“The Year of COVID-19” won’t be celebrated by many people, but don’t discount the innovation and creativity that continues to pop up because of the pandemic. Spirit of Abilene would like to share the innovative and creative ways that congregations, or individuals, are coping with the chaos brought about by the coronavirus. What does your “Everyday Ministry” look like during this
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By LORETTA FULTON Someday, Nathan Wright wants to put his math and science skills to work as either an aerospace or chemical engineer. For now, he’s perfectly happy using his muscles more than his brainpower to help others. Wright is one of 12 missionaries in Abilene serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Wednesday, July 22, they
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By LORETTA FULTON The Jewish High Holy Days are being observed online in Abilene this year, with in-person services being another victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. Monica J. O’Desky, cantor at Abilene’s Temple Mizpah, said in an email that she prepared recordings of both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services for members to watch. They were filmed inside the sanctuary
Read moreHOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITYOffice of Marketing and Communications The Howard Payne University Women’s Club honored Brenda Newbury and Amaya Marshall at the organization’s Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon. Newbury, former HPU first lady who currently resides in Burleson, received the prestigious Yellow Rose Award. Marshall, a junior biology major from McKinney, was the recipient of this year’s Yellow Rose Scholarship. Newbury is
Read moreEditor’s Note: Carolyn Newman is a retired music specialist and frequent writer of poetry. Her scientist husband, George, and her creative writer son, Jason, contributed to this poem. By CAROLYN NEWMAN Morning cup of coffee out on the front porch swing,George on the baritone uke and sometimes I would sing,Joined by Duke, our faithful border collieBeginning late March ’20, what
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury When someone suggests that life is difficult, there’s the temptation to ask, “Compared to what?” Actors dating back to Shakespeare have cited another comparison concerning the difficulty of making audiences laugh. They’ve said it thusly: “Dying is easy, comedy is hard.” Within a specific current context, Fletcher’s Corny Dog Pop-Up Stands are offering “bargains”
Read moreEditor’s Note: Laura Lacey Johnson is a former employee of KTXS-TV, the Community Foundation of Abilene, and Howard Payne University in Brownwood. She now lives in Missouri and is an author and creator of Christian videos. Her latest contribution follows. To see more, go to https://lauralaceyjohnson.com “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Summit 2020 will open with the first theme or worship session at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, and viewers will immediately hear and see a difference from years past. Summit, an annual event at Abilene Christian University since its founding in 1906–except for 1946–is going virtual this year because of COVID-19. Visitors who normally come to Abilene
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury It quickly became the perfect storm, powerful enough to make strong men cry. The same goes for strong women, too, but Kim Peacock, president of GNS Foods in Arlington, is doing her best to keep her family-owned specialty premium nut company afloat despite “blows to the bow” that might cause others to jump ship. Consider this:
Read moreEditor’s Note: Laura Lacey Johnson is a former employee of KTXS-TV, the Community Foundation of Abilene, and Howard Payne University in Brownwood. She now lives in Missouri and is an author and creator of Christian videos. Her latest contribution follows. To see more, go to https://lauralaceyjohnson.com “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither
Read moreJohn Whitten preached his first sermon Sept. 6 as senior pastor of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. He replaces Stan Allcorn, who served as senior pastor since 1998. Allcorn’s last Sunday as senior pastor was Aug. 29. Photos show Whitten preaching, his father, Mark Whitten, presenting him with two Bibles, and the PDBC orchestra, led by Danny Barefield. Whitten, 35, may
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