Fox Valley religion special events Religion - Special events

Celebration of the Healing Arts: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin invites the public to "Wisdom Rising, A Community Celebration of the Healing Arts" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the church, 39W830 Highland Ave., Elgin. Dr. Mayer Eisenstein will be the keynote presenter scheduled for noon. Eisenstein is a world-renowned physician who applies the principles of minimal pharmaceuticals to adult medicine and emphasizes natural substitutes to control chronic bowel syndrome, heartburn, acid reflux and other medical conditions. His family medical centers, Homefirst Health Services, have home delivered more than 15,000 babies and have given vaccine choice to more than 35,000 children. Spend the day with practitioners of the healing arts to learn, share and learn about both new and ancient healing techniques for enrichment of mind, body and spirit. Each hour, attendees will have the choice of two or three sessions. Some of the presenters are: Nancy May with "Yoga from the Heart;" Pilates with Danae Moliter, "Taoist Tai Chi TM Taijiquan" with the Taoist Tai Chi Society USA, "Optimal Health" with Smita Agrawal; massage therapy with Kristine; Reiki with Bonnie Potter; Ayurveda with Anne Clough; Reflexology with Debbie Berg; "Body Mind Spirit Alignment" with Anne Ward and Bob Sandidge; "Holism: Edgar Cayce, the Father of Holistic Medicine" with Robin Migalla; "Yoga/Tai Chi with Boontiva, and Hypno Therapy" with Diana Joyti; or "Change You Thinking - Change Your Life" with Alesa Burbach. The closing celebration will feature a presentation by Ron Williams on UCCE's own Earth- Wisdom Labyrinth and a Gong Bath will follow performed by sacred sound practitioner, Mark Placzkowski. The Wisdom Rising program is one of several programs presented as a community service throughout the year by the Unitarian Universalist Church uuce.org. Free parking is available. Wisdom Rising has a suggested donation of $5 at the door, cash or check. See a full schedule of workshops and presenters at uuceWisdomRising.com.

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. 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 lovingkindness, and be part of this growing tradition in Woodstock. The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. For details, call Blue Lotus Temple at (815) 444-8915 or visit bluelotustemple.org.

Family Kite Fly: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St., 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 fccdundee.com.

Memorial Day celebration: On Sunday, May 24, the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 40 Center St., Elgin invites veterans, military personnel and their families for a special Memorial Day celebration. During the 9 a.m. service, they will remember fallen soldiers and honor those who have served in our nation's armed forces - both retired and active duty. Everyone is invited.

Fun fair: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee, is having its annual Fun Fair from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, before the Memorial Day parade. There will be balloons, a clown, games for young and old, popcorn, and lots of free food from area restaurants. Restaurants participating include Dominick's Pizza, Van's Frozen Custard, ReMark Restaurant (new in East Dundee), Piece-A-Cake Bakery, Buffalo Wild Wings, Trader Joes, Village Pizza, Ruby Tuesday restaurant, Maxwell's (new in West Dundee), Red Robin restaurant, Chili's, Noodles & Company, Pot Belly, Rosatti's, and Olive Garden and more. Opulence salon will have giveaways. Come and enjoy the afternoon before the parade, have some free food, bring a lawn chair and relax.

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.

Perennial plant sale: The Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry needs perennial plants for its annual perennial plant sale to be held Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, in the east parking lot of the church. Pot up your unneeded perennial plants and donate them to the parish's garden ministry. Your donated plants will add beauty to someone's garden and help the church at the same time. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase new shrubs to landscape the new church. If you have empty pots to share, leave them in the parking lot gazebo or take some if you need them for the sale. For details, call (815) 385-5673.

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, Elgin. For details, call Cindy Meseke at (847) 468-8160.

The Crocodile Dock: St. John's Lutheran Church and School, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin, is accepting registration for this summer's vacation Bible school. The theme this year is "The Crocodile Dock - Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light." The sessions will be from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26. All children, ages 3 to students who have completed fifth grade, can "come and take a romp through the Swamp." They will use their imaginations to hop on a flat bottom boat and drift on a lazy, hazy waterway under the tall cypress trees. Registration forms are available through St. John's church office at (847) 658-9300.

St. John's Bible Exhibit: The Saint John's Bible Exhibit runs through June 21 at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake. A modern, handwritten and illuminated Bible for the 21st Century, The Saint John's Bible was commissioned in 1998 by the Benedictine Monastic Community at Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, MN to mark the beginning of the third millennium. The Saint John's Bible was designed and executed by Donald Jackson, world-renowned calligrapher, illuminator and senior scribe to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Crown Office, in collaboration with an international team of theologians, historians, artists and scribes. It is a unique blend of ancient methods, materials and tools with modern themes, images, technology and text. Newsweek Magazine described it as, "America's Book of Kells." Hand-cut quills made from goose, swan and turkey feathers, and traditional tools were used to apply ancient inks, hand ground pigments, and gold-silver-platinum leaf to manually prepared vellum pages crafted from 250 carefully selected calfskins. A wide variety of techniques and images are reflected in the art including: Eastern Orthodox icon painting, Renaissance traditions, Muslim tapestry, Native American basketry, liturgical vessels, architecture, cave paintings and computer images. Special attention was made to include Hebrew and Islamic calligraphy and graphic elements in the books of the Old Testament. More than ten years in the making, The Saint John's Bible contains 160 illuminations across its 1,150 pages and seven volumes. The exhibit at FCC will contain 25 high quality reproductions of the illustrations and calligraphy in the book. Six-volume, full-color reproduction books of the original manuscript will be available at FCC during the exhibit. The exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week, except Memorial Day Weekend; other times and group tours by appointment. Admission is free and the building is handicap-accessible. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit: fcc-cl.org.

School registration: St. John's Lutheran School, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin is 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., Elgin, is 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, at 16N562 Vista Lane, 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, using 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., 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. 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.