Churches Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Women’s Interfaith to focus on protecting youth from opioid crisis

Posted at 12:43 pm March 22, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

BeaThomas

Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge will learn more about the opiod crisis afflicting the nation and its communities during a meeting on Monday, April 1.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Monday, April 1, at the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, which is at 101 West Madison Lane.

Reverend Bea Thomas, an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church, will speak on “The Impact of the Opiod Epidemic upon Our Youth and How We Can Protect Them,” a press release said.

Thomas has served as pastor of four churches in the Tennessee Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Since 2016, she has been involved in correctional ministry, first at the Anderson County Jail and currently at Roane County Jail, the press release said. She holds a M.A. in Evangelism and Church Planting from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, and is currently completing courses toward a Chaplaincy Certificate in Correctional Ministry through the Institute of Prison Ministry at Christian University GlobalNet. [Read more…]

Faith & science lecture in April on archaeology of Israelite women

Posted at 7:50 am March 21, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Erin Darby

Were the women depicted in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible more than mothers of the children of Israel? Did they contribute to Israelite tribal survival by experimenting with food plants and seeds, shearing wool and weaving cloth, making pots and devising ways to cook, preserve, and store food? And what about their religious lives?

The second talk in the First Presbyterian–First United Methodist Church Faith-and-Science Lecture Series will be on “The Archaeology of Women in Ancient Israel.” The lecture will be presented by Erin Darby, associate professor of religious studies and co-director of the ‘Ayn Gharandal Archaeological Project at the University of Tennessee.

Darby will deliver her lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the fellowship hall of the sanctuary building of First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Refreshments will be served, a press release said. [Read more…]

Community Interfaith Harmony Month wraps up with two events this week

Posted at 1:49 pm February 27, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Community Interfaith Harmony Month will be wrapping up with two special events this week, a press release said.

“Come lend your heart and hands and voice in celebration of the World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 1, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Nave at St. Stephens Episcopal Church located at 212 North Tulane Avenue,” the press release said. “Church Women United will be hosting the worship service entitled ‘Come—Everything is Ready,’ written by women of Slovenia. It challenges all to widen their circles and invites all to follow prayer with action.”

Everyone is invited to the finale event to rejoice in celebrating community interfaith music and arts on March 5 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, the press release said. There will be poetry, music, and dancing performed by a diversity of community groups, followed by a fellowship reception. [Read more…]

Ulster Project to celebrate peace-building with Mardi Gras event Saturday

Posted at 3:20 pm February 21, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Ulster Project has been operating in the Oak Ridge and Knoxville area for almost 33 years. You can help them celebrate 33 years of peace-building in Northern Ireland and the United States by joining them for their inaugural Ulster’s Mardi Gras, where they will celebrate the Gulf Coast tradition of Mardi Gras.

The event is scheduled from 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday, February 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

The featured band will be a local favorite, The Missing Goats. And they expect to have some zydeco dancing lessons.

The menu will include salad, seafood gumbo, Cajun roasted pork loin and chicken, red beans and rice, Cajun green beans, chicken and sausage jambalaya, king cake (prizes for the baby), and banana pudding. Beer and wine will be available for sale, and there will be a silent auction. [Read more…]

Interfaith Harmony events on Friday, Saturday

Posted at 2:26 pm February 15, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

On Friday, February 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge at 101 West Madison Lane invites the public to a joyful and spirited Friday evening service to welcome Shabbat, a press release said. All ages, including children, can enjoy a lively service with singing and dancing. A community potluck dinner immediately follows with vegetarian/dairy-only dishes and no meat.

On Saturday, February 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Ecumenical Storehouse located at 134 East Division Road needs “trucks and muscles” to assist in picking up donated items. This assistance from community volunteers is an ongoing need for Saturday mornings.

On Saturday, February 16, the Scarboro Community Center invites everyone to join together and break bread to celebrate Black History Month. There will be a free chili luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scarboro Community Center at 148 Carver Avenue. At 4 p.m. the play “Oh Freedom” will be presented at Oak Valley Baptist Church at 194 Hampton Road. [Read more…]

Faith, church groups celebrating Community Interfaith Harmony Month

Posted at 7:54 pm February 4, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership, Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge, and Church Women United are celebrating Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month.

The Oak Ridge community is invited to join the celebration. The Community Interfaith Harmony Month is being celebrated from February 5-March 5.

The kickoff event will be held on Tuesday, February 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the historic Grove Theater. At 7 p.m., there will be a program featuring local youth, faith, and community leaders speaking about the importance of religious freedom, loving our neighbors, and engaging in community service, a press release said. During the program, a mayoral proclamation will be presented declaring the Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month.

