A new cross is installed at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge in November 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)
First United Methodist Church has an open house today to celebrate a recent renovation.
The open house is from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, January 8.
During the $600,000 renovation, the church upgraded audio visuals in both worship spaces, erected two new signs, and completely renovated the youth loft, second floor restrooms, hallways, welcome center, and classrooms. [Read more…]
Grace Writers of Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge is putting together an anthology to be published in spring 2017. If you would like to contribute an essay, poems, or a piece of fiction, please use the guidelines below and submit no later than midnight, December 31, 2016.
Please use a readable 11/12-point font such as Times New Roman or Arial and submit up to three poems or one essay or piece of short fiction. Work should be inspirational but need not be religious.
In addition: [Read more…]
Rev. Sharon Youngs
For those who have had a challenging year and need the comfort and peace that come from spiritual enrichment, special music, and candles, First Presbyterian Church offers its annual service of memory and hope.
The special service will be held on Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m., in the sanctuary of the church, located at the southeast corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Drive.
“The service is designed for all who desire a quiet, reflective worship experience during this bustling holiday season, particularly those for whom this time of year is difficult, for whatever reason,” said the Reverend Sharon Youngs, church pastor. [Read more…]
Pictured above are Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director, and Tom Row of the First Christian Church Witness Ministry Team. (Submitted photo)
The Witness Ministry Team of First Christian Church recently made a $1,000 donation to ADFAC (Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc.), a press release said. Barbara Wilson, Witness Ministry Team chairperson noted in the presentation that this donation is in memory of Judy Jenkins and in honor of Elizabeth Herbes, long time ADFAC staff member.
Before Jenkins died, she gave a generous donation to the Witness Ministry Team at First Christian Church, giving them authority to distribute her gift as part of their outreach ministry in the community, the press release said.
According to Witness Team members Tom and Pat Row, “we are so excited to be able to give this donation to honor Liz Herbes because she has dedicated her life to helping those in need with concern and support.” [Read more…]
Members of the community who love to sing are encouraged to come and be part of the chorus at the sixth annual “Messiah Sing-a-Long.” It will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.
It will also be held on Saturday, December 3, at 7 p.m. at the Norris United Methodist Church located in Norris at 62 Ridgeway Road. Music lovers are invited to either free performance, a press release said.
Both performances will be presented by the Tri-County Community Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Sandy Wells. Members of the choir will sing the arias, and audience members will be invited to join the choir in singing the chorus parts from portions of Handel’s “Messiah,” the classic most associated with the Christmas season. Music will be provided for early-arriving audience members who wish to sing. [Read more…]
A free community Thanksgiving Dinner will be hosted at High Places Community Church/Grove Theater on Thursday, November 24.
The dinner is hosted again by a grassroots group of individuals, a press release said. The dinner is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, November 24, at High Places, which is at 123 Randolph Road.
“Everyone should have someone to give thanks with on Thanksgiving!” the press release said. [Read more…]
Church Women United invites the public to celebrate World Community Day on Friday, November 4, at United Church, Chapel on the Hill, 85 Kentucky Avenue, in Oak Ridge.
The celebration, “Sharing Gifts at the Table,” brings together women from different denominations and different racial and cultural backgrounds to honor the global dimension of the Christian faith through scripture, hymns, and prayer, a press release said. [Read more…]
The Stone Soup Ministry team at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will be firing up the griddle instead of filling up soup pots for a special free community meal Friday, October 28, from 5-6 p.m. Everyone is invited to the breakfast for dinner meal that will include pancakes and bacon along with fresh fruit, and milk, all provided by Kroger, a press release said. The October meal marks the start of the seventh year of the ministry.
Dine-in or takeout will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Social Hall of the church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light number #2) in Oak Ridge.
“We are so grateful to our community partner Kroger for supplying the food for the October meal and for helping it to become a community tradition. This is the fourth year they have donated the food,” said program coordinator Jinx Watson. “Throughout the year they also provide fresh fruit to serve at our meals, something our diners really enjoy.” [Read more…]
Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge has Trunks With Treats on Wednesday.
There will be hot dogs, popcorn, and lots of candy, an event flyer said.
“Come and join us for a safe and fun time at Central Baptist Church,” organizers said.
Trunks With Treats is scheduled from 5:30-7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, which is at 130 Providence Road in Oak Ridge. Call (865) 483-7495 for more information.
The Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge’s Veterans’ Ministry has partnered with Vet to Vet Tennessee to assist in identifying Vietnam Era veterans, spouses of those veterans no longer living but not killed in action, civilians who served the United States during the Vietnam War, or those who served in the military from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. Spouses whose husbands were killed or missing in action are also included in that number.
“Grace would like to honor those in Oak Ridge and surrounding areas who are eligible at a service of reconciliation and healing, where Vet to Vet Tennessee Vietnam veterans will present them with a special service pin or spouse pin and a proclamation from the president of the United States,” a press release said.
The effort is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration, which was authorized by Congress and launched by the President in May 2012. The goal is to thank Vietnam Veterans for their service and to welcome them home, the press release said. [Read more…]
Submitted
The community is invited to join in the celebration of the sixth birthday of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Stone Soup Free CommUUnity Meal on Friday, September 30.
Volunteers will serve a homemade meal of Southern style cornbread and pinto beans with, of course, birthday cake for dessert! Dine in or take out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.
“While many of our guests are our food insecure neighbors, we want to start our seventh year making sure that we emphasize that the community meal is open to anyone who would like to come,” said program coordinator Jinx Watson. “There are a lot of connections that are made, not only among the guests, but also among the guests and the team. We enjoy dining with them and love the opportunity to celebrate someone’s birthday, hear news about their families, and build friendships. For some, attending is as much about the welcoming atmosphere as it is about the meal. We miss folks if they don’t come and are concerned about how they are doing.” [Read more…]
Pam Williams and her Westie Jessica at the 2014 Pet Fest. (Submitted photo)
Grace Lutheran Church will celebrate its 15th Annual Pet Fest and Blessing on Saturday, October 1.
This year’s event will provide a chance to spend a productive day with your pet while you gather important information about the services and associations available to pets and their owners, a press release said. The Blessing of the Animals is held in the pavilion behind the church at 3 p.m. The church will also hold a Bake Sale, Rummage Sale, and Silent Auction to raise funds for all the participating rescue groups. Boy Scouts and other volunteers will walk your pet while you shop.
Activities will take place from 1-5 p.m. and parking will be available for the mobility-impaired at the church or in the Woodland Elementary School parking lot behind the church. [Read more…]
