By LORETTA FULTON In the second grade, Rick Atchley announced what he was going to be when he grew up. And, no, it wasn’t a fireman, policeman, or cowboy. “I’m going to be a preacher,” he proclaimed. For the past 40 years, Atchley, senior teaching minister at The Hills Church in North Richland Hills, has been making more proclamations. And
Read moreThe parish hall at St. Luke’s Orthodox Church, 510 Sunset Drive, was burglarized over the weekend, a member, George Niebling, reports. All the major appliances and the air conditioning unit were stolen. The santuary was not affected. Niebling has a request: “Please pray for those who did this, that their hearts might be turned, and souls preserved, and that they
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Sunday was not a day of rest of a lot of church members in Abilene as they joined together to pack 2,500 boxes of non-perishable food for Children’s Hunger Fund. The food packing took place at Zion Lutheran Church. It was the fifth year for the church to partner with Children’s Hunger Funday for the
Read moreMcMurry University students stain a picnic table, left, and work in the Aldersgate United Methodist Church garden as part of a day of community service prior to school starting. Classes started Aug. 27 at all three of Abilene’s church-affiliated universities. As part of orientation week at each school, new students took part in community projects. Photos by Loretta
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Slower than a sleeping snail! More negative than an electron! Able to stall plans with a single doubt! Look! Over there! It’s a man! It’s a woman! It’s “Obstacle Man!” Yes, it’s “Obstacle Man!” Strange creature from within our number who comes to meetings with thoughts and ideas far more negative than sub-zero! “Obstacle Man!” Who can
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By MARK WATERS “Shaped by Christian principles, McMurry University challenges students to examine our complex world from multiple perspectives in preparation for lives of leadership, service, and professional success.” This recently revised mission statement is the cornerstone of McMurry’s decision to develop a minor in interfaith studies. I will unpack the intent of the mission statement below to show the
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By DAN STIVER A recent Barna study of Bible appreciation and usage among Americans (here referring to people in the U.S.) is encouraging (https://www.barna.com/research/state-of-the-bible-2018-seven-top-findings/). It indicates that half of all American people use the Bible, many “give a lot of thought” to it, and many find it helps them to be better people. This is significant in light of reports
Read moreWho wants to go to a marriage enrichment event called Fight Night? Backers of the event in Abilene are counting on lots of couples, married or not, and singles thinking that sounds like a great idea. Fight Night is presented by Les and Leslie Parrott, a husband-and-wife team who host seminars, co-author books and appears on television programs such as
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Scott Bader-Saye, acting dean of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, will bring an important conversation to Abilene in September. Bader-Saye will lead a conference Sept. 14-15, “Fostering Civil Conversation,” at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. The conference, which includes dinner on Friday night and breakfast on Saturday morning, is open to the public.
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Spirit Of Abilene 