Oak Ridge Today

Faith, community organizations to discuss substance misuse tonight

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Oak Ridge Recovery Interfaith Forum July 9 2018

Faith leaders and community organizations will discuss substance misuse at a forum in Oak Ridge tonight (Monday, July 9).

“Addiction and recovery impacts all of us, and the interfaith community plays an important role in recovery from substance misuse,” a press release said.

The Oak Ridge Recovery Interfaith Forum will bring together faith leaders and community organizations across Anderson County, the press release said. ASAP of Anderson partnered with the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, and United Way of Anderson County to plan and organize the forum.

The forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 9, at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Attendees at the forum will learn about: [Read more…]

Southern Poverty Law Center forums: Fighting hate, teaching tolerance, seeking justice

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Lecia Brooks

Lecia Brooks

 

There will be two community forums in Oak Ridge this week that will be led by the outreach director of an organization that is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society, a press release said.

The forums will feature speaker Lecia Brooks, outreach director for the Southern Poverty Law Center. They are scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday, May 7, at the Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road and 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 8, in the sanctuary of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The forums are free and open to the public. They are hosted by Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge.

Brooks leads the Southern Poverty Law Center’s outreach efforts on key initiatives and social justice issues, the press release said. She frequently gives presentations around the country to promote tolerance and diversity, the release said. She also serves as director of the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama, an interpretive center designed to provide its visitors with a deeper understanding of the civil rights movement. [Read more…]

Holocaust Remembrance Program is Sunday in Oak Ridge

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Mira Kimmelman

Mira Kimmelman

There will be a Holocaust Remembrance Program at the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge on Sunday.

It’s presented by the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. The Holocaust Remembrance Service is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership, and the public is encouraged to attend, a press release said. The City of Oak Ridge has proclaimed April 15 to be Holocaust Remembrance Day for 2018, the press release said.

The Holocaust Remembrance Program will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge Sanctuary, which is at 101 West Madison Lane. There will be a candle lighting ceremony, songs, readings by members of both congregations, and prayers, the press release said. [Read more…]

Church Women United offers focus on community dialogue on Friday

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Church Women United will hold a public presentation on Friday, April 6, at Kern Memorial Methodist Church, which is located at 451 East Tennessee Avenue in Oak Ridge. Reverend David Allred of High Places Community Church will introduce an innovative supper program that the Oak Ridge Ministerial Association is developing to foster healthy conversation and closer ties between people of differing backgrounds, experiences, and core beliefs within our community, a press release said.

According to Allred: “Communities around the country are disconnecting from each other in ways that are driving us apart. We’re slowly losing our ability to listen to one another, fragmenting into ‘bunkers’ of sameness rather than giving space for each other’s differences.” To overcome this fragmentation, ORMA aims “to create spaces of togetherness that are not designed to fix community problems, but instead center on the practice hearing each other and being present with each other.” The inspiration for this program comes from the organization called “The People’s Supper.”

All are invited to attend the event however long they can, the press release said. Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m. Friday, followed by a short meeting and prayer at noon, along with the presentation thereafter. Latecomers are welcome. Contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940 for more information.

This press release was submitted by Gay Marie Logsdon.

Grace Lutheran Church celebrates ‘Rising of the Son’ Easter Sunday

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Grace-Lutheran-Church-Outdoor-Cross

The outdoor cross at Grace Lutheran is draped for Easter Sunrise Services. (Submitted photo)

 

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to join in celebration of the “Rising of the Son” on Easter Sunday, April 1.

Services will be held at 7 a.m. (sunrise outside), at 9 a.m. (contemporary service), and 11:15 a.m. (traditional service). The Men’s Group will provide breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church is a part of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is located at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Grace Lutheran Church is a Christian church dedicated to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in a diverse community by loving our neighbors as ourselves, developing vibrant ministries to meet current and emerging needs, and helping people know Jesus,” a press release said. For more information, call (865) 483-3787 or visit the church on the web at www.graceoakridge.org.

Panel on Monday to discuss building welcoming, inclusive community

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Anne Backus

Anne Backus

A Monday panel will focus on building a welcoming and inclusive community, a press release said. The discussion will be hosted by Women’s Interfaith Dialogue, and the panel will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, March 5, at the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge.

The Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge is at 101 West Madison Avenue.

“The meeting will feature a panel discussion of issues impacting LGBTQ members of our community and efforts to make our community more welcoming and inclusive,” the press release said.

The panel will include three Oak Ridgers: John Jaruzel, Anne Backus, and Jessica Ammendolia.

