Fox Valley religion events

Rummage sale: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1647 Ravine Lane in Carpentersville, will have its "Huge Rummage Sale" from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 5, and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 6. There are things for the house, things for the yard, things for everyone in the family. Come on down, shop, enjoy and save. There will be a silent auction and a $3 bag sale on Saturday. Money raised by the auction goes to global and local missions. If anyone (even nonchurch members) wishes to donate items for the sale, contributions can be dropped off at church between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, June 1-4. They cannot accept computer equipment, large appliances (stoves, refrigerators, etc.), large exercise equipment or large furniture. If you have something large, however, you can take a photo and they will post the photo for you. For details, call the office at (847) 428-1627.

Special guest at Vineyard: On Sunday, June 7, Vineyard Church of Elgin, 220 Division St., will welcome guest speaker Rob Rienowest. Worship begins at 10 a.m. Rienowest attended Wheaton College, then completed an master's degree in theology at Wheaton College Graduate School, a divinity degree from Trinity International Divinity School, and a doctor of ministry in Christian Leadership from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a youth pastor at Wheaton Bible Church from 1993-2004, and now serves in the role of marriage and family pastor. For details, call (847) 697-8001.

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.

25th anniversary: Highland Christian Academy, formerly known as Christian Learning Center, will hold a 25th anniversary celebration called "A Weekend To Remember" for all alumni, teachers, administrators and pastors of the academy on Saturday, June 13. The event will include a reception, banquet, concert and silent auction to benefit the academy's scholarship fund. On Sunday, June 14, the celebration will continue with a special service featuring pastors and school administrators from the academy's past 25 years. The service will be held at 10 a.m. A church picnic will follow. It offers affordable rates for parents of children in preschool (age 3) through eighth grade. A needs-based scholarship program is available as well as many incentives for families considering enrollment. Flexible payment schedules are also available. For information, visit www.abouthca.com or call Highland Fellowship Church at (847) 741-5530. Highland Christian Academy, a private Christian school and affiliated with Highland Fellowship Church for 25 years, is on Highland Avenue, a half-mile east of Randall Road in Elgin.

Catechetical program: "TOTUS TUUS (Totally Yours)," a summer catechetical youth program, will be held June 14-19 at St. Mary School, 103 S. Gifford in Elgin. For children in first to sixth grade, the program runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The day includes catechetical instruction, daily Mass, songs, games and recess. For junior and senior high school youth, the program runs from 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. It combines catechesis and having fun. The youthfulness and energy of the teachers is contagious, come and join them. Registration is available through the parish office. Cost is $20. Participants in the grade school program should bring a sack lunch and recess equipment. For information, call (847) 888-2828.

Summer gathering: A College Student Summer Gathering with a "Meal and a Message" will discuss "What Does the Bible Say about Choosing a Career or a Life Direction?" with the Rev. Steve Knox at St. Mary Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. The program will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. Young persons are frequently asked the following question: "What do you want to do when you grow up?" There are so many choices out there that it can be difficult to make a decision on what to study or which direction to go. The Bible contains a great deal of practical wisdom that can provide young adults with guidance as they make decisions about career choices. All college students are welcome to attend this meal and message gathering. They will provide the pizza and then Fr. Steve will share some reflections on the topic followed by discussion. All college students are welcome to attend so please invite friends. To RSVP, contact Elizabeth at (847) 669-5612 or StMaryYM@aol.com.

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. Information and registration for the school will be held, along with meeting of teachers and tours of the school. Also learn about the all-day kindergarten program. To schedule a tour or for details, contact the school office at (847) 741-7795 or the preschool office at (847) 697-4745.

Walk in Her Shoes: St. John's Lutheran Church and School, 300 Jefferson St. in Algonquin invite the community to "Walk in Her Shoes" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18. This program is an opportunity for men and women to learn about the lives of domestic violence victims. Program participants will learn how to help and how to find help. Joan Fenton from Phoenix Arizona will be the presenter. She will also offer information from local area women's shelters. For details, call the church office at (847) 658-9300.

