Tri-Cities religion notes

To include your church in the free listings, e-mail to tricity@dailyherald.com. Jewishbull; Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors will hold its monthly Friday Night Shabbat service at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17. After the service will be a brief oneg (social time), after which, the documentary, "The Power of Good," will be shown, in commemoration of Yom HaShoah -Remembrance Day for the Holocaust and Heroism. A discussion will follow, led by Holly Price, Holocaust educator from Temple B'nai Israel in Aurora. The observance of Yom HaShoah is on April 21, this year. This documentary tells the story of Nicholas Winton, who saved the lives of 669 Jewish children when he brought them from Czechoslovakia to England in 1939. For more about Winton and the movie, see www.powerofgood.net. The service will be family-friendly. The movie and discussion afterward, however, will not be appropriate for young children. Everyone interested is welcome. FVJN is at 121 S. Third St., Geneva. This is a free program, but donations are welcome, and canned goods will also collected for donation to the local food pantry. Visit www.fvjn.org for more information. Familiesbull; As part of their month-long celebration of Earth Day, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva will present the film, "Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home" at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17. Guest speaker for the evening is Gary Mielke, recycling coordinator for Kane County. Mielke is an enthusiastic proponent of recycling, and shares the latest information about what can and cannot be recycled and why. He expertly fields questions from audiences of all ages and is a very popular speaker for a large variety of organizations. This feature documentary shows that the family household has become one of the most ferocious environmental predators of our time. Writer-director Andrew Nisker asks an average family, the McDonalds, to keep every scrap of garbage they create for three months, then takes them on a journey to find out where it all goes and what it's doing to the world. By the end of this odyssey, you are truly inspired to revolutionize your lifestyle for the sake of future generations. Nisker skillfully shifts the focus away from melting glaciers and oil slicks and puts it squarely in our neighborhoods and homes, so that average people can connect the dots between their actions and the environment.The momentum for change continues online at www.garbagerevolution.com. Visitors are encouraged to become involved in changing their own communities through video, pictures and blogs. UUSG is helping to fuel this revolution by having available for sale that night reusable Chico shopping bags, Green Dry Greening bags from the Dry Greening Company in Willowbrook, and rain barrels to capture runoff from your gutter system for use in watering landscaping. Rain barrel sales benefit The Conservation Foundation of Naperville.Ann Drover of UUSG's Green Sanctuary Committee says, "This film emphasizes considerably more than a story of a family and their 3-month garbage episode. The adverse effects on other parts of the planet and other beings, resulting from our wasteful lifestyles, really hit home, and I found the parts dealing with the rest of the story even more interesting than the family's travails."Fundraisersbull; Aurora Central Catholic High School invites parents, alumni and the community to the school's biggest fundraiser of the year, "Super Saturday Night." As the school continues its yearlong 40th anniversary celebration, the venue for this popular event, planned for Saturday, April 25, will be The Gaslite Manor in Aurora. Enjoy an evening of shopping, with hundreds of silent auction items, including gift baskets, sport and garden items, and entertainment certificates. Or try your bidding skills in winning one of the top prizes in the live auction. Prizes like two-round trip airline tickets, a HD/LCD big screen television, or a one-week vacation in Florida are among the more than 20 prizes to be auctioned. The highlight of the evening will be the $10,000 Draw Down raffle. Tickets for the raffle are sold separately and winners do not need to be present to win. The evening of shopping, dining and entertainment begins with cocktails, at 5:30 p.m.; followed by a three-course dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for non-dinner guests are also available for purchase. Entertainment will be provided by a disc jockey along with the Aurora Central Catholic High School Band. Proceeds from this event will help enhance Aurora Central Catholic High School's academic scholarships and programs, along with extracurricular clubs, teams and activities. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., auction begins at 8 p.m.Dinner/dance tickets are no longer available. Non-dinner tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased in advance or at the door (arrive at 7:30 p.m.) The $10,000 Draw Down Raffle tickets are $100 each (only 500 sold): $500, first ticket drawn; $100, every 10th ticket drawn; $1,000 every 100 ticket drawn; $500, 498th and 499th ticket drawn; $10,000, 500th ticket drawn - Grand prize. Winner need not be present to win. Call the school at (630) 907-0095, ext. 22 to purchase Super Saturday Night tickets, draw down raffle tickets or for details.bull; The United Methodist Women of the Burlington United Methodist Church invite you to their annual beef dinner. The all-you-can-eat dinner will be served from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at the Burlington United Methodist Church, 195 W. Center St. The menu features roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttery green beans, fruit salad, fresh rolls and pie or cake for dessert. Carryouts will be available until 6:30 p.m. during the dinner. And there will be a bake sale of homemade goods. Proceeds from this dinner help support the programs of the United Methodist Church in Burlington and the missions of the United Methodist Church worldwide. