By LORETTA FULTON The wait was worth it for Dr. Robert Ellis, who just learned that he had been chosen the Faculty Member of the Year at Hardin-Simmons University, an award that normally is announced at the end of the spring semester. But last spring was far from normal, with COVID-19 disrupting all aspects of life. So, Ellis learned via
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON School starts in Abilene Aug. 24, but a bunch of children got a head start Sunday when they received blessings in special services held at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest and at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. “Are y’all ready to pray together?” David Romanik, rector at Heavenly Rest, asked as children and their parents filed
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Over the years, I’ve read articles and excerpts from books that speak of an experiment that supposedly took place in the U.S. in 1944. Some have said it was a Nazi experiment during the war, and others say it happened sometime in the 1800’s. My guess is that it did happen, and it was such a cruel
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK Has anyone ever so deeply hurt, angered, or wronged you that you could not get beyond it? The idea of forgiveness made you laugh, not with humor but with a sarcastic sneer. I hate to confess, but I have felt this way on more than one occasion. I know the depth of pain, rage, and bitterness that
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS The friend listened for a long time on the phone. He did not interrupt; he just listened. The two had known each other for decades and, though they seldom communicated now because of distance, they still “connected” in important ways. Initially, this was a wide-ranging conversation with lots of family and personal updating being exchanged. This last
Read morePioneer Drive Baptist Church is staging its annual World’s Largest Garage Sale Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15. No preview sale will be held this year. The sale will be at 2554 Barrow St. Hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. The sale benefits the high school choir program.
Read more
Spirit of Abilene wants to feature local people who weave ministry into their daily lives, even in the midst of a pandemic. If you, or someone you know, fits this description, please send information to Loretta Fulton, editor@spiritofabilene.com By LORETTA FULTON At 85, and with a pandemic raging that is especially threatening to older people, Shirley Stephenson could be excused from her
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON Former Logsdon Seminary professor and administrator, Meredith Stone, is the new executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry, a national organization. Stone and her husband, James, also a former Logsdon administrator, will remain in Abilene. The new position is effective Aug. 24. Stone will become the third executive director of BWIM in its 37-year history. She follows
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Wedged in my mind’s recesses are these eight simple words: “If you can make it there, go back.” They’re easy enough to understand, but application is a whole ‘nuther thing. These words captioned a cartoon a while back. It was drawn to warn folks relocating to New York City. Though probably not intended, the cartoon
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 