Notes on religion

Deadline for submissions is noon Tuesday. Due to space limitations, not all "Your Faith" items are listed here. The complete column appears on the Daily Herald Web site, dailyherald.com.

Adult education

Catholics Returning Home, a series for nonpracticing Catholics who are seeking answers to questions about returning to the church will be held at St. Hubert's, Hoffman Estates in the Parish Ministry Center, 729 Grand Canyon St., beginning Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and the following five Thursday evenings. There will be informal sharing and an update of the Catholic faith and the church. For more details call Gene and Eileen Farrell at (847) 843-1975.

The Ministry of New Beginnings, a Catholic-oriented, nondenominational, social support organization for separated, divorced, widowed and single persons, meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in the Hughes Center in front of St. Matthew's Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. The cost is $3 per meeting, with first visit free. (847) 891-1220.

St. Hubert Job and Networking Ministry, 729 Grand Canyon Blvd., Hoffman Estates, is nondenominational, free and open to all occupations. For details, call Bob Podgorski at (847) 925-6005.

A DVD-based study, "Boundaries" by Dr. Henry Cloud will be offered from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Sunday morning starting Sunday, Jan. 11, at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59), Barrington. Call (847) 836-5540 or visit: BarringtonUMC.com.

A new in-depth Bible study will begin Monday, Jan. 12, with instructor Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities and founder and author of Word Among Us Bible Studies - a national Bible study curriculum. The group will study the book of Proverbs. This 10-week class will be held at 6 a.m. at Harris Bank in Palatine. To enroll, call (866) 455-6466 or enroll online by going to www.LutheranChurchCharities.org.

Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church in Palatine will host a "meaning of life" discussion when the Agnosticism, Humanism and/or Atheism group meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the church, 1025 N. Smith Road in Palatine. All questions and comments will be welcome.

"The Sandwich Years" will be presented from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on five consecutive Wednesdays starting Jan. 14 at St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. (847) 998-1946, www.stphilip.info.

"Catholics Returning Home" series will be conducted at 7 p.m. on six consecutive Mondays beginning Jan. 5 at Queen of the Rosary, 680 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village for nonpracticing Catholics who are seeking answers to questions about returning to the church. For details, call Rich Kaiser at (847) 439-1898.

A small group meets to write their life stories from 2-3:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, 1400 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. To register, call (847) 439-0668 or e-mail princepeaceumc@sbcglobal.net.

Bible classes are offered from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sundays through Jan. 25 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights. The topics are "The Parables of Jesus" with Pastor Schmidt and "Share Jesus Without Fear" with Pastor Greiner. (847) 259-4114.

What Do Christianity and the Christian Church Look Like to an Atheist? This is the topic for exploration during Adult Study sessions for 10 weeks beginning 9 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 11, at Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. Participants will read and discuss Hemant Mehta's controversial book, "I Sold My Soul on eBay; Viewing Faith Through an Atheist's Eyes." Newcomers are welcome to attend. CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

Children, teens

St. Hubert Catholic School, 255 Flagstaff Lane, Hoffman Estates, will host a preschool open house for prospective new families at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. Tours can be arranged as well as appointments made to learn more about all that St. Hubert Catholic School has to offer. (847) 885-7702. www.sainthubert.org

Prince of Peace Preschool and Kindergarten, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, is now offering a Pre-3 Class for children turning 3 years old after Sept. 1, 2008, and before Jan. 31, 2009. The class will begin in January 2009. This special class offers an introduction to preschool from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. There also is a Parents' Day Out program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with lunch and snacks provided. For details or to register, call (847) 885-7036.

Immanuel Lutheran School will have an Open House at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 200 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine. For more information, call (847) 359-1936.

Family

Congregation Beth Judea's Gan Shabbat program, for children ages 9 and younger along with their families, will be from 10:30-11:30 a.m. After Gan Shabbat, all participants will be encouraged to join the main service and the community Kiddush. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. (847) 634-0777.

Fundraisers

Lectures, seminars

Financial Pace University, a 13-week program teaching financial management based on biblical principles, will be offered at Presbyterian Church of Palatine on Mondays starting Jan. 19. Free previews Jan. 4 at 11:30 a.m. and Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at the church. For more details, call Patrick Grady at (847) 269-6948 or visit www.daveramsey.com/fpu.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 720 S. Dundee Ave., Barrington, will host a workshop with songwriter Ginny Owens from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Cost is $50 for National Songwriters Association International members and $55 for nonmembers. Register by mailing a check payable to "NSAI Chicago" and addressed c/o Jeff Wilson, 1821 Walden Office Square, Suite 400, Schaumburg, IL 60173. For details, call Anita Lin at (847) 376-0839.

Kosher Cooking will be taught by Rabbi Robert Gamer at Congregation Beth Judea. All classes will meet at 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 and March 3. The class will delve into the following questions: What exactly is "kosher"? Why and how do we do it? What does the Conservative movement say about keeping kosher/Is there "ethical kosher?" Participants will explore these and other topics, as well as cooking a dish each week reflecting the weekly topic. For details, call (847) 634-0777. Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove.

