Oak Ridge Today

Myricks to be honored for ‘lifetime of commitment’ on April 29

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Tim Myrick and Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity

Tim Myrick, back row second from left, is pictured taking a lunch break during a build with college students who come during spring break every year to participate in Habitat builds. (Photos by Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County)

He’s helped build every one of the 58 homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County since it started in 1992 and served on the board. He helped plan and oversee renovations at the Oak Ridge High School, been a member of the Red Cross Disaster Relief team, and along with his wife, grown thousands of Christmas trees that were donated to the American Cancer Society and Holiday Bureau for fundraising.

In recognition of their work, Tim and Teresa Myrick will be honored this month for their “lifetime of commitment to the people of Oak Ridge and Anderson County.” The reception will be hosted by Habitat for Humanity, and it is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex. [Read more…]

Presbyterian leader to preach in Oak Ridge on Feb. 23

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J. Herbert Nelson II

J. Herbert Nelson II

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C., will be the preacher at the Feb. 23 Sunday worship service at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge.

The Office of Public Witness implements the social justice agenda of the General Assembly of PC(USA) through advocacy with leaders of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.

For 68 years, Nelson said, this office has been “speaking truth to power.” He believes that grassroots organizing can influence the political sphere in today’s globalized culture. [Read more…]

Service of Memory and Hope at First Presbyterian on Tuesday

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Sharon Youngs

Sharon Youngs

The First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge will hold its second annual Service of Memory and Hope at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the sanctuary.

“This candlelight service is for those who seek a peaceful setting to remember loved ones and friends who are no longer with us, those who are currently going through a difficult time in their lives, and those who, for whatever reason, find this time of year to be particularly hard,” said the Rev. Sharon Youngs, church pastor.

The service will feature an opportunity to light candles in memory of loved ones, prayer, and comforting music presented by the Rev. Youngs on guitar and Music Director Anna Thomas on flute.

Child care will be offered during the service. The church is located at the northeast corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Drive.

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…]

Camp Creation July 11-12 at First Presbyterian

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This summer, vacation Bible school at First Presbyterian Church for children two years old through rising fifth-grade students will have a new twist.

Called Camp Creation, it’s based on a day camp model and will be offered for two days, July 11 and 12, rather than a few hours each day for five days. [Read more…]

Green author, activist to speak Aug. 18 in Oak Ridge

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Bill McKibben

Bill McKibben

Bill McKibben, “the planet’s best green journalist,” according to Time magazine and author of a dozen books about the environment, will speak on fossil fuels and climate change in August in Oak Ridge.

The lecture will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

McKibben is a founder of the grassroots climate campaign 350.org, which has coordinated 15,000 rallies in 190 countries since 2009 and sponsored a 21-city “Do The Math” tour last fall. The “Do The Math” movie has been shown in numerous cities this past spring and several times at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge, including by a new Secret City Sustainability group of college students. The movie is available online at 350.org. [Read more…]

Valentine’s Day, Lent: Taking up rather than giving up

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Sharon Youngs

Sharon Youngs

Some of the words we use most every day can be the most challenging to define or describe. A few of the examples that come to mind are love, peace, joy, puppy breath, and the angst of watching the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team during the last minute of their games!

Another word is heart. February is National Heart Month, with a focus on doing those things that contribute to having a healthy organ in one’s body that will pump blood efficiently and for many years to come. It is no coincidence that February is designated such because of a particular day of the month that involves chocolate and valentines and flowers and, yes, hearts.

[Read more…]

Christmastide Choir Festival at First Presbyterian Sunday

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A Christmastide Festival, featuring four church choirs, will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, at First Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge Turnpike at Lafayette Drive. The public is invited.

In addition to the First Presbyterian choir, the choirs from the Grace Covenant, First United Methodist, and Unitarian Universalist churches in Oak Ridge are also singing.

Christmastide is traditionally the period from Christmas Eve to Epiphany, which falls on Jan. 6. This Christian feast day, the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, commemorates the visitation of the Three Magi (three wise kings) to the Baby Jesus.

It also celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ, said the Rev. Sharon Youngs, pastor at First Presbyterian Church.

Faith: ‘Memory and Hope’ service at First Presbyterian on Dec. 20

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The First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge will have a Service of Memory and Hope at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20.

“This will be a simple, quiet service,” said the Rev. Sharon Youngs, church pastor. “All are invited, especially those for whom the holidays are hard because of the loss of a loved one or other difficult circumstances.”

The church is located at the southeast corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Drive.