Religion--Special Events

Green Film Festival: A Green Film Festival in Woodstock will provide an alternative to the Super Bowl for folks with little interest in football or who have other priorities. Films will be screened from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday at the Stage Left Cafe, next to the Woodstock Opera House. The festival is presented by the Green Sanctuary Committee of the Congregational Unitarian Church. The committee is the church's environmental ministry. Films include the feature documentaries "Who Killed the Electric Car," Robert Kennedy Jr.'s "Who Owns Nature," and "The Real Dirt on Farmer John." In addition, a number of short films will be shown including "The Story of Stuff," "Owls," "Kilowatt Ours," "Integrated and Sustainable Home Building in a Midwestern Climate," "Future Mighty Oaks of McHenry County," and "The True Cost of Food." There will be time for discussion of the films as well. Admission to the Green Film Festival is free. Beverages and snacks will be available from the Stage Left Cafe. For information, call the Congregational Unitarian Church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit the Web page at www.cucw.org .

Culture Club: After a brief hiatus, Immanuel Lutheran Church's Culture Club began meeting in January. The first book open for discussion was "The Abstinence Teacher" by Tom Perrotta. Members of the club discussed characters in the book, its plot, and how people judge each other based on beliefs. The Culture Club meets the first Saturday of each month. The next meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. today. The book for discussion will be "Nineteen Minutes" by author Jodi Picoult. It is a riveting and emotional read. "This book frames the before and after lives of a small town population caught in a High School shooting. Picoult brings the horrendous circumstances surrounding the 19 minutes of gunfire to home with well-developed characters steeped in common daily trials. One begins to understand the deep emotional pain spurred by this act of violence," said Eileen Hawkey, group coordinator. The discussion group, held in Immanuel Lutheran's Christian Life Center, is open to the community. The church is at 310 E. Main St., East Dundee. For details, call the church office at (847) 428-4477.

Healing service: The McHenry County Church of Religious Science will offer a monthly healing service at 5 p.m. today at Golden Harvest Health Foods & Holistic Center, 330 N. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Healing services at the church are popular for their uplifting effect with concentrated high vibrational energies revealing spiritual perfection in all areas of our life. The Rev. Anne Muelleman will deliver a short message leaving ample time for prayer, meditation and spiritual mind treatment by the pastor and the church's professional practitioners in response to your healing requests. For details, call (815) 444-0942 or www.mccrs.org.

WOW Weekend: Christ Community Church will welcome Kristen Anderson to their St. Charles campus today and Sunday. When she was 17, she attempted to take her own life by lying down in front of a train, but miraculously lived. A featured guest on "Oprah" and the subject of dozens of newspaper stories and interviews, she will share her story of pain, depression, despair and hope. "It's no doubt that depression plagues our society and suicide rates are at an alarming level," said Brian Beatty, the church's communications director. "It's important for us to hear messages of hope from people who have hit rock bottom. We're excited to have Kristen share her journey and know that many will be touched by her honesty, vulnerability, and renewed passion for life." While she continued to struggle with depression for three years after her dramatic suicide attempt, she has now come to terms with her life with the help of her faith. "It breaks my heart to see kids who feel the way that I felt then," she says. "They're just walking around like there's no point to life. That's one of the reasons that I'm so glad to still be here. I want them to know how special they are. That there's a reason they're here. God created them for purposes." Anderson will be at three services during the "WOW Weekend" in St. Charles at 6:15 p.m. today and Feb. 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 37W100 Bolcum Road, off Randall Road in St. Charles. For details, call (630) 485-3300 or visit www.ccclife.org.

Pancake breakfast: The annual St. John's Boy Scout Troop 2 Pancake Breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the gym of St. John Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring St., Elgin. The all-you-can-eat menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, French toast, cereal, toast, fry-bread, milk, juice, and coffee. Tickets are $5, or $3.50 for seniors, age 60 and older or $17 for family tickets. Children under age 3 get in free. Proceeds from the breakfast are used for the yearly registration of the troop, designated equipment and camp funds, with the remainder used to supplement the program. Troop 2 has more than 75 boys and more than 50 registered adults who enjoy a fun-filled, active program including weekly meetings, monthly campouts, outdoor experiences, high adventure, and summer camp. For details, call Gerry Werrbach at (847) 695-2722.

