Tri-Cities religion notes

Special events

• A free informational session to acquaint people with helpful community resources will be presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Hosanna Lutheran Church, Randall and Red Gate roads in St. Charles. During these economic times, many people are living on reduced incomes and are finding it difficult to get their daily needs met. This informative session, facilitated by Darlene Marcusson, executive director of Lazarus House, will give people hands-on help in locating resources for issues such as health care, rental subsidies, child care subsidies and food. For information, visit HosannaChurch.com or call (630) 584-6434.

• Join the women of St. Peter Church in Geneva for a Girls Night Out at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the church's multipurpose room and gym, 1891 Kaneville Road in Geneva. "Sip, Shop & Socialize," sponsored by the St. Peter Women's Club, will feature raffles, refreshments and displays of more than 30 vendors. Vendor products include jewelry, cosmetics, home decorations, crafts, designer purses, custom stationery, baby items, gourmet foods, homemade candy, photography, rosaries, candles, books by a local author, and more. Wine, cheese, coffee and desserts will be served. In addition to a basket raffle, the Women's Club is selling raffle tickets for a quilt donated by Mary Berg and rocking chair hand-painted by Lorraine Oschner. Admission is $10. To register, call the Parish Center at (630) 232-0124. Walk-ins are welcome. For information, call Lisa DiNovo at (630) 845-8795 or Stephanie Christensen at (847) 989-5481.

• Parents and children are invited to a Family Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Come for games, pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, and trick-or-treating. Come dressed in costume and you might win a prize. To attend, or for details, call Susan Lungren, director of Christian formation and youth, at (630) 879-3378.

• A walk to raise awareness about domestic violence will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 in St. Charles. They will meet at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. for a brief presentation and then walk to the St. Charles Police Department where a second presentation will be held. They will then proceed to the St. Charles Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut St., for a final presentation in their fellowship hall. The evening will conclude with refreshments. All those who are concerned about this pervasive problem are invited to join us, and every participant is encouraged to bring a flashlight to light the way. For details, call Carol Crytser at Lazarus House at (630) 587-2144.

• Rejoice Lutheran Church in Geneva is hosting "Trunk-Or-Treat," a free event for families with children who want to have all the fun of Halloween without the scariness, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the church, 0N377 N. Mill Creek Drive, Geneva. Children are invited to trick-or-treat from the trunks of cars parked along a supervised parkway. Cars will be decorated with fun Halloween themes. Children and their families are welcome inside the church to enjoy free hot chocolate, apple cider and popcorn. Participants also may bring carved pumpkins to display. For information, call (630) 262-0596 or visit rejoiceinthemission.org.

• On Saturday, Nov. 7, Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors is having its Party-at-the-Pub & Pledge Drive Kickoff at McNally's Irish Pub in St. Charles. This fun, informal evening will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner being served at 7 p.m. This inaugural event is open to all interested Jewish adults and any interfaith partners. Reservations are $45 each, and include a dinner choice of either Guinness pot roast, herb-roasted chicken, or grilled vegetable boxty. Mail reservations including the number of people, dinner choice(s), and a check made out to FVJN for $45 each, to: FVJN, P.O. Box 8, Geneva, IL, 60134. The cost of the dinner is solely the cost of the evening, and does not provide funds for FVJN.

It serves people of all ages, and hosts a variety of religious, educational, and charitable events throughout the year, which enables Jews in the Tri-Cities to share their lives, whether or not they belong to any of the synagogues in the outlying areas. The programs have included religious services; Jewish holiday celebrations; adult education programs; children's educational programming and events; and a variety of social gatherings. Additionally, it donates funds and goods to the local food bank, and carries out volunteer projects in the community each year. The majority of programs are offered at no or very minimal charge. No annual dues are charged to participants. FVJN is also holding a separate annual fundraiser at this time, to help cover the cost of speakers and other programs, as well as to help cover building expenses. If you would like to donate, send a check to the address above. For information about the Party-at-the-Pub, contact Liza Bachrach at (847) 622-8855 or Archbroch@comcast.net.

