Oak Ridge Today

Children’s mental health film screening in Oak Ridge on May 7

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Sharon Boudreaux "Hear Our Voices" Poster

Sharon Boudreaux, member of the Grace Lutheran Church Mental Health Ministry team, puts up a “Hear Our Voices” poster. (Submitted photo)

 

In observance of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, the award-wining documentary, “Hear Our Voices: Transforming the Children’s Mental Health System,” will be shown at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the Pollard Auditorium on the Oak Ridge Associated Universities campus at 120 Badger Road. The screening is free and open to the public.

“Hear Our Voices” recounts the journeys of nine children and young people as they fight to overcome mental health issues and reach a place of recovery and wellness. Their stories are framed by comments from leading mental health professionals, who outline the need for change in children’s mental health care, a press release said.

As seen in the film trailer, one story features Naquisha, a 16-year old poet, who, “despite drive and ambition,” is held back by the mental health challenges of bi-polar and post-traumatic stress disorders. Given the opportunity to gather a network of support around herself, she is “taking control of her life and making plans for college and beyond.” [Read more…]

Free Mental Health workshop at Grace Lutheran on Saturday

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“Art Therapy and Mental Health” is an interactive and hands-on workshop that will be hosted by the Grace Lutheran Church Mental Health Ministry on Saturday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m.  The church is located at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The workshop is free and open to the public.

The program will be presented by community counselors Emma C. Burgin and Amanda DeDiego, both of whom are doctoral students in counselor education at the University of Tennessee. [Read more…]

Vietnam veterans to discuss services for vets March 21

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Combat veterans can face a number of mental health-related issues upon coming home. Problems such as post traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety can be debilitating and affect both veterans and their families. These can surface immediately upon a veteran’s return or even decades later.

On Saturday, March 21, Vietnam veterans Ed Junod and Freddie Owens of the Knoxville Regional Veterans Mental Health Council will discuss services available to veterans such as peer support, court treatment program assistance, recovery groups, and more. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has Pet Fest, Blessing, 5k Run/Walk on Saturday

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Pet Blessing

A file photo from a previous pet blessing.

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For all who love animals, Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge presents the 13th annual Pet Fest and Blessing on Saturday, October 4.

Activities commence with the Pets are Blessings 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. at Melton Lake.

More festivities follow at the church from 1-5 p.m. The church is located at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in the Woodland neighborhood. Parking will be available for the mobility-impaired at the church or in the Woodland Elementary School parking lot behind the church. (Follow the pink puppy paw print signs!)

For the second year, the church is offering a 5k run/walk at Melton Lake at 8 a.m. This year, the Pets are Blessings 5K Run/Walk will invite humans to run with their dogs, if desired. [Read more…]

Mindfulness meditation program in Oak Ridge on Saturday

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Claudio Barrientos

Claudio Barrientos

Claudio Barrientos, director of the Mindful Center in Knoxville, will present a program on mindfulness meditation on Saturday, June 7, at Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge. The free 90-minute program, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the fellowship hall, is hosted by the church’s Mental Health Ministry Team.

Grace Lutheran Church is located at 131 W. Gettysburg Ave.

Barrientos will introduce ways to incorporate a few minutes of meditation in one’s daily life to help with many health issues, a press release said. The teachings are non-religious and evidence-based, rooted in the latest science of the mind, body, and brain, according to notes from Barrientos about the program. [Read more…]

Church Women United to highlight state, national developments during Friday lunch

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Church Women United will have the second meeting of its new lunchtime series in Oak Ridge on Friday. The meeting will focus on state and national development in Church Women United.

The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Friday with a reception with refreshments at Grace Lutheran Church, which is at 131 W. Gettysburg Ave. in Woodland. There will be short meeting at noon, followed by the program. The program will finish in time for attendees to return to work or attend other events at 1 p.m., a press release said.

Past Tennessee state president Donna Mosby will highlight developments at the state and national levels in a presentation titled “Church Women United in Action,” the release said. Visitors are encouraged to drop in and stay however long they can. Brown bag lunches are welcome! For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

English classes for speakers of other languages to start Wednesday

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English classes for speakers of other languages will be offered free of charge at Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge beginning Wednesday.

The classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. A key orientation and assessment session is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. It’s required and will place students at appropriate class levels, a press release said.

Grace Lutheran is participating in the classes as a member of the newly formed ESOL Community and Clinch Valley Collaborative, the release said. [Read more…]

Reunirse con nosotros para practicar la conversación inglés (Spanish version)

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Únase a nosotros para conversar inglés, café y aperativos.

Cuidado a los niños y ayuda con las tareas escolares para los niños en edad escolar (edades 6-10) estarán disponibles.

Clases de inglés formales comenzarán en enero de 2014.

Para mas información llame a 865-483-3787. [Read more…]

English conversation evening on Wednesday at Grace Lutheran

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Grace Lutheran Church is having its second English conversation evening on Wednesday evening.

It’s scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, which is at 131 W. Gettysburg Ave. in Oak Ridge.

“Join us for conversation, coffee, and snacks,” a press release said. Child care will be available, and there will be homework help for school-age children from 6-10. [Read more…]

Saturday open house offers information on Affordable Care Act

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Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge will host an open house on Saturday to provide information about getting insurance via the Affordable Care Act, sometimes called “Obamacare.”

The open house is from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

“Although the deadline for individuals to sign up has been extended to Dec. 23, time is getting short for those who wish to have insurance that takes effect as of Jan. 1,” a press release said.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the new health care act is invited to attend this educational event, especially those who need to get health insurance in the new Marketplace, the release said. Both printed information and computers to get online resources will be available to those attending, as well as individual assistance. [Read more…]

Open house offers information on Affordable Care Act on Saturday

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ACA Volunteer Jim Nelson

Affordable Care Act Volunteer Jim Nelson is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

An open house to provide information about the Affordable Care Act, sometimes called “Obamacare,” will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodland.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the new health care act is invited to attend this educational event, especially those who need to get health insurance in the new marketplace. Those attending will be able to access both printed information and computers to get online resources, a press release said.

Community volunteers, including some experienced with the Tennessee Health Care Coalition, will be present to make sure their neighbors have access to affordable, quality health care, and accurate information about the ACA, the release said. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has Reach Out Music Festival on Sunday

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Ridge City Ramblers

Members of the Ridge City Ramblers, who will play at the Reach Out Music Festival at Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday, are, from left, Gary Coleman, Mary Tuskan, Scott Linn, Abbie Hoerner, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Steve Reddick. (File photo/submitted)

Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge has its 8th annual Reach Out Music Festival on Sunday.

The community is invited to enjoy the 3 p.m. concert at the church, which is located at 131 West Gettysburg Ave., a press release said. The festival will feature local bluegrass and Americana group, the Ridge City Ramblers, who have been picking together since 2010.

Two choirs will also be performing: Grace Lutheran under the direction of Paula Smith, and Church of the Resurrection under the direction of Ruben Weaver. Audience participation is encouraged, but not required, the release said. [Read more…]