The Chai Center for Enrichment & Renewal is presenting Oy Vey Feng Shui the Yiddish Way with Judy Kaplan. This joint program with Sisterhood will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove. Too much mind "chatter" or "noise" can get in the way of peaceful thoughts and energy needed to heal. Identification of specific actions or strategies, using old Yiddish stories and phrases, will be used to "quiet" the cluttered mind, leading to a more relaxed, focused and mindful approach toward living life with stress, illness or other everyday life challenges. For information or to RSVP, contact the Chai Center at (847) 537-1771, ext. 234, or thechaicenter@templechai.org.

A weekly class studying Jewish Law will meet from 8-9 a.m. on Sunday mornings at Congregation Beth Judea. The group will meet through May. The Jewish Law Study Group, led by Rabbi Robert Gamer, will be looking in depth at some of the recent decisions of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. (847) 634-0777.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will host a Beginner's Workshop by Judy Frazin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie. For more information visit jewishgen.org/jgsi or call (312) 666-0100.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will present "Ask the Experts" at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie. The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth Israel will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use our library materials, get help with genealogy Web sites on the Internet, or ask genealogical-related questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m. jewishgen.org/jgsi or (312) 666-0100.

Unity Northwest Church will offer Twelve Powers Class, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 7-9 p.m. at the church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines. The class, which reviews the basic Unity principles, will run for five weeks, through Feb. 3. The Rev. Diane Venzera facilitates. This class is a required SEE class, and can be taken for credit. Freewill offering each week, one time $10 materials fee. Call (847) 297-0997 to register; you must register to ensure a copy of the materials is available for you.

Basic Buddhism classes continue at Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhist Church on the first Sunday of the month at the church, 1 W. Euclid Ave., Mount Prospect (corner of Route 83 and Euclid). (847) 259-3018.

Men's fellowship

Men's Bible Study will be offered from 7-8 a.m. on five consecutive Saturdays, starting with a breakfast on Jan. 3 at St. Philip Lutheran, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview. The theme is "Becoming the Man God Wants Me to Be." (847) 998-1946, www.stphilip.info.

The Midwest Region of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs will hold its annual Man of the Year Dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Congregation Beth Emunah, 3220 Big Tree Lane in Wilmette. Congregation Beth Judea's Men's Club of Long Grove proudly honors Gregg Pollack of Northbrook as its 2009 Man of the Year. Pollack has been very active in Beth Judea's Men's Club and synagogue life for many years. Whether leading services, organizing the club's "Hearing Men's Voices" program, serving on the board of directors or providing support to many other shul activities, he provides an example of how Men's Club members can make an impact in the synagogue.

For more information on making reservations for this gala event, call Beth Judea's office at (847) 634-0777 and leave a message for Man of the Year Dinner Chairman. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. www.BethJudea.org.

Miscellaneous

Dr. Robb Thompson, founder and senior pastor of Family Harvest Church of Tinley Park, announces "City Harvest," a new Northwest suburban ministry beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Marriott Hotel, 50 N. Martingale Road in Schaumburg. Providing challenging messages and a fresh start for 2009, 'City Harvest' will serve the Northwest suburban area as an interdenominational contemporary ministry for all ages. To challenge and instill Godly character within children, a "Kid's Character Club" will meet at City Harvest providing projects and games to champion character traits, such as honesty and loyalty. Contact Jacques Jacobs at (708) 614-6000 for more information.

The First St. Hubert Parish alumni event will begin with Mass celebrated by St. Hubert Pastor Father Robert Rizzo at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, in the newly renovated St Hubert Church, due to open in November, 2008, followed by a reception with refreshments in the Parish Ministry Center Multipurpose Room and an Open House Walk of the School. E-mail your attendance response to St. Hubert Development Core Team-Alumni Relations Arm Chairperson Denise Herrmann at dherrmann@sthubertschool.com.

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. Sunday Jan. 11, at the Catholic Charities Northwest Office, 1717 Rand Road, Des Plaines; 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Holy Family Church Counseling Center, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness; and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday Jan. 22, at Carmel High School, One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein. For details, call (847) 376-2118.

The documentary movie "No Dumb Questions" will be shown at noon on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church in Palatine. Light refreshments will be served. The short film follows a family with three young children as they accompany their uncle through the journey to transition from male to female. The film, which is appropriate for all ages, is tasteful, informative, and a wonderful way to begin a dialogue about transgender issues. Katie Thomas, president of Chicago Gender Society, will facilitate a question-and-answer session following the movie. Countryside Church is at 1025 N. Smith Road in Palatine.

The Chai Center for Enrichment & Renewal is hosting Yarn Yentas Friendship Circle from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove. Come knit or crochet, and feel stress disappear. We will stitch, talk and laugh. All levels welcome. Bring your own project. No instruction will be given. For information or to RSVP, contact the Chai Center at (847) 537-1771, ext. 234, or thechaicenter@templechai.org.

Jewish Yoga is offered from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays, at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. The class is open to nonmembers. (847) 459-1677, congregation-betham.org.

Beth Am Food Pantry's food distribution is offered the last Sunday of the month from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Nonperishable food donations are always welcome. Congregation Beth Am is at 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 459-1677.