Lenten journey begins at Epworth: Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season. While Lent comes early this year, it is truly an anticipated time. To mark the beginning of the journey, Ash Wednesday services will be held at 7 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church. The Wednesday night meal will be a simple soup supper. All are welcome. They will collect a free-will offering for the dinner. Programs for this Lenten season will begin to examine theology of prayer, what it means to pray, and how does one even begin to include prayer into such an already busy life. A six-week study class will be offered at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13, as a part of its "Food for Thought" series. Come at 5:30 p.m. and enjoy a home-cooked meal by the Nourishment Committee. While the grown-ups meet, the kids can play. Youth Choir resumes at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, followed by adult choir at 7 p.m. Choir is a wonderful way to introduce prayer into life, young and old. And don't forget dinner; let them help you feed those kids on the run, body and soul. Discovery Club meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Every child, grade-school aged, is invited to join in making fun crafts, play positive games and make lots of friends. For details, check the calendar for events at epworthumcelgin.org or call the office at (847) 931-5400.

Ash Wednesday at Good Shepherd: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will hold two special services on Ash Wednesday, both with Holy Communion and the placing of ashes on the forehead. Come worship at 4 p.m. at the 1111 Van St. location, or at 7:30 p.m. at the Nesler Road and Route 20 Christian Life Center. Lenten services will continue for the next five Wednesday evenings with special worship services during Holy Week. The pastors will be leading them to focus on Jesus being not just a man, but truly the Son of God. For details, call the church office at (874) 741-7788. Good Shepherd is also hosting a blood drive Feb. 16 at the Nesler Road Christian Life Center. Donation time slots will be available soon. For details, call Adrienne Muich at (847) 697-4745.

Pancake supper: First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake will host its Ash Wednesday pancake supper and Holy Communion service at the church, 461 Pierson St,, Crystal Lake. On Wednesday, the pancake supper begins at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. There will be a simple Holy Communion service in the chapel at 7:15 p.m. The traditional imposition of ashes will be included for those who wish it. For details, call (815) 459-6010.

Health fair: Community United Methodist Church, 400 Spring St., South Elgin, is sponsoring a Health Fair from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 9. There will be a variety of local professionals available to answer your questions and give you suggestions for having a healthy 2008. All are welcome, bring a friend, something for all ages. For details, call (847) 931-0563 or e-mail cumcsouthelgin@sbcglobal.net.

Preschool invites you to receptions: Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool is gearing up for the next school year by holding information receptions in February, and March. Special "Daddy-n-Me" play-date receptions will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Feb. 9, and 7 to 8 p.m. March 3. Moms and other family members also can come learn about the preschool. The receptions will be held at the Nesler Road and Route 20 preschool location. The preschool offers several options including 3-, 4- and 5-day preschool either all-day or half-day, morning or afternoon. They also offer before and after-school care from 7:15 a.m. until as late as 5:45 p.m. Mark your calendars to attend one of these receptions. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend. For information, call the preschool at (847) 697-4745, or go to the Good Shepherd Web site at www.goodshepherd-elgin.org.

Life in Christ: The Rev. Edward Seisser will present a six-week class titled, "Life in Christ: Walking with God," using the Catechism of the Catholic Church, at St. Mary Church of Elgin. Classes begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in Binsfeld Hall. Join them for Mass before the class at 7 p.m. in the church. The schedule is as follows: The Beatitudes on Feb. 11; Freedom and Responsibility of Human Acts on Feb. 18; Conscience on Feb. 25; Virtues on March 3; Sin, Mercy, and Moral Solidarity on March 10; Moral Law, Grace, and the Church on March 17. The class is free. To register, call the religious education office at (847) 888-2718.

Book club: First Congregational Church offers a book club, led by Jenny Lee, a seminarian and church intern. This is a book group for those who like to read and those who want to start reading. Groups meet the third Monday of each month at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. It is your choice which you would like to attend. This will be a great opportunity for reading, discussing the work, and having fellowship together. In February, the book will be "90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life" by Don Piper. In March, the book will be "Snow Flowers and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See, followed in April by "Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, & Indonesia" by Elizabeth Gilber. In May, the book will be "One Thousand White Women: The Journal of May Dodd" by Jim Fergus. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit www.fcccrystallake.org.

Soup Kettle at Elgin church: The Elgin Evangelical Free Church provides meals on Sunday afternoons from 4 to 5 p.m. for anybody in the community who is in need. This is in conjunction with the Elgin Cooperative Ministries Soup Kettle program. Walk-ins are welcome. For details, call the church at (847) 695-8812.

Griffin School accepting enrollment: Griffin Christian School, a ministry of Fox Valley Baptist Church, is now accepting enrollments in all grades for the 2008-09 school year. The school, located at 16N562 Vista Lane in East Dundee, is for preschool through 12th grade. The school offers 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 their subjects with lessons specifically tailored to their 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.