FIRST PRESBYTERIAN NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Amy Schallis has been hired as the new director of Christian education at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave.

Schallis previously was the administrator of Small World Montessori School in Racine. She has also served with special education elementary school children, as a middle school cross country coach and as a leader of Middle School Ministries. She is also on the board of the Ophelia Project.

Her goal as the director of Christian education is to support the Sunday school teachers, youth leaders and staff. She is a native of Wisconsin and after, some time in Washington, D.C., moved back to the area with her husband, Ryan, and their two children, Meyer and Mallory. She attended Trinity University in Washington, D.C.

First Presbyterian Church will host a welcome reception for Schallis following worship on Sunday. The reception will begin at 10:30 a.m.

CHAMBERS TO SPEAK DURING MAGNIFICAT BREAKFAST

With a deep desire in helping other women grow closer to God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the Magnificat, Servant of the Lord Kenosha/Racine Chapter, will hold a Magnificat breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 at Infusino's Banquet Hall, 3225 Rapids Drive. Tickets are $10.

Guest speaker Clara Chambers was born in the northern Italian Alps. She was leader of the St. Damian prayer group in Oak Forest, Ill., and served many years on its service team. She joined the advisory board of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center of Chicago, where she served for 10 years. Chambers is recipient of the Christifideles Award from Cardinal Francis George in October 2006. This award is given to lay Catholics in recognition of their exemplary service to the Catholic community.

For more information or to order tickets, call Rose Nelson at (262) 654-7287 or Rose Birkholz at (262) 657-9519 no later than Nov. 10.

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH HOSTS PRAYER VIGIL

St. John's Lutheran Church, 198 Westridge Ave., Burlington, will host a prayer vigil Sunday in recognition of the Festival of the Reformation and the Festival of All Saints Day. All residents of the Burlington community, together with congregants, are invited to spend quiet time in prayer and meditation during a three-hour period from noon to 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

The event is intended to give people an opportunity to get away from life's daily distractions and spend time silently contemplating their relationship with God. Bibles will be available for participants, along with some suggestions for reflective readings.

Since it's being held on All Saints Day, it's an opportunity to remember the grace of God in the lives of those faithful who have been called home to heaven in the past year.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT SIENA CENTER

The following programs are being offered at the Siena Center, 5635 Erie St.:

* "Journey from Grief to Healing," 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 23. Few of us are prepared for the long journey of grief that is at times devastating, frightening and lonely. The best healing for grief is to find others who will listen to your story. At the first meeting, attendees will receive a copy of "The New Day Journal: A Journey from Grief to Healing;" the book is included in the program fee of $40.

* "Becoming Mystics and Prophets," 10-11 a.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. During each session, Pat Shutts or Miriam Brown will present the story and spirituality of a mystic or prophet within a setting of prayerful reflection. Come to any or all gatherings: Nov. 4, The Gospel Marys; Dec. 2, Mary Oliver; and Jan. 13, Oscar Romero, Modern Prophet. A Freewill offering will be accepted.

n "The Consistent Ethic of Life" - Lawyers' retreat, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 14. The consistent ethic of life is the theme and moral stance advanced by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernadin to recognize a linkage of, and to consistently oppose, not only abortion but capital punishment, war, torture and all social justice issues that destroy or diminish human life. Cost to attend is $150.

For more information or to register for the retreats offered above, contact Sister Rita Lui at (262) 639-4100 ext. 1230.

* "Spirituality in Contemporary Society," men's retreat presented by the Rev. Martin Pable, on Nov. 13-15. This retreat will help refocus attention and energies on what the Bible calls "the things that really matter." Cost to attend is $125. Contact Larry Norton at (262) 681-2923 or e-mail lnorton2@wi.rr.com

CHRIST CHURCH TO OBSERVE ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

All Saints Sunday will be observed during the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services Sunday at Christ Church, a United Methodist congregation at 5109 Washington Ave. Names of those who died in the last year will be read and a family member or close friend will be invited to light a candle in memory of each person to be remembered. Communion will also be celebrated during the services.

Sunday school for children and adults begins at 9:15 a.m. Christ Church also has a service at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays.

