Oak Ridge Today

First Presbyterian offers service of memory, hope Wednesday

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Rev. Sharon Youngs

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

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MORE2 Logo

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

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Kim Guinn

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

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

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…]

MORE2 meeting on June 14 for residents who want to reduce electrical use

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There will be a public meeting on Tuesday, June 14, for the Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2, a program meant to reduce electrical use in all-electric homes that are at least 20 years old.

The meeting is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the application process for qualified, low-income Oak Ridge residents, a press release said.

The meeting is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church, which is at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Information on other energy saving programs will also be available for those who do not qualify for the MORE2 program. MORE2 representatives will be at the meeting to help interested applicants complete applications, the press release said. [Read more…]

Youth Pride Fest hosted in Oak Ridge on May 14

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Diversity will be celebrated at the third annual Youth Pride Fest on Saturday, May 14, in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

“The fun planned event is an opportunity for LGBTQ youth and allies to celebrate themselves through awareness, visibility, and pride,” the press release said. Youth Pride Fest will take place from noon to 5 p.m. May 14 at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge. The church is located at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike, which is at the corner of Lafayette and Oak Ridge Turnpike.

All East Tennessee LGBTQ youth and allies under the age of 21, and parents are invited, the press release said. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required and can be made at youthpridefest.weebly.com. Click on sign-up. [Read more…]

April celebrations at Habitat for Humanity include new home, mortgage payoff

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Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County Spring Break Volunteers 2016

Pictured above is a group of college students from Juniata College in Pennsylvania that came to work with Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County on their Spring Break 2016. They helped put the finishing touches on the Core house in Andersonville. (Submitted photo)

 

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County has a lot to celebrate in the month of April. A family will be moving into their new home, and another family paid off their mortgage. Two local churches will be hosting celebrations for both of these momentous occasions.

The Core family has a new home in Andersonville. After months of hard work, they are excited to be moving in later this month. Usually, HFHAC holds a dedication service for a new home at the home itself. This time, however, the dedication will take place at Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge. Choosing this church was easy because it’s the home church of the Mr. and Mrs. Cal Knoke. The Knokes donated a very large sum of money toward this particular build.

As wonderful as it is to have the opportunity to show off the finished product to the community, it was decided that in this case, it wouldn’t be the best idea. The yard cannot be seeded and strawed just yet, it’s been too rainy this spring. Rather than invite people to tromp through mud, HFHAC would like for everyone interested to come to the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, April 17, at Faith Lutheran Church, which is at 1300 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

“There will be pictures of the house during construction, a chance to meet the Core family, and best of all, cake!” a press release said. [Read more…]

Pierce to discuss suffrage, Tennessee Women Suffrage Monument during Monday meeting

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Patricia-Pat-Pierce

Patricia “Pat” Pierce

Patricia “Pat” Pierce will speak at the Monday, January 25, meeting of the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch, and she will discuss “suffrage and the effort to erect a Tennessee Women Suffrage Monument at Legislative Plaza in Nashville,” a press release said.

The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, Room 102, in the activities wing of the church.

Pierce has been deeply involved in the effort to have the memorial approved, the press release said. On December 15, the Tennessee Capitol Commission unanimously approved the request.

A lunch of soup, sandwiches, and cookies at a cost of $8 will be provided by The Soup Kitchen at 11:30 a.m., with the program beginning at noon. Tea and coffee will be available also. Those attending are welcome also to bring a sack lunch.  Reservations are necessary to reserve a space, however. They may be made by calling Mary Uziel at (865) 483-1043 or Marge Congdon at (865) 483-3120. Those wishing to attend were encouraged to call by Thursday, January 21. [Read more…]

Class on Islam starts Sunday at First Presbyterian

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Phillip-Sherman

Phillip Sherman

Phillip Sherman, associate professor of religion at Maryville College, will present a free course on Islam for five Sundays at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, which is at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Drive.

The classes will start this Sunday, January 10, in the fellowship hall of the sanctuary building.

“This will be an excellent opportunity to separate fact from fiction with respect to the beliefs of our Muslim brothers and sisters,” said the Reverend Sharon Youngs, church pastor. The lecture-and-discussion course, which will end on February 7, is open to the public.

With about 1.6 billion followers, or 23 percent of the global population, Islam is the second-largest religion (after Christianity) by number of adherents (Muslims). According to many sources, it’s the fastest-growing major religion in the world. Most Muslims are of two denominations: Sunni (75 to 90 percent) and Shia (10 to 20 percent). [Read more…]

AAUW has fundraising holiday tea on Sunday, Dec. 13

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AAUW-Holiday-Tea

AAUW members Joanne King, Mayme Crowell, and Fay Martin are
among the hosts for the AAUW Holiday Green Tea Sunday, Dec.
13, 2015, from 3-5 p.m. in Room 102 of the Oak Ridge First Presbyterian
Church activities Building. (Submitted photo)

 

The AAUW Holiday Green Tea on Sunday will help raise money for scholarships for non-traditional female students; national fellowships, scholarships, and grants; and the AAUW Oak Ridge Branch’s Operating Fund.

The tea is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, December 13, in Room 102 of the First Presbyterian Church Activities Building in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

Funds raised from the tea will go to the Local Education Projects Fund, which provides scholarship for non-traditional women students at Roane State Community College; the tax-deductible AAUW Educational Opportunities Fund, which provides national fellowships, scholarships and grants; and the AAUW Oak Ridge Branch’s Operating Fund. [Read more…]

‘Blue Christmas’ gathering at First Presbyterian on Tuesday

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Sharon Youngs

Sharon Youngs

The holiday season can be difficult for many folks. It can be marked by sadness and disappointment. The color of Christmas for some is blue, not “merry and bright,” red and green.

Recognizing this truth, the staff of First Presbyterian Church (Oak Ridge Turnpike at Lafayette Drive) will hold the third annual Service of Memory and Hope on Tuesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

The service will provide comforting words and music for those who find the holiday season difficult.

In addition, “Everyone who desires a quiet, reflective worship experience will find it in this service,” said the Rev. Sharon Youngs, church pastor.

“It is a helpful 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,” Youngs said.

Environmental scientist to discuss radioactive waste management Oct. 26

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Ellen Smith

Ellen Smith

Ellen Smith, environmental scientist and Oak Ridge mayor pro tem, will discuss radioactive waste management on Monday, October 26.

Smith will be the featured speaker at the luncheon meeting of AAUW (American Association of University Women). The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Room 102 of the Activities Building.

Smith’s talk is scheduled to start at noon. [Read more…]