Oak Ridge Today

Pastor, police chief the speakers at event on building community

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Derrick Hammond

Derrick Hammond

An Oak Ridge pastor and the police chief will be the speakers at a Monday morning discussion of building community.

The speakers are Derrick Hammond, pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church, and Oak Ridge Police Chief James Akagi.

The discussion is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Monday, September 11, in the Fellowship Hall at Grace Covenant Church at 320 Robertsville Road.

The discussion is sponsored by Women’s Interfaith Dialogue. It will focus on “Building Community in a Time of Hatred and Violence,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Two churches have Winter Warmth Distribution & Fellowship on Sept. 30

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Faith Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge

Faith Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge

 

Two churches will have the Sixth Annual Winter Warmth Distribution and Fellowship on Saturday, September 30. The public is invited.

The two churches and their ministries are Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion’s Love Thy Neighbor Outreach Ministry and Faith Lutheran Church Operation Warm Coat Ministry.

The event will be held from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, September 30, at Faith Lutheran Church at 1300 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, across from Starbucks Coffee.

Items that will be available while they last at no cost to the public are clothing, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, and clean, pre-owned, and new winter items for men, women, and children who are in need of coats, among other items, a press release said. [Read more…]

Hot Dogs with the Works indoor picnic at ORUUC Free Community Meal on Friday

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Concern that it might be too hot outside for a picnic to mark the end of summer at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Free Community Meal on Friday, August 25, didn’t deter the volunteers of their picnic idea.

“The group decided to just throw it indoors instead!” a press release said.

Everyone is invited for hot dogs, baked beans, cookies, and fruit, the press release said. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light number 2) in Oak Ridge. Dine-in the Social Hall or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m., the release said.

“Plans are already under way to celebrate our seventh birthday at the meal on September 29. The menu is still being planned but for certain will include birthday cake,” said volunteer Abbie Moore. “Over the years, our volunteers have prepared and served several thousand meals. We strive to serve nutritious, homemade meals to our guests. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge faith leaders condemn racism, hatred, ask City Council to do the same

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Reacting to the deadly violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, this past weekend, Oak Ridge faith leaders on Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, condemned white supremacy, racism, anti-semitism, and other forms of hatred, and they asked the Oak Ridge City Council to adopt a resolution expressing similar sentiments. The statement of condemnation was read by Derrick Hammond, pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Reacting to the deadly violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, this past weekend, Oak Ridge faith leaders on Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, condemned white supremacy, racism, anti-semitism, and other forms of hatred, and they asked the Oak Ridge City Council to adopt a resolution expressing similar sentiments. The statement of condemnation was read by Derrick Hammond, pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Reacting to the deadly violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, this past weekend, Oak Ridge faith leaders on Monday condemned white supremacy, racism, anti-semitism, and other forms of hatred, and they asked the Oak Ridge City Council to adopt a resolution expressing similar sentiments.

The statement of condemnation of hatred and racism was read by Derrick Hammond, pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church, during a Monday evening meeting of the Oak Ridge City Council as 14 other clergy members stood by him in support.

It came two days after a 32-year-old Virginia woman was killed and 19 other people were injured after a car plowed into counter-protesters on the day of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. About two hours after the car crash, two Virginia state troopers who both have East Tennessee ties were killed when their police helicopter crashed and burned; the helicopter had been involved in providing surveillance and information during the day, the Charlottesville Daily Progress reported.

“This past weekend, a 32-year-old young lady by the name of Heather Heyer lost her life, and many others were seriously injured at a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia,” the Oak Ridge faith leaders said in their statement delivered to City Council on Monday. “The white nationalists, neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members, and other ‘alt-right’ hate groups were gathered in order to ‘take America back.’

“While the kind of hate, bigotry, and white supremacist ideology that we witnessed in Charlottesville is not new to America, this racist minority movement has been emboldened by what they perceive as support for their un-American world view. Their rhetoric and actions threaten the historic progress our ancestors, from many faiths and ethnic backgrounds, have made toward equality for all. It is now our responsibility and privilege to celebrate the rich diversity of our nation and continue their work. [Read more…]

Mental health program on Saturday to focus on early childhood trauma, brain development

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Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

 

Michael Yates of Ridgeview Behavioral Services will discuss Building Strong Brains—Tennessee’s ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Initiative on Saturday, August 5, at 10:30 a.m. It’s part of the free community mental health program series at Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge. Yates’ presentation will focus on the effects of early childhood trauma on brain development, a press release said.

“Science indicates the structure of a young child’s brain is shaped by the interaction between genes and experience, and this can have a positive or negative result,” the press release said.

Science makes it clear that adverse childhood experiences can negatively impact the architecture of the developing brain, while children alternatively thrive in a safe, stable, nurturing environment of supportive families, caregivers, neighborhoods and communities, Yates said in the press release. [Read more…]

Seminarian partners to visit Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday

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Ashton and Jennifer Roberts, seminarian partners to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge, will visit the Oak Ridge congregation Sunday, July 30, to lead worship, talk about their ministry, and get acquainted with local supporters.

Ashton and Jennifer have completed their first year as students at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Columbia, South Carolina. They are both seeking a master of divinity degree under ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), a press release said. Grace partners with an LTSS student each year, providing them financial and other assistance in reaching their goals. [Read more…]

State asks for 10-year sentence in church theft by former commission chair

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James Michael Cox

James Michael Cox

Prosecutors have asked for a 10-year prison sentence for a former Anderson County Commission chair and retired school teacher who has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $60,000 over more than three years from a church in Rocky Top—and allegedly lost more than $37,000 of the stolen money at a casino in North Carolina.

