Oak Ridge Today

Faith: Funeral Homily to Bill Wilcox

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William Jenkins Wilcox Jr.

William Jenkins Wilcox Jr.

In act two of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” Malvolio is reading a piece of prose which begins, “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great; some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Among the 75,000 people who were working in Oak Ridge when its role in bringing an end to the war was revealed, there was a man who, in that moment, felt the prescient weight of greatness thrust upon him.

Bill Wilcox wrote a letter to his parents in Pennsylvania on the day the Hiroshima bomb was dropped. Excerpts are captured in Denise Kiernan’s “The Girls of Atomic City.” Assessing his life and his place in that moment of history Bill writes, “Never before has the knowledge of so vital a nature been entrusted to so many with so great a success…Never before in the history of the world has so much responsibility been placed on the shoulders of such young people.” The writing of this letter was the beginning of what would become a life vocation of helping us understand more clearly the reality of what happened in Oak Ridge. As a result, his influence will continue to trickle down in a thousand ways. [Read more…]

Faith: Rev. Kallio explains cremation in the Episcopal Church

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Craig Kallio

Craig M. Kallio

Editor’s note: After the Saturday funeral for Bill Wilcox, I asked the Rev. Craig M. Kallio of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church a few questions about Wilcox’s cremation and burial in St. Stephen’s Memorial Garden. 

Here is his response to my question about cremation, and Wilcox’s burial in a handmade linen bag tied with a hand-knotted cord. 

Kallio: Bill was cremated and interred in our Memorial Garden. This burial option has become more popular among Episcopalians within the last 20 years, though the custom is quite ancient.

One reason for opting to use cremation is that of being good stewards. It takes into consideration the simplicity and cost. Rather than going with an elaborate funeral, our resources are better used elsewhere. [Read more…]

Forum next week to focus on separation of church and state

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Paul Sharkey

Paul W. Sharkey

The separation of church and state will be the focus of a forum and panel discussion next week in Oak Ridge.

The forum starts at 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at Grace Covenant Church in the Trinity Center on Robertsville Road. It will be led by Paul W. Sharkey, a professor emeritus of philosophy and religion, a press release said.

Sharkey’s presentation is titled “Separation of Church and State: Protect Your Religious Freedom.” He will discuss the country’s founders and their position on the issue, the Constitution’s First Amendment, and the challenges to the amendment that have continued from colonial times to the present day, the release said. [Read more…]

Faith column: Imagine greater

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I have a heart for skeptics. I understand what that feels like. When I used to read the story of doubting Thomas, I could relate. Jesus tells him in John 20:29: “You believe because you have seen. Blessed are those who have yet to see and still believe.” My response to that was usually—”Well, how convenient Jesus!”

It wasn’t always this way for me. There was a time that I didn’t have any doubts at all. To be quite honest, that made me a downright scary person. I know it isn’t this way for everyone because I’ve met a great many people with a deep, deep faith who aren’t scary people. They love and serve, and their lives are completely admirable. Still, I have spent just enough of my life with a doubting Thomas inside to know skepticism and even to appreciate it.

I had an experience this summer, however, that touched me to the core. I saw God in such a way that I won’t ever need to see anything more. It sealed the deal. You may never understand how difficult it is for a naturally skeptical person to make a statement like that. [Read more…]

Review, discuss ‘Praying for Strangers’ on Sept. 6

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Church Women United of Oak Ridge invites the public to a review and discussion of “Praying for Strangers” by River Jordan on Friday, Sept. 6, in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike (the hall is most easily accessed from the Vienna Road side). Fellowship begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a short meeting and program at 10 a.m.

River Jordan’s book focuses on how an unusual New Year’s resolution led her to greater understanding of herself and others. CWU is a national ecumenical women’s movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world.

Faith column: Building on the firm foundation of spiritual gifts

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The new mindset compared to the old way of thinking

Have you checked your thinking closet lately? What old ways and what new ways are going on all around you? The struggle with many people is: What are the old ways that I want to keep, and what are the new ways I want to accept.

Jesus noticed the problem and used a parable of wine skins to illustrate his point. (Luke 5:33-39) He understood. He knew the reality of change. He fought against some of the need for change that he was bringing himself.

