the music, and there will be dancing lessons. www.CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

Concert: Beth Tikvah Congregation will host the student a cappella group Magevet from Yale University from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at the temple, 300 Hillcrest Blvd. in Hoffman Estates. The musical performance is free. Magevet members are undergraduate students devoted to spreading music of the Jewish tradition around the world. For details, visit www.beth-tikvah.org or call (847) 885-4545.

Pray for peace: A Prayer Service for Peace in the Middle East will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 909 E. Main St., Barrington. Following the service, the Rev. Julie Rowe of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will give a presentation about participating in or supporting Palestinian/American youth exchange projects. (847) 381-0243 or visit http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Peace-Not-Walls. aspx.

Christian parenting: A parenting program, "Christian Parenting 101," will begin Sunday, March 15, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, 1400 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. (847) 439-0668.

Gospel of John: As a Lent event, St. Cecilia is bringing The Gospel of John to the Chicago area Sunday, March 15. Brad Sherrill, a professional actor who lives in Atlanta, Ga., memorized all 20,000 words of the Gospel of John. He has performed the Gospel of John in churches and theater venues more than 500 times to over 150,000 people all over the U.S., Canada, The U.K., and Ireland. The presentation will take place at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, (seating begins at 3 p.m.) at St. Cecilia Church, 700 S. Meier Road, Mount Prospect. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through the parish office, (847) 437-6208.

Concert: The St. Peter Clarinet Choir will perform a broad spectrum of musical styles, including sacred, classical, baroque, ragtime, swing/jazz, and some generally "just fun" pieces at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at St. Peter Lutheran Church Sanctuary, 111 W. Olive, Arlington Heights. Free admission. (847) 259-4114.

Pray for peace: A Prayer Vigil for Peace will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. The peace vigil marks the sixth anniversary of USA military engagement in Iraq and is co-hosted by United Church of Christ churches in the North and Northwest suburbs. Ceremonies will include celebration of recent decisions to bring troops home from Iraq, consideration for the efforts that are needed to establish peace wherever there is injustice and strife, and rededication of the Peace Pole located in the front garden at Congregational UCC. CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

Concert: The concert series of First Presbyterian Church presents "Requiem" by Gabriel Faure. The Chamber Singers, soloists and orchestra present this program at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at First Presbyterian Church, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Child care provided. (847) 255-5900.

Turkey dinner: The Lutheran Laymen's League's annual Turkey Dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at St. Peter Lutheran Church 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights. Tickets are available at the church, Grandt's Shell Station and from any LLL member. Cost is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $3 for children ages 3-12 and $10 for carryouts. (847) 259- 4114.

Purim: Ron Raben, education director of Elgin Congregation Kneseth Israel, will talk about the recent Jewish Holiday Purim at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, at Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Learn about and experience firsthand the traditions of Purim, including hearing the story of Esther, the reading of the Megillah with audience participation, and eating hamantaschen. (630) 213-0100.

Roses from Israel: Congregation Beth Judea is selling mid-size roses from Israel for Passover. The cost is $20 per dozen for a mixed-color bouquet. Orders must be placed by Monday, March 16, and will be available for pickup on Tuesday, April 7, between 6-8 p.m. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. Call the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777 or e-mail LNeiman@BethJudea.org to place your order.

Lenten suppers: Every Tuesday night "Souper Suppers" is offered at 7 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 337 Ridge Road, Barrington Hills. All are welcome, child care is provided. (847) 381-0596.

Potluck lunch: An Irish theme will be featured during the Senior Fellowship potluck lunch at noon Tuesday, March 17, at North Northfield United Methodist Church, Sanders and Dundee in Northbrook. Bring a friend and a dish to pass that will compliment the corned beef and cabbage that will be served. The "senior" group is all-inclusive, so persons attending don't need to qualify as a "senior" to come and enjoy the lunch, fellowship, and singing. (847) 272-2250 or www.northnorthfield.org.

Women Circle: United Methodist Women's Circle will have a business meeting at noon Wednesday, March 18, at Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, followed by a program at 12:30 p.m. Featured speaker Beth Collier will discuss "Aging Well as a Christian."

Interconnections: "On Earth as it is in Heaven: A Spirituality for the Sake of the World" will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at The Center, 801 Carillon Drive, Bartlett. This presentation will focus on awareness of the interconnections of life as an important step toward world peace. Gabriele Uhlein, a Franciscan sister internationally known for her practical and spiritual perspectives, will take a look at the purpose of living a spiritual life. Freewill offering. Call (630) 837-7486.

Soup fellowship: Weekly Wednesday Soup fellowship is offered at 6:30 p.m., followed by Bible study at 7 p.m. led by Christine Mihevc, at Community Mennonite Church, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg.

