Guest speaker | Chicago Heights

The Rev. Jack Diel, director of Intercambio Cultural Maya, will speak at the 9:30 a.m. adult Sunday school class and 11 a.m. worship service Oct. 5 at First Presbyterian, 900 Thomas. Diel's group works with service learning projects in the Yucatan region of Mexico.

FYI: Call (708) 481-3754.

Pet blessing | Munster

The Humane Society Calumet Area will have its annual pet blessing at 10 a.m. today in front of the rectory at St. Thomas More, 8501 Calumet Ave. Pets will be blessed in an outdoor setting. They should be current on vaccines and restrained.

FYI: Call (219) 922-3811.

Pet blessing | Whiting

The Whiting/Robertsdale Catholic community invites pets and their owners to the annual Pet Blessing at noon today in front of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1849 Lincoln Ave. This annual event coincides with the feast of St. Frances of Assisi. Certificates of blessing will be presented to all participants. Pets should be contained or on a leash.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0023.

Animal service | Munster

The St. Francis blessing of the animals service will be hosted by the Environmental Missions Team at 9 a.m. today at Ridge United Methodist Church, 8607 Columbia Ave. The Rev. Donna Beifuss will officiate. This special service for pets and their owners is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. It will be held on the outside lawn (weather permitting), and all animal lovers are welcome. Dogs must be leashed and smaller pets should either be leashed or secured in carriers.

FYI: Call (219) 838-4770.

Forum | Whiting

The Faith Enrichment Committee and the Peace and Justice Commission of the Whiting/Robertsdale Catholic Cluster have planned an evening to practice faithful citizenship. It will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in the St. John Mural Room at St. John the Baptist, 119th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Guest presenters will conduct a forum on the topic of voting your conscience.

FYI: Call (219) 659-4138.

NEW LOCATION | Hobart

Suncrest Christian Church is launching a new campus location in the ShowPlace 12 Movie Theater at the east end of Westfield Southlake Mall. Suncrest offers full children's programming and a 10 a.m. Sunday Student Life worship gathering for teens. Adult services are at 8:30 and 10 a.m.

FYI: Visit www.suncrest.org.

OUTDOOR ROSARY | Whiting

An outdoor rosary on behalf of life for the unborn will begin at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at Immaculate Conception Church grotto, 2006 Schrage Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 659-4138.

FLORIAN FEST | Chicago

Florian Fest is from noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 in the St. Florian Gymnasium at 131st and Houston Avenue in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. There will be music by A Touch of Class and a DJ, along with ethnic foods, $5,000 raffle, kids' games, bean bag tourney, Guitar Hero contest, Power Shower, Zingo and more. Parking is free.

FYI: Call (773) 646-4877.

KIDS CLUB | Portage

Children in kindergarten and first grade are invited to Cross Trainers Kids Club from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Sundays in October at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5402 U.S. 6. Children will enjoy "secret club" activities including mysterious Bible stories, special undisclosed craft activities, and a "Mystery Prop." Pastor Engel will host parenting studies for the adults while the children are taught by caring trained educators.

FYI: Call (219) 763-6343.

DINNER RESCHEDULED | Beecher

St. John Lutheran Church has rescheduled its Annual Chicken and Ham Dinner, postponed by flooding, for 4 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Beecher Amvets Hall, 532 Gould St. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children in kindergarten through eighth grade; preschoolers eat free. Carry-outs available.

FYI: Call (708) 946-2561.

HARVEST GALA | Schererville

St. Thomas More Home and School Association will have its 2008 annual Harvest Gala Oct. 25 at the Halls of St. George, 905 E. Joliet St. The evening will feature bar, dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions and raffles. Auction items include Bulls tickets, Bears tickets, a year's worth of pedicures and a chance to take home the 1953 Heisman Trophy awarded to Johnny Lattner for a week. Reservations are being taken until Oct. 6. The cost is $50 per person.

FYI: Call (219) 836-9151, ext. 350, or Kevin and Katie Connelly at (219) 865-8930.

KIDS' CLUB | Griffith

Children will become treasure seekers and explore God's promises at Kids' Club, meeting 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 8 to Nov. 26, at First United Methodist Church, 400 W. 44th Place at Cline Avenue. Participation is free for ages 5 to 12.

FYI: Call (219) 838-6900 to register.

FALL CONCERT | Evanston, Dyer

Calumet Chamber Musicians will perform fall concerts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Hemenway United Methodist Church, 933 Chicago Ave., Evanston, Ill., and at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at St. Maria Goretti Church 500 Northgate Drive, at Sheffield Avenue, Dyer. Suggested donation is $10 at the door.

FYI: Call (219) 922-8185.

FISH FRY | Crown Point

An all-you-can-eat fish fry will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1288 S. Indiana Ave. Menu will include Alaskan pollock as well as pork tenderloins, parsley potatoes, cole slaw, homemade desserts and choice of beverage. Dan's Fish Fry Service will be the chef. Carry-outs will be available with a drive-through service under the canopy. Tickets are $9 for adults in advance and $10 at the door, $5 for ages 5 to 11 and free for younger children.

FYI: Call (219) 663-1608.

PRAYER BREAKFAST | Gary

Froebel High School Alumni classes of 1960 and 1961 will host a City Wide Prayer Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 11 at Davis Banquet Hall, 3401 W. 15th Ave. Guest speaker is Eva Williams, president of the Women's Auxiliary General of Missionary Baptist State Convention, and special honorees are members of the class of 1958 and former Froebel educators. Donation is $20.

FYI: Call Morris Cruse at (219) 887-9164, Jeanette Pike at (219) 949-6307 or Geneva Poindexter at (219) 884-4406.

CHICKEN DINNERS | Dyer

Dyer United Methodist Church will offer Nelson's Famous Port-A- Pit Chicken from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Dyer Walgreens parking lot at U.S. 30 and Calumet Ave. Cash only. After purchasing chicken, drive over to Dyer United Methodist Church, 2016 Church St., to browse through a large selection of books, DVD's & CD's at the first book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FYI: Call (219) 865-8947.

FALL FEST & CARS | Munster

Third Annual Cruisin' on the Ridge Car Show and Fall Festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at Trinity Reformed Church, Columbia Avenue and Ridge Road. There will be food, snacks and beverages, free pumpkins for children and a classic car show with awards and a goody bag with a dash plaque for the first 100 entries. Car registration is free from 11 to 1:30, or register by phone to secure a spot.

FYI: Call (219) 838-3929 or (219) 923-2524.

PUMPKINS & CHILI | Lowell

Pumpkin Harvest festival and Chili Supper will be held Oct. 11 and 12 at Lake Prairie United Presbyterian Church, 18500 White Oak Ave. Pumpkins will be sold while they last from 2 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11 and noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 12, and chili will be served from 4 to 7 Oct. 11.

FYI: Call (219) 696-6822.

RUMMAGE SALE | Merrillville

St. Helen's Philoptochos Ladies Society will hold its annual Fall Rummage & Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Hellenic Center, 8000 Madison St. Proceeds benefit philanthropic endeavors and needy families in this area.

FYI: Call Frances at (219) 696-4851 after 5 p.m.

RUMMAGE SALE | Hammond

Woodmar United Methodist Church is having its huge semi-annual rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, at 7320 Northcote St.

FYI: Call (219) 844-3030.