Oak Ridge Today

Christmastide Choral Festival at Grace Covenant on January 4

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The Fifth Annual Community Christmastide Choral Festival will be at the Grace Covenant Church at the Trinity Center on Robertsville Road on Sunday evening, January 4.

It’s been organized by the Rev. Rodney Parrish of Grace Covenant Church of Oak Ridge. Everyone is invited, a press release said.

“The celebration of Christmastide begins at Christmas Eve and ends 12 days later on what is traditionally called Epiphany, hence the 12 days of Christmas,” the press release said. “Many churches during this season will present choral programs of excellence. However, it is difficult for the community to be able to attend them all no matter how much they may want to. The purpose of this festival is to give the community an opportunity to close out the Christmas season with one last service of music while being able to appreciate the offerings of multiple church choirs. [Read more…]

Forum next week to focus on separation of church and state

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Paul Sharkey

Paul W. Sharkey

The separation of church and state will be the focus of a forum and panel discussion next week in Oak Ridge.

The forum starts at 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at Grace Covenant Church in the Trinity Center on Robertsville Road. It will be led by Paul W. Sharkey, a professor emeritus of philosophy and religion, a press release said.

Sharkey’s presentation is titled “Separation of Church and State: Protect Your Religious Freedom.” He will discuss the country’s founders and their position on the issue, the Constitution’s First Amendment, and the challenges to the amendment that have continued from colonial times to the present day, the release said. [Read more…]