Fox Valley religion special events

Barbecue dinner: The Bethlehem Lutheran Youth Group invites you to a Fay's Bar-B-Que from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9. This event features drive-through serving, so you won't need to leave your car. Just pull into the church's parking lot off Oregon between Fourth and Fifth streets in West Dundee, present your ticket, and a member of the youth will bring your order to your car. Those without a ticket can still purchase a dinner that night for $14. Each dinner consists of two pork chops or two chicken quarters, or one pork chop and one chicken quarter, plus applesauce, baked beans, coleslaw, a roll and butter. For information, call the church at (847) 426-7311.

Walk for Life: Many people are expected to attend a "Walk For Life" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 9 at Lords Park Pavilion, 100 Oakwood Blvd. in Elgin. The event is open to the public. Anyone who would like to join in for a morning of family fun, fellowship, and fundraising is welcome to attend. Participants are asked to collect pledges ahead of time for walking around the pond at the park. One lap is a one-quarter of a mile and the target goal is for each walker to collect $50 in pledges for each trip around. Festivities include face painting, music, and giveaways. A continental breakfast will be served. Prizes will be given for the top pledges collected. The Life Center, 825 Dundee Ave. in Elgin, is a nonprofit pregnancy support center staffed mostly by volunteers. The center offers support to women in unplanned pregnancy situations. Free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds are available by appointment at their new medical clinic, Life Choices, (Walk-ins are also welcome). In addition, the center provides free clothing, diapers, and other basic needs to low-income mothers who are current clients. At this time, they are servicing hundreds of women and children every month. For details, call Betsy Patrick (847) 420-1515 or Mary Viz Darrow at (847) 622-1235. All proceeds from this event will benefit the work of The Life Center as they continue to reach out to the hundreds of women and children who rely on them for help.

Sustainable Sanctuary-Interfaith Panel Discussion: The Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin, is sponsoring a presentation and discussion on "Greening our Lives and Places of Faith" from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 8. Panel presenters will be: David Radcliff on global economy and local efforts; Sandy Anna on fair trade options; Robin Migalla on local food; Kathleen Haerr on simple steps/global effect; and Dave Segal on green sanctuary. These presenters are experts who will help participants meet current challenges by providing step-by-step ways people can put their faith into action and move forward individually and as a society. Members and people from the community are invited to participate by bringing their ideas and questions and embarking on a journey together to make places of faith more sacred through sustainable yet simple practices. Come and enjoy tea, fair trade coffee, and great connections. For details, call Danielle Henson at (224) 856-1317 or visit www.gailborden.info.

Worship and Prophetic Encounter: Morning Star Church and The River Church welcome back Josh Young this Mother's Day weekend. Join them at 7:14 p.m. Friday, May 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday, May 10 for two special services. Young leads worship at the North Shore Bridge Christian Fellowship and travels throughout the U.S. leading worship at conferences and worship events. Songs from his debut album, "Under Your Shadow," and his second album, "Closer," have found their way into the local church and abroad. He resides in Bradford, N.H., with his wife of more than 10 years. Visit www.joshyoungonline.com. Morning Star Church and The River are at 41W350 Powers Road, just north of the I-90 Route 47 exit in Huntley. For details, call Maria at (847) 669-9800, ext. 111 or visit morningstarwoc.org/events and theriver-church.com/events.

Motorcycle blessing: On Saturday, May 9, First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake, will be hosting its second annual Motorcycle Blessing at noon. Whether you are a rider, passenger or family member of the participant, feel free to come and support all those who are getting ready to hit the road this season.

Anniversary open house: On May 13, a 50th Anniversary Open House will be held at the Church of the Brethren General Offices, 1451/1505 Dundee Ave. in Elgin. The theme for the event is "What do these stones mean to you?" (Joshua 4:6). It begins at 1:15 p.m. on May 13 with building tours. At 2 p.m., "Worship in Word and Song" will be held in the stone-walled chapel, led by Wil Nolen and the choir of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren. The speaker will be Fred Swartz, secretary of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. At 2:30 p.m. a program of "Stories of Living Stones" will be led by Howard Royer, manager of the denomination's Global Food Crisis Fund who has worked as church staff in Elgin for more than 50 years. A reception will follow, and another opportunity for tours of the building. On April 8, 1959, the building was opened on Dundee Avenue after the church moved its offices from a previous location on State Street. This year also marks the 110th anniversary of the church's move to the city. Currently the building houses Church of the Brethren denominational staff, the Brethren Benefit Trust, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Living Gospel Church of God in Christ. Behind the building are community garden plots, and an expanse of lawn borders on all sides. The General Offices has hosted numerous ecumenical visitors and church-related events over its 50 years. Next month, on May 18-20, it hosts spring meetings of the National Council of Churches Governing Board. The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. It is one of the three Historic Peace Churches and celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts 130,000 members across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with sister churches in Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Haiti, and India.

