Religion Briefs

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) from 11 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 raff le 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.

Thanksgiving Day Masses

ONEIDA >> St. Patrick Catholic Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church will hold Thanksgiving Day masses on Thursday, Nov. 22. Mass at St. Joseph’s will start at 8 a.m. (121 St. Joseph Pl., Oneida) and St. Patrick mass starts at 9:30 a.m(347 Main St., Oneida)

Thanksgiving service

ONEIDA >> The Oneida Area Christian Churches Council will hold the annual community-wide ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the Oneida First United Methodist Church, corner of Main and Grove streets, on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. Representatives from area churches will conduct the service, which is open to all area residents. Members of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale, under the direction of Kimberly Nethaway, of Rome, will provide special music for the service, including “Let All Creation Sing His Praise”, by Joseph M. Martin, “Hymn for America”, by Stephen Paulus and “Prayer” by Arthur Frackenpohl. A free-will offering will be taken at the service, and those attending are asked to bring donations of boxed and canned goods for the area food pantry.

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 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. 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. 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. Dropins welcome. This is a nondenominational 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, 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 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 315735- 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 conf licts, 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 315735- 6210, info@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit us online www.thegoodnewscenter.org.