News10Now: Backpack Program

in case you aren't aware, every month we have volunteers stuff these backpacks in the chow warehouse for children in our area. it's a great program!

look on the google calendar for dates and then sign up to volunteer :)

Middle school band to aid food bank

By: Web Staff

VESTAL, N.Y. -- As instruments work together to create harmony in a concert, so too, are the musicians using them at Vestal Middle School.

Band members from sixth through eighth grade are holding a food drive contest to deliver goods for the Southern Tier Food Bank's backpack program. The program provides food for underprivileged students who may go hungry outside of school.

Organizers hope the event will help the youngster's develop a social conscience while adding to the bank's pantry.

"They are definitely asked to be participating in that. We do receive over half of our food from donations so this is a huge benefit for us to have any school group or any group to do a donation for us," said organizer Jennifer Bertron.

The food drive will run from the February 9 to the 23. Program volunteers helped kick off the drive with an information session and food bank jeopardy.

http://news10now.com/cny-news-1013-content/top_stories/?ArID=495674&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Press & Sun Bulletin: Lincoln's Birthday

February 8, 2010

Lincoln birthday party planned

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church will hold a birthday party for President and First Lady Lincoln at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at 1013 Front St. in Vestal.

Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln, who are portrayed by David and Eileen Patch of Endwell, will relate experiences of their lives, including the Civil War.

The program is free, but contributions will be accepted for Civil War Preservation Trust and the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse.

Facebook: Cris Mogenson's speaking engagement

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Broome County Council of Churches Jail Ministry Program Chaplain Cris Mogenson is speaking at the Prisoner Support Network Meeting at the Cyber Cafe in Binghamton on Sunday 2/7/10 at 5:30 P.M.

Facebook : New Volunteer for Celebrate Recovery

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Broome County Council of Churches Jail Ministry Program A new volunteer has joined the ranks this week who is working at starting a new partner Celebrate Recovery group in the Tri-Cities which ex-offenders would be encouraged to attend. If you are interested in this participating with this much needed ministry please call Chaplain Cris at 607-778-6518

Twitter: CHOW Chili Championship

DcEdBlaine

Accepting registrations for the Great NYS Chili Championship May 1. www.nyschili.comabout 6 hours ago from web

Facebook: CHOW Shelves

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The Broome County Council of Churches This new album shows the needs in our CHOW Warehouse. When an area shelf is fully stocked, it can all be distributed to our pantries within a week or two. If you would like to help, with food or financially, go to our website at:

Broome County Council of Churches

www.broomecouncil.net

HOPE needs: We have a real need for size 3, 4, 5, 6 diapers. Other things needed include shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, maxi pads, shaving cream. (UNOPENED items only please.)

Ramp It Up 2010

We have received 20 applications for ramps to date. Greg and Joanne will be anxiously awaiting AmeriCorps applications. There are two part time positions available for the spring and summer. Applicants should visit www.ruralhealthnetwork.org AmeriCorps information and application.

Memorial for Raymond L Osterhout, Jr.

Raymond L. Osterhout Jr.Philanthropist

A Memorial service for Raymond L. Osterhout Jr. will be held at the Windsor United Methodist Church, 56 Chapel St., Windsor, NY 13865, on February 14th; Masonic Service to begin at 1:30 p.m. with the Memorial Service following at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the United Methodist Church, Windsor.

Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin from February 5 to February 7, 2010

Ray Osterhout was a member of the Board of Directors, a Lives of Commitment honoree and has served on our Development Committee.

Facebook: Jail Ministry Reentry Program

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Broome County Council of Churches Jail Ministry Program The Windor Bible Baptist Church has opened their doors to our reenty program in welcoming our released folks to a new Celebrate Recovery group which meets weekly every Thursday at 7:00 PM

WBNG: 2010 annual meeting

Broome County Council of Chambers to Hold Annual Meeting

The Broome County Council of Churches will hold its 2010 annual meeting at 2:00pm on Sunday, February 21st, at First Presbyterian Church at 29 Grand Avenue in Endicott. The Rev. Janice Devine, co-pastor, will provide the homily, and the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sellepack, executive director of the Council of Churches, will give the state of the Council. A worship service will begin at 2:00pm, followed by a business meeting and fellowship gathering. Light refreshments will be served.