St. Mary dinner dance: St. Mary's Catholic Church, the largest church community in Huntley with over 14,000 registered members, will hold its Dinner-Dance and Fundraiser Friday, May 15 at a new location, the remodeled Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake. Seating is limited so be sure to get your reservation early. The evening starts at 5 p.m. with many activities including the silent auction in merchandise, dining and services. A popular activity is the "Lucky Card" game where everyone is a winner every time; $10 (or three cards for $25) guarantees you a prize for each card valued at $15 or more, perhaps a lot more. In previous years, these prizes included several TVs, leather jackets, dinners to fine restaurants, and more. Along with these activities, you'll have one last chance to participate in the grand raffle for prizes valued at over $5,000. The top prize is a seven-day Eastern Caribbean Princess Cruise. The second prize is $2,000 in gift certificates to Joe Caputo and Sons in Algonquin. Third prize is $300 in gift certificates to Hennessy's Steak and Seafood. And finally, the fourth prize is $250 in gift certificates to Barley House. Of course, there will also be a 50/50 game where the winners go home with hundreds of dollars. Cocktails are available for purchase throughout the evening. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Select your entree from among tournedos of beef Oscar, champagne chicken or oven-roasted tilapia. Complimentary wine will be served throughout dinner. At 8:15 p.m., the "Ft. Knox 50/50" drawing will take place with the lucky winner taking home $5,000. A total of $10,000 will be split among five lucky winners. Dancing begins at 9 p.m. with music for all generations, provided by Esposito Enterprises Inc. During this time the silent auction bid winners are notified and the prizes are picked up. Delivery arrangements can be made for the larger items. Tickets are $55. Make your reservations now at (847) 669-7029.

Garage sale: Congregation Tikkun Olam will hold a garage sale on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 with proceeds going to the congregation. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at 6712 Rhode Island Trail, Crystal Lake. For information, call the congregation at (815) 334-7110.

Buddha Day: On Saturday, May 16, the community is invited to the seventh annual Buddha Day celebration held in Woodstock. The popular event, beginning at 6 p.m., is co-hosted by Blue Lotus Temple and the Ten Directions Zen Community. Buddha Day, Visakha Puja in the ancient Indian language of Pali, is celebrated in all Buddhist communities and countries. It honors the three most important events in the life of Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment, and the attainment of Nirvana at his death. This is a happy and joyful holiday for Buddhists. It's a time of celebration, personal reflection, and generous giving. It's also a time to be with family and friends. The day is traditionally celebrated on the first full-moon day and evening of May. Here in America, local Buddhist communities often spread the holiday over different dates in May so monks, speakers and guests can visit several Visakha Day celebrations. For the Woodstock event, 20 monks from around the Midwest have been invited to participate. Anyone who has seen the candlelight procession around Woodstock Square, and heard the drumming and chanting, will remember the experience forever. Hundreds of handmade paper lotus lamps lit by candlelight are paraded around the Square after sundown, led by drummers and a statue of the Buddha carried by members of Blue Lotus. Before the procession begins, everyone is invited to the Congregational Unitarian Church one block off the square for chanting and music. And after the procession, all are invited back to the church for light refreshments. This is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and greet old ones, spread loving-kindness, and be part of this growing tradition in Woodstock. The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. For details, call Blue Lotus Temple at (815) 444-8915 or visit www.bluelotustemple.org.

