Tri-Cities religion notes

Music

• The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva is hosting the third annual Sacred Harp Sing from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the church, 110 S. Second St. in downtown Geneva. Beginners and newcomers are invited to participate, and no religious affiliation or musical experience is required. Sacred Harp is a form of early American hymn singing that brings communities together to sing four-part hymns and anthems. A potluck lunch will be served at noon and participants are encouraged to bring a dish to share. To learn more, visit fasola.org or call Ryan Wheeler at (630) 208-0530. For information, visit uusg.org.

Special events

• The public is invited to join in an old-fashioned ice cream social on Sunday, Aug. 9 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 S. Batavia Ave. in Batavia. The family event, held rain or shine, runs from 3-6 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call Calvary at (630) 879-3378.

• H.E.L.P.S. Ministry will host "Meet in the Street and Eat '09" from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at The HELPS Ministry Community Center, 6N539 Tuscola, St. Charles. Come say goodbye to summertime with live music, 3-on-3 basketball, face painting, clowns, games, attractions, contests, great food, refreshments, a late night movie with popcorn and more. For details, call (847) 741-3526 or visit thehelpsministry.org.

• Temple B'nai Israel, 400 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora, is hosting a picnic and open house for members and prospective members from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug 16. Join for food, fun, and games. For information, call the Temple office at (630) 892-2450 or visit temple-bnai-israel.org.

• Join a day of food, fun, and fellowship at the "Summer Picnic" on Sunday, Aug. 23, for Aurora Cluster United Methodist Churches. Festivities begin at noon at the Harter Road farm, a mile west on Harter Road off Route 47. Join in worship, music, face-painting, hayrack rides, volleyball, water balloons and more. The event is free and open to all. Call (630) 466-4501 for more information.

Friday Flick Series

• The public is invited to screen the film, "Rethink Afghanistan" at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 S. Second St. Directed by Robert Greenwald, the film examines the human and financial costs of the war. Greenwald believes the war has been morally, strategically and tactically wrong. But the policies of the current administration differ in some key ways from those of the past eight years. A discussion following the film will examine the current situation as well as ways in which Americans can provide support for people in Afghanistan refugee camps. He also is the director of "The High Cost of Low Price." This is part of the free Friday Flick Series sponsored by the UUSG Social Justice committee on the third Friday of each month. For information, visit uusg.org/fridayflick or call Jean Pierre at (630) 232-2350.

Workshops

• Temple B'nai Israel, 400 Edgelawn Drive in Aurora, is offering fall 2009 Hebrew courses at basic and intermediate levels to the public. You don't need to be Jewish and you don't need to be a temple member. This is a nice opportunity to start learning the Hebrew language or build upon your current level of expertise. Class sessions are all scheduled from 7:20 to 9:20 a.m. on 10 Sundays, beginning late September. For information and course descriptions, contact (630) 892-2450, or Hebrew_Courses@temple-bnai-israel.org.

• 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. 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 stmarksstc.org. For information on the BibleIn90Days organization, visit biblein90days.org.

School registration

• On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the 2009-10 school year begins with registration for students attending Marmion Academy in Aurora.

Registration of all new students takes place on Aug. 18 from 8-11:30 a.m. followed by a required half-day orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for returning students: sophomores on Aug. 18 from 1-3:30 p.m.; juniors on Aug. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; seniors on Aug. 19 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. A parent should accompany their student and register in the Battaglia Administration Building.

For registration information, call the headmaster's office at (630) 897-6936, ext. 239.

The first day of classes for the 490 students enrolled at Marmion Academy will be Thursday, Aug. 20. All students report to the gymnasium at 7:45 a.m. A Mass of the Holy Spirit will be celebrated for all students, faculty and staff in the Marmion Abbey Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury at 8 a.m. For information on Marmion Academy, visit marmion.org.