Chicago
Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Drive: A program “Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Chicago and Northeastern Illinois” at 7 p.m. Nov. 18, is sponsored by Southsiders for Peace and the church’s Social Justice Committee. Author Larry McClellan will present the program, accompanied by Tom Shepherd of the Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project. The program explores the movement of people escaping slavery, known as “freedom seekers,” and the network of support that developed as the Underground Railroad. In the decades before the Civil War, several thousand freedom seekers traveled through northeastern Illinois on their way to freedom points farther north. Their stories, and the range of encounters with white and Black abolitionists who provided them with assistance, will be shared.
McClellan has written extensively on the Underground Railroad in Illinois and northwest Indiana. He was the principal author of applications that added sites in Crete, Lockport and on the Little Calumet River to the National Park Service registry of significant Underground Railroad sites in the United States. He is the author of three books: “Onward to Chicago: Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Northeastern Illinois,” to be released this summer; “The Underground Railroad South of Chicago”; and “To the River: The Remarkable Journey of Caroline Quarlls, a Freedom Seeker on the Underground Railroad.”
Shepherd is a preservation, environmental, and social activist in the south Chicago region from the Pullman community. He was president of the Southeast Environmental Task Force for 15 years. Information: 773-233-7080.
Calumet City
Jesus Shepherd of Souls (the former St. Victor, St. Andrew and Our Lady of Knock parishes), 501 163rd St.: Trivia Nite Out at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at Our Lady of Knock Hall. Teams of up to six can play. Those who don’t have a team will have one made for them. Participants should bring snacks; beverages will be available. Entry fee is $10, which includes door prizes. Proceeds benefit the parish. Information: 708-862-1568.
Flossmoor
St. John the Evangelist, 2640 Park Drive: Farewell celebration for the Rev. Jeremy Froyen after the 10:15 a.m. service Nov. 12. Froyen also was dean of the Joliet Deanery in the Diocese of Chicago and chaplain to the Flossmoor Fire Department. Froyen has accepted a position at rector of Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Information: www.mysje.org or 708-798-4150.
New Lenox
St. Jude Church, 241 W. Second Ave.: Human trafficking awareness program from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13. It will be presented by representatives of the Illinois State Police. Human sex trafficking affects 27 million victims worldwide, the U.S. Department of State notes. Awareness is key to exposing the tactics and methods used to exploit individuals. Register at the parish website, stjudes.org/register-for-events or call 708-743-8141.
Oak Forest
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 15050 Central Ave.: Homemade pierogi sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 and noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 19. A bake sale also will offer homemade treats. Pierogi will be sold in half dozens for $8. Potato, kraut, meat, spinach, sweet cheese and blueberry will be available. Cash, check or Zelle payments will be accepted. No preorders. Information: 708-687-2170.
Oak Lawn
St. Catherine of Alexandria, 10621 S. Kedvale Ave.: Family Night of Adoration at 6 p.m. Nov. 16. Family, friends and neighbors are invited to this event that includes song, prayerful activities and adoration of Jesus. Information: 708-425-2850.
What’s going on at your church? Let us know by sending us an email including time, date, place and public contact information at least two weeks before the event or reservation deadline at religion@southtownstar.com.
