Religion Briefs

Commons Community Center now open

CLEVELAND, N.Y. » Vanderkamp Center has expanded access to the public with the opening of the Commons Community Center. People of all ages and interests are welcome weekdays at no charge to enjoy a variety of indoor or outdoor leisure and recreation opportunities. Indoors there are games, a library, unique play spaces for younger children, and free WiFi. Vanderkamp has miles of trails for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Rentals are available to outfit youth or adults for cross-country skiing. Sledding and ice fishing are permitted with signed Informed Consent/Waiver forms before participating. Youths must be accompanied by an adult. Groups are asked to make arrangements prior to visit. There are no residency requirements; all are welcome. For more information visit www. vk.org, email vkcenter@ vk.org or call (315) 6753651. Vanderkamp Center is located at 337 Martin Road.

Dinner to benefit Medical Mission

ONEIDA » The annual Nicaragua Mission spaghetti dinner will be held Saturday, Jan. 13 from 4-7 p.m. at Oneida First Presbyterian Church, 304 Broad St. The menu will include spaghetti, meatball/sausage, bread/butter, salad, beverage and dessert. Donation is $8 for adults, $5 for children 5-11 and free for ages 4 and younger. Take outs will be available. Proceeds from this dinner will be used to purchase medicines and supplies for the Nicaragua Medical Mission. The mission team departs in February to conduct medical clinics in remote areas of Nicaragua. Organizers are also collecting monetary donations for bags of rice, beans and salt to be distributed during the mission. Loose change and returnable cans and bottles will also be collected. For information, call (315) 3637590.

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.

Food distribution at Holy Family Church

VERNON » Holy Family Food Pantry holds food distribution on the first and third Monday of each month from 5-6:30 p.m. and the first and third Friday from 9:30-11 a.m. at the parish center, 4343 Peterboro St. These times are open to all residents of the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District. Fresh food distribution is held the fourth Thursday of each month, starting at 3 p.m. The fresh food is available to the general public, with no residency restrictions. For more information visit Holy Family Food Pantry on Facebook.

Old-fashioned hymn sing at St. Peter’s Church

VERONA » St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will hold an old-fashioned hymn sing the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the church, 4897 Old Oneida Road. Everyone is welcome to attend.