Oak Ridge Today

Service of Psalms on Apr. 2 at First United Methodist Church

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Choir directors Seth O’Kegley (FUMC) and Anna Thomas (FPC), as well as organist Simon Hogg (SSEC) chat while composer John Purifoy plays piano. (Submitted photo)

Choir directors Seth O’Kegley (FUMC) and Anna Thomas (FPC), as well as organist Simon Hogg (SSEC) chat while composer John Purifoy plays piano. (Submitted photo)

 

Six choirs, with members from three states, will perform in the third and last Service of Psalms for the Lenten season, which will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The service will consist of reflections by local pastors and choral and instrumental performances of psalms selected for Lent that have been set to music by Knoxville composer John Purifoy, a press release said.

An offering collected during the service will be donated to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachia. ADFAC, an independent nonprofit agency located in Oak Ridge that is celebrating its 30th anniversary, serves the basic needs of primarily low-income residents in Anderson and surrounding Appalachian counties.

Running from Ash Wednesday to Easter, Lent is a season in the church year that is marked by an examination of one’s personal faith and spiritual journey.

Steve Boyce, cantor, will sing solo verses or passages to which the choir and congregation will respond. [Read more…]

Taizé service planned at FUMC this evening

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As part of the Lenten series, “Seeking God: Exploring Prayer, Scripture, and Faith,” this Sunday evening, March 26, First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will host a meditative service of scripture, prayer, and song in the style of the Taizé community in France.

Taizé worship service involves sung and chanted prayers, meditation, periods of silence, liturgical readings, and icons. The style of prayer practiced at Taizé has attracted many worshipers from around the globe and from many different denominations. The prayers consist of short chants, repeated again and again. The words are sung over many times inviting the worshiper to experience prayer as a receiver, instead of a requester.

You are invited to join for this experience, Sunday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. The church is located at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike. All are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Seth O’Kegley, director of music and worship, at sokegley@fumcor.org or (865) 483-4357.

Register today: Love and Logic parenting class at First United Methodist on Feb. 26

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Would you like to learn how to never argue with your kids again? Then join us at First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, from 3:30-5:30 pm on Sunday, February 26, for our Love and Logic parenting class.

This class will be led by Holly Roe, a certified love and logic instructor. Roe is a well-known children’s ministries director, and she has a passion for helping parents and families.

The cost for materials is $20 per person. [Read more…]

Wildcat track pancake breakfast is Saturday, Feb. 18

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Members of the Oak Ridge Wildcat track team are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Members of the Oak Ridge Wildcat track team are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats track team has a pancake breakfast on Saturday, February 18. The pancake breakfast is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. February 18 at First United Methodist Church, which is near Oak Ridge High School.

Tickets are $5 and now available from any team member or at the door the day of the breakfast.

“So join us and have a short stack for a tall cause and thank you for supporting the Wildcat track team!” a press release said.

Community-wide Valentine’s Dance at First United Methodist on Feb. 11

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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 has its Third Annual Community-wide Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, February 11.

The Valentine’s Day dance is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. February 11 in the Multipurpose Room at First United Methodist Church, which is at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“Come dressed to impress for a fun-filled night of dancing and fellowship!” a press release said.

Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Civic Music Association has new choral director

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Jaclyn Johnson

Jaclyn Johnson

 

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association has a new choral director, Jaclyn Johnson.

A press release said Johnson has made it her life goal to share her passion for music with ensembles and audiences around the world. Before completing her doctoral degree in choral conducting at the University of Michigan, Johnson had a thriving career as a high school choral educator and church musician, the press release said.

Ensembles under her direction have received numerous honors and awards, including performances at the American Choral Directors Association National Conference (2011), Western Division Conference (2010), and Central Division Conference (2014), the press release said. In 2014, Johnson represented the United States as an international exchange conductor to China. She is currently the associate director of choral activities at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

“I am honored to be the new choral director for ORCMA and to work with such brilliant individuals,” Johnson said in the press release. “Oak Ridge has a rich and unique musical history, and I aspire to further this excellence with inspiring and exciting programs. We welcome any new members who have a passion for singing!” [Read more…]

Divorce Recovery Group being offered at First United Methodist Church

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Ellen Hitchcock

Ellen Hitchcock

A Divorce Recovery Group is being offered at First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, for anyone who has experienced a recent or not-so-recent divorce. The group will begin on Wednesday, February 1, from 6-7:30 p.m., and will meet for six Wednesdays through March 8.

The group will provide people a safe, supportive community in which to express and explore the many reactions that come in the aftermath of divorce. People can share their experiences, struggles, concerns, sorrows, fears, anger, joy, hopes, and dreams to the level of their own comfort, a press release said. Meetings will be in a relaxed informal setting. There is no cost for participation, however, there is a $5 material fee. [Read more…]

First United Methodist offers free community meals

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First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge is pictured above at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and North Tulane Avenue. (Photo courtesy Jeff Kile)

 

During the month of December, First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge hosted a free community dinner to any and all people in our community who were in need of a home-cooked meal. No questions, no hoops, no requirements…just a time of delicious food and heartfelt fellowship with whomever decided to wander into our doors, a press release said.

Beginning this month, the church, located at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, is going to begin regularly hosting a free community meal on the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room. [Read more…]

First United Methodist Church celebrates renovation in open house Sunday

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A new cross is installed at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge in November 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

First United Methodist Church has an open house today to celebrate a recent renovation.

The open house is from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, January 8.

During the $600,000 renovation, the church upgraded audio visuals in both worship spaces, erected two new signs, and completely renovated the youth loft, second floor restrooms, hallways, welcome center, and classrooms. [Read more…]

First United Methodist announces two new staff members: Rev. Rachel Witt, Seth O’Kegley

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The Rev. Rachel Witt, new associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

The Rev. Rachel Witt, new associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge has announced that two new staff members will be joining the church’s ministry team on July 1. The Rev. Rachel Witt will be assuming the position of associate pastor, and Seth O’Kegley will begin serving as music director. Their first Sunday in worship with the congregation will be July 3.

Originally from Kingsport, Witt has a bachelor’s degree in religion and a minor in music from Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia. She graduated in May with a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She has served as a clergy intern at Church Street United Methodist in Knoxville and at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

Her experience also includes working as a counselor at Buffalo Mountain Camp outside Johnson City and as a summer youth ministry intern with the Holston Conference United Methodist Church based in Alcoa. Witt will be sharing in preaching and pastoral care responsibilities and will also provide leadership in outreach to young adults as well as various other ministries, a press release said.

A native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, O’Kegley has a bachelor’s degree in music education from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. He graduated in May with a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. [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…]

Oak Ridge Symphony performs Saturday

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Oak Ridge Symphony with Dan Allcott

The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra is pictured above with conductor Dan Allcott. (Photo by ORCMA)

 

The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra will perform this Saturday. The “Baroque to Modern” concert will feature Telemann’s “Don Quixote,” Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.”

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. The church is at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The concert is free to all students 18 and under, and special discount tickets are available to young adults, 19-29.

“It will be a fun, family-friendly concert—all are welcome!” organizers said. [Read more…]