Tri-Cities religion notes

Workshops

• If you haven't read the entire Bible or just want a refresher, now's your chance. Join St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Charles and experience God's word in a small group video-enhanced setting. Fully receive God's gift and develop a closer relationship with him and meet new friends. This is an opportunity to read the entire Bible as a family. Invite someone to join you and study together.

How will you meet the Bible challenge?

You will read 12 pages a day in a Bible especially organized for the class. Resource materials help you comprehend as you read.

Once a week you gather with fellow participants to review the assigned readings and view a video lesson.

Many different class days and times are being offered. Classes start Tuesday, Sept. 1 and end the first week of December. Registration ends Sunday, Aug. 16. Material fee of $23 includes a Bible (NIV Thin-line) and study guide. The Essential Bible Companion is an optional resource, available for an additional $10.79. (Audio bible readings are also available.)

St. Mark's Lutheran Church is at 101 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. For details, call (630) 584-8638. Sign up today. Register in person or via the web at www.stmarksstc.org. For information on the BibleIn90Days organization, visit www.biblein90days.org.

• On Tuesday, July 21, the Rev. Jeanette Hirt will be leading an enlightened evening of "Wisdom Teachings and Meditation" at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Valley Unity Church in Batavia.

Treat yourself to this experience to discover the true essence of who you really are. Discover how to use the quantum field of living loving light to raise consciousness for yourself and all humanity.

This experience will miraculously transform limiting thought in a holy instant. Anchor the divine blueprint of peace and abundance.

Fox Valley Unity is at 230 Webster St., Batavia. Suggested offering is $15, though no one will be turned away. For information, call Fox Valley Unity Church at (630) 879-1115 or visit www.foxvalleyunity.org.

Special events

• From 7:30 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, Fox Valley Unity Church facilitates a discussion of "A Course in Miracles." This is an ongoing class; 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. in Batavia. For information, call (630) 879-1115 or visit foxvalleyunity.org.

Summer camp

• Summer is always a time of relaxing, vacationing, spending time with friends and perhaps venturing to summer camp. Life in the Tri-Cities is full of opportunities, but for nearly 200 fifth- and sixth-graders, for a week opportunity converges with community and service in ways that will change them forever. It's not always easy to get students excited about something that is as challenging as serving and difficult as building community, but something is different about this generation.

During the week of Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, youth entering fifth and sixth grade from Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles and the surrounding communities will converge on the west campus of First Baptist Church of Geneva for "Summer Impact." This week features community building through engaging the Bible and building friendships, as well as stepping out to serve the world through a dynamic experience at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora on Friday, July 24.

Nearly 70 adults have volunteered their time to come alongside the next generation in the community, and will give their time to build community and serve the world as well.

"For many of the adults that serve alongside our students, the experience changes their hearts as much as it changes the students' hearts," said Tim Balow, a Student Ministries staff member at the church.

"The opportunity that will be afforded to these 200 preteens this summer will radically impact the way these students see God, others and the world," Balow said. "Discovering who God is happens best when we connect with others in community, and is transformed when we step out and serve one another."

The church has been a dynamic ministering presence in the Tri-Cities community for more than 100 years. The church ministers through service to the community, dynamic weekend services and ministry to the family through relevant programs and challenging opportunities. For more information about Summer Impact, visit fbcg.com.

Support

• The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva has created a pamphlet full of helpful information for Fox Valley families during these challenging economic times. It is a comprehensive resource for local organizations offering child care, employment help, health services, foreclosure counseling, pet placement and more.

"There was a need in the community for this list, and I'm glad that our congregation is able to provide it," said the Rev. Lindsay Bates, the church's senior minister.

To get a copy of the pamphlet, go to content.uusg.org/whats-new and scroll down to the "Local Resources" link, or contact the church office at (630) 232-2350 or office@uusg.org. The church is at 102-112 S. Second St., one block south of Route 38 and one block west of Route 31.

