How to HelpBob Cheatheam, pastor of Pleasant Hills Country Church, is preparing a “Sober House” for four recovering addicts that will open in the fall. He is remodeling a trailer house in Pleasant Hills Mobile Home Park, located near his church, and is in need of donations, including a stove, refrigerator, water heater, and linoleum or tiles. All appliances must
Read more
By DANNY MINTON I’ve recently seen several posts that depict shameful events in amateur baseball, from Little League to college. One video showed a catcher intentionally throwing a ball at the batter’s face. The results were that the catcher was barred from playing, and the coach was placed on suspension. Another video showed a catcher jumping to the side so
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS An instructor friend in the religion department got in trouble with administrators because of a teaching technique that is potentially harmful, but overall positive. Despite his problems, I believe it is the way by which God wants us to learn and grow. Learning and growing are not completely positive events when they are in the process of
Read more
Abilene is filled with houses of worship but most Abilenians are familiar with the inside of only a handful. A periodic feature in Spirit of Abilene will give you an “Insider’s View” of some of those places you may have driven by many times but never entered. By LORETTA FULTON Father Innocent Eziefule, a native of Nigeria, was ordained a
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS He hoped he had put on enough antiperspirant/deodorant that morning. He was facing one of the periodic daunting challenges of being a graduate student. In this case, he was seated on one side of the conference table and three of his professors were opposite him. There were no rules; they could ask him any questions they wished.
Read more
By DANNY MINTON There is a business sign in Nottingham, England, that reads: “We have been established for over 100 years and have been pleasing and displeasing customers ever since. We have made money and lost money and suffered the effects of coal nationalization, coal rationing, government control, and bad payers. We have been cussed and discussed, messed about, lied
Read more
Hardin-Simmons University recently honored its faculty and staff members of the year. Dr. Jennifer Eames is the 2022-2023 Faculty Member of the Year. Elizabeth Torres is the Staff Member of the Year. Torres is Payroll Manager and Assistant Director of Human Resources. Eames is Director of the Physician Assistant Program. Dr. Jennifer Eames Elizabeth Torres with HSU President Eric Bruntmyer
Read more
Vacation Bible SchoolTo list your church’s Vacation Bible School or summer family activity, send information to editor@spiritofabilene.com By LORETTA FULTON If you’re looking for adventure this summer, look no further than the closest church. Many Abilene churches will be hosting Vacation Bible School sessions with alluring themes like “Wild Life,” “Twists and Turns,” “Stellar,” and “God’s Super Heroes.” You don’t
Read more
By DANNY MINTON. Over the past few years, I have lost several friends who have, in some way or another, been an influence in my life. Each one touched a part of my life that made me a better person or at least had me thinking about things more deeply. My mind will play the reruns of our lives together
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Abilenians will have at least two opportunities for public celebrations on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. The first will begin at 9 a.m. at Elmwood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 5750 U.S. Highway 277 South. The following is part of a welcome message on the funeral home website: “Whether you have a personal connection to the military
Read more
Editor’s Note: The following is from Glenn Dromgoole’s book, “Just Happy to Be Here,” a collection of “words to encourage, enlighten, entertain.” The book is available at Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress St. By GLENN DROMGOOLE I have never been asked to give a commencement address and probably will never be invited, but I have given it some thought.
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Prayers of university presidents and school superintendents for commencement exercises to be executed as planned often are short-circuited. Some leaders are extremists–the kind who decree that neither blaring air horns nor unseemly yells will be tolerated. Their wish is for “pomp” to be exceeded only by “circumstance.” Often, they experience countless “slips ‘twixt cup
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK There are so many possible answers to that question. A popular song has a great answer: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” I certainly wouldn’t argue with that suggestion. Love can forgive many sins and transgressions and would go a long way toward calming the world’s turbulence. I have given the question a lot
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS At first glance or encounter, a labyrinth seems to be a maze; it is a path with twists and turns seeming to go nowhere. On closer attention, however, one realizes it is a path leading eventually to the center. Their meditative value is that they mimic the varying positions of life, eventually leading to a center of
Read moreState Department officials continued to point to religious freedom atrocities in Russia, China and Afghanistan as they released their annual report on threats to religious liberties across the globe. Read article
Read more
By DANNY MINTON “How do you tie your shoes?” That’s one of those questions you can go through your entire adult life and never be asked unless it’s by your child. So I’ll ask again, “How do you tie your shoes?” I interlace them once, form a loop with my left hand, and use my right-hand track around the left
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON St. James United Methodist Church will be getting a new pastor this summer, while St. Paul UMC will be getting an associate pastor. The two churches are the only remaining United Methodist congregations in Abilene. Other local congregations have disaffiliated from the UMC and have joined the conservative Global Methodist Church, which launched May 1, 2022. Among
Read moreChurches and libraries have some overlapping roles in society, and the dean of library sciences at Abilene Christian University will talk about that at the May meeting of the Abilene Association of Congregations. The meeting, which is open to the public, will begin at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, at First Central Presbyterian Church. The program is free. A $3
Read more
Wendy KilmerACU Director of Communications and Media Relations ACU will award 833 degrees in three commencement ceremonies taking place at Moody Coliseum Friday and Saturday. The Friday, May 12, ceremony at 7 p.m. will award 261 master’s and 43 doctoral degrees. On Saturday, May 13, 529 bachelor’s degrees will be presented in two ceremonies – 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Read more
Students in Abilene Christian University’s Strategic Philanthropy course have spent the semester learning about philanthropy, grant proposals and grant making. On Monday, May 8, the students dispersed $50,000 among six local nonprofits, thanks to a partnership between The Philanthropy Lab, the Community Foundation of Abilene, ACU’s Advancement Office, and the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship in ACU’s College of Business Administration.