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for children, children under age 6 get in free. For details, call (847) 683-3535 or visit www.Burlington-UMC.org.bull; Boy Scout Troop 99 of Wayne will host its 16th annual all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Resurrection Parish on Army Trail Road at Route 59, in Wayne. The dinner will include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, ice cream sundaes and beverages. Tickets are $7 or $6 for seniors, $5 for children, ages 4 to 10. Children 3 and younger get in free. Tickets may be purchased at the door for from any Troop 99 Scout. The fundraiser allows the boys to attend various campouts, purchase new equipment, and helps with monthly expenses. Boy Scout Troop 99 serves boys the communities of Wayne, Bartlett, West Chicago, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, and Bloomingdale.North Aurora Garden Club: North Aurora Garden Club will hold a plant sale from 8 a.m. tobull; Join the celebration of the 38th "Israel Solidarity Day" and "Walk with Israel" at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 3. The local 6K West Suburban Walk will originate from Congregation Beth Shalom, 772 W. 5th Ave., Naperville. Join other West Suburban and Fox Valley area residents as they support the people of Israel. Pre-walk entertainment provided by the King David Drummers from Israel. Breakfast and lunch concessions available. Volunteers are needed. Registration is required. Visit www.juf.org/walk to register or for details.bull; Sugar Grove United Methodist's annual spaghetti benefit lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Sugar Grove Community House. Join them as they break bread and enjoy home cooked spaghetti pasta together. This benefit event seeks to generate funds to repair flood damaged houses in Oakville, Iowa. For information, call (630) 466-4501. All voluntary contributions should be made payable to Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, designated for Iowa Disaster Relief.Supportbull; Moms Together welcomes David Bauer who will present "Finding Balance in the Triangle - Body/Mind/Spirit." Humans are multifaceted creations; all the parts must be developed to create the whole. Yet, for mothers with young children, we find it especially difficult to find time for ourselves or balance. Join David Sauer as they focus on fostering healthy attitudes and behaviors in order to achieve improvement in physical and mental health and wellness. He will provide practical information that can be used right away, touching on everything from exercise and diet to body image and self acceptance. Sauer is a licensed professional counselor and a certified personal trainer. His varied experience includes a former naval fitness instructor, drug and alcohol counselor, and former fitness director for Delnor's Health and Wellness Center. He currently owns Integrated Fitness Solutions in St. Charles. The program will be from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday, April 23 at the west campus of First Baptist Church of Geneva, 3435 Keslinger Road. The cost is $6 per mom, $8 for mom with one child, and $10 for a mom with two or more children. To register, call (630) 232-7068, ext. 137, or email jragains@fbcg.com.bull; First Baptist Church of Geneva offers Moms Connected. It is a program for mothers of "tweens" and teens. They serve as a ministry to encourage, support and help moms connect with other women in this stage of teenage parenting. The Moms Connected morning includes an informative speaker, table discussion, a continental breakfast and informal social time. Join a relaxing morning and insightful wisdom on guiding your teen. On Thursday, April 30, Kellie Kammes will be speaking on "Setting Boundaries for You and Your Teen" from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. at our West Campus. To register, fill out a registration card at the welcome center, call (630) 232-7068, ext. 138 or e-mail jragains@fbcg.com. Cost is $6 per person at the door. Childcare is available for $4 per child. Children need to be registered and prepaid one week in advance at the East campus to secure a spot. bull; From 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Fox Valley Unity church facilitates a discussion of "A Course in Miracles." This is an ongoing class - rain or shine. Each week a new topic is discussed. Everyone is welcome at any time and the class is always open to new attendees. Fox Valley Unity is at 230 Webster St., Batavia. For information, call (630) 879-1115 or visit www.foxvalleyunity.org. bull; The public is invited to a free economic and investment update being co-sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and King of Glory Lutheran Church. Two opportunities will be offered: at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 18, and again at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 at the church, Randall and Hopps roads in Elgin. There will be an update on important economic and investment news, and those attending will hear about how to put the markets into perspective, important strategies for coping with the changing economic conditions, and also have the opportunity to ask questions about such topics as budgeting, saving, health insurance, and other concerns that may be on the minds of people in the current economic climate. Refreshments will be served, and again everyone is invited to come, learn and share. There will be no sales presentations. For details, call (630) 208-7184, or e-mail eric.hyte@thrivent.com. Register by calling the church at (847) 931-1520 or e-mailing kogpastor@foxvalley.net.Christian rockbull; Alex Bilingit, Christian singer/songwriter, presents a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. Aimed at youth and young adults, Alex gives an inspiring faith journey testimony along with his music. The opening band is Red Tie Trio, with local musicians Dan Pearson, Robbie McBeath and Shawn Steurer. Everyone is welcome, refreshments provided. Doors open at 7 p.m. For details, call the church at (630) 879-1999.bull; Downhere will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Ginger Creek Community Church, 2850 Ginger Woods Parkway, Aurora. Tickets cost $10 and are available at itickets.com/events/227027.html. The concert is sponsored by Batavia United Methodist Church and Ginger Creek Community Church. Proceeds benefit Mooseheart Child City and School.Concert seriesbull; Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St., Aurora, will offer a concert and culture series for 2009. All events will be held in the church's social hall on the newly renovated stage. Saturday, April 18 kicks off the new season of cultural and concerts series with Tres Bella. Whether they are singing pop, jazz, boogie woogie, or swing their tight harmonies will have you tapping your feet. Joining Tres Bella will be the West Aurora High School Band, under the direction of Patty Sampson. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20. Tickets are available by calling the church office at (630) 896-1033.A fiery group, Celtic Sounds, will be performing time-honored Irish music and songs, including a fun-filled blend of folk, country and soft rock favorites at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. An inspiring stirring presentation accompanied by guitars, fiddle, penny whistles, harmonica, mandolin and bag pipes. This concert will also feature a performance by students of the Mayer School of Irish Dance. Tickets are $20 each.The third and final event will be a comedy show performed by Lou and Peter Berryman. Lou and Peter are authors of 12 recordings and three song books of original material. They have performed together for more than 20 years. Whimsical and wonderfully accessible, their performances are hilarious, quirky, yet oddly profound, leaving you with cheeks aching from smiling. Join them at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. All tickets may be purchased by calling the office at Wesley United Methodist at (630) 896-1033. A 10-percent discount will be applied if you purchase tickets for all three shows.