Two Summer Opportunities for Healing, Connection, and Learning!

Periodic Tables Announces a great Summer Scholarship Opportunity

In July, we will be offering a limited number of scholarship opportunities to attend the Children’s Defense Fund 2024 Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy held at the Haley Farm in Clinton, TN. This event will be held July 15th -18th, and scholarships will be offered based on need.

You might ask – why would I be interested in child advocacy? Because, as Gandhi says, “the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” Do you agree children are one of our society’s most vulnerable members? If you say “YES” this institute will be for you.

During the 4-day event participants will:

— Learn how religious texts (the religious teaching is ecumenical) can be instructive on how to live a just and loving life.

—  Experience inspirational sermons.

— Attend panels on various policy topics and attend workshops that expand our understanding of justice.

—  Participate in open mic sessions allowing participants time to share what has been important to them during the sessions.

The event starts at noon on Monday, July 15th with lunch and concludes on Thursday, July 18th with lunch. If you are interested in attending this life changing experience, and would like a scholarship, please complete the application form, at this link, and return it to David Allred @ davidallredonline@gmail.com by June 20, 2024.

Eligibility Requirements for Scholarship Opportunity:

  • Live, work, or belong to an organization located here in Oak Ridge

  • Interest in social justice

  • Able to attend at least one day, and hopefully all, of the four-day program

  • Willing to be challenged – (some sermons will be hard edged and challenging)

  • Interest in taking your social justice practices to the next level

Join us in July for this incredible opportunity. Scholarship resources are limited, so please apply early. Thank you!

Beginning Thursday, June 20:  Another Round of Racial Bridging Conversations

We finished April with a SOLD-OUT Atomic Hope Bus Tour, which was incredibly exciting. A wonderful time was had by all as we toured our shared history, with a special emphasis on African American experiences and contributions to our area. Many stayed for sandwiches and fellowship as we celebrated Scarboro Community Day as well. A great springtime bridging event for sure.

We’re following that important look backward to our history with a kickoff conversation designed to help us see the present and the future. On Thursday, June 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 we will enjoy dinner and conversation as we begin round two of our racial bridging journey.

Our goal in this second series is to go a little deeper, maybe even into some hard topics asking questions such as – What does racism look like in our community today? Why is there so much of a push around anti-racism, and what even is it? What is Critical Race Theory that makes it so controversial, and can I still be an ally of social justice if CRT makes me uncomfortable?  

This next round of dinners is really seeking to maximize diversity in the room, not just along the markers of race and identity, but also political leanings. How can we, despite our differences, work together to end racism in our community?

Join us as we begin this new series of conversations, one each month in June, July, and August. Our first dinner, Thursday June 20 at 6:00 PM will be held at the Historic Grove Theater, located at 123 Randolph Road. Please RSVP below!

We believe these two great opportunities coming over the summer will strengthen our bonds of connection, increasingly give us a shared vocabulary for addressing difficult topics, and prepare a network of people ready to come together in moments of rupture that so often tear communities apart.

We invite you to join us on the journey as we create brave space together, enriching our community with conversation and training resources to take us to the next level!