Notes on Religion -- Special Events

Health fair: Community United Methodist Church, 400 Spring St., South Elgin, is sponsoring a Health Fair from 9 to 11:30 a.m. today. 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.

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. Monday 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 Monday; 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.

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.

Chili supper at St. Peter: St. Peter Lutheran Church of Pingree Grove is hosting a chili supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. There also will be a bake sale. After the supper, there will be bingo with prizes. The church is at 14N205 Reinking Road in Pingree Grove. For more information, call (847) 658-4320.

Blood drive: First Congregational Church of Dundee, in conjunction with Heartland Blood Centers, will sponsor a blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 16 in the lower level gathering area. To maintain an adequate blood supply, Heartland Blood Centers, an independent medical organization serving 33 hospitals in a 12-county region in Illinois and Indiana, urges all area residents to donate the gift of life this February. Both St. Valentine's Day and American Heart Month give many people a chance to reflect on matters of the heart during February. For information call (800) 7-TO-GIVE or visit www.heartlandbc.org. Donors are required to bring a photo ID. Call Londa Krueger at (847) 428-8211 for information or to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome. The church is at 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. For more information, call the church at (847) 426-2161, ext. 210.

Women's retreat: On Feb. 16, Franciscan friar Bernard Kennedy presents a retreat for women at Resurrection Catholic Community, Route 59 and Army Trail Road, Wayne. "All This and Heaven Too!" begins with a 9 a.m. gathering and continental breakfast in Marvin Hall, followed by the 9:30 a.m. presentation. Cost of $15 covers the entire event. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is appreciated. For details and registration, call Barbara Miller at (630) 289-5400, ext. 208.

Women's retreat at Epworth: Have you ever felt tired or frustrated, alone or lonely? As women, you deal with emotions raging inside, vying for time and attention. Just as in your life, the demands of time and attention often overrun you. Family, work, friends and relatives; the commitments in life can wear you down. The Women of Epworth UMC understand the needs of many women in the community and invite all women to spend a day looking at how to keep yourself strong in the face of pressure. This year's women's retreat, "Keeping Your Faith Through the Journey of … ," will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8. Each of you are on a journey, and "on a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best refreshment on the journey; and it is the greatest property" (Hindu, 480BC). Who refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 This refreshing day will be filled with guest speakers, inspiring drama, music, lunch and a new fellowship between in the community. The cost is $20 if you register by Feb. 17, or $25 after. Tickets are available through the church office, Randall Road and Highland Avenue in Elgin. For information, call Epworth at (847) 931-5400 or e-mail Patti Floyd, event coordinator, at pfloyd12861@yahoo.com.

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.