Guest speakers

• An illuminating discussion, "To Life: The Lives of Elie Wiesel and Victor Frankel," will be open to the public from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. This program will be held at Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors, 121 S. Third St., Geneva. Susan Field, an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University, will explore the lives of these two powerful authors. Field is an accomplished poet, playwright and writer. She has taught English for 17 years, and her work about the challenges faced by intuitively gifted children has been published in educational journals. She leads creative writing /journaling workshops in the Chicago area and is co-director of the Arts of the Beacon Street Gallery and Theatre in Chicago. Residing in Geneva, she enjoys nurturing the creative potential in people of all ages. Elie Wiesel, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate and author of over 50 books, is best known for his memoir, "Night," which describes his experience during the Holocaust, including his imprisonment in concentration camps. Victor Frankl has published over 30 books on theoretical and clinical psychology and earned graduate degrees from University of Vienna. His book, "A Man's Search for Meaning," has riveted several generations of readers with his description of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Frankl argues that you cannot avoid suffering but you can choose to cope with it, find meaning in it and move forward with renewed purpose. This is a free event, open to the public. Visit fvjn.org.

Concerts

• The 110-voice Spirit of Life Chorus will present "A Baby Changes Everything" at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 950 Hart Road, in the Family Life Center. Admission is free; an offering will be taken. The chorus, now in its 19th season, is directed by David Barth of Bartlett and presents 16 Sunday concerts a season - one a week for eight weeks in the fall and one a week for eight weeks each spring. Rehearsals are three hours each Sunday evening at Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle. The chorus had its first concert in 1990. This year, it includes 21 couples and nine families where parents and children sing together. Members come from 41 congregations, Catholic, Lutheran and Protestant, throughout the Chicago area.

• Pete Norman of the Fox Valley Folk Music Society will perform from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. This afternoon of food, fellowship and folk music in an informal setting offers fun for the whole family. The public is invited and there is no admission fee, but a freewill offering will be taken. For details, call (630) 879-3378 or visit calvary-episcopal.org.

Support

• St. John Neumann Church will present "Trading Our Grief for Hope: Knowing and Preventing Suicide" from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, 2900 E. Main St., St. Charles. Those present will be challenged to overcome fear, break through stigma, and acknowledge what must be acknowledged in order to save lives. For details, call Bill Crow, director of high school ministry, at (630) 377-6853.

• Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia offers yearly community grants to improve the lives of people living in the Fox Valley area. Emphasis is given to supporting ministry to and within special populations with unmet needs. For an application, visit bethanybatavia.org, under the tab "Reach Out," or call (630) 879-3444 to have an application mailed. Applications must be received by Monday, Nov. 2.

• A supportive discussion group for those caring for people coping with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer's issues meets from 1:30 to 3 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton St. The group is 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. There is no charge, but registration is requested. For details, call (630) 232-7120, ext. 815; e-mail Meghan@genevaumc.org; or visit genevaumc.org.

Fundraisers

• St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25) in St. Charles, will host its fourth annual craft fair and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. This juried show offers handcrafted items for home decorating and holiday giving, including fleece robes for children, blankets, toys and adult fashion accessories. The fair is handicapped accessible. Proceeds will benefit outreach activities to local charities like Hesed House and mission work in the Sudan. For details, call (630) 584-2596 or visit stcharlesepiscopal.org.

• Members of the United Methodist of Geneva are busy organizing their gently used items for the rummage sale, along with a bake sale. Antiques, furniture, clothing, books, sporting goods, housewares, tools, toys and the unknown treasures of collectors are all under one roof. Plan on visiting the church at 211 S. Hamilton St. from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 31. For details, call (630) 232-7120. All proceeds go to charity.