• A supportive discussion group for those caring for people coping with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer's issues is beginning this summer at the United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton St. at the corner of Hamilton and Second Streets. The group will meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m., beginning July 29. There is no charge and the group is open to the public.

The group will provide information on caring for a person with memory loss issues, education on available resources and services for people with memory loss and provide a supportive community to discuss questions and concerns. The meeting on July 29 will cover communication issues including word finding and repetition of stories. The meeting on Aug. 12 will explore ways caregivers can take time out for themselves when they are pulled in many different directions.

The group will be facilitated by Meghan Nelson and Kitty Ganzel. Nelson has a master's degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola University and experience in facilitation of bereavement support. Ganzel is a retired ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. While there is no charge, preregistration is requested. More information is offered from Meghan Nelson, coordinator of Congregational Care, at (630) 232-7120, ext. 815 or Meghan@genevaumc.org

Services

• The Young Adult Ministry at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave, will present a special worship service for everyone at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, in Paxton Hall. A lively worship service of praise songs and a brief message will be followed by light refreshments. For information, call the church at (630) 879-1999.

• Calvary Episcopal Church has begun its summer worship schedule, which will continue through Labor Day weekend. Sunday worship services, both of which include Holy Communion, are offered at 8 and 9:30 a.m. The early service is entirely spoken, while the later service includes hymns and other music. The church's Sunday school program is on break for the summer, but Susan Lungren, director of Christian formation and youth, leads Creation Chapel, an age-appropriate worship and activities program for young children, concurrent with the 9:30 a.m. service. Calvary is at 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. (630) 879-3378.

• On Sunday, July 12, the Rev. Paul Bischoff, interim pastor, invites you for Sunday worship at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Campton Hills.

Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy good, Scripture-related conversation, study, and prayer. Children's Sunday school is at 10:30 a.m.

The Wednesday study group continues "Rocksolid," an exploration of faith for the mature Christian and for the new Christian, at 7 p.m.

Vacation Bible school will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 to Friday, Aug. 14. "Crocodile Dock" will have preregistration and registration on the first night, Aug. 10. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit countrycov.org.

• Through the last Sunday in August, Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, 176 Main St., will have an 8 a.m. outdoor worship at 4S633 Harter Road, three-quarters of a mile west of Route 47. The 9:30 a.m. service will be at the church. Nursery care is provided. For details, call (630) 466-4501 or visit sgumc.net.

• Summer worship has started at Community Congregational Church, 100 E. Shannon St., Elburn. On Sundays, adult Bible study is at 8 a.m., with 9:30 a.m. worship and 10:30 a.m. coffee fellowship. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month.

On Tuesdays, there will be an adult Bible study at 11 a.m. in Carrie's Parlor, next to the sanctuary. Everyone is welcome; refreshments are served. The youth group meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For details, call (630) 365-6544 or visit ccc-elburn.org.

Benefits

• Boy Scout Troop 43 will host its 16th annual corn and brat dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Wilson and Lincoln streets in Batavia. Advance tickets for the all-you-can-eat meal are $7 or $8 at the door. Carryout is available. Price includes one drink. Children under 6 get in free. For advance tickets, call Liz Carson at (630) 587-8773. The troop is sponsored by the Congregational Church of Batavia.

• St. Mark Lutheran Church in St. Charles will host a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, in the church parking lot, 101 S. Sixth Ave. Find great bargains at this event, sponsored by the men's fellowship group MOGAN. All proceeds benefit St. Mark's Missions program. For details, call the church office at (630) 584-8638 or visit stmarksstc.org.

• The Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wheaton invite you to celebrate its 400th anniversary at the Loretto Gala Sunday, July 26, at Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The silent auction begins at 3 p.m., with dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed immediately by the live auction. Tickets are $80 per person. A table of 10 is $750. Advance paid registration is required by July 10 by calling (630) 682-9097 or e-mailing development@ibvm.org.

Proceeds from the Loretto Gala help support infirm and retired Sisters, the ministries of the Sisters in education, retreat work and the poor, disadvantaged and homeless.