First Presbyterian Church Archives

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…]

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.

‘Religion in Human Evolution’ topic of local faith-science lecture

Posted at 4:29 pm September 5, 2018
By Carolyn H Krause Leave a Comment

Gordon M. Burghardt

Gordon M. Burghardt, Alumni Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Psychology and of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, will speak on “Religion in Human Evolution” on Wednesday, September 12, in Oak Ridge.

Burghardt is the first lecturer in a new faith-science lecture series sponsored by First Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church, a press release said. The lecture, which will feature videos, will be held at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room of FUMC, which can be reached through the double doors facing Vienna Road.

Burghardt will speak on the book “Religion in Human Evolution,” by Robert Bellah, the late distinguished sociologist of religion who taught at the University of California at Berkeley, the press release said.

Part of Bellah’s book is devoted to Burghardt’s research on ritual and play. [Read more…]

Wendel Werner ‘Concert of Peace’ at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian

Posted at 10:18 am October 15, 2017
By Carolyn Krause Leave a Comment

Wendel Werner

Local pianist and composer Wendel Werner and friends will present a “concert of peace” on Sunday, October 15, at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in the wake of the racially charged violence August 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The free concert will feature local singers and instrumentalists who will perform songs having themes of hope, inclusivity, and love, a press release said.

The release said the following words of Leonard Bernstein, famous American composer and conductor, continue to inspire musicians to offer gifts of melody, rhythm, and harmony to their communities: [Read more…]

ORHS vice principal to discuss school’s vision for 2020 during talk on Monday

Posted at 7:33 pm September 24, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Amber Roberts, vice principal of Oak Ridge High School, will give a talk on “Oak Ridge High School’s Vision for 2020” at the general meeting of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) on Monday, September 25, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 102 of the Activities Building of First Presbyterian Church, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Roberts joined the staff of the high school as vice principal in 2009 after teaching eighth grade in the Atlanta metropolitan area for 11 years, a press release said.

She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Agnes Scott College, a master’s degree in middle grades science education from the University of West Georgia, and an educational specialist degree in educational administration from Lincoln Memorial University.

Her talk will be first for the 2017-2018 year for AAUW. New presidents for the year are Mayme Crowell and Fay Martin, the press release said. [Read more…]

Bring a dish to share at the September PFLAG meeting

Posted at 9:22 am September 11, 2017
By Maureen Hoyt Leave a Comment

PFLAG will hold its September on Monday, September 11, in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. Members, friends, and newcomers will have a chance to meet and greet and catch up beginning with a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m., a press release said. The church is located at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

During the meeting, there will be time to brainstorm on current and upcoming activities. Also planned is a discussion of transgendered service members and recent tweets and events.

The PFLAG mission is to provide opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation, gender identities, and to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity, the press release said. [Read more…]

Authors speak about delights, frights along Cumberland Trail on Feb. 2

Posted at 9:32 pm January 27, 2017
By Sandra Goss Leave a Comment

Well-known botanist Larry Pounds and his son, local journalist Ben Pounds, spent a month in 2012 hiking all 200 miles of the Cumberland Trail that existed then. Combining Larry’s extensive botany experience and Ben’s training as a writer, they documented their experiences in a book, “Wildly Strolling Along,” a press release said.

The public is invited to an informational program about their Cumberland Trail experience in a 7 p.m. program on Thursday, February 2. The Pounds will share slides of their favorite sights along the Cumberland Trail and provide basic information about the trail, the press release said. [Read more…]

ADFAC celebrating 30th ‘birthday’

Posted at 3:12 pm January 21, 2017
By Annie Cacheiro Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy ADFAC

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, has reached a major milestone: 30 years of helping low-income families in the community.

It was January 28, 1987, that ADFAC officially became an incorporated nonprofit in the State of Tennessee. To recognize this achievement, ADFAC will celebrate through 2017 with special events and projects.

Last October, ADFAC kicked off its 30th year by providing a special birthday cake, snacks, and drinks to members of First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. When ADFAC was first forming, First Presbyterian offered office space to the young organization. As the years went by and ADFAC grew both in size and services, First Presbyterian provided additional office space. [Read more…]

First Presbyterian offers service of memory, hope Wednesday

Posted at 11:22 am December 13, 2016
By Carolyn Krause Leave a Comment

Rev. Sharon Youngs

For those who have had a challenging year and need the comfort and peace that come from spiritual enrichment, special music, and candles, First Presbyterian Church offers its annual service of memory and hope.

The special service will be held on Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m., in the sanctuary of the church, located at the southeast corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Drive.

“The service is designed for all who desire a quiet, reflective worship experience during this bustling holiday season, particularly those for whom this time of year is difficult, for whatever reason,” said the Reverend Sharon Youngs, church pastor. [Read more…]

MORE2, a home energy efficiency program, raises income qualifications, has public meeting Tuesday

Posted at 5:59 pm November 13, 2016
By Annie Cacheiro Leave a Comment

MORE2, the energy efficiency program that makes free upgrades to qualifying homes, has significantly raised its income qualifications, effective immediately, a press release said.

“If you make $122,670 or below, you may be eligible for upgrades,” the press release said.

Call (865) 375-4656 or visit MakeOREE.com to see if you qualify.

If you want to learn more about how to reduce energy usage in your home and apply for MORE2 help, you can attend this public meeting: [Read more…]

Children’s mental health advocate to discuss AWARE program in AC Schools on Monday

Posted at 12:19 pm October 23, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Kim Guinn

Kim Guinn, an advocate for children’s mental health, will discuss the Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education, or AWARE, program in Anderson County Schools during a meeting on Monday.

Guinn is director of the Project AWARE initiative for Anderson County Schools.

The Monday program is at 11:30 a.m. October 24 in Room 102 of the Activities Building of First Presbyterian Church. It’s presented by the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch.

The AWARE program is supported by a federal five-year-grant to help students with mental health or substance abuse issues, a press release said. In this program, teachers and other adults who interact with young people are taught “mental health first aid.” [Read more…]

Palestinian Christian to speak at three area churches

Posted at 10:17 am June 22, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Amal Nassar at her family’s farm in the West Bank. (Submitted photo)

By Carolyn Krause

Amal Nassar, a Palestinian Christian who lives with her family on their 100-acre farm amid Israeli settlements in the West Bank, will speak in three area churches June 26 and June 28.

She will talk about her family’s dedication to making peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

On Sunday, June 26, she will speak in Oak Ridge at 9:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Then, at 11:15 a.m., she will speak in the fellowship hall at First Presbyterian Church at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

On June 28, she will speak at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension at 800 South Northshore Drive in Knoxville. The public is invited to attend any of Nassar’s church presentations. [Read more…]