Geneva church to hold non-scary Halloween event for families

Special events

• Rejoice Lutheran Church in Geneva will host "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.

• An open house will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Myogyoji Buddhist Temple, 1S100 Route 59 in West Chicago. Starting Sunday, following the monthly memorial, Myogyoji Temple will conduct a three-hour Shodai. This is to put our effort to accomplish the goal of 50 percent increase in membership by 2015. The Shodai will start at 1 p.m., and will be held every Monthly Memorial Sunday. For details, call (630) 293 5235.

• Fox Valley Unity Church, 230 Webster St. in Batavia, will host its monthly Sacred Chant Circle at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Chanting holds a sacred position in many spiritual disciplines and is one of the oldest sacred music traditions of the world. Chant can carry us effortlessly to a place of quiet, stillness and healing. There is something magical about chanting live in a group of people who add their combined energies to the power and richness of the chant. For information, call (630) 879-1115 or visit foxvalleyunity.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. This covers the cost of the dinner. The group 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. In the six years since its inception, over 200 different people have attended more than 75 programs. These 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, and most are held at 121 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva. No annual dues are charged to participants. It 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. For information about the Party-at-the-Pub, contact Liza Bachrach at (847) 622-8855 or Archbroch@comcast.net.

• Enjoy a Girls Night Out for women of all ages at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the west campus of First Baptist Church of Geneva, 3435 Keslinger Road, Geneva. Author, speaker and Christian comedian Jenn Doucette offers encouragement via hope, humor and a hefty dose of humility. Her quick wit and quirky sense of humor promises a night of laughter. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5, payable at the door. To reserve a seat, call Lori at (630) 232-7068, ext. 160. For information, visit fbcg.com.

• Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St. in Elgin, invites the community to a special presentation of "Kristallnacht - The Night of Broken Glass" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. This free slide show & commentary will commemorate the fateful night in Jewish history during the 1938 riots in Berlin, when over 200 synagogues were destroyed. Call (847) 741-5656 for information.

• Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St. in Elgin, invites you to its seventh annual community blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 15 in partnership with Heartland Blood Centers. Register online at heartlandbc.org by going to the "Donating" tab, clicking on "Blood Drive Open to the Public" and entering "Elgin." Walk-ins are welcome. Photo I.D. is required. For information, contact CKI Blood Drive Coordinator Paul Glaser at pauljayglaser@sbcglobal.net.

• Members of Fox Valley Unity Church, 230 Webster St. in Batavia, will be gathering at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, to sort donated clothing, sheets, blankets, toiletries, food and other items into individual backpacks. Volunteers will then take these backpacks into their communities. When they find a person in need, they will give them a filled backpack. This quiet ministry does not judge or preach. It's simply a gift. This is the third time Fox Valley Unity Church has done this goodwill project. The program is so well received that this has become an ongoing outreach program. If anyone in the community has items to donate or for information, call (630) 879-1115 or visit foxvalleyunity.org.

• United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton St., will host a monthly family-friendly, home-cooked meal from 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the large dining hall on the second floor. The next event is Nov. 17. The Third Tuesday Suppers are free. Carryout is also available. Each dinner will feature a home-cooked meat entree, potato, salad and dessert served buffet style. The menu will change monthly, but hot dogs and chips always will be available. Serving begins at 5 p.m. For information and the monthly menu, visit thirdtuesdaysuppers.com or call the church office at (630) 232-7120.

Guest speakers

• The Aurora Jewish Welfare Fund will host a presentation by Lucy Marshall of South Elgin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at Temple B'nai Israel, 400 N. Edgelawn, Aurora. The talk commemorates the 61st anniversary of the Aurora Jewish Welfare Fund, and the state of Israel which was founded in May 1948.

Marshall will recount her experiences last semester as a student at the NFTY-EIE (Eisendrath International Exchange) High School in Israel. For over 40 years, the Reform Movement has been sending youth to Israel with this four-month accredited high school nestled in the Judean mountains. The students live, learn and grow together on a kibbutz as a community as they explore four thousand years of Jewish memory, learn Hebrew, and come to know Israel as their second home. There will be complimentary light refreshments. The program is free. For details, contact Candice Goldstein at candigo@sbcglobal.net or (630) 208-1281.

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. The fall schedule includes: Nov. 8, at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley; Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. at Christ Church, 1492 Henry Ave., Des Plaines; Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 254 Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale; Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 N. Kuhn Road, Carol Stream; and Dec. 6, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Walter Catholic Church, 201 W. Maple Ave., Roselle.

• The Praise Choir of St. John Neumann Church will present a choral concert, "Raise Up Our Voices in Praise," at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at the church, 2900 E. Main St. The freewill offering will benefit Lazarus House and local food pantries.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Fox Valley Unity Church, 230 Webster St. in Batavia, will host "Coping with Loss and Change" from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 3 to Dec. 7 and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 4 to Dec. 9. This six-week educational course will assist you in going through the process of loss and change. This course is for everyone. Some topics and feelings to be discussed include: identifying areas of loss and grief, living with grief, how the body grieves, handling the holidays spiritually, gender differences in grief expression, what is normal grief and techniques for interacting with the dying and their families. Intervention methods are taught which related to the cultural and emotional aspects of dying, grieving, sudden death, grieving children, and care giving. It is facilitated by registered nurse Clarice A. Schultz. To register for the class, call Fox Valley Unity at (630) 879-1115. Visit foxvalleyunity.org.

• Would you like to maximize your grocery savings and purchase hundreds of dollars worth of groceries for just pennies? Then sign up now for the "Super Couponing Workshop," led by Jill Cataldo, from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Christ Community Church, 37W100 Bolcum Road in St. Charles. A $5 entry fee includes coffee, a hot breakfast and speaker admission to this special "Women 2 Women" event. Childcare is available. Register online at ccclife.org/women2women, e-mail: W2W@ccclife.org, or call Lee Joyce at (630) 205-0251.

• "Interfaith Cooperation," a workshop open to the public for teens and adults, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd., St. Charles. Hind Makki, staff member of Interfaith Youth Core of Chicago, will be the presenter. IFYC was founded in 1998 by Eboo Patel, author of Acts of Faith. There will be no cost for a two-part presentation: information session about religious pluralism and cultural diversity from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and an optional training session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Preschool child care is provided. All are welcome. For information, call Rev. John Rodgers at (630) 584-0929.

• From 7:30 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, Fox Valley Unity, 230 Webster St. in Batavia, facilitates a discussion of "A Course in Miracles." This is an ongoing class, rain or shine. Each week a new topic is discussed. Everyone is welcome at any time and the class is always open to new attendees. For information, call (630) 879-1115 or visit foxvalleyunity.org.