Midweek Lenten Worship: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1190 N. Hicks Road, Palatine, will offer midweek Lenten worship Wednesdays at 7 p.m. through April 1. Meditations will be based on the theme "The Cross and the Catechism." Each week the meditation will connect the account of Jesus' suffering and death read that night with a section of Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism, which directly connects to our own everyday struggles. (847)-359-3451 or www.reachgrowserve.org.

Lenten services: Christus Victor Lutheran Church, 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village, will offer dinner at 6 p.m. and services at 7 p.m. Wednesdays during Lent, March 18, 25 and April 5.

Lenten program: Gather at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1111 N. Elmhurst Road, Prospect Heights, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Lent for soup and sandwich meals. Worship service follows at 7:30 p.m. (847) 537-4353.

Lenten services: Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 150 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village, will hold midweek Lenten services at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, March 18 and 25 and April 1. (847) 437-5897.

Lenten services: St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1609 Pfingsten, Glenview, will offer Lenten soup, study and services on Wednesdays, March 18, 25 and April 1. Soup supper at 6:30 p.m., study at 7 p.m. and service at 7:30 p.m.

Midweek services: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, will continue with midweek Lenten services at noon Wednesday, March 18, with a light lunch served after the service. There will also be services at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a light supper served from 5:50-6:30 p.m. (847) 259-4114.

Lenten services: Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, will offer Lenten services Wednesdays at 7 p.m. through April 1. (847) 253-4839.

Lenten services: Wednesday Lenten services, with 6:30 p.m. dinner and service at 7:30 p.m., are offered at Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. The series is titled "Christ on Trial." Each service includes a courtroom drama and re-enactments of encounters with Jesus. www.CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

Book group: Cathy Anderson will lead a discussion of the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, 1400 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. (847) 439-0668.

Women's Passover Seder: The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Judea will be hosting a special Women's Passover Seder at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the synagogue's Social Hall. Cost: $15 for Sisterhood members; $18 for nonmembers. Make your check payable to Beth Judea Sisterhood. Light refreshments will be served. In the past, mothers, daughters (bat mitzvah age and older), sisters and cousins have come as a group. There will be some standard parts of the Seder, and there will be a focus on women who played an important role in the Passover story. Come and get ideas for your own Passover Family Seder. (847) 634-0777 and leave a message for Merle. Beth Judea is located at Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove.

St. Joseph Day: Celebrate St. Joseph's Day at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 15 North Hickory Ave., Arlington Heights. Coffee and tea will be served. Bring a dessert to share for the St. Joseph's feast table. Special guest Mary Strom, executive director of the Women's Centers of Greater Chicagoland, will tell how ultrasound is saving lives. Freewill offering to benefit the Women's Centers.

For married couples: A Stations of the Cross for married couples, followed by the movie "Fireproof," will be offered at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, at St. Thomas of Villanova, 1201 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine. No charge for the movie. (847) 358-6999.

Shabbat Across America: Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove, will be participating in Shabbat Across America during a Shabbat dinner and service Friday, March 20. Dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. and services begin at 7:30 p.m. Dinner consists of burgers, hot dogs, apple cobbler and a vegetarian alternative, upon request. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-12 and $30 for a family. (847) 634-0777.

Egg hunt: All children are invited to the Annual Resurrection Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Grace Lutheran Church, 780 S. Bartlett Road, Streamwood. Hunt for eggs and hear the story of the Resurrection of Jesus. Children who find "special eggs" will receive a special prize. Free. (630) 289-3996.

Focus on the homeless: Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 N. Smith Road, Palatine, concurrently with UU churches in Elgin, Hinsdale, Deerfield, Evanston and DuPage, is holding a "Sleep-Out-Saturday" on March 21 that will include spending the night in cardboard boxes. Unlike actual homeless people, if it rains, the alternate date is May 9. The event will include a soup dinner, a short worship service, a discussion led by Lindsay Rosales, event coordinator for Journey to Hope (PADS - Public Action to Deliver Shelter), a movie, a campfire with snacks, next morning breakfast, discussion and reflection. Those participating in the "Cardboard City" event will collect pledges to benefit PADS. For more information, call (847) 359-8440, ext. 4, or go to the Web site nomoreturningaway.org.

Wellness Day: The Chai Center for Enrichment & Renewal and Temple Chai Sisterhood present "Wellness Day" from 10:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove. The day will include seminars, workshops, yoga, a mini health fair, nutritional lunches and more. For details and registration materials, visit templechai.org/chaicenter/wellnessday or call (847) 537-1771, ext. 234.

Healing work: Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines, will host Dr. Janet Horton at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 22, for an overview of her healing work.

Horton Wellness & Chiropractic is a state-of-the-art chiropractic and wellness clinic in Des Plaines. Aside from offering traditional chiropractic therapies and acupuncture, the clinic director, Dr. Janet Horton, is the author of the Live Well Metabolic Makeover. Horton looks at metabolic challenges, hormonal issues, food sensitivities, and structural stresses.

