Oak Ridge Today

Forum on homelessness in Anderson County on Tuesday

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Experts from social service agencies and faith-based groups will discuss homelessness in Anderson County during a Tuesday evening forum.

The forum starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. It’s been organized by the Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope, or TORCH, and ORUUC.

The experts and community members will also discuss factors that contribute to homelessness in the county, explore potential solutions, and consider how to begin a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness, a press release said. The discussion will also outline ways that people can be involved in the upcoming “Point In Time Count.”
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‘Messiah’ sing-along at ORUUC on Sunday, Dec. 8

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The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is having its annual “Messiah” sing-along on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Under the direction of Sandy Wells, the sing-along will begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 8 in the church sanctuary, and it will last about one hour, a press release said. The concert will be presented by 30 area singers accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra.

Everyone is welcome, and music will be provided for early-arriving audience members. Admission is free. [Read more…]

Feed the People Thanksgiving Dinner at High Places on Thursday

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High Places Community Church

The Second Annual Feed the People Thanksgiving Dinner is from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Note: This story was updated at 10 a.m.

Volunteers have organized a free, hot meal this afternoon for the homeless, lonely, and those who have no family.

It’s the Second Annual Feed the People Thanksgiving Dinner, and it’s from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at High Places Community Church in Oak Ridge.

“We simply do not want anyone to be alone on Thanksgiving,” organizers said.

The volunteers could serve several hundred meals, and they will deliver food to shut-in residents later today, organizer Kandace Tucker said. They will bring food to Callaghan Towers, Emory Valley Center, 82 E. Tennessee Ave., and Honeysuckle Lane this evening. [Read more…]

Free community meal, cold weather clothing at UU church on Friday

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A free community meal and cold weather clothing will be available at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday.

Black bean chili, sandwiches, and pastries are on the menu, a press release said. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited.

It’s the monthly Stone Soup Ministry meal, which is held the last Friday of every month at the same time in the Social Hall of the Church. The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Africa education, leadership initiative to be focus of human rights celebration

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Anita Henderlight with Sudanese Students

Anita Henderlight meets with students at the secondary school established through Africa ELI in South Sudan. (Submitted photos)

Anita Henderlight, executive director of Africa Education and Leadership Initiative, will be the guest speaker at a Human Rights Celebration organized by Church Women United on Friday, Dec. 6, at Spurgeon Chapel in Oak Ridge. The theme of the celebration is “Breaking Down the Doors of Injustice.”

Founded in 2006, Africa ELI works in the world’s newest country of South Sudan to bridge gender gaps in secondary education by improving access to school for girls and refugees of war. Henderlight travels extensively to mobilize investors and collaborates with Africa ELI personnel, partner agencies, government leaders, and South Sudan’s young adults to help them implement skill-building programs and develop sustainable solutions to meet their educational and occupational needs, a press release said.

Spurgeon Chapel is located on the corner of South Benedict and Houston Avenue in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Open house offers information on Affordable Care Act on Saturday

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ACA Volunteer Jim Nelson

Affordable Care Act Volunteer Jim Nelson is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

An open house to provide information about the Affordable Care Act, sometimes called “Obamacare,” will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodland.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the new health care act is invited to attend this educational event, especially those who need to get health insurance in the new marketplace. Those attending will be able to access both printed information and computers to get online resources, a press release said.

Community volunteers, including some experienced with the Tennessee Health Care Coalition, will be present to make sure their neighbors have access to affordable, quality health care, and accurate information about the ACA, the release said. [Read more…]

Co-director to discuss Free Medical Clinic’s role under new health care law

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Tanya Vargas

Tanya Vargas

Dr. Tanya Vargas, co-director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, will discuss the role of the clinic under the new health care act in a community forum to be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Covenant Church, 320 Robertsville Road.

Her presentation is entitled “The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge after the Affordable Care Act.” Vargas said she will address the question, “If everyone is going to be insured after the Affordable Care Act, why would free medical clinics like FMCOR be needed?”

Vargas moved to Oak Ridge in 1990, after completing her pediatric training at Tulane University School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, and three years of private practice in New Orleans.

She has been active in multiple organizations in Oak Ridge, including Oak Ridge Playhouse, ShowKids, Oak Ridge Baseball Association, and Montessori School of Oak Ridge. She is a founding member of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge board of directors and has served in various capacities on that board, including service as president. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has Reach Out Music Festival on Sunday

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Ridge City Ramblers

Members of the Ridge City Ramblers, who will play at the Reach Out Music Festival at Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday, are, from left, Gary Coleman, Mary Tuskan, Scott Linn, Abbie Hoerner, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Steve Reddick. (File photo/submitted)

Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge has its 8th annual Reach Out Music Festival on Sunday.

The community is invited to enjoy the 3 p.m. concert at the church, which is located at 131 West Gettysburg Ave., a press release said. The festival will feature local bluegrass and Americana group, the Ridge City Ramblers, who have been picking together since 2010.

Two choirs will also be performing: Grace Lutheran under the direction of Paula Smith, and Church of the Resurrection under the direction of Ruben Weaver. Audience participation is encouraged, but not required, the release said. [Read more…]

First United Methodist has marriage seminar Friday, Saturday

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Adventures in Marriage Logo

Do you want to make your marriage as strong as it can be? First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge is hosting “Adventures in Marriage: Fun, Faith, and Fellowship to Grow Your Marriage,” a seminar on Friday and Saturday at the church.

The seminar will be led by Julie and Jay Baumgardner. Julie is the president and chief executive officer of First Things First, an award-winning nonprofit in Chattanooga that supports marriage and family life. As a passionate advocate for healthy marriage and family, Baumgardner frequently speaks on these issues both locally and nationally. [Read more…]

Construction starts at Unitarian Universalist Church near Federal Building

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Site

Construction work has started at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church between Oak Ridge Turnpike and the Joe L. Evins Federal Building.

Construction work has started at the site of a new home for the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church near the Joe L. Evins Federal Building.

Hickory Construction Inc., which has headquarters in Alcoa, announced on Thursday that it has broken ground at the 4.6-acre site. The building could be complete by next summer, a press release said.

Hickory will work with Johnson Architecture Inc. to create a larger church building that will give the congregation an extra 3,000 square feet, compared to the current building a few miles down Oak Ridge Turnpike, the press release said. The new church will feature an updated, modern appearance. [Read more…]

Local church to offer neighborhood Bible study

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Christ Community Church

Christ Community Church will offer a new Bible study starting Thursday, Oct. 17. (Photo courtesy Julio Culiat)

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Promises. We’ve all made them and we have all had them made to us. Hopefully we’ve felt the elation of a promise kept. Most likely we’ve all experienced the heartbreak of a promise broken.

Indeed, promises can be tricky when made by mortal man.

But what about the promises that God makes to us? Can we trust him to be better at it than we are?

Beginning on Thursday evening, Oct. 17, Christ Community Church invites you to come and find out as we begin a new Bible study entitled “Covenant-Knowing God’s Promises.” [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has candle lighting service for those with mental health issues

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Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge will host a candle lighting service in support of those challenged by mental illness, substance use disorders, and other brain disorders at 5 p.m. Sunday. Everyone is welcome, and a special invitation is extended to family members, members of all area churches, community organizations, and the healing professions from neighboring counties.

One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year, and 50 percent will experience this problem at some time during their lives. One in five young people aged 13 to 18 also experience mental illness. These numbers continue to grow.

“The church is in a unique position to provide a community of support for those who are in pain,” Pastor Steve Damos said. “We can provide solace and faith, and be compassionate advocates for those seeking recovery and wholeness.” [Read more…]