By BRIAN MASSEY The world has changed drastically… in just a few weeks. Businesses closing, schools closings, stock markets crashing, among many other groanings throughout the earth, have hit us quickly and hard. Never have I witnessed a crisis of this size so close and personal. My kids asked me if coronavirus would make it into the history books and
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Editor’s Note: The coronavirus is hitting everyone hard and that is especially true of places that depend on volunteers. The universities are closed until further notice, meaning many nonprofits are without their regular volunteers. Meals on Wheels for example is in need of volunteer drivers, even on a substitute basis. Every agency in town that relies on volunteers is
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Bishop Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo released the following statement March 17 on coronavirus protocols enacted by the diocese, effective immediately. They include canceling public worship services through March 31. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas recently issued a similar order for Episcopal congregations in this area. Other denominations also are canceling services
Read moreFollowing are updates issued Monday, March 16, by various Abilene churches. PIONEER DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH In light of what the U.S. Center for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) is recommending, Pioneer Drive is moving to Stage 2 of our health plan. We believe this decision is the responsible one to make for the health of our members and community. We
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In response to the coronavirus epidemic, the Community Foundation of Abilene issued the following statement Monday afternoon, March 16: The Community Foundation of Abilene is closely monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on our local communities. While there are not currently any confirmed local cases, a number of precautionary measures have been taken that will affect families and small businesses, and
Read moreThe following email, “Ways to Help the Abilene Community,” was issued Sunday, March 15, by Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. As you may know, leadership at AISD is already working on a plan to feed children in the district during the time students are away from campus. About 70% of the children in the Abilene district are on free and reduced
Read moreThe Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas and the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, has suspended in-person worship services on March 22 and March 29 for churches in both dioceses. Mayer sent a letter to clergy on March 14 advises them of his decision. In Abilene, the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest and
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Editor’s Note: Terry Browder, founder of Sayles Ranch Guesthouses, posted the following reflection on Facebook in response to reactions to the coronavirus pandemic. It is reprinted here with permission. By TERRY BROWDER We are experiencing some scary and uncertain times with this COVID-19 pandemic. We fear the unknown. As I traversed the aisles of our local H.E.B. grocery store to
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Like many others, I have constructed a list of one-liners over the years. These are phrases or paragraphs that have spoken truths clearly and, often, in unexpected ways. I frequently have these on separate small pieces of paper and they have no particular relationship to one another except that, for some reason, they spoke to me at
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Spirit Of Abilene 