By LORETTA FULTON During March, which is Women’s History Month, Spirit of Abilene will feature posts from contributors about women of spiritual influence in the Bible, in their personal lives, and from history. Below is a story I wrote for the Abilene Reporter-News for Women’s History Month in 2016. It is about a woman who was a giant in the
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON “Don’t believe the lies,” Hardin-Simmons University President Eric Bruntmyer said during the Texas Baptist Women in Ministry Conference held Feb. 22 at HSU’s Logsdon Seminary. The lies he referred to are about the role of women in society and in ministry, specifically in Baptist ministry. If Ellen Di Giosia had listened to the lies, she wouldn’t be
Read more
Drive by the old St. Ann Hospital at 1350 Cypress St. and it looks like nothing is happening. Chain link fence surrounds the property and there are signs of some demolition. A worker’s gloves are stuck in the fence and a lock and chain deter trespassers. Basically, the building looks empty and neglected. It may be empty, but it is
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON In case anyone missed the point, Joseph Tobias made sure they got it. The audience in Hardin-Simmons’ Behren’s Chapel had just heard Scripture read in various languages and watched a parade of flags by students from different countries. They heard “Hallelujah” in several lanugages at once. It was a rousing way to start International Week on campus
Read more
Two of Abilene’s larger churches–First Baptist and the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest–have been looking long and far for an organist. They join a long list of other congregations nationwide learning that a church organist is a prized possession nowadays. Read Loretta Fulton’s article on the shortage of church organists in the Reporter-News.
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON I heard a man once say that the family dog was the best Christian in his household. A sign in my veterinarian’s office says, “Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are.” No doubt about it, we are bound at the heart with our animal friends. A favorite service at my church each October is the Blessing
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON Sunday, Dec. 2, marked the being of Advent, the four-week period leading to Christmas. It is a time of quiet reflection–but it can also be a fun time as seen in the accompanying photos. Members of First Central Presbyterian Church enjoyed and Advent Fair on Sunday afternoon. On Sunday morning they returned to their renovated sanctuary and
Read more
Many of the world’s religions observe holy days and holidays during the month of December. Click on the link below to read Loretta Fulton’s story in the Dec. 1 Spiritual Life section of the Reporter-News. https://www.reporternews.com/story/life/faith/2018/11/30/wreath-making-just-one-fun-derful-christmas-activity-abilene/2130643002/
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON At 105, Virginia Connally’s still got it–wit, intellect, grace, elegance. Connally, Abilene’s first female physician, added another first to her lengthy list of firsts Sept. 6. when she was honored as the inaugural recipient of the James B. Simmons Award given by Hardin-Simmons University. The dinner was all class–starting with Connally and family members arriving at the
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 