By Carlo Sosa-Ortiz The mind of a child is truly wonderful. This is something that went through my mind after finishing up our kids’ program one Sunday evening. One of our kindergarteners in our group has autism. This child is constantly moving, has difficulty making eye contact, and does not always respond back when he’s asked questions. He’s a very
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By Loretta Fulton Jennifer Schroeder was named director of Abilene Christian University’s annual Summit in 2022, on the heels of a tumultuous couple of years as the university–and the world–dealt with the after effects of Covid. It was a challenge, but Schroeder was up to the job. She brought to her new position a wealth of experience in children’s ministry
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By Jim Nichols It was constructed of blue metal with white trim, four wheels, colored wooden beads right at bite level, and a wooden “driving” handle. One of my treasured snapshots from childhood shows me sitting in that era’s version of a baby stroller—a Taylor-Tot. I was about one year old. That was a popular early life purchase for new
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By Nancy Patrick Glenn Dromgoole recently wrote a piece for Spirit of Abilene in which he expressed his enjoyment of reading personal essays in local newspapers (Sept. 27, 2024). As an old Abilenian, I recognized many of the names he mentioned. Local newspapers used to be an important part of our lives. I always enjoyed reading my paper as I
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Jiminy Cricket! I never dreamed I’d be writing about an insect popularized by Pinocchio, or that this week’s piece may warrant bottom-of-the-barrel placement. I may have reached a new low, what with insects in the spotlight. Late author Carlo Lorenzini got by with it with his ever-popular fairy tale novel involving a wooden-figured boy whose nose
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By Loretta Fulton By the end of the day Saturday, a prayer offered by Bishop Ruben Saenz had been answered. He opened a United Methodist Unifying Conference Saturday morning at the Abilene Convention Center with a prayer that included thanksgivings and petitions. “We pray for unity in our purpose,” he said in the opening prayer. That prayer apparently was answered
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By Jim Nichols There are eight items on the fireplace mantle. In the center is the ticking clock that is approximately accurate. The other seven items are photographs of grandchildren. One of those photos sits on top of the clock and will be there for the current week. The other six are to the left and right of the clock.
Read moreBy Danny Minton Over the decades since becoming a Christian, I have worshipped and worked with congregations in numerous cities. Along the way, there have been some good experiences and some learning experiences. Looking back, each one had its good qualities and areas needing improvement. In all my former experiences, one stands out as what a “church” should be like.
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By Glenn Dromgoole One of the many things I like about Loretta Fulton’s Spirit of Abilene website is that it is trying to keep alive something that has almost become extinct: the importance of personal commentary or personal journalism to the fabric and spirit of a community. Unfortunately, that’s missing from most daily newspapers these days. There was a time,
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