Here is more information from the press release: [Read more…]

Spaghetti lunch on Sunday to raise money for Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence

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Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence Spaghetti & Meatballs Fundraiser Luncheon Feb 11 2018

An all-you-can-eat homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs Fundraiser Luncheon on Sunday will benefit Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence.

The luncheon is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, February 11, in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. The community is invited. Proceeds will benefit the Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence, a press release said.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and under. The all-you-can-eat meal includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, dessert, and a beverage. Take out will be available, the press release said. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (865) 294-4133. [Read more…]

Little Free Library opens at Grace Lutheran Church

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Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge has installed a Little Free Library for the Oak Ridge community, located on the west side of the church. The Little Free Library has a shelf each for children, youth, and adults.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge has installed a Little Free Library for the Oak Ridge community, located on the west side of the church. The Little Free Library has a shelf each for children, youth, and adults.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge has installed a Little Free Library for the Oak Ridge community, located on the west side of the church. The Little Free Library has a shelf each for children, youth, and adults.

“Take a book and leave a book if you have one you can leave,” a press release said. “Help your children to take part in this special family activity. Check back often for new titles.”

Grace’s Little Free Library is one of 60,000 plus Little Libraries in more than 80 countries, with its “official” charter number (61941), and it is included on the World Map at LittleFreeLibrary.org.

According to the LFL website, “Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Little Free Libraries play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books (and encouraging a love of reading!)” [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran Church calls new pastor

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Larry Boudon

Larry Boudon

Submitted

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge has called the Rev. Dr. H. Lawrence Boudon as its new pastor, effective January 1, 2018. Boudon is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina with a Masters of Divinity. He was ordained May 29, 2010.

Boudon graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. in Political Science/Spanish. He has a PhD in International Studies from the University of Miami, and a Master’s degree in Government from the University of Virginia. Prior to entering the ministry, Boudon worked as a journalist, then as a college professor and as editor of the Handbook of Latin American Studies at the Library of Congress.

He was born in Olean, New York, and grew up in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania. He is the oldest of three children. Raised Roman Catholic, he became a Lutheran in 2003. He was drawn to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) by the “openness of dialogue at all levels of the denomination.” He is married to Laura, who holds dual U.S.-French citizenship and is presently Director of Study Abroad at Florida International University (FIU). Their son, Lucas, was adopted from Guatemala in 2007. Lucas is in the 6th grade and plays violin and soccer. [Read more…]

Martin Luther King Breakfast to feature Hammond as speaker

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Derrick Hammond

Derrick Hammond

 

A Martin Luther King Fellowship Breakfast on Monday, January 15, will feature as keynote speaker the Reverend Derrick Hammond, pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church in Oak Ridge.

It’s the 30th annual Martin Luther King Fellowship Breakfast hosted by the Atomic City Sportsmen.

The breakfast will be at the Oak Valley Baptist Church, 194 Hampton Road in Oak Ridge, on Monday, January 15. The program will begin at 8 a.m.

Hammond has served the Oak Valley Baptist Church for the past three years, a press release said. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University. He also completed the dual master’s degree program at Samford University, earning a Master of Divinity and a Master of Business Administration, the press release said. [Read more…]

Hammond, Howerton receive 2017 Postma Young Professionals Awards

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Reverend Derrick Hammond, left, and Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Senior Director of Transformation J. Travis Howerton were named the latest winners of the Herman and Pat Postma Young Professionals Award by the East Tennessee Economic Council at the annual awards celebration held Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge. (Photos courtesy East Tennessee Economic Council)

Reverend Derrick Hammond, left, and Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Senior Director of Transformation J. Travis Howerton were named the latest winners of the Herman and Pat Postma Young Professionals Award by the East Tennessee Economic Council at the annual awards celebration held Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge. (Photos courtesy ETEC)

Reverend Derrick Hammond and CNS’s senior director of transformation J. Travis Howerton were named the latest winners of the Herman and Pat Postma Young Professionals Award by the East Tennessee Economic Council at the annual awards celebration held Friday, December 8, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge.

The Postma Young Professional Medal was created by the East Tennessee Economic Council to honor the accomplishments of young professionals who have made an impact and fostered a community culture in the region. Former Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Herman Postma epitomized this spirit during his life; and his wife, Pat, continues the tradition of service today through her involvement in the Oak Ridge community, a press release said.

Pat Postma and Ted Sherry made the award presentations.

The Postma Medal, however, is about more than outstanding work, the press release said. [Read more…]