Religion Briefs

Festival of Christmas set for Nov. 18

ONEIDA » First Presbyterian Church of Oneida will hold its annual Festival of Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, corner of Broad and Stone streets.

Handcrafted items, sweets, decorations and antiques will be available at seven unique Christmas shops. A quilt, Colors of Christmas, made by Betty Wesseldine, Laura Reckenstine and Sue Kordziel, will be raffled off at 3 p.m., along with a painting, “Black River Canal” by Tom Donegan.

A luncheon of chicken and biscuits, coleslaw, cranberry salad, sweet breads and apple cake will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger.

Holiday Craft Show at Verona UMC

VERONA » Verona United Methodist Church will hold its 25th annual Holiday Craft Show on Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church on Main Street. The event will feature area crafters, Christmas wreaths, pictures with Santa, antiques, white sale and a bake sale table. Lunch will be available including hot dogs, tuna and egg salad, sausage with peppers and onions, chili and vegetable soup, and homemade pie slices or whole pies to take home.

Concert will benefit food pantry

SHERRILL » Plymouth Alliance Church will host a concert by musician Ken Medema on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. at the church, 169 Kinsley St. Nonperishable food items for the Verona Food Pantry will be accepted in lieu of an admission fee. For more information, call (315) 3380982. The concert is sponsored by Verona Area Council of Churches and Plymouth Alliance Church.

Pre-holiday event in Richfield Springs

RICHFIELDSPRINGS » The Church of Christ Uniting in Richfield Springs will be holding a Bake Sale Extraordinaire/Luncheon & Fair Trade Goods PreHoliday Event on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The bake sale will include a variety of pies, breads, cookies, homemade confections, hot fudge sauce, jams/jellies, home canned items, homemade soups and sandwich spreads.

The Fair Trade Shoppe from Stone Presbyterian Church in Clinton will be in-house, selling a selection of Fair Trade jewelry, Christmas ornaments, nativities and crèches, baskets, collectibles, wood items, chocolate and other food items and toys.

A luncheon of soup, sandwich, chips, pickle, beverage and homemade dessert will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations will be accepted.

The Church of Christ Uniting is located at 22 Church St. For information, visit www.rschurchofchristuniting.com or call Carol Simpson at (315) 868-0319.

Church will host Small Business Saturday event

CANASTOTA » The United Church of Canastota, 144 Center St. will host a Small Business Saturday Sale on Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Creative Memories, Ideal Gifts, Jewelry and Crafts, LuLaRoe, Linin World, Signature Home Styles, Tupperware and other vendors will have their wares on display. There is no entry fee. Free refreshments will be available. The church is handicapped accessible. Vendor space is still available; call (315) 761-8041 for information.

Bazaar, cookie walk set for Dec. 2

VERONA » Verona Presbyterian Church will hold a Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring new and almost new holiday decorations and gifts, plus many local crafters. The church will also have its annual cookie walk featuring several varieties made by ladies of the church. Lunch will be available offering homemade soup and chili.

Breakfast with Santa served Dec. 16

ONEIDA » The Fidelity Assembly No. 30 of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls will host a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 8-11 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge at 611 Stone St. Proceeds from this event will help to pay for Grand Assembly 2019. Menu includes pancakes (chocolate or cinnamon chip, plain and gluten free) scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon/sausage, and beverage for $8 adults and $4 for ages 4-12. Children younger than 4 are free. Santa will be on hand for photos. There will also be a bake sale to help the girls raise funds for their various charities and the state scholarship fund.

Senior ministry offered Wednesdays

VERONA » St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will hold a Christian Ministry for Seniors each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 4897 Old Oneida Road. There will be coffee and conversation, Bible study, and at 10:30 a.m. a special program will be held. There will also be exercise and lunch at noon.

Friendship Inn open each Thursday

MORRISVILLE » Friendship Inn at St. Joan of Arc Church offers a free weekly meal to the Morrisville community every Thursday from 5-6:30 p.m. Non-denominational and open to all, regardless of financial need, Friendship Inn draws on a small army of volunteers who fulfill numerous tasks, from set-up, cooking, serving, to clean-up. Volunteers are always needed. Donations are welcome as well to supplement food offerings and to purchase equipment and supplies. Checks may be made out to Friendship Inn, c/o St. Joan of Arc Church, 6 Brookside Dr. P.O. Box 1087, Morrisville, N.Y. 13408. For more information contact Nettie Periard, (315) 684-9636, Diana Johnson, (315) 684-6090 or Sarah Mazza, (315) 6846077.

Clothing donations accepted at St. John’s Church

ONEIDA » St. John’s Episcopal Church, 341 Main St., has been chosen by St. Pauly Textile, Inc. as a repository for used clothing. St. Pauly’s mission is to provide wearable clothing to people who need it, both in the United States and Third World countries. Items that can be collected include clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, linens, blankets, curtains and stuffed toys. No rags or fabric scraps, pillows, toys or household goods are accepted. Donations are not cut up or shredded. Items should be placed in plastic bags (no larger than 13 gal. size) and placed in the chute of the shed located on St. John’s driveway. Donations are acceptable any time of the day or night. This mission has provided more than 30 million garments to people all over the world who are in need.