Movie Night: Family Movie Nights begin at no charge to the public from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18, featuring "Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron," on the big screen TV at The Center for Spiritual Evolution, 204 Spring St. in Cary. This G-rated animated classic is about a wild young mustang, Spirit, as he sets out on an action-packed quest against impossible odds to regain his freedom and save his homeland. In a thrilling journey across the majestic American frontier, he forms a remarkable bond with a Lakota brave, outwits soldiers, and falls for a beautiful mare named Rain. All are invited. Popcorn is supplied but bring your own soft drinks. The next showing is "Quest for Camelot," July 16, and "Balto 2 Wolf Quest," Aug. 20. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.

Rummage sale: St. Mary's Church of McHenry will hold its annual rummage sale on June 18-20 at Montini Middle Schoool, 1405 N. Richmond Road (Route 31 North). It is one of the largest rummage sales in the area. Thirteen rooms of quality merchandise will be available. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Friday is half-price day and on Saturday, clothing and books will be $1 or $2 per bag. For information, call St. Mary's Parish Office at (815) 385-0024, Traci Stevens at (815) 385-5631, or Mary Kay Welter at (815) 385-3281.

Parenting course: First Congregational Church, in collaboration with Out-a-Box Group, will hold a free six-session parenting course based on a common sense approach from the Love and Logic Institute. It will be held from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23, and thereafter on Mondays, June 29 to July 27. It will be held in the church's fellowship hall, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Admission is free. An optional workbook is available for $12. The course provides parents with practical, easy-to-learn skills that create respect, responsibility and good decision making in youth. If the daily routine of managing children is wearing you down, this is the course for you. To reserve your space, contact yasmin@outaboxgroup.com or (847) 836-9272. If you need child care, call (847) 741-4045.

Confirmation camp: If you are a student currently enrolled in sixth or seventh grade, you are invited to attend the Confirmation Camp at St. John's Lutheran Church and School. The camps will be held Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26 and again Monday, June 29 to Thursday, July 2. If you are interested in learning more about the Lutheran faith and what it means to be confirmed in the faith, call church office at (847) 658-9300. St. John's is at 300 Jefferson St. in downtown Algonquin.

Ice cream social: Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church will sponsor the ice cream social during the Woodstock City Band Concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 at the Park on the Square. Members will bake cookie and brownie recipes from their own collections and from their recent cookbook Beyond the Cookie Walk. Culver's Oreo Cookie Sandwiches and Vanilla and Chocolate Frozen Custard and toppings will be available. The proceeds will be used for the Church's Cookie Lift Project that sends care packages to soldiers in the Woodstock National Guard in Afghanistan. For information, contact (815) 459-1132 or cookielift@rclpc.org.

Holiday in the Halls: Crafters wanted for the St. Thomas More School annual craft fair and bake sale, "Holiday in the Halls" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The event will be held at the school, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. There will be more than 80 booths. For booth information, contact Laura Przybylski at (847) 888-4363.

Angel Food Ministries: Hunger is a very real problem in this nation - each year over 5 million Americans face life without adequate food. With today's economic challenges, many ordinary families have fallen on hard times and just need a little help to make ends meet while they get back on their feet. That's where Angel Food Ministries can make the difference. Angel Food is a nationwide program offering low-cost food relief to anyone in need. However, Angel Food Ministries is available to everyone that wishes to order. Orders are usually due mid-month with delivery usually the last Saturday of each month about 9:30 a.m. If you or someone you know needs help - Angel Food is here for you. For details, including what is available and the cost, visit www.angelfoodministries.com and type in the ZIP code 60120, select Community of Christ Church or call (847) 741-1366 to leave a message. Your call will be returned. Community of Christ, 1675 E. Chicago St. in Elgin, is participating in this program to provide food assistance to families across America. For details, visit elgin.chicagomissioncenter.org.

Register for Elgin 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.

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.