Religion briefs

Flags for Heroes

Utica — The Good News Center will once again post 1000 flags on Utica’s Memorial Parkway the week before Veterans Day, which will be on display through Nov. 11. The flags will be tagged in memory or honor of a loved one. On Nov. 11, the hundredth anniversary of the end of World War I, a ceremony will take place at the Memorial Parkway where visitors can see the flags on display and hear keynote speaker, Jan Scruggs. Scruggs, a Vietnam veteran, founded the memorial that has become known as the VietnamWall. The cost to sponsor a flag is $35. Youmay also call for information on sponsoring a portion of the field. All proceeds will be used to support the Military Rehabilitation program at Sitrin Health Care Center. You can order by calling us at 315735-6210.

Purpose and Pursuit of Happiness

Utica — The Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica will host speaker Rick Werner on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 10:30 a.m. Werner, a retired philosophy professor from Hamilton College, will talk about the importance of purpose in happiness. He began teaching at Kirkland College in 1975, then joined the staff at Hamilton when the colleges merged. He taught classes in environ- mental ethics, morality and the pursuit of happiness.

Baskets Galore! in Verona

Verona — Holy Cross Academy is sponsoring Baskets Galore! on Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Verona Fire Hall. Doors open at 1 p.m. and drawings for more than 100 baskets will begin at 3 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their own refreshments, or they may be purchased at the event. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 315-363-1669. The hall is located at 5555 Volunteer Ave. in Verona.

Christmas Auction

Oneida— Court Our Lady Catholic Daughters No. 1250 will hold its annual Christmas Auction and business meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Church Parish Center, Oneida. Members are asked to come and enjoy an evening of shopping and camaraderie. All are asked to bring new or like new items, crafted or baked items to be sold. Auctioneer for the evening will be Don Mosack. The event is open to all women from area Catholic parishes who are invited to come and partake in some fun, fellowship and refreshments.

Highlighting the short business meeting after the auction will be plans for the upcoming Christmas sale. Members are reminded about bringing fudge and candy for the sale to Holy Family for packaging on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mary Jo Nixdorf, Phyllis Stoker and BarbaraWolicki in charge of arrangements.

Ham and scalloped potato dinner

Canastota — The Believers’ Chapel in Canastota will hold a ham and scalloped potato dinner to benefit Compassion Connection Food Pantry on Friday, Nov. 16, from 4-7 p.m. Dinners are $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-11, and free for children under 5. There will also be raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing.

St. Pat’s Fall Bazaar

Chittenango — St. Patrick’s Church, Chittenango, will host its annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 17. The festival will take place at the church (1341 Murray Drive) from11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlights will include: gift basket raffles, a variety of crafters, a country store with fresh baked goods, live music, a chance wheel, and contests and games for children in the music corner. There will be a grand raffle with a top prize of $1,000. Admission is free, and food will be available for purchase throughout the day.

Verona holiday craft show

Verona — The Verona

United Methodist Church, 5694 Main St., will hold its 26th annual Holiday Craft Show on Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year will include a flea market, and space is still available. There will also be a bake sale table and a luncheon with hot dogs, tuna sandwich, and egg salad sandwich all with chips. Sausage, peppers and onions, chili, vegetable soup, potato salad, rice pudding and beverages will also be available.

Verona holiday bazaar

Verona — The Verona Presbyterian Church will hold a holiday bazaar on Saturday Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church on the corner of Main Street and Rock Road. The bazaar will feature new and gentlyused holiday decorations, gifts, assorted crafts, and the church’s famous cookie walk. Homemade soup and chili will be available for lunch. Admission is free.

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 clean-up. Volunteers are always needed. Donations are welcome as well to supplement food offerings and to purchase equipment and supplies. Checksmay 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 Patty Higgins at (315) 6843070.

Clothing donations accepted

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. Noragsor fabric scraps, pillows, toys or household goods are accepted. Donations arenot cutupor 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 Ad- dicted Loved Ones (PAL) is a national organization founded in Arizona. The group will be led by MichelleHolliday, 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 Centerat315-735-6210, 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 315-735-6210, 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 and become more 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, aswell 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 group meets in a warm, 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 Third Option meets every other Sunday from 6:30-8:30 p,m, at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. Learn communication skills such as how to handle anger more constructively, resolve conflicts, and communicate better. Hear couples share how they overcame problems in their marriages. The Third Option 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.