THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Once upon a time, folks caused others to smile by telling–and re-telling–stories to each other. Some have been funnier than others, and some people have told said stories better than others. That established, it is fully admitted that storytelling rarely occurs anymore. It is generally banished from our workaday world, generally assigned to memory
Read moreEditor’s Note: Dr. Steven T. Moore, English professor at Abilene Christian University, wrote the following poem in response to the conviction of three men in the February 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Moore also wrote a poem following Arbery’s death. Click here to read the first poem. By STEVEN T. MOORE Black people know the taste of smoke and blood, that
Read more
St. James United Methodist Church, 3100 Barrow St., is once again presenting its Living Last Supper in person after two years of adjustments due to COVID-19. The St. James tradition will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 8, 9, and 10 and again at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14. Admission is free but tickets are required.
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON After a two-year absence, the popular Holy Week Luncheon Series returns as a live program this year, with a twist. Guests will be asked to bring their own meal. Before COVID disrupted the world in March 2020, meals were provided each day at the host church. This year, drinks and desserts will be provided free of charge,
Read more
Hardin-Simmons University is hosting Big Country Hymn Sing on April 12. The program begins at 2 p.m. in Logsdon Chapel. The public is invited, and admission is free. HSU faculty will be leading the singing. Making a special appearance will be “Fanny Crosby,” who wrote more than 9,000 hymns. Crosby, who was blind, was born March 24, 1820 and died
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury In the course of human history, there’ve rarely been days like current ones when bottom lines on price tags have been so convoluted, confusing, confounding and–in some cases–perhaps even conspiratorial. There may be a few more “con” words that apply, but these seem adequate to describe runaway prices, some of which are indeed “con
Read moreEditor’s Note: Editor’s Note: McKenzie Flowers Fergus, a McMurry University graduate, is actively engaged in various human rights, anti-discrimination, sustainable development, and peace-building organizations. After graduating with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Yale University, she was awarded a Russell Berrie Fellowship in a program that collaborates globally with interfaith institutions and universities to promote interreligious dialogue. She also received
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK I try to write an article every other week for Spirit of Abilene. I usually write reflective essays, but over the weekend I wrote something new. Rather than an essay, I wrote a lengthy list of questions regarding many subjects that interest me. After each question, I wrote a short response expressing my own opinions and thoughts
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS Data from the U.S. Census Bureau recently made a point worth noting. In 2011, 14.3 percent of adults 25 and up had a bachelor’s degree. In 2021, 23.5 percent did. There were parallels of increase in graduate degrees past the bachelor’s degree. As a person with an academic background, I consider this good news. For better or
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 