By Loretta Fulton Two faith-based childcare centers recently closed, both citing rising costs and staffing issues as the primary causes. On Monday, May 19, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church sent an email saying that its Pathways Learning Center would close effective Aug. 15. Earlier, His Little Angels on Buffalo Gap Road announced it would close as of noon on Wednesday, May
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By Loretta Fulton Ah, Vacation Bible School, the unofficial beginning of summer is back. The summertime mainstay of children for generations, VBS offers spiritual growth, arts and crafts, music, refreshments, and lots of fun each summer. This year, First Baptist Church is getting a head start on everyone else, with its VBS running from Tuesday, May 27, through Friday, May
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By Danny Minton Franz Kafka was an author who lived and wrote as the twentieth century began. His primary works centered around social injustice and alienation. His most popular are “Metamorphosis,” “The Trial,” and “The Castle.” Toward the end of his life, an event happened that changed a little girl’s life. In 1923, Franz and his companion, Dora Diamant, were
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury It is that time again when hundreds of thousands of us can’t get the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” out of our heads, often whistling or humming the melody, not even wondering why. For the curious–and others in the majority who couldn’t care less–Englishman Edward Elgar’s 1901 march has long been the musical gold standard
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By Jim Nichols The transition from elementary school to junior high was not a smooth one for me. It was significantly complicated by having to ride the school bus every morning. Hickory Grove Elementary was within walking distance of my home, but the junior high required Bus #38 to pick me up at the corner. My grade was the youngest
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By Loretta Fulton Local Catholics, like many Catholics worldwide, expressed their approval of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. And, like many, they were surprised at how quickly he was elected by the College of Cardinals. Most surprising of all, both to local Catholics and Catholics around the globe, was that he is an American. “We hoped for an American
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By Danny Minton While browsing the book section at The Texas Star Trading Company in Abilene, I came across a book entitled, Texas High School Football Dynasties. As I thumbed through the book, I came to pages 100 and 101. In front of me, stretched across the top half of the two pages, was a picture of my 1965 Plano
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By Loretta Fulton Beth Young is the new director City Light Community Ministries, an outreach of First Baptist Church that is one of the city’s leading ministries to the homeless and needy. Prior to taking on the new position, Beth was missions ministry assistant. She was a volunteer in the front office and helped with housing grant applications. City Light,
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Abilene Association of Congregations MeetingThe public is invited to hear Dr. Darryl Tippens, retired ACU English professor, speak about the hymn “Amazing Grace” at the monthly meeting of the Abilene Association of Congregations.When: 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 28Where: First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St.Lunch: $3 donation requestedProgram: Tippens will speak on “The Amazing Journey of ‘Amazing Grace’: The Backstory
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Spirit Of Abilene 