James Michael “Mike” Cox is scheduled to be sentenced in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton on Monday.

Through defense attorney Rhonda F. Lee of Powell, Cox has asked for probation.

Cox was indicted on the Class B felony charge of theft of more than $60,000 on February 2, 2016. The thefts were alleged to have occurred from Longfield Baptist Church, where Cox was church treasurer, between June 1, 2011, and December 1, 2014.

Cox entered a guilty plea on June 1, 2017. The minimum sentence is eight years probation, and the maximum is 12 years in prison, according to court documents.

In a notice filed this past Monday, the state outlined enhancing factors that should be considered by Anderson County Criminal Court Judge Donald R. Elledge when he sentences Cox on Monday, July 24. [Read more…]

‘It’s Too Hot for Soup’ summer menu continues at ORUUC free community meal

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Volunteers at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church prepare home cooked meals at the monthly Stone Soup Ministry Free Community Meal. (Submitted photo)

Volunteers at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church prepare home cooked meals at the monthly Stone Soup Ministry Free Community Meal. (Submitted photo)

 

The Stone Soup Ministry team at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will continue serving a summer menu of lighter and cooler foods at the Friday, July 28, free community meal. Everyone is invited to attend. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light number 2.)

On the menu will be homemade pimiento cheese sandwiches, three bean salad, cookies, and fresh fruit, a press release said. An assortment of nonperishable family friendly groceries will be available for free to anyone in need. The Free Community Meal at ORUUC is held the last Friday of every month at the same time. [Read more…]

Free suicide prevention training at Grace Lutheran on Saturday

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Danielle Roach

Danielle Roach

 

The Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge’s Mental Health Ministry will host a free community program on suicide prevention training on Saturday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. Childcare will be provided.

Community health practitioner Danielle Roach, through association with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN), will be the instructor, a press release said. Roach has worked at a community mental health center for the past 16 years. In addition to suicide prevention training, she as taught verbal and physical de-escalation techniques, CPR, and newborn care Safety/CPR classes for the last 12 years at a local hospital.

According to the TSPN website, this training, known as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), is a program designed to teach lay people and professionals alike how to prevent suicide.

Grace Lutheran Church is located at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in Oak Ridge. For more information about the program or the Mental Health Ministry, contact the church office at (865) 483-3787.

First United Methodist has Vacation Bible School this month

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first-united-methodist-church-of-oak-ridge-jan-2017

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will celebrate recent renovations with an open house on Sunday evening, Jan. 8, 2017. The church is located at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and North Tulane Avenue. (Photo courtesy Jeff Kile)

 

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will be hosting Vacation Bible School “Mighty Fortress” from June 19-22 (Monday-Thursday) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Children from 4 years old through 5th graders are welcome. FUMC is located at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Erin Webb at [email protected]. [Read more…]

Community invited to ‘Step into Auction’ church fundraiser

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Submitted

With an arm’s long list of unique items and services that includes a llama walk in the Smokies, a fly fishing lesson/excursion, a 1992 Ford Taurus Wagon, getaways, computer geek services, four course dinners that include wine a and food pairing, a back porch summer soiree on the river that will feature a trout dinner, various ethnic meals, and paintings and pottery by local artisans among the offerings up for bid, the “Step into Auction” promises to be a fun filled evening, a press release said.

The community is invited to attend the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church fundraiser on Friday, May 19, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Social Hall of the church located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Entry is $5 for adults. Children are free.

Music from ORUUC’s own “Bifolkals” will kick off the evening, the press release said. Then it’s on to hors d’oeuvres, magic performed by Nick Roberts, door prizes, and silent and live auctions. Drinks will be available for purchase. [Read more…]

New anthology published, author reading & signing May 6

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In Gods Hand

The Writers of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church have published an anthology, “In God’s Hand,” featuring poems, essays, memoir, and fiction from some of the area’s top writers. Readings from the book will be the program for the Grace Lutheran Church Flower Festival Tea at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6. The readings will be followed by a book sale and autograph session. The book costs $15. All proceeds from the sale will go toward literary scholarships.

The book features 50 writers from seven states, including well-known writers such as KB Ballentine, Bill Brown, Judy DiGregorio, Sue Weaver Dunlap, Penny Dyer, Carol Grametbauer, Connie Jordan Green, Jane Hicks, Elizabeth Howard, Marilyn Kallet, Denton Loving, John C. Mannone, Linda Parsons, Phyllis Price, Jane Sasser, Wes Sims, Kory Wells, Sylvia Woods, and others, many from Oak Ridge and the surrounding area, a press release said.

The Flower Festival celebrates the 70th anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with the theme “For the Beauty of the Earth,” based on the hymn by that name. In addition to the readings, the Flower Festival will feature a flower show, exhibits from Boy and Girl Scouts, children’s activities, a plant swap (all on Saturday 1-4), and a music program in the church sanctuary at 3 p.m. Sunday, the press release said.

Arissa Garden Club of Oak Ridge, a group that meets at Grace, is holding a flower show during the Festival, including both flower arrangements and horticulture specimens. The show will open on Saturday afternoon and remain in place through the music program on Sunday afternoon. [Read more…]