Read more
By DANNY MINTON The story of Hachiko represents a heartbreaking story while at the same time possessing a heartwarming lesson. Born in 1923, Hachiko was an Akita dog adopted by Ueno Hidesaburo, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University. For months Hachiko would walk with his master to Shibuya Station, where Uneo would board the train for the city and his
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON A decision to introduce himself to the president and chief executive officer of Hendrick Health System back in 1985 led to a long and distinguished career for Bruce Lampert, which is ending with his retirement in a few days. Lampert was serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Stamford in 1985 when he visited one of
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON As if being named a T.B.Maston Scholar weren’t enough, Madison Lewis added another significant award to her resume at Hardin-Simmons University. She recently received the Altom Christian Service Award, named for the first recipients in 2001, Bill and Janis Altom. The Altom award is based on “devotion to the Lord and active service to Him.” Madison’s resume
Read more
McMurry Universtiy News Release McMurry University Chaplain Rev. Marty CashBurless, who is an alumna, will preside over her final baccalaureate service at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, in Radford Auditorium. CashBurless will retire June 20. Featured speaker for the baccalaureate service will be alumnus Chaplain Jeff S. Matsler, Regional Director of Ethics for CHRISTUS Healthcare, Santa Rosa in San Antonio.
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS It seems noticeable to many of us that we are living in a fearful world. Perhaps humans have always felt that way, but I believe the amount of information to which we have access today accelerates our fearfulness. When this basic fearfulness combines with the wonderful creativity (for better or worse) of humans, the stage is set
Read more
St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church, 2525 Westview St. will be hosting Cinco de Mayo events Friday and Saturday, May 5-6. A parade will begin lining up at the church at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The parade will then process to Sears Park on Ambler Street. At the park, sponsor tables will be set up, with free giveaways. A DJ and a
Read more
ACU News Release Emmy Award-winning ABC News correspondent John Quiñones will speak at Abilene Christian University Saturday, May 6, in Hunter Welcome Center. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 9 a.m. for coffee and pastries, and the program will begin at 9:30. The speaking engagement is jointly hosted by ACU’s Office of Diversity, Equity
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON Abilenians will have two opportunities to join in National Day of Prayer services on Thursday. And, Hardin-Simmons University is getting a headstart by hosting a breakfast at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday in the Mabee Athletic Complex on campus. All services, including the breakfast, are free to the public. Click here to RSVP for the breakfast. The Abilene Interfaith
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK Some say the world has gone to hell in a handbasket. Perhaps society perpetuates that sentiment with news of mass shootings, attacks on ethnic groups, wars all over the world, and plain meanness, hypocrisy, hatred, and exclusivity. Recent puzzling incidents of unprovoked violence have added doubt, fear, and trepidation to an already fragile social climate. How can
Read more
By DANNY MINTON One Friday night, I answered the phone, and my seven-year-old niece was on the other end of the line. She then began to ask me a theological question I had never been asked in my 40-plus years of ministry. A theological question from a seven-year-old? Now that was something I was never expecting. In fact, it’s a
Read more
An informational Zoom meeting for the summer Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30. Signup information is pasted below. The tour is sponsored by the ACU Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action. Dates of the tour are July 9-17, 2023. The Racial Healing of America Revival and
Read more
A new center in Abilene Christian University’s Brown Library will honor Landon Saunders, longtime Church of Christ minister. The kick-off of fundraising for the Landon Saunders Center for Joy and Human Flourishing was announced at the annual Friends of ACU Library dinner April 19. The new center has a mission to promote conversation and reflection upon the primacy of joy
Read more
Catholics remain the largest religious group among Latinos in the United States, even as their share among Latino adults has steadily declined over the past decade, according to a new analysis of Pew Research Center surveys. By contrast, the share of Latinos who identify as Protestants – including evangelical Protestants – has been relatively stable, while the percentage who are
Read more
McMurry University will honor alumni who have made a significant difference in their communities at the Night of Distinction dinner Friday, April 28. Among the honoree is the Rev. Helen Neinast, Class of 1975, who received the Outstanding Alumni Award in Religious & Spiritual Life. Click here to read about all the honorees.
