Religion briefs

Food Pantry open

Vernon — The Holy Family Church Food Pantry on Peterboro Road in Vernon serves families in Vernon, Vernon Center, Sherrill, Oneida Castle and Oriskany Falls. The food pantry is open the first and third Monday and Friday of every month. Monday is open 5-6:30 p.m. and Friday is open 9:30-11 a.m. Fresh food is the fourth Thursday of every month open 3-4:30 p.m. The pantry will be open the following dates: Friday, Aug. 16; Monday, Aug. 19; and Thursday, Aug. 22.

Sylvan Beach Union Chapel

Sylvan Beach — The Sylvan Beach Union Chapel has begun its 132nd summer season. The next session will be held Sunday, Aug. 11, with the Rev. Paul MIlls of UnitedMethodist Church in Horseheads. This will be a Christmas service featuring soloists Juliane and Stephen Price. Services are held at 10 a.m. at Park Avenue, Sylvan Beach. For more information, call 315-245-1454.

Chicken BBQ

Canastota — A chicken BBQ will be held at the United Church of Canastota, 144 Center Street, on Sunday Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $11 per meal and includes a half chicken, salt potatoes, cole slaw, roll with butter, baked beans and a desert.

Rummage sale

New London — The New London United Methodist Church will have a rummage sale Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on County Route 50 next to the New London Fire House. The sales will feature miscellaneous items.

Pie sale

Bouckville — The Bouckville Methodist Church Pie Sale will be held Aug. 18-20 during the Antique Show. Therewill be several kinds of pies and baked goods, as well as ice cream and beverages. This will be at the church on Route 20 in Bouckville.

Rummage, bake sale

Oneida — New Hope Christian, 1904 W. Road, Oneida, will hold a rummage and bake sale on Friday, Sept. 6, from 9a.m. to 4 p.m.; and a bag sale on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clean and usable contributions and donations are appreciated and will be accepted at the church from Aug. 25 through Sept. 5.

Holy Land trip

Utica — The Good News Center will host a pilgrimage to the Holy Land Nov. 30 through Dec. 10, led by Mark Kaminski, as well as a local guide who lives in Israel. The trip will visit the sites of Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cana, the Sea of Galilee, and more. Prices include first-class accommodations, airfare, ground transportation and some meals. For more information, call 315-735- 6210 or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org or selectinternationaltours.com.

Lakeside Farmers Market

Bridgeport — The Lakeside Farmers Market, a collaboration of Bridgeport United Methodist Church and the community, is every Thursday from 3-7 p.m., rain or shine. Fresh produce, honey, eggs, and more is available, as well as baked goods or a cooked chicken for supper. The market is located at 377 Route 31 in Bridgeport.

Lakeside Walkers

Sylvan Beach — The “Lakeside Walkers” walking group will meet in Sylvan Beach on Sundays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. The group will begin at the picnic table closest to the bath house. Those interested in setting up walking times or checking in to see meeting times can visit www.meetup.com/ Lakeside-Walkers. On that site, different walking times and levels of difficulty will be posted and any weather cancellations. Those interested in organizing walks in other communities are also welcome to use the website. For more information, call Cindy Scott at 315-245-5962 or email SarahScott3030@gmail.com.

Church pantry moved

Morrisville — The Morrisville Community Church Food Pantry has moved from the Cornell Cooperative Building, 100 Eaton St., Morrisville, to the lower level of the Morrisville Community Church, located at 3824 Swamp Road, Morrisville. New hours of operation are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Food is available outside of normal hours during emergencies. Formore information, contact the church at 315-684-3314.

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 beginning at 5 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 cleanup. 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. JoanofArcChurch, 6BrooksideDr. P.O. Box 1087, Morrisville, N.Y. 13408. Formore information contact PattyHiggins at (315) 684-3070.

Clothing donations

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.

Support for parents

Utica — Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) is a national organization founded in Arizona. The group will be led by Michelle Holliday, who has been trained by PAL. Some of the topics covered are: addiction cycle, traits and behaviors, delayed emotional growth, role of family and enabling behaviors. Meetings are 6:30-8 p.m. every other Monday at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. For more information contact The Good News Center at 315-735-6210, info@thegoodnewscenter.org, or online at www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

Grief survivors

Utica — The Grief Survivors group meets every other Tuesday from 5:307:30 p.m. at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. Drop-ins welcome. This is a non-denominational support group for those suffering the loss of a loved one. For more information contact The Good News Center at 315-7356210, info@thegoodnewscenter.org, or visit www. thegoodnewscenter.org.

Women at the Well

Utica — Women at the Well Women at the Well meets from 6:30–8 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. All Christian women of any age are invited to come to Women at the Well to enrich their awareness of God in their life andbecomemore attentive to the ways He nourishes them each day. Facilitated by Sister Mary Ellen Schopfer, CSJ, spiritual director, this evening becomes a time for receiving insights, as well as gaining support. For details, call The Good News Center at 315-735-6210 or visit www. thegoodnewscenter.org.

Separated and divorced support group

Utica — The Separated and Divorced Support Group meets every other Sunday, 5-6:30 p.m. at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. The groupmeets in awarm, caring, confidential environment designed to help teach skills and practical information that will guide participants in rebuilding their lives after separation or divorce. Free and open to all. For more information contact Judy at 315-735-6210, judy@thegoodnewscenter. org, or visit us at www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

The Third Option

Utica— The ThirdOption meets every other Sunday from 6:30-8:30 p,m, at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. Learn communication skills suchashowtohandle anger more constructively, resolve conflicts, and communicate better. Hear couples share how they overcame problems in their marriages. The ThirdOption support group is for married couples. For more information and to register call 315-735-6210, info@thegoodnewscenter. org or visit us online www. thegoodnewscenter.org.