Oak Ridge Today

Unitarian Universalists dedicate new church today

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The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will dedicate its new church today (Sunday, October 19), and the community is invited, a press release said.

The new church is at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The church moved from its former location at Robertsville Road and Oak Ridge Turnpike to make way for the new Kroger Marketplace shopping center.

The UU Church has been used for a range of community events including League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge and Breakfast Rotary Club of Oak Ridge.

The press release said today’s service will begin at 4 p.m. Pianist Mary Hook will begin playing at 3 p.m. [Read more…]

First United Methodist will simulcast Bible teacher, author on Sept. 13

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Beth Moore Living Proof Simulcast

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will simulcast well-known Bible teacher and best-selling author Beth Moore live from Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 13, for the Oak Ridge area.

An estimated 250,000 women around the world are expected to participate in this live Internet streaming event, which will feature Moore’s dynamic storytelling and passionate Bible teaching in a down-to-earth style that is relevant to women’s lives, a press release said.

Moore has authored dozens of Bible studies, books, and devotionals specifically for women for nearly two decades. Moore’s organization, Living Proof Ministries, is based out of Houston.

“We want to welcome all women in the Oak Ridge area, no matter your faith background, to this free simulcast,” said the Rev. Crystal Smith, associate pastor at First United Methodist Church. “We hope the day will bless you and strengthen your walk in faith, and that through this event, we’ll be a blessing to other women as well.” [Read more…]

High Places has ‘Walk Thru the Bible’ on Sept. 7

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High Places Community Church

High Places Community Church in Grove Center is pictured above.

High Places Community Church will be hosting a special “Walk Thru the Bible” event on Sunday, September 7, at the historic Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

The event has been booked as the result of a passion, one that stretches back more than 30 years in the heart of High Places’ founding pastor Martin Fischer, who also celebrates a birthday on the same date.

“What I want for my birthday is to host a party where anyone in attendance will be given a chance to experience the same thing I once did in a ‘Walk Thru the Bible’ event,” the Rev. Fischer said in a press release. “Years ago, I came away with a better understanding, appreciation, and even fascination for the way the Bible story unfolds through history. It was life-changing for me.”

This event, which focuses on the Old Testament, offers a unique and highly interactive way to gain better handles on the Bible stories that show how God built a “faith family” with the Hebrew people in the two millennium leading up to the birth of Jesus. [Read more…]

Roane approves ‘In God We Trust’ signs

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Roane County Courthouse

The Roane County Courthouse in Kingston is pictured above. (Photo by Sara Wise)

WYSH Radio/Oak Ridge Today

The Roane County Commission voted 13-1 on Monday to place the words “In God We Trust” at three locations in the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston. The signs will be similar to those placed above all four entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse last year and the one placed above the entrance to the Oak Ridge General Sessions Court building.

The Roane County proposal was made earlier this year, but commissioners initially balked at approving it until it made its way through the property committee.

The black granite signs will be placed above the north and south entrances to the Courthouse. A bronze plaque inscribed with “In God We Trust,” which is the national motto, will also be placed in the Commission meeting room, which also serves as a General Sessions courtroom. As in Anderson County, the signs will be paid for by private contributions. [Read more…]

High Places Church has Summer Youth Camp at Big Ridge next week

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High Places Community Church is having its Summer Youth Camp at Big Ridge State Park next week.

This week-long camp tradition has been going on for more than 30 years, providing a unique youth-oriented life experience that takes place in a natural outdoors setting, a press release said. The camp is for sixth- through 12th-grade youth, and this year’s theme is “Catching Fire.”

The camp runs from 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, to noon Saturday, July 26. [Read more…]

Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian on June 12-13

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“Abundant Life” is the theme of the free Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge. The VBS will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday, June 12-13, in the Activities building.

“Learning to care about God’s creation will be our emphasis,” said Karissa Stewart, director of youth and children’s ministries at First Presbyterian.

Parents may drop off their children ranging in age from pre-K to fourth grade between 8 and 9 a.m. and pick them up between 4 and 5 p.m.

The children will learn about creation through crafts, music, games, and storytelling. Volunteers are needed to assist with the crafts and games. Call (865) 483-1318 to register your child for the VBS.