Read more
Abilene is filled with houses of worship but most Abilenians are familiar with the inside of only a handful. A periodic feature in Spirit of Abilene will give you an “Insider’s View” of some of those places you may have driven by many times but never entered. By LORETTA FULTON NAME: St. Mark’s Episcopal ChurchLOCATION: River Oaks Shopping Center, South
Read moreDr. Jonathan Hill, associate professor and chair of the Department of Sociology at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will present a lecture on the intersection of faith and science April 25. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. at Highland Church of Christ. It is sponsored by the Office of Research
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS The names are made up, but the story is common. David’s father, Ralph, was seriously ill. Ralph had a constellation of physical problems and he had been hospitalized for at least two weeks this time, growing weaker by the day. It seemed to everyone that this would probably be his last stay. Ralph certainly did not lack
Read more
By DANNY MINTON As strange as it may sound, or maybe I should say morbid, I find cemeteries interesting places to visit. As I walk through one, I think of the lives that must have been lived by those buried beneath the six feet of soil and grass. Sometimes I stop and pause as I read one where the dates
Read more
Three artists will discuss religious influences in their works at the April meeting of the Abilene Interfaith Council. The public is invited to the free meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St. Enter through the office doors. Painter Jennifer Jones, sculptor Nolan Kelley, and oboist Susie Rockett will present a panel discussion.
Read moreRegistration is under way for a new class at FaithWorks that begins on Tuesday, May 30. The free 13-week personal and career development class will be the 60th for FaithWorks of Abilene, which was founded and is led by Joyce Dalzell. Classes meet 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1229 North Mockingbird Lane. Breakfast and lunch are included free
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK I have lived in Abilene most of my life—and that’s a long time. Excluding the times I lived elsewhere because of career moves, I have lived here forty-one years. I grew up here in the fifties and sixties, attained my education here (first grade through M.A. in English), and have made my home here since 1990 when
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS You and I have trouble being consistent with our beliefs and stances. Sometimes, those inconsistencies are minor and overlooked by others and by ourselves. There may be issues, however, where it is worth our reconsideration. Here is a fill-in-the-blank exercise. It is based on a statement appearing in a published article. What word would you put into
Read moreSt. Luke Orthodox ChurchM 501 Sunset Drive4/9: Palm Sunday: 9 am, Matins; 10 am, Divine Liturgy. Lunch follows in the hall; 6 pm, Bridegroom Mat4/10: Holy Monday: 6 pm, Bridegroom Matins 4/11: Holy Tuesday: 6 pm, Bridegroom Matins 4/12: Holy Wednesday: 6 pm, Holy Unction4/13: Holy Thursday, 6 pm, Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels 4/14: Holy Friday: 10 am, Royal Hours; 3:30 pm,
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON The late Jack Ridlehoover, longtime pastor of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, will be the topic of one of the presentations Saturday, April 15, during the final session of the West Texas Historical Association. The association is holding its annual meeting at the Elegante Suites Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15. Dr. Rich Traylor, history professor at
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON It was quite a week for Cliff Stewart, pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church who also wears a number of other hats. First, he was honored by members of his church on Sunday, April 2, for his 30 years of service to the congregation. On Monday, April 3, he was referred to as “The Archbishop of Abilene”
Read more
By DANNY MINTON One week of the year, the entire world focuses on an event that occurred nearly 2,000 years ago. Passion Week begins with Palm Sunday, remembering the final entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and finishing as we enter into Resurrection Sunday. There will be lessons and sermons about Jesus and what he went through for men and women
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS One of the rather busy streets in my city bisects a cemetery. Both to the right and left are numerous burial plots that are part of the “municipal” cemetery. The areas are easily visible from the street, with only a low wooden fence separating them from the road. Within the boundaries and a radius of fifteen miles
Read more
HOW TO HELPGlobal Samaritan Resources shipped its 20th container of food and goods to Ukraine on April 6. To help support Ukrainians whose lives have been disrupted since the Russian invasion in February 2022, go to http://www.globalsamaritan.org. Click on the Stand With Ukraine button to donate. By LORETTA FULTON The familiar blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag were
Read more
View Post By LORETTA FULTON An ancient devotion that probably will be new to many is coming to downtown Abilene on Good Friday, April 7. “The Way of the Cross” is a collaboration of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, St. Paul United Methodist Church and First Central Presbyterian Church. Officiating clergy will lead participants on “The Way of
Read more
A stable share of Americans have been participating in religious activities in some way – either virtually or in person – during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in-person attendance is slightly lower than it was before the pandemic. That was a finding of a recent poll by the Pew Research Center. Click here to read the report, highlighted by five key
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Far-out occurrences often are illuminated through the miracle of the Internet, sometimes resulting in findings that may, uh, need additional study. Such occurred recently in Dallas, where a homeowner was troubled by skunks who had burrowed their way under the foundation. Then, frustrations increased when the little varmints proceeded to make unwelcome noise with
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 