By LORETTA FULTON The annual Holy Week Luncheon Series that hundreds of Abilenians look forward to each year will not be held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Realistically, there is no way we could have it,” said Cliff Stewart, pastor of First Central Prebyterian Church and organizer of the event for more than 25 years. The series has
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Photo credit: visualhunt.com LATEST UPDATES FROM DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO Bishop Michael Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo released the following statement March 27 announcing further restrictions within the diocese in order to promote public health and to limit the spread of COVID-19. Following are excerpts from the announcement. The entire announcement can be read at http://www.sanangelodiocese.org “As we
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Editor’s Note: Agnes Stone died in 2017 at age 102, but she will not be forgotten. A friend, Marianne Wood, wrote the following piece 10 years before Stone’s death. In it, Wood reflects on a woman of faith. “I went to see her shortly before she passed. I knew it would be my last visit, and told her I loved
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By BRIAN MASSEY The world has changed drastically… in just a few weeks. Businesses closing, schools closings, stock markets crashing, among many other groanings throughout the earth, have hit us quickly and hard. Never have I witnessed a crisis of this size so close and personal. My kids asked me if coronavirus would make it into the history books and
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Editor’s Note: The coronavirus is hitting everyone hard and that is especially true of places that depend on volunteers. The universities are closed until further notice, meaning many nonprofits are without their regular volunteers. Meals on Wheels for example is in need of volunteer drivers, even on a substitute basis. Every agency in town that relies on volunteers is
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Bishop Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo released the following statement March 17 on coronavirus protocols enacted by the diocese, effective immediately. They include canceling public worship services through March 31. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas recently issued a similar order for Episcopal congregations in this area. Other denominations also are canceling services
Read moreFollowing are updates issued Monday, March 16, by various Abilene churches. PIONEER DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH In light of what the U.S. Center for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) is recommending, Pioneer Drive is moving to Stage 2 of our health plan. We believe this decision is the responsible one to make for the health of our members and community. We
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In response to the coronavirus epidemic, the Community Foundation of Abilene issued the following statement Monday afternoon, March 16: The Community Foundation of Abilene is closely monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on our local communities. While there are not currently any confirmed local cases, a number of precautionary measures have been taken that will affect families and small businesses, and
Read moreThe following email, “Ways to Help the Abilene Community,” was issued Sunday, March 15, by Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. As you may know, leadership at AISD is already working on a plan to feed children in the district during the time students are away from campus. About 70% of the children in the Abilene district are on free and reduced
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Spirit Of Abilene 