Oak Ridge Today

ORCMA 2015-2016 season starts Sept. 26 with Haydn, Handel

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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 Civic Music Association’s season starts September 26 with a concert that features music by Handel and Haydn.

“If variety really is the spice of life, music lovers will especially enjoy the 71st season of the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association for 2015-2016 because music director Dan Allcott has planned a season of Baroque to Modern, American Salute to English Invasion, and more,” a press release said.

The opening concert will include Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 “London,” performed by the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. Then, Oak Ridge Chorus will join the symphony in singing Handel’s Coronation Anthem, “Zadok the Priest,” which will be directed by Seth Maples, the chorus conductor. The soloist for the evening, Wesley Baldwin, cello professor at the University of Tennessee, will perform Elgar’s beloved “Cello Concerto in A minor.” [Read more…]

Model residential drug recovery court showing success, attorney says

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Brad MacLean and Bob Cantrell

Brad McLean, left, program director of the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court, welcomes the commitment of Rev. Bob Cantrell and Presbyterians to help residents “reconnect with the community.” (Submitted photo)

 

By Carolyn Krause

The United States has a broken criminal justice system and a huge drug addiction epidemic, and the country leads the world in the number of people who are in prisons and jails. More than half of released prisoners re-offend and return to prison within three years.

Brad MacLean, an award-winning Nashville attorney and opponent of the death penalty who lives in Clinton, decided more than two years ago to help combat these major issues. He created and is supervising the nation’s first statewide residential drug recovery court, a pilot program and potential model for other states. On August 1, 2013, the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court opened at the Morgan County Correctional Complex, a state prison for men.

MacLean, who had volunteered in Judge Seth Norman’s residential drug court for Davidson County inmates, is program director at the Morgan County residential recovery court for nonviolent, drug-addicted felons across the state. [Read more…]

FUMC offers Divorce Recovery Group for adults

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Divorce is a difficult time and often traumatizing. Feelings can be overwhelming, and it is easy to get stuck in denial, anger, fear, and loneliness. First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, is offering a Divorce Recovery Group on Wednesdays, August 12-September 16, from 6-7:30 p.m. for adults who have experienced a recent or not-so-recent divorce or the end of a relationship.

The group will provide adults a safe, supportive community in which to express and explore the many reactions that come in the aftermath of divorce. Adults can share their experiences, struggles, concerns, sorrows, fears, anger, joys, hopes, and dreams to the level of their own comfort. Meetings will be in a relaxed informal setting. There is no cost for participation except for a $5 fee for class materials, which include “Rebuilding When the Relationship Ends” by Bruce Fisher and will be available at the first session. Scholarships are available for the materials if needed. [Read more…]

Agape House offers homeless a temporary home

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Jim Henry Power Washing an Agape Property

Jim Henry washing an Agape property. (Submitted photos)

 

The Agape House…has been a sanctuary for us and made us feel normal again. I cannot believe we are finally coming out of this unbelievable nightmare we have been living…You have taken tattered lives and sewn them back together with love and kindness. I will carry you in my heart forever. — A temporary resident of Agape House

The Agape House resident who wrote this letter was a military veteran who became seriously ill just as her husband lost his job. Facing medical bills without health insurance led to bankruptcy and left the couple homeless, an unexpected situation that created their unbelievable nightmare.

After one month in the temporary residence established to help the homeless get their lives in order, the couple began to stitch their lives back together again. They were among nine individuals or families who found temporary shelter at Agape House of Oak Ridge in 2014, when the nonprofit began offering shelter for the homeless. Each of them is now permanently housed.

“They are struggling, yes, because these things don’t get fixed in six months. But they are housed, plugged into the resources they need and working toward self-sufficiency,” said Michael McCutcheon, who with his wife Lynn Ross founded Agape House in 2013. [Read more…]

Grammy-winning guitarist plays with Oak Ridge Symphony on Saturday

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Jason Vieaux

Jason Vieaux

Grammy-winning guitar virtuoso Jason Vieaux will play in Oak Ridge on Saturday.

He will play Antonio Vivaldi’s “Guitar Concerto in D major,” Malcolm Arnold’s “Serenade for Guitar and Strings,” and the “Allegro Maestoso” from Mauro Giuliani’s “Concerto in A,” a press release said.

Vieaux will perform with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra at the First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge. The concert is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7.

The concert, conducted by Music Director Dan Allcott, will also feature J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 1” and Frederick Delius’ “Air and Dance.” [Read more…]

Photos: Community leaders sleep outside to raise awareness of homelessness

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Pastor Steve Sherman with Homeless Sign

Pastor Steve Sherman of First Christian Church is pictured above at a camp-out on a cold Thursday night at First United Methodist Church that was intended to raise awareness of homelessness. (Photos by James Lewis) 

 

Several community leaders camped out Thursday night at First United Methodist Church to raise awareness of homelessness. The volunteers also collected linens and personal care items for the upcoming Warming Center project and brought attention to the need for volunteers to help with the Point in Time Count.