Family Kite Fly: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee, invites the whole community, kids and adults, to come out to a family kite fly. The kites will fill the sky at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 17 on the west lawn of the church. Basic kites will be provided or bring your own. Prizes will be awarded. There will be plenty of family fun on the ground while the kites are airborne. Hot dogs, chips, pop and ice cream will be served free of charge. For details, call (847) 426-2161 ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Great Adventure Bible Timeline Seminar: Join in "Great Adventure Bible Timeline Seminar With Jeff Cavins" from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at St. Mary Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. Jeff Cavins, renowned Catholic author and biblical scholar who has unlocked the mystery of the Bible for thousands of people, is coming to the area to present his Bible Timeline Seminar. According to Cavins, many Christians pick up their Bibles, resolving to read them cover to cover, only to become frustrated after a month or so because they have lost the story. The Great Adventure focuses on teaching people to learn narrative books of the Bible - to get the "big picture-before they begin a deeper study of scripture. The cost for the one day seminar is $35 which includes all materials and lunch. Space is limited so call Janet Marmion at (847) 669-3137, ext. 101, or via e-mail at marmionj@aol.com to register as soon as possible.

Flea market: Vendors are wanted for the outdoor flea market to be held Saturday, June 13 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin. For details, call Cindy Meseke at (847) 468-8160.

School registration: St. John's Lutheran School, 300 Jefferson St. in Algonquin, is now accepting kindergarten through eighth grade day school registration for the 2009-10 school year. St. John's Day School offers an all-day kindergarten program and first- through eighth-grade classes. St. John's School Program offers core subjects as well as computers, art, music, band, chapel and physical education. The program is complemented by after school extracurricular programs including art classes, chess club, foreign language classes, scouting programs and sports programs including: soccer, volleyball, basketball and pep squad. St. John's also offers BASS (Before and After School Services) program for all enrolled students. It has limited class sizes and acceptance is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Enrollment is open to the community and is not limited to church members. St. John's is located in downtown Algonquin, just 1 block west of route 31. For information or to enroll your child contact St. John's school office (847) 658-9311 or via email at stjohns@covad.net.

Register for school: St. Laurence School, 572 Standish St. in Elgin, is now accepting registration for kindergarten for the 2009-10 school year. It offers a full day kindergarten with a comprehensive curriculum, small class size and experienced teachers. St. Laurence School is accredited by the state of Illinois and the Diocese of Rockford. They offer classes from preschool through the eighth grade. To learn more about the school or make an appointment for a personal tour, call the school office at (847) 468-6100. Visit stlaurenceschool.com.

Preschool at Light of Christ: Light of Christ Preschool, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin, is continuing enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year. A new curriculum is being offered for children ages 3-5. Enrichment program with lunch also available. Visit locpreschool.com or contact Preschool Director Michele Niehoff at (658)-0955 for information.

Register for Griffin school: Griffin Christian School, a ministry of Fox Valley Baptist Church, is now accepting enrollments in all grades for the 2009-10 school year. The school, located at 16N562 Vista Lane in East Dundee, is for preschool through 12th grade. They offer a full, Bible-based academic schedule, along with classes in art, music, computer skills, gym, and several foreign languages. After school care is also available. The preschool program is for both 3- and 4-year-olds. Parents will be able to choose between a two-day or a five-day program, either mornings or full day. The kindergarten program is either mornings or full day. Both programs feature early learning activities with a low student-to-teacher ratio, and include phonics-based reading instruction. The elementary program is a multi-age class, but with traditional classroom instruction and a phonics-based reading program. The middle and high school programs use a technology based individualized program, utilizing the latest in computer technology to assist in the learning process and prepare students for the modern collegiate experience. For several of their subjects the middle and high school use an online curriculum with real time assistance, where each student can complete his subjects with lessons specifically tailored to his needs. Traditional classroom instruction in several subjects is also included. For details, or to make an appointment to visit the school, call (847) 428-5413 or visit griffinchristianschool.org.

Register at Good Shepherd: Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 1111 Van St. in Elgin, is accepting applications for enrollment for the 2009-10 school year. Good Shepherd will offer kindergarten to fifth grade for the 2009-10 school year at 1111 Van St. The preschool is located at its Nesler Road and Route 20 location and offers programs for both 3- and 4-year-olds. Before-school care is available for preschool and after-school care is available at both sites. Church membership is not required. To schedule a tour at a different time or for more information, contact the school office at (847) 741-7795 or the preschool office at (847) 697-4745.