By LORETTA FULTON The traditional Watch Night service, which dates to the days of slavery, will not be held in Abilene this year, another victim of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to disrupt lives. The annual service, held on Dec. 31 each year, is hosted by Macedonia Baptist Church and sponsored by Greater Abilene Ministers Alliance. The service, originally called
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By LORETTA FULTON “My brothers and sisters, you are witnessing history this morning.” With those stirring words, Bishop Michael Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo emphasized the significance of the dedication Mass for a new altar at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church. The Mass was celebrated Dec. 26, which meant that members of the Abilene congregation got a
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK You probably remember a comedian named Jeff Foxworthy whose fame rests on his act that begins, “You know you’re a redneck when…” I have never thought of myself as a redneck, but neither had I realized that I might possess hillbilly blood until the recent Nexflix production Hillbilly Elegy aired. If you watch it, Glenn Close’s character
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury I have never read columns as entertaining as those penned by the late Erma Bombeck, who survived cancer surgery, only to be claimed by kidney disease at age 69. Her battle was valiant as she underwent five years of dialysis before ultimately failing to survive transplant surgery that came too late. (Never mind she
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS The cartoon was making a wry attempt at humor. The boy said to his father, “It got dark real early. Why is today the shortest day?” The father’s reply was, “I guess 2020 is finally giving up.” Winter solstice has come and gone recently. This is an event with a long history of meanings. Officially, this marks
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Garbage sacks stuffed with colorful Christmas paper now protrude from trash dumpsters that line the quiet street. Boxes ripped open the day before from Christmas morning’s excitement now sit piled, ready to be recycled or hauled to the dumpsite. We pack away a few that are colorful and still in good shape until next season. Gifts that
Read moreBy MARIANNE WOOD Oscar Wilde satirized Victorian behavior in his comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. The chief character, Ernest, who is only Ernest in the city and known as Jack in the country, is obviously neither earnest nor serious. Ditto for the play. Though it is a delight. Reading J.D. Vance’s article, “How I joined the Resistance” in The
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Editor’s Note: To add your church services to this list, email editor@spiritofabilene.com By LORETTA FULTON Expect a sense of deja vu Thursday evening when live streamed and/or televised Christmas Eve services will replace in-person worship at many Abilene churches. When many in-person Easter Sunday services were canceled due to COVID-19, most assumed things would be back to normal by the
Read moreBy JIM McDONALD “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4-5 “With all wisdom and understanding, he made
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