Fundraiser: Congregation Beth Judea will hold a Shop & Share Days fundraising drive at all Jewel-Osco stores on Monday through Wednesday, March 23-25, and on Monday though Wednesday, March 30 - April 1. When you present a Shop & Share identification slip at the time of purchase, Jewel-Osco will donate 5 percent of all purchases (including groceries, pharmacy, photo and liquor purchases), less tax, to the Congregation Beth Judea general fund. (847) 634-0777 or www.BethJudea.org.

Living Beyond Stress: Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines, will hold a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 21, called Living Beyond Stress. Cynthia Hosman, licensed counselor and Unity Northwest chaplain, will conduct this workshop for coping with stress in body, mind and spirit. Suggested freewill offering is $20. For details or to register, call (847) 297-0997.

Prophets study: A Bible study will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, March 23, at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, 1400 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village, based on the textbook "Bible People: Prophets." Call (847) 439-0668 for information and registration.

Lecture on homosexuality: Christian Liberty Academy will host Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth at 7 p.m. Monday, March 23, at the academy, 502 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. LaBarbera founded Americans for Truth, which alerts Christians about threats of the homosexual agenda to families and religious freedom. Visit www.americansfortruth.com.

Free meal and fellowship: St. Philip's Meal Kitchen Crew will offer a free meal and fellowship from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. (847) 998-1946, www.stphilip.info.

Catholicism at the Crossroads: Holy Family Catholic Community will offer Community on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, exploring "Catholicism at the Crossroads: How the Laity Can Save the Church." Special Guest Speaker Paul Lakeland will speak at the church, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness. Paul Lakeland is the Aloysius P. Kelley S. J. Professor of Catholic Studies at Fairfield University in Connecticut, where he has taught for over 25 years, mostly in Catholic ecclesiology, liberation theology and religion and literature. For information, call (847) 359-0042 or check the Web site www.holyfamilyparish.org.

GriefShare seminar: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1190 N. Hicks Road, Palatine, will present GriefShare, a biblically-based video seminar and support group for people grieving the death of someone close. The group meets from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays beginning March 28. (847)-359-3451.

Craft Day: St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview, will offer a Craft Day at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28. Gather with other crafters for fellowship and sharing of information. (847) 998-1946, www.stphilip.info.

Literary discussion: A book review and discussion will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 N. Smith Road in Palatine. The book, "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn, "tells America's story from the point of view of - and in the words of - America's women, factory workers, African Americans, Native Americans, working poor and immigrant laborers." It spans the years 1492 - 2000. Only the second half (Chapter 13 to the end) will be discussed, with the meeting held in Room 6 at the north entrance.

Organizing Your Genealogy Records: Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will present Organizing Your Genealogy Records by Trudy Barch at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 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 library materials, get help with genealogy Web sites on the Internet, or ask genealogical related questions before the main program. jewishgen.org/jgsi or (312) 666-0100.

Chamber music: Cellist Jill Kaeding and pianist Jeffrey Panko will be featured in "The Music of Rachmaninoff," an afternoon of chamber music at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at The South Church, 501 S. Emerson, Mount Prospect. Featured compositions will include Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Vocalise and various Preludes and Etudes for solo piano. Audience members can meet the artists at a reception immediately following the concert. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. www.thesouthchurch.com.

Women's Passover Seder: Reservations are being taken now for Beth Tikvah Congregation's annual Women's Passover Seder. The event pays tribute to the Jewish observance of Passover from a woman's spiritual perspective. The full-course dinner and service begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the temple, 300 Hillcrest Blvd., in Hoffman Estates. Tickets are $20 per person. Make checks payable to Beth Tikvah Sisterhood. Advance sales only. To reserve your spot, contact Naomi Lee, (847) 359-0814, mamanheureuse.lee@gmail.com or Dawn Bernstein, (630) 307-0325.

Rummage sale: Immanuel United Church of Christ is having a Spring Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4. There will be lots for sale including clothing, household items, electronics and more. The church is located at 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood. (630) 837-0190.

Clothing resale: The Barrington United Methodist Women will host a "Like New Spring and Summer Clothing Resale" from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 3, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington. On Saturday, shoppers can take advantage of a bargain bag sale, with all the goodies you can fit into either a $3 or $5 bag. Proceeds from the sale will go toward local missions.

Donations of clothing will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 30; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 31 and April 1; and 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 2. Tax donation receipts will be readily available. (847) 836-5540.

Egg hunt: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Bartlett is having an Easter Praise and Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4. All children, from toddlers through sixth grade, are invited to sing, hunt for candy-filled eggs, and make crafts. The church is east of Route 59 on the southwest corner of Army Trail and Petersdorf Road.

