Oak Ridge Today

Community invited to ‘Messiah Sing-a-Long’ events

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Members of the community who love to sing are encouraged to come and be part of the chorus at the sixth annual “Messiah Sing-a-Long.” It will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

It will also be held on Saturday, December 3, at 7 p.m. at the Norris United Methodist Church located in Norris at 62 Ridgeway Road. Music lovers are invited to either free performance, a press release said.

Both performances will be presented by the Tri-County Community Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Sandy Wells. Members of the choir will sing the arias, and audience members will be invited to join the choir in singing the chorus parts from portions of Handel’s “Messiah,” the classic most associated with the Christmas season. Music will be provided for early-arriving audience members who wish to sing. [Read more…]

Community invited to Breakfast for Dinner free community meal Friday

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The Stone Soup Ministry team at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will be firing up the griddle instead of filling up soup pots for a special free community meal Friday, October 28, from 5-6 p.m. Everyone is invited to the breakfast for dinner meal that will include pancakes and bacon along with fresh fruit, and milk, all provided by Kroger, a press release said. The October meal marks the start of the seventh year of the ministry.

Dine-in or takeout will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Social Hall of the church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light number #2) in Oak Ridge.

“We are so grateful to our community partner Kroger for supplying the food for the October meal and for helping it to become a community tradition. This is the fourth year they have donated the food,” said program coordinator Jinx Watson. “Throughout the year they also provide fresh fruit to serve at our meals, something our diners really enjoy.” [Read more…]

Headrick to discuss individual, collective climate solutions at ORUUC

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Climate activist Mary Headrick, a doctor, will discuss the importance of both collective actions and “next steps” attendees can take can take to effectively reduce the carbon footprint on Thursday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. The program is free and open to the public. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

“Our nation has heard reports of quadrupled extreme weather disasters, rising sea levels, rising global temperatures, and disruption of water, food, and animal cycles due to a man-made climate crisis,” Headrick said in a press release. She will show attendees how to calculate their own carbon dioxide, or CO2, tonnage with and without both big “bang for the buck” changes and small changes, too. She suggests things as knowing your utility bill’s kilowatt-hours (kWh) and your gallons of gas per tankful (each gallon becomes 20 pounds of CO2). [Read more…]

ORUUC Stone Soup Free CommUUnity Meal celebrates six years today

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The community is invited to join in the celebration of the sixth birthday of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Stone Soup Free CommUUnity Meal on Friday, September 30.

Volunteers will serve a homemade meal of Southern style cornbread and pinto beans with, of course, birthday cake for dessert! Dine in or take out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

“While many of our guests are our food insecure neighbors, we want to start our seventh year making sure that we emphasize that the community meal is open to anyone who would like to come,” said program coordinator Jinx Watson. “There are a lot of connections that are made, not only among the guests, but also among the guests and the team. We enjoy dining with them and love the opportunity to celebrate someone’s birthday, hear news about their families, and build friendships. For some, attending is as much about the welcoming atmosphere as it is about the meal. We miss folks if they don’t come and are concerned about how they are doing.” [Read more…]

Mother Goose, a program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, returns to Oak Ridge

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After a short hiatus, the Mother Goose interactive program for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers has returned to Oak Ridge. Sessions are held on the first and third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. with leader Father Goose Michael Raymond and his little sidekick, son Benjamin. The first session was held on Thursday, September 1. Due a previous scheduled event in September only, the second session will be held on the fourth Thursday, September 22. There is no cost.

Mother Goose of Oak Ridge meets in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, or ORUUC, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, next to Summit Medical.

Mother Goose is a group experience that focuses on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, simple songs, rhythmic activities, musical circle games, parachute play, and more for parents and their babies and young children. [Read more…]

Bargains galore at Church Rummage Sale on Friday, Saturday

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will have its popular semi-annual rummage sale on Friday, September 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, September 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a press release said. Bargain hunters have come to rely on the low prices for much-needed or desired items, the release said.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Proceeds raised will help to support various ministries of the church, the press release said.

