Lake Co. religion notes

Deadline for submissions is noon Monday. Due to space limitations, not all "Your Faith" items are listed here. The complete column appears on the Daily Herald Web site, dailyherald.com. To submit items, e-mail faith@dailyherald.com.

Churches join together: Three Archdiocese of Chicago parishes in Lake County have been merged to form Most Blessed Trinity Parish. Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, signed the decree that merged Holy Family and Immaculate Conception parishes in Waukegan, along with Queen of Peace in North Chicago, to form the new parish. The Rev. Daniel F. Hartnett has been named pastor of Most Blessed Trinity Parish. In 2006, Cardinal George appointed the Rev. Gary Graff as pastor of Holy Family, Immaculate Conception and Queen of Peach Parishes and asked him to create a new model of pastoral leadership to better serve Catholics in Waukegan and North Chicago. Graff was instrumental in overseeing the dialogue, process and pastoral needs of the three parishes. In consultation with Auxiliary Bishop George Rassas, the Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate I, and after discussion with pastoral leadership and parishioners of all three parishes, a recommendation was made to merge the three parishes into a new faith community with one parish composed of three worship sites.

Fun Fridays: On Fridays during July, Lindenhurst Trinity United Methodist Church is sponsoring Fun Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, 101 S Beck Road, Lindenhurst. Many games are available, such as slip-and-slides, bean bag toss and others. Some Fridays there is a campfire and roasted marshmallows.

July 10

Rummage sale: The United Methodist Women of Lindenhurst Trinity United Methodist Church are hosting their Annual Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 10, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, at 101 S Beck Road, Lindenhurst. Homemade bakery items will also be available.

Concert: Canticum Novum, a chamber choir dedicated to performing challenging choral music, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road in Antioch. The group consists of 22 voices from around the Midwest with a repertoire that includes works by Palestrina, Mendelssohn, Mathias, Hogan, as well as selections from the American and Lutheran tradition. The performance will be followed by hospitality that includes coffee and desserts. (847) 293-6101 or faithantioch.org.

July 11

Flea market: A flea market will be held at the United Protestant Church of Grayslake from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, in the church parking lot. The church is in downtown Grayslake at 54 S. Whitney St. Community members are invited to browse the outdoor sale for bargains on everything from kids' toys to furniture to kitchen items (no clothing). Rental space is available for $25 and can be reserved by calling (847) 223-8131. The rain date is July 25.

Clothes for the needy: Clothing in sizes ranging from infant to 16 boys and girls is available the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Episcopal Church's Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need community service project, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Next dates are: July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. There is no cost. Donations of gently used children's clothing in good condition are always welcome. standrewsgrayslake.org or (847) 223-2310.

July 12

Speaker series: Theology-on-Tap, a speaker and conversation series for people in their 20s and 30s, is being hosted at 41 locations throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago in English, Spanish and Polish. Beginning its 29th year on Sunday, July 12, the program continues to provide the opportunity for young adults, both married and single, to learn more about the Catholic faith, make connections between faith and everyday life and enter into discussions with their peers. This four-week summer program, offered Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, includes a speaker, conversation and theology. On Sunday, Aug. 9, Theology-on-Tap will conclude with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, at Madonna della Strada Chapel on the Lake Shore Campus of Loyola University. The Mass will be followed by a picnic with music, food and dancing at Halas Field, directly across from the chapel. The following parishes will host Theology-on-Tap this summer: St. Gilbert, 301 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, (847) 223-4731; St. James, 134 North Ave., Highwood, (847) 433-1494; St. Mary of Vernon, 236 Route 45, Indian Creek, (847) 703-2964; Holy Family, 450 Keller Ave., Waukegan, (847) 623-2655.

July 13

Vacation Bible school: Shiloh Baptist Church, 800 S. Genesee St. in Waukegan, will host its vacation Bible school from 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 13-17. The theme is "Extreme Spiritual Makeover: Jesus the Master Builder," with classes for preschoolers through adults. This event is free. For details, call (847) 662-6325.

July 15

Survivors of Suicide: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago invites those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide to participate in its Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide program from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, at Holy Family Church Counseling Center, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness, and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Carmel High School, One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein. (847) 376-2118.

July 20

Day camp: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville, will hold a day camp for students in first to fifth grades from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 20-24. The five daily themes will help campers explore Scriptures that help them to see themselves as freed, created, called, saved and sent to serve. Registration forms are available in the church. Fee is $50 per child, with family discount of $40 per child for two or mor children. For details, call or e-mail Felicia Brandt at (847) 362-0924 or Felicia-brandt@adp.com.

Vacation Bible school: Holy Cross vacation Bible school for preschoolers ages 3-5 will be July 20 -24. "Son Rock" will be from 9 to 11:15 a.m. each day. The adventure will include opening worship, stories and activities, arts and crafts, and more. Registration and health forms are available in the church office or at holycrosschurch.org. The fee for vacation Bible school is $35 per child, with a family discount of $30 per child with two or more registrations. The church is at 29700 N. St. Mary's Road in Libertyville.

July 27

Vacation Bible school: St. Stephen Lutheran Church presents Camp EDGE vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, July 27, to Friday, July 31. Camp EDGE is a Bible-based program that will bring children closer to God through crafts, music, games, storytelling and science activities. It is open to children in preschool through fifth grade. Register in person at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 1155 Hillside Ave., Antioch. Each family will receive a Camp EDGE CD-ROM at registration. A $20 donation per child is recommended, but not required for participation. Registration is limited to 75 children.

Aug. 28

Rummage sale: Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ in Mundelein is accepting items for the Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29, rummage sale. The church accepts clothing, household items, furniture, tools, books, art work and kid's items. Rummage sale donations can be dropped off at Community Protestant Church, 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein, during the daytime Monday through Thursday. For details, call (847) 566-4000.

Ongoing

Friday Friends: Friday Friends has been organized within The Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Mundelein for the purpose of fun and fellowship. The group meets the second Friday of the month, each time at different members' homes. For details, call (847) 949-8670.

Recycling: On the third Sunday of each month, youth will man the recycle bin between services from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and after the second service, after 11 a.m. Bring your old newspapers, junk mail and catalogs. Youth will be ready to assist with the unloading of your car as you drive up to the bin in the Grace parking lot. The recycle bin is in place on a daily basis. A portion of the cash credits for all paper donations will be used toward a green gift for the community. Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive in Libertyville. aboutgracelutheran.org or (847) 367-7050.

For seniors: The senior group, The Primetimers, meets at The Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Mundelein the fourth Monday of the month for refreshments, book studies and guest speakers. In addition, the group sometimes attends local plays, historical activities and visits tourist attractions. For details, call (847) 949-8670.