The BEOC (Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee) begins its 16th year with newly elected Karen Richardson, representative from First Presbyterian Church of Brockport, as its chairperson. She replaces Barbara Deming of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, whose eight-year leadership has strengthened the effectiveness of the BEOC program locally and statewide. Other 2005 officers are: vice president - Rosario Rangel, Oak Orchard Community Health Center; treasurer - Monica Anderson, Church of the Nativity; secretary - Donna Laundry, United Methodist Church. The BEOC has its beginnings in 1989 as a peacemaking program focusing on a minority group in the community - the migrant farm workers. One of its best-known activities is the Bienvenida - welcoming the migrants (currently mostly Hispanic) when they arrive in May and June. In this effort, the BEOC joined with the Hispanic Ministry of Church of the Nativity, and the Migrant Education Program, a federally and state financed program, directed locally by Sister Beverly Baker. Current Brockport BEOC member churches and organizations are: Concordia Lutheran, First Baptist, First Presbyterian, Free Methodist, Garland Methodist, Nativity B.V.M., Newman Catholic Center, St. Luke's Episcopal, Brockport Ecumenical Food Shelf, Migrant Education Program, Hispanic Migrant Ministry, Oak Orchard Community Health Center and Rural and Migrant Ministry. Hamlin member churches are St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and United Methodist Church. Several area growers are also members of BEOC. Kathy Goetz, Church of Nativity, replaces Bonnie Howlett, First Presbyterian Church, as the 2005 Chair of the BEOC Clothing Center Board. The Clothing Center, opened in 1990, is a BEOC program serving all in need of clothing. Member churches provide staffing for the Center, as well as serve on the board. Representatives and coordinators are: Karen and Richard Avery, First Baptist; Kathy Harris, First Presbyterian; Rita Bennett, Nativity Church; Tom Kurzdorfer and Cam and Paul Ferguson, Newman Catholic Center; Ralph and Ina Smith, St. Luke's Episcopal; Sharon and Bob Frederick and Doris Toal, United Methodist. The Center, located in the basement of St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 14 State Street, is open Thursday evenings 7-8:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Clothing is made available from donations. The Clothing Center has also benefited from community service work by area students and scouts. BEOC meetings are the third Tuesday on alternating months, from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. All are welcome. The next meeting date is March 15. For information call 637-6650. |