LIFE LONG LEARNING PROGRAM AT ST. RICHARD PARISH

Life Long Learning will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday in Vogel Hall at St. Richard Parish, 1509 Grand Ave. The Rev. Ron Gramza will present "I was lost and now I'm found: Sinner Saints."

OUTREACH MINISTRY TO BEGIN AT ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN

The Pentecostal congregation, Jesus Alive Ministry, will begin worshipping at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 3011 Erie St. The Jesus Alive Ministry Sunday service will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday school will be conducted at the same time. The congregation will hold a reception to welcome Jesus Alive Ministry to their new church at 10 a.m. All interested people are invited to attend this historic occasion, which is an outreach ministry for St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation, will continue its worship service time at 9 a.m. and Sunday school for all ages at 10:15 a.m.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS AT ST. JOHN NEPOMUK PARISH

One-hour presentations on "Experiencing God in the Ordinary" will begin at 6:30 p.m. on three consecutive Thursday evenings, Nov. 5, 12, and 19, at St. John Nepomuk Parish, 700 English St. The presentation will be followed by discussion.

The program consists of Introduction: What facilitates experiencing God in the ordinary?; God in the ordinary: Creation; and God in the ordinary: Incarnation; presented by the Rev. Jose Eluvathingal, a Pallotine priest from India.

Call (262) 633-3822 to reserve materials. This program is sponsored by the Catholic Association of Racine.

GUEST SOLOIST AT ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

Tenor Michael Tallon will be the guest soloist during the 9 a.m. worship service Sunday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 1015 4 Mile Road. He will sing two songs: the black spiritual "Steal Away," and "I Sing for You" by Michael Gore. Following worship there will be a stewardship meal in the Fellowship Hall of the church.

DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATED AT OLYMPIA BROWN

In a remembrance ceremony, congregants of Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Ave., may place photographs of loved ones among dramatic Day of the Dead decorations while the Rev. Dr. Tony Larsen, in "Once Upon a Time," explains how stories, including personal memories, not only entertain and teach but may transform people's lives. November's recipient for the church's Offertory Outreach Fund will present a speaker from ANGEL Inc., an autism support and service organization. Services are at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

TAIZÉ SERVICE AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

A Taizé service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave. This ecumenical service is designed to bring a sense of calm and deep peace to worshippers. The Rev. Ben Johnston-Krase will use elements of prayer, song and silence during this candlelight service. Vocal and instrumental accompaniment will be provided by Alejandro Alumbreros and Kristina Dahl.

A freewill offering will be accepted. The church is fully accessible by elevator.

WORSHIP SERVICES AT RACINE MARRIOTT HOTEL

The public is invited to attend worship services with pastors the Rev. Bryant and Marie Holloway at 11 a.m. every Sunday inside the Racine Marriott Hotel, 7111 Washington Ave.

ALL SAINTS DAY AT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

On All Saints Day, loved ones and friends will be remembered during the 10 a.m. worship service Sunday at Faith United Methodist Church, 1013 Harmony Drive. A white candle will be lit, a bell rung and a white carnation will be given to survivors.

REVIVAL TONIGHT AT HOLY NATIVITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

The Rev. Joe Gonzalez accompanied by Brother Ruben Zertuche and Brother Rick Zertuche will hold a "Revival From San Antonio, Texas," event at 7 p.m. tonight at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, 2313 17th Ave., Kenosha. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Worship Church of God of Prophesy, 1769 S. State St., will also host Gonzalez, Brother Ruben Zertuche and Brother Rick Zertuche, who will speak during the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services Sunday.

SERRA CLUB TO MEET FRIDAY

The Racine Area Serra Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Friday at St. Monica's Senior Citizens Home Chapel, 3920 N. Green Bay Road, to pray for religious vocations. A luncheon meeting will follow the Mass.

Religion Today is a listing of special events held at Racine County churches and is published every Saturday in Faith & Community. Notices of regularly scheduled services and sermon topics are not used. Announcements must arrive by noon Wednesday to be considered for publication the following Saturday, as space permits. Submit information to The Journal Times Online Calendar at http:www.journaltimes.com/calendar and select the Religion category; by mail to Sharon Knox, The Journal Times, 212 4th St., Racine, WI, 53403; e-mail sknox@journaltimes.com or fax information to the attention of Sharon Knox at (262) 631-1780.