Rummage sale: Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood, is having a Spring Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 3, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4. Items for sale include clothing, household items, electronics and more. (630) 837-0190.

Passover: Feast of Pesach/Passover will be Saturday, April 11, at Comfort Inn Suites Hotel, 2480 Bushwood Drive, Elgin, and hosted by Ha Mishkan David. After the seder will be worship/food/fellowship/Israeli music and dance. The cost is $10 for adults, free for children. www.hamishkandavid.org. Make checks payable to: The Tabernacle of David, 876 Clover Lane, Pingree Grove, IL 60140. (847) 464-5477 or www.hamishkandavid.org.

Men's Club Shabbat: The Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea will lead the Shabbat service at the Annual Men's Club Shabbat at 9:30 a.m. on the third day of Passover, Saturday, April 11, at Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. The Kiddish that will follow the service will be sponsored by the Men's Club. (847) 634-0777 or www.BethJudea.org.

Pancake breakfast: The South Church will host a Community Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11. The menu will include pancakes (regular, chocolate chip, and banana), sausage, juice, milk, coffee, and South Church hospitality, for a cost of $5 per adult. There is no charge for children age 12 and younger. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance from 9 to 11 a.m. to pass out goodie bags to children and pose for photos. The South Church is handicap-accessible and located at 501 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. www.thesouthchurch.com. (847) 253-0501.

Survivors of Suicide: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago invites those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide to participate in its Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) program from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Catholic Charities Northwest Office, 1717 Rand Road, Des Plaines, and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Holy Family Church Counseling Center, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness. For details, call (847) 376-2118.

Spring gala: St. Raymond de Penafort, 301 S. Ioka Ave., Mount Prospect, will offer its Spring Gala - Let Your Light Shine, a 60th Anniversary Celebration, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Schaumburg. Ticket price: $100/person. Contact: (847) 253-8600.

Genealogy program: Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will present Preserving Your Ancestor's Legacy: Write Their Life Story" by Mike Karsen at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 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, or ask genealogical related questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m. www.jewishgen.org/jgsi or (312) 666-0100.

Preschool registration: Prince of Peace preschool and kindergarten, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, is currently registering new students for the 2009-2010 school year. Call (847) 885-7036 for more information.

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

School registration: St. Hubert Catholic School continues open registration for the 2009-2010 school year for preschool through eighth grade, with new student applications being accepted. For registration materials and details, call the school office between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at (847) 885-7702. Tours can be arranged, as well as appointments made to learn more about St. Hubert Catholic School.

New Beginnings: 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 to 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.

Parents Day Out: Registration has begun for the Kingswood Parent's Day Out summer session. This program is for children ages 2 and 3. The summer session of Parent's Day Out will start Tuesday, June 16, and will go until Thursday, July 30. This is a seven-week program. A $25 nonrefundable registration fee is due at time of registration. The balance is due by Friday, May 22. Refunds will not be given after June 1. The church is at 401 W. Dundee Road in Buffalo Grove. Questions and applications will be received by Barb Symonds, minister of children and family life, at (847) 398-0770, ext., 16.

Congregation Beth Judea's Gan Shabbat program, for children ages 9 and younger along with their families, will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. After Gan Shabbat, all participants will be encouraged to join the main service and the community Kiddush. Beth Judea is 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 the 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 the first Sunday of the month at the church, 1 W. Euclid Ave., Mount Prospect. (847) 259-3018.

Virtual Book Fair: Congregation Beth Judea will have a Virtual Book Fair. In conjunction with Amazon.com, they have set up a selection of books and music that can be purchased online. The Beth Judea Religious School receives a portion of all purchases made. Direct your Web browser to CBJ School Book Fair and follow the link. When you shop from this link, a portion of all purchases goes to Beth Judea. On the cbjschool.com Web site, you will see a link that takes you directly to amazon.com. This Web site will be up and running for a number of months. Beth Judea (Conservative) is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. For details, call Anna Besser at (847) 634-0777.

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

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

Preschool: Registration has begun for Mother's Day-Out Preschool Program at Prince of Peace UMC, 1400 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. The hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day for children ages 2 to 5. Contact Lynn Cooper at (847) 439-0668 for a registration packet or more information.

Play group: Parents and tots are invited to join a new play group the first Monday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at Park Ridge Community Church, 100 S. Courtland Ave., Park Ridge. The play group is designed for parents with children ages 5 and younger. Parents must remain with their children at all times. (847) 823-3164 or parkridgecommunitychurch.org.

Tell your story: Writing your story is a new small group at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church in Elk Grove Village that meets the second Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 1400 Arlington Heights Road. Call (847) 439-0668 or e-mail princepeaceumc@sbcglobal.net to register. There is no cost to attend. All are welcome.

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 Wednesdays from 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.