A free beginning yoga class will be offered from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays at Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhist Church, 1 W. Euclid Ave., Mount Prospect. Bring your yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. (847) 259-3018.

St. Edna Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, offers several support groups including ones for those who have been widowed, a group for mothers who have lost a son or a daughter and a group for those struggling with divorce. (847) 398-3362, ext. 318.

Performances

A celebration of sacred music by a conglomeration of Barrington churches is coming to Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) at 7 p.m.(doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Sunday, Jan. 25. Now in its third year, the festival features a variety of sacred music styles from the participating churches as well as massed choir pieces directed by festival founder Dr. James Skomer of Salem United Methodist Church. Participating churches include: Atonement Lutheran Church, Barrington United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church of Barrington, St. Anne Catholic Community, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, St. Michael Episcopal Church, Salem United Methodist Church, and Village Church of Barrington. (847) 359-6663.

The Harding University Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Cliff Ganus III, will present a program at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Cardinal Drive Church of Christ, 2300 Cardinal Drive, Rolling Meadows.

Seniors

The following events are at Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. They are free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged. For information, call (630) 213-0100.

• Monday, Jan. 19, 10:30 a.m.: In honor of Celebration of Life and International Creativity Month, join a Drumming Circle led by Music Therapist Rita Lopienski. Drums are provided and all ages are welcome.

• Monday Jan. 26, 3 p.m.: In honor of the first day of Chinese New Year, Registered Music Therapist Rita Lopienski will lead a program on "Vibration Instruments of China" Learn the unique background and religious use of the seven metal singing bowls of Tibet, chimes, gongs, cymbals and bells that are used for rituals dating back to the Chinese Empire and used today in therapy and yoga.

Special services

Congregation Kneseth Israel holds Shabbat services are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the synagogue, 330 Division St., Elgin. In addition to services, social activities are planned by the award-winning youth group, 50+ club, men's club and sisterhood. (847) 741-5656 or ckielgin.org.

Congregation Shirat Shalom in Elgin offers Shabbat services at 9:45 a.m. Saturdays, followed by a community kiddush luncheon. Following kiddush luncheon, there will be an adult education class exploring exactly what it is that makes our siddur "Conservative." When were the prayers modified, and what were the driving philosophies behind the changes? Come and join us for this fascinating exploration, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Tot Shabbat services are the third Friday of the month, and adult education classes are Thursdays and Saturdays. (847) 695-6246. CongregationShiratShalom.org.

Congregation Am Chai will have its Friday night service at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at the Devonshire, 1515 Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates. Following services will be an oneg Shabbat and after the oneg, the Men and Women Clubs will have a joint meeting. For more information, call (847) 604-4060 or e-mail info@amchai.org.

Christ the King Ev. Lutheran Church, 100 W. Michigan Ave., Palatine, will offer "Service of All Nations" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, an international potluck meal at 6 p.m. Bring your favorite ethnic dish to share, dress in ethnic clothing. (847) 358-0230, www.ByFaithAlone.org.

Shabbat worship services are offered at 7:30 p.m. Fridays (Kabbalat Shabbat) and at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Birthdays and anniversaries will be recognized at the first Friday night service of the month. Daily minyan services are: Mondays at 6:15 a.m.; Monday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 9 a.m.

Tot Shabbat services are held in the main sanctuary of the synagogue at 6:30 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Gan Shabbat services are held every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Beit HaMidrash on the Religious School level. (847) 634-0777.

Kol Chaverim, a 1-year-old post-denominational, participatory, egalitarian congregation, invites prospective members to regular Shabbat morning services and kiddush lunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Jewish Council for Youth Services Northwest, 1700 Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove. Call (847) 398-2019 by Friday. kolchaverim.org.

Pastor Tim Haugen will preach on the subject: "Awesome and Welcoming" at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, Jan. 4, at Meadows Baptist Church, 2401 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows.

Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff, Arlington Heights, will celebrate Three Kings Day, Sunday, Jan. 4, with a Mexican Brunch following worship services at 10:30 a.m. Communion will be served during the service. www.CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

Women's programs

Women of all ages (high school and older) are invited to the seventh annual Women's Winter Retreat from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Living Lord Lutheran Church. The theme for the day is "Love Your Neighbor as You Love Yourself." Attendees will share fun, good food, inspiring messages and spiritual nurturing. For more information and registration, visit livinglordlutheran.org or call the church office at (630) 830-3630. Registration (suggested donation of $25) includes a continental breakfast and a light lunch and is due by Jan. 18. Free child care will be provided upon request. Living Lord Church is located at 1044 Congress Drive, just south of Stearns Road on Route 59.

Arlington Countryside Church, 916 E. Hintz. Road, in Arlington Heights, is hosting a Girls' Night Out from 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. All women are invited to an evening of pizza, football-related activities, and a movie. Cost is $5 at the door. Call (847) 255-2140 for more information.

A Women's Bible Study, led by laypersons, meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. The group is reading "Daughters of Eve" by Virginia Owens. The book examines the women in the Bible and their message to women today. Newcomers are welcome. For details, visit CongUCC.org or call (847) 392-6650.