• The Women's Guild of St. Mark's Lutheran Church will host its annual holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Admission is free. Those who want to get a head start on holiday shopping can browse a number of different areas, including bakery table, jewelry, Christmas and Thanksgiving crafts and decor, wreaths and greenery, white elephant and numerous gift and craft items. Lunch will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coffee and rolls will be on sale when the bazaar opens. Proceeds go to support ministries within the congregation and local and international missions. St. Mark's is at 101 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. The bazaar is in the fellowship hall of the church, which is accessible by wheelchair. For details, call St. Mark's at (630) 584-8638.

• St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Charles will host a benefit for Lazarus House, "Shop for Shelter," from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Come and join us at this fabulous shopping fundraiser for Lazarus House homeless shelter in St. Charles. Shop for a good cause in convenience and warmth at more than 25 vendor booths with something for everyone, from fashion, jewelry, health and beauty, home goods, kitchen ware, and more. There will be door prizes and giveaways, as well as a cafe for refreshments. Visit the K-LOVE radio and Lazarus House booths. Admission and parking are free. The church is at 101 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. For details, call (630) 888-6755.

• Calvary Episcopal Church is now taking advance orders for holiday wreaths and greens. All proceeds benefit a variety of community outreach ministries supported by the parish. Calvary has been purchasing from the same local grower for more than 10 years. All wreaths come with a velvet bow and pine cones attached. They will arrive the week of Thanksgiving; arrangements can be made for earlier delivery if enough notice is given. Calvary will deliver orders within the greater Tri-Cities area at no charge. For pricing and an order form, visit calvary-episcopal.org. Those wishing to shop in person may do so Friday through Sunday, Nov. 27-29, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, at Calvary, 222 S. Batavia Ave. For details, call Calvary at (630) 879-3378.

Workshops

• The Batavia United Methodist Church is continuing its "Parenting Our Parents Series" with special guest speaker, Marilynn Helms, geriatric care manager for Covenant Care at Home. Helms will address the topic of "Care Management for the Aging" with the Adult Children of Aging Parents support group at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. The group meets at the Batavia United Methodist Church, 8 N. Batavia Ave. The discussion will focus on assessment of the aging parent as well as the caregiver, care planning, preparing the home for aging parents, and other related issues. The support groups meets the fourth Tuesday of each month and is open to the public. There is no charge. For information or to sign up for the program, call (630) 879-7060.

• Mary's WAY (Women Answering Yes) presents "Healing Through Mary," hosted by the Rev. James Parker, a Catholic priest currently serving as pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in East Dubuque and Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Menominee, Ill., from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Fox Valley Country Club, 2500 N. Route 25, North Aurora. Parker, who holds a master of divinity from Mount Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Md., will explain the power that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, has to heal the pain of living in an unsettling world. Attendees will be inspired by the changes that can occur when incorporating Mary into their spiritual life. Through real-life examples, Parker will impart the valuable benefits that praying to Mary has to offer.

All area women are invited to attend Healing Through Mary, which is sponsored by Holy Cross Catholic Church. The suggested donation of $20 includes a casual buffet dinner, music and the presentation by Parker. Call (630) 236-8621 for information or to register for the evening.

For details, visit www.holycross-batavia.org or call (630) 879-4750.

• David Boege, certified public accountant, will speak on year-end tax tips and strategies for small businesses on Thursday, Oct. 29, at an educational session co-sponsored by Batavia MainStreet and the Congregational Church of Batavia Small Business Networking Group. The session runs from 8 to 10 a.m. and includes opportunities for business networking. The seminar will be held at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. The session is free; coffee is provided. Reservations are not required. For information, contact Ellen Huxtable at ellen@advantage-biz.com or (630) 879-6511.

Worship

• On Sunday, Oct. 25, the Rev. Paul Bischoff continues his challenging sermons about how you view God and how these views affect everyday life and the lives of people that you meet in the workplace at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Evangelical Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Campton Hills. Adult Sunday school and church activities for children are held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, the women's ministries mission project and fellowship will be at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Bible study on Lord's Prayer will be at 6:30 p.m. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit countrycov.org.