Faith

Before he began preaching at Peace United Church of Christ on a fill-in basis, the Rev. Bill Griesenauer can only recall one other time he had been to Genoa. Ironically, he arrived there by accident.

Catholic Charities Ombudsmen Program will offer training for volunteer ombudsmen from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Newman Center, Christ the Teacher Catholic Church, 512 Normal Road in DeKalb.

Saints Peter and Paul Church, 5N939 Meredith Road, near Route 64 in Virgil, will host Lenten Fish Fries from 5-8 p.m. on six Lenten Fridays, Feb. 19-March 26, at the church.

The Diocesan Family Life Office invites married couples to a Valentine’s Day event for a “Cozy Country Night of Romance.”

Because January has five Saturdays, Sycamore Baptist Church, 302 Somonauk St., will host its 5th Saturday Night Bluegrass Jamboree.

Fighting hunger in Tanzania will be the focus at second annual Eight Bean Dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday in the First Lutheran Church social hall.

Sycamore United Methodist Church will celebrate Black History Month the first, second and fourth weekends in February with guest preachers, soloists and dancers, concluding with a concert from the Inspirational Choir of Bethune-Cookman University at 5 p.m. Feb. 27.

First Congregational United Church of Christ, 615 N. First St., DeKalb, is planning its second “Pasta with a Purpose” spaghetti dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Because of weather, Faith United Methodist Church has rescheduled its lasagna dinner from early January to Feb. 13.

The Illinois Great Rivers Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts will hold its 22nd annual handbell festival on March 13 in Springfield.

It was 30 years ago that a group of women in the Sycamore United Methodist Church banded together to offer some time off for mothers and provide early socialization and educational experiences for young children.

A program that unites motherhood with faith is celebrating its 10th year.

A free spaghetti dinner is offered by First Baptist Church of DeKalb for all those who are hungry.

Peace United Church of Christ in Genoa is collecting nonperishable food for its annual contribution to the Genoa-Kingston Food Pantry.

Many people feel alone in their grief over the loss of a loved one, be it parent, spouse, child or close friend. 

All parishes in the Rockford Diocese, including St. Mary’s Church in DeKalb and the Church of St. Mary in Sycamore, are being encouraged to toll their church bells on Jan. 22, which marks the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

An afternoon work event will be held in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. to create a free computer lab and tutoring center from 1-3 p.m. Monday at The Rock Christian Church, 300 W. Taylor St. in DeKalb.

Captive Free, a Youth Encounter touring team, will lead worship at Sycamore United Methodist at 5 p.m. Saturday.

They have nicknamed themselves “The Linen Sisters,” a play on words for the popular sibling singing quartet, The Lennon Sisters.