Combined choirs to sing ‘Sunrise Mass’ Sunday

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Anna Thomas and Andrew Duncan

Anna Thomas, FPC music director, will conduct the first half of the concert, and Andrew Duncan, FUMC music director, will conduct the four-movement “Sunrise Mass.” (Submitted photo)

The combined choirs of First Presbyterian and First United Methodist churches will sing the “Sunrise Mass” by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo during a concert on Sunday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

String players from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and FUMC’s Sandi Henry on piano will accompany the choirs. The 32-minute symphony mass will be performed in the second half of the concert.

The first half of the concert will include choral music by various composers, including “Ave Verum Corpus” by W.A. Mozart, Dan Forrest’s setting of John Wesley’s “Covenant Prayer,” and Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of Isaac Watts’ version of Psalm 23, as well as works by Kevin Siegfried, Philip R. Dietterich, and Stephen Paulus. [Read more…]

Roane Commission sends ‘In God We Trust’ proposal to committee

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Roane County Courthouse

An “In God We Trust” sign could be placed above the main entrance of the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston under a proposal being considered by county officials. The signs could also be displayed in the Roane County Commission chambers. (Photos by Sara Wise)

 

KINGSTON—The Roane County Commission voted on Monday to defer a resolution to the property committee that would place signs that say “In God We Trust” on the County Courthouse in Kingston.

The vote to defer was closely split, at 8-7. Commissioners James Brummett, Ray Cantrell, Bobby Collier, Randy Ellis, Jerry Goddard, Chris Johnson, and Fred Tedder all voted not to defer the resolution.

Many commissioners who voted against deferment argued that deferral would only delay the process further. Others, however, felt that the issue should have gone through the committee before the commission had any say in the matter.

Ellis, who filed the resolution in favor of the signs, said that the resolution would reach the committee either way, and that the committee would have the final say in the design and placement of the signs.

“Roane County is deep in its faith,” he said. “Not one of my constituents…has come to me against this.” [Read more…]

Roane Commission to consider ‘In God We Trust’ signs

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In God We Trust Courthouse Signs

Workers from Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments install the first of four granite “In God We Trust” signs over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton in July 2013. (File photo)

Information from WYSH Radio

Roane County leaders are considering installing signs bearing the phrase “In God We Trust” at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston.

Roane County Commissioner Randy Ellis said his proposal would have one sign installed above the main entrance to the courthouse, and another in the commission chamber. The signs would have to be privately funded as Anderson County’s signs were when a similar proposal approved last year.

“In God We Trust” signs now hang above all four entrances to the Anderson County Courthouse as well as at the Oak Ridge General Sessions Court building. The Roane County Commission is set to discuss the proposal at 7 p.m. Monday.

Jewish Film Series features ‘Kedma’ on Saturday

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Jewish Congregation Tree

The Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge will have its monthly Jewish Film Series on Saturday evening.

Each month, Rabbi Rashkovsky picks a different Jewish film ranging from comedy to drama, from fiction to documentary, a press release said. This month’s film will be “Kedma” (Israel, 2002, NR, 100 minutes).

“Having just survived the holocaust, a small group of Jewish refugees boards a ship and reaches the shores of Palestine,” the press release said. “One week later, the state of Israel will be established, launching them into another violent and confusing period in their lives.” [Read more…]

Church Women United celebrates friendship, service

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Church Women United invites the public to a program entitled “Through God Our Hands Can Serve” on Friday, May 2, in the parish hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 212 N. Tulane Ave. in Oak Ridge. The program celebrates May Friendship Day by focusing on the gifts that God has provided each of us to serve others.

Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting and program at noon. A potluck lunch will be held afterward. Please bring something to share. Reservations are appreciated but not required.

CWU was founded in 1941 as a national interdenominational women’s movement to bring together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and service to strengthen communities and build peace with justice. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

Anderson County hosts National Day of Prayer May 1 at Courthouse

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Anderson County Courthouse

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above.

Anderson County will participate in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1, a press release said.

“The United States of America was founded on the importance of seeking God’s guidance in the face of both blessings and trials,” a press release said. “The National Day of Prayer provides Americans an opportunity to come together to pray for matters concerning present-day America and our nation’s future.”

Anderson County’s National Day of Prayer will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday on the front steps of the Anderson County Courthouse at 100 North Main St. in Clinton. The Courthouse will be open, but with limited staff during the ceremony, so citizens are asked to be patient if they have business to conduct. [Read more…]