Shop the sale and find very low prices for linens, kitchenware, small appliances, furniture, home décor items, DVDs, CDs, books, baby items, toys, tools, athletic equipment, garden equipment, low cost computers, TVs, and other electronic devices, the press release said.

For many shoppers, the sale is highly anticipated for renewing and refurbishing the wardrobe for the entire family, the release said. Clothing, shoes, and accessories will be available. [Read more…]

Summer menu starts at Unitarian Universalist Church free community meal on Friday

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The “it’s too hot for soup” summer-style menu will start at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Stone Soup free community meal on Friday, June 24. The homemade meal will include ham sandwiches, smashed potato salad, brownies, and fresh fruit.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday. An assortment of nonperishable family friendly groceries will be available for free to anyone in need.

“For some, attending is as much about the friendly atmosphere as it is about the meal. Everyone is welcome,” coordinator Jinx Watson said. The Stone Soup free community meal is offered on the final Friday of each month. [Read more…]

Art gallery opens at ORUUC on Sunday

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

A new art exhibit space will open to the public on Sunday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. The opening exhibit is a retrospective of Oak Ridge artist Kristina Henderson Holland, who is also a member of ORUUC.

The exhibition and opening reception are organized by ORUUC’s Art Display Team.

Kristina Henderson Holland studied art at New York’s Adelphi University and Fashion Institute of Technology, including studying abroad in London. The ORUUC retrospective exhibit features 20 of her works, including 10 Tennessee landscape paintings. [Read more…]

Today: ‘Evening of Rhythm and Song’ at Oak Ridge UU Church

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The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will present an “Evening of Rhythm and Song” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18.

“Percussion Ensemble Heritage O.P. and the First UU Nashville Choir, led by Rev. Jason Shelton, will join together to present an evening of music that will make your spirit sing and your body groove,” a press release said. “The concert will be held in the sanctuary, and will, by design, morph into a party in the Social Hall. You do not want to miss what promises to be a fantastic evening!”

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door, with a $3 discount for students and seniors. Advance tickets are available on line at oruuc.org/events. For more information, call the church office at (865) 483-6761.

Free Christmas Day dinner at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

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ORUUC-Stone-Soup-Ministry-Team-December-2015

Members of the ORUUC Stone Soup Ministry team are ready to prepare a special free Community Christmas Day Dinner on Friday, December 25. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church has a free Christmas Day Dinner on Friday, December 25, and everyone is invited, a press release said.

The menu includes Honey Baked Ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert, and fruit.

Dine in or take-out will be available in the ORUUC Social Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, the press release said.

The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

ORUUC Annual Holiday Craft Fair is Sunday

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

A tradition in the community and a holiday favorite, the Craft Fair has become a source of inspiration and a place of diversity for those “one of a kind” gifts on one’s gift giving list, a press release said. Featured will be work of some of the region’s finest artisans working with glass, clay, wood, quilts, and other hand sewn items, and photographs.

A percentage of the sales will benefit the Senior High class. The class will hold a fund raiser lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information call the ORUUC church office at (865) 483-6761.

ORUUC rummage sale this weekend

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

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Bargain hunters have come to rely on the low prices for much-needed or desired items at the upcoming Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Rummage Sale. It will be held Friday, October 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Proceeds raised will help to support various ministries of the church.

Along with the necessities such as linens, kitchenware, small appliances, furniture, home décor items, clothing, shoes, and accessories for the entire family, there will be DVDs, CDs, children’s books, baby items, toys, tools, athletic equipment, plants, low-cost computers, and other electronic devices, all in working order.

Silent auction items including a work bench with a lathe, drill press, and grinder; table saws; pianos; and a brass bed frame. The Boutique will feature art, designer wear, and collectibles. Prices are doubled on Friday evening for the preview sale.

“Being advocates for recycling and repurposing, this sale saves items from loading our landfills, and instead finds a home with someone who can reuse it.” said Betsy Bauer, who for more than two decades has been the sale organizer.

For more information call the Church office at (865) 483-6761.