Here are a few thoughts on the subject of churches and changes. Many, many more could be added to the list. [Read more…]

Community-wide, 100-mile potluck at First Presbyterian on Sunday

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Farmers Market

Vegetables from the Farmers Market in Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

First Presbyterian Church will host a 100-Mile Potluck meal from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday on its soccer field off Lafayette Drive. The field is behind the sanctuary building at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Everyone in the Oak Ridge community is invited to bring a dish for six to eight people, a press release said. Attendees are encouraged to bring plates and utensils, as well as lawn chairs or comfortable blankets to sit on. Drinks will be provided. [Read more…]

Faith column: Laying up treasures in Heaven

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By Sarah Jane Carson

It’s frustrating when you choose the godly road but seem to see other Christians acting any way they want, seeming to never get chastised for it. However, we should never allow other people’s actions to dictate our actions.

  1. Our actions aren’t pending on the actions of someone else.
  2. You will reap what you sow, so some day if all you have planted in your garden is cauliflower, you will eat cauliflower. In other words, if everyone seems to be grouchy to you all the time, quit being grouchy to others, especially the family God placed you in. God’s Word teaches: Treat others how you want to be treated. It doesn’t say except if they’re your family then it doesn’t matter. Remember, Jesus said He was sent to His family first (the Jews). God has His eyes right on how your attitude is around the family God placed you in. Why? Because you are your real self around family you are not trying to please, impress, or win; you are you, and that’s what matters most. [Read more…]

Faith column: No one can rid the community of faith in God

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Faith cannot be separated from community life in America. It is intermingled with the affairs of daily life because the people around us carry that faith. A bugler plays “Amazing Grace” at a community memorial service, and an athlete publicly thanks God for their victory and strength. The victim in a high-profile case broadcasts, “With the guidance of God, I will prevail and help others who have suffered…” A health facility posts a plaque that states, “Grounded by our faith in God, this facility seeks to provide…” A plea for prayers is heard during a national tragedy, and an acknowledgment of God’s divine intervention is overheard from the next booth in a restaurant. A chaplain offers an invocation at a public meeting thanking God for His blessing and guidance, and a funeral card memorializes the deceased with an inscription of the 23rd Psalm. Who can snuff out the magnitude of faith expressions that existence in our world?

Particularly amusing this week has been the man who filed a motion against the county for installing our country’s motto over the courthouse doors, stating he believes in the Red Road religion and not in God. This man is quoted as saying that the signs remind him every time he passes that “Christians” think he is going to hell. The country’s motto, however, does not say, “In Christ We Trust.” (Oh, how I wish it did.) It simply says, “In God We Trust.” The use of the word God is very generic in this context. [Read more…]

Faith column: Take hold of instruction

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Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life (Prov 4:13)

Being instructed is hard. It rubs against our pride by forcing us to admit that there is something lacking in us, and everything in our society tells us that we are complete and adequate in ourselves, just as we are. There is nothing in us that requires instruction, at least not morally; men are basically good in themselves. If there is a flaw, society will take care of that through its Department of Corrections.

The emphasis in public education upon “self esteem” undermines real instruction. No longer does a student have to master a certain body of material; he is given passing marks so that he will feel good about himself. As a result of this unbiblical philosophy, larger numbers of our society are having to be “corrected.” [Read more…]

‘Big Music Sunday’ at Oak Ridge Unitarian Church this weekend

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is having a Big Music Sunday this weekend.

The service starts at 10 a.m. Sunday at the UU church at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike, and the community is invited, a press release said. [Read more…]

Residents, pastors celebrate ‘In God We Trust’ signs on Anderson County Courthouse

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Bates Family of Lake City TN

The Bates family of Anderson County, including County Commissioner Zach Bates, left, and father and pastor Gil Bates, second from right, and mother Kelly Bates, right, sing “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless America” during a Tuesday ceremony for new “In God We Trust” signs at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

CLINTON—In a ceremony that featured pastors, prayers, and patriotic songs, a group of about 150 people watched Tuesday morning as the first of four signs emblazoned with the national motto “In God We Trust” was unveiled at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Supporters celebrated the installation of the seven-foot, 180-pound sign as a victory for the majority, a chance to honor the nation’s heritage.

“Whether you agree with this or disagree with this, the democratic process took place,” said Tom Byrge, director of missions for Clinton Baptist Association. “The majority of the U.S. citizens will continue to believe, and will not be ashamed to say, ‘In God We Trust.’” [Read more…]