Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center at St. Andrews will host members of the Oak Ridge Environmental and Peace Alliance for a presentation and conversation titled: "Challenging God: A Theological Approach to Nuclear Disarmament" on Thursday, at 7 pm.
The Rev. Ralph Hutchison, coordinator of Oak Ridge Environmental and Peace Alliance, and Denny Kelly, a member of Church of the Savior UCC in Knoxville and vice president of Oak Ridge Environmental and Peace Alliance, will be leading the event.
The threat of nuclear weapons, described by the Indian writer Arundhati Roy as “humankind’s challenge to God, worded quite simply: "We have the power to destroy everything you have created,” is greater now than it has ever been.
Yet with few exceptions, officials said, the church is silent. During this presentation and conversation, the group will examine the reality of the nuclear threat today and the imperative of the church, informed by a theology of gratitude and compassion, to speak as disciples of Jesus Christ and to seek answers to the question, "What can communities of faith do?"
The program will be in the sanctuary and vegan refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.