There will be booths for faith and nonprofit groups. They will be able to share information, service success stories, ongoing service opportunities, and what services exist to help those in need and what each person can do to help support them, the press release said. [Read more…]

Today: Human Rights Rally at ORUUC

Posted at 11:05 am January 19, 2019
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Members of the Human Rights Rally planning committee are, from left, Sue Byrne, Ann Mostoller, Nancy Highfill, Anne Backus, and Mary Zuhr. (Submitted photo)

A Human Rights Rally and March for Equality, Justice, and Inclusivity will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 19, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The program will begin with inspirational talks, readings, and music. Then, all participants are encouraged to march from the Unitarian Church to the First Presbyterian Church along Oak Ridge Turnpike, weather permitting, a press release said.

Several organizations are sponsoring the event, which is hosted by the Unitarian Church and the Presbyterian Church. The Reverend Jake Morrill of the Unitarian Church will welcome participants. The Reverend Derrick Hammond of Oak Valley Baptist Church, the Reverend Sharon Youngs of First Presbyterian Church, and the Reverends Mark and Annette Flynn of First Methodist Church will be among speakers, and choirs from those churches will provide music. The Reverend Carol Dipboye of Grace Covenant Church will also participate. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has Advent Worship, Christmas Eve Services

Posted at 2:32 pm December 18, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Grace Lutheran Church has mid-week Advent Worship Services and Christmas Eve Services this month.

The Advent Worship Services have been on Wednesdays, including on December 5 and 12. There is another service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 19.

The church will also have Christmas Eve services. They will take place at 4 p.m. (Family) and 9 p.m. (Candlelight).

All services are free, a press release said.

The church presented the seasonal work of Heather Sorenson, “Little Lion, Little Lamb,” presented by Grace Lutheran Church’s Chancel Choir on Sunday, December 16, under the direction of Slade Trammell. Sorenson is a Dallas-based composer and highly accomplished pianist whose talents are heard in worship settings around the world, the press release said. [Read more…]

Service of Memory & Hope on Tuesday at First Presbyterian

Posted at 1:15 pm December 18, 2018
By Carolyn Krause Leave a Comment

Sharon Youngs

This time of year is filled with twinkling lights, special music, and lots of eggnog. But some folks experience the holiday season as difficult for several reasons.

Sometimes called a “blue Christmas” gathering, First Presbyterian Church will hold a Service of Memory and Hope on Tuesday, December 18, at 6:30 p.m., in the sanctuary.

“Although the service is designed for those facing a holiday season that is not so merry and bright, everyone desiring a quiet, reflective worship experience will find it in this simple candlelight service,” said Sharon Youngs, church pastor. “It is a way to remember loved ones who are no longer with us, to gather strength for present challenges and to simply be still in the midst of a bustling, frantic season.”

This press release was submitted by Carolyn Krause.

FUMC has pancake breakfast on Saturday to support missions

Posted at 3:16 pm December 7, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The First United Methodist Church Oak Ridge Adult Missions Ministry will sponsor a Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s Restaurant on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Submitted photo)

The First United Methodist Church Oak Ridge Adult Missions Ministry will sponsor a Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s Restaurant on Saturday, December 8, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Missions Ministry of the church supports many local humanitarian programs such as ADFAC, TORCH, The Family Resource Center for Oak Ridge Schools, the Ecumenical Storehouse, the Free Medical Clinic, Girls Inc., Agape House, Tabitha’s Table, and Second Harvest “Food For Kids,” a press release said. In addition, they support humanitarian activities throughout the United States and around the world. The most recent mission was to Florida to help repair hurricane-damaged homes. Proceeds from the breakfast will support these efforts.

Come enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, and coffee while visiting with community friends and listening to live seasonal music, the press release said. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door.

Food First: Walk of Abundance at four local churches

Posted at 1:34 pm October 12, 2018
By Jan Ryan Leave a Comment

Submitted photo

Come join four local churches in creating a Walk of Abundance. As abundant lives are built on generosity, First Baptist, First Christian, First Presbyterian, and First United Methodist churches will be collecting canned food goods between now and October 21 to stock local food pantries, a press release said.

“You can help by taking your donation to any one of these four churches,” the press release said.

On October 21, using some of the collected cans, a labyrinth, similar to the one pictured above, will be built on the lawn of First United Methodist Church. As part of an outdoor worship celebration (which will include inflatables, human bubble balls, and a pumpkin-launching trebuchet), participants can both make a contribution to help local families in need as well as walk the can-lined labyrinth. A collection will also be taken for Second Harvest Food Banks, the press release said. [Read more…]