Here are photos by James Lewis.

The community was invited to come out to support the sleep-out participants from 6-7 p.m. Thursday (January 15), and local homeless providers were expected to talk about their agencies and what they are providing to homeless individuals in the community. [Read more…]

Cumberland Piano Trio plays at First United Methodist on Sunday, Jan. 18

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Cumberland Piano Trio

Cumberland Piano Trio

The Cumberland Piano Trio will play at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 18.

“Oak Ridge Symphony’’s own piano trio (violinist Susan Eddlemon, cellist Dan Allcott, and pianist Emi Kagawa) join forces with New York composer Larry Spivack to present an exciting program, including a new work commemorating Oak Ridge’’s Spallation Neutron Source,” organizers said. “The program also includes Spivack’s ‘“Suite from ‘‘Puss in Boots’’ Ballet” and Schubert’’s “Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major.”

The concert is presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association. See the ORCMA website for more information.

Cold hands, warm hearts: Leaders to sleep outside to raise awareness of homelessness

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Several community leaders will spend the night of Thursday, January 15, sleeping outside at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge to raise awareness of homelessness and to collect linens and personal care items for the upcoming Warming Center project and bring attention to the need for volunteers to help with the Point in Time Count.

The community is invited to participate by coming out to support the sleep-out participants from 6-7 p.m. Thursday. There will be a free soup dinner. All community members are invited to attend.

Local homeless providers will be present to talk about their agencies and what they are providing to homeless individuals in our community. Information on the warming center project and the Point in Time Count will also be available. [Read more…]

Church Women United has lunchtime book review on Friday

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Church Women United resumes its lunchtime series of programs on Friday, September 5, with a book review of “Year of Plenty” by Craig L. Goodwin. The program will be held in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The hall is most easily accessed from the Vienna Road entrance.

Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m. with refreshments, followed by a brief meeting and program at noon. The public is welcome to attend, a press release said.

Church Women United is a national volunteer ecumenical women’s movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

First United Methodist will simulcast Bible teacher, author on Sept. 13

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Beth Moore Living Proof Simulcast

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will simulcast well-known Bible teacher and best-selling author Beth Moore live from Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 13, for the Oak Ridge area.

An estimated 250,000 women around the world are expected to participate in this live Internet streaming event, which will feature Moore’s dynamic storytelling and passionate Bible teaching in a down-to-earth style that is relevant to women’s lives, a press release said.

Moore has authored dozens of Bible studies, books, and devotionals specifically for women for nearly two decades. Moore’s organization, Living Proof Ministries, is based out of Houston.

“We want to welcome all women in the Oak Ridge area, no matter your faith background, to this free simulcast,” said the Rev. Crystal Smith, associate pastor at First United Methodist Church. “We hope the day will bless you and strengthen your walk in faith, and that through this event, we’ll be a blessing to other women as well.” [Read more…]

Combined choirs to sing ‘Sunrise Mass’ Sunday

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Anna Thomas and Andrew Duncan

Anna Thomas, FPC music director, will conduct the first half of the concert, and Andrew Duncan, FUMC music director, will conduct the four-movement “Sunrise Mass.” (Submitted photo)

The combined choirs of First Presbyterian and First United Methodist churches will sing the “Sunrise Mass” by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo during a concert on Sunday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

String players from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and FUMC’s Sandi Henry on piano will accompany the choirs. The 32-minute symphony mass will be performed in the second half of the concert.

The first half of the concert will include choral music by various composers, including “Ave Verum Corpus” by W.A. Mozart, Dan Forrest’s setting of John Wesley’s “Covenant Prayer,” and Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of Isaac Watts’ version of Psalm 23, as well as works by Kevin Siegfried, Philip R. Dietterich, and Stephen Paulus. [Read more…]

Myricks to be honored for ‘lifetime of commitment’ on April 29

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Tim Myrick and Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity

Tim Myrick, back row second from left, is pictured taking a lunch break during a build with college students who come during spring break every year to participate in Habitat builds. (Photos by Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County)

He’s helped build every one of the 58 homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County since it started in 1992 and served on the board. He helped plan and oversee renovations at the Oak Ridge High School, been a member of the Red Cross Disaster Relief team, and along with his wife, grown thousands of Christmas trees that were donated to the American Cancer Society and Holiday Bureau for fundraising.

In recognition of their work, Tim and Teresa Myrick will be honored this month for their “lifetime of commitment to the people of Oak Ridge and Anderson County.” The reception will be hosted by Habitat for Humanity, and it is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex. [Read more…]