View Article Here

Press Release: Annual Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOME COUNTY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING

Binghamton, N.Y., Feb. 3, 2010 . . . . . The Broome County Council of Churches will hold its 2010 annual meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 21, at First Presbyterian Church, 29 Grant Ave., Endicott.

The Rev. Janice Devine, co-pastor, will provide the homily, and the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sellepack, executive director of the Council of Churches, will give the state of the Council.

A worship service will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a business meeting and fellowship gathering. Light refreshments will be served.
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Press & Sun : Council of Churches elects board members

February 2, 2010

Council of Churches elects board members

The Broome County Council of Churches’ Board of Directors elected two new board members at a Jan. 28 meeting.

They are Rich Grant, a member of the Blakely, Pa., Primitive Methodist Church and Todd Eames, a member of Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vestal. Terms of office are three years. Eames is filling the unexpired term of Raymond Osterhout, who recently died.

Officers elected at the meeting are: Susan Burtis, president; Patrick Regan, first vice president; Jennifer Cubic, second vice president; Cindy Burger, secretary; and Larry Denniston, treasurer.

View online article here

Press Release: Lenten Services

BROOME COUNTY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES LENTEN SERVICES BEGIN FEBRUARY 17, 2010


Binghamton, N.Y., Feb. 2, 2010 . . . . . The Broome County Council of Churches will sponsor mid-week Lenten services at noon on Wednesdays, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17, at Holy Nativity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 312 E. Main St., Endicott.

Guest clergy will conduct the services each week. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Sellepack, executive director of the Council of Churches, is scheduled to lead the service on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

A light lunch will be provided for a nominal fee in the church hall after services. All in the community are welcome, and the facilities are handicapped-accessible.

For more information, call the Council of Churches at 724-9130, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Press Release: Council Elects New Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOME COUNTY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ELECTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Binghamton, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2010 . . . . . The Board of Directors of the Broome County Council of Churches elected two new board members at a directors meeting on Jan. 28.

They are: Rich Grant, a member of Blakely, Pa., Primitive Methodist Church, and Todd Eames, a member of Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, Vestal. Terms of office are for three years. Mr. Eames is filling the unexpired term of Raymond Osterhout, who died recently.

Officers elected at the meeting are: Susan Burtis, president; Patrick Regan, first vice president; Jennifer Cubic, second vice president; Cindy Burger, secretary; and Larry Denniston, treasurer.
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Ramp it Up article in Sunday's paper

January 31, 2010

By William Moyer •wmoyer@gannett.com

Volunteers to construct ramps for the disabled

Ramp It Up 2010 to begin in May

Volunteers are expected to build as many as 15 wheelchair ramps this summer for Broome County residents who need handicapped accessibility at their homes.

Ramp It Up 2010, sponsored by the Broome County Council of Churches, will take applications until March 1 from families who want to be considered for a free wheelchair ramp.

"The need for ramps in the community is greater than what we can handle," said Greg Jenkins, volunteer/facilities manager of the council. "We do what we can."

Still, roughly 110 volunteers from church and community youth groups built 13 ramps last summer, which was the first Ramp It Up program. Adult mentors worked side-by-side with the youth.

Each ramp will be built during a weekend from May through August, said Jenkins.
The cost will be covered by a variety of sources, including the Council of Churches, local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

"Some members of these families probably hadn't been out of their homes in years," said Joanne Kays, director of the council's Faith in Action Volunteers Program.

Anyone who needs a wheelchair ramp may apply, said Jenkins. Applications will be reviewed and ramps built based on the needs of the applicant.

Go online to www.broomecouncil.net for an application and other information about the program.

Volunteers are needed, said Jenkins. The council's Web site also has information to register as a volunteer team.

Applications and volunteer information is also available by calling Kays at (607) 724-9130 ext. 304 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.