This is a “catch all” column of items intended for publication during 2022, but somehow didn’t make the cut. They are offered now, with few breaths remaining in the old year. So, here goes: The late Charles Uxer, longtime school superintendent and for several years director of the El Paso Educational Service Center, enjoyed visiting elementary classrooms. That’s where he
Read morePalmer McCown, 83, who had deep ties to Hardin-Simmons University and First Baptist Church, died Christmas Day in Midland. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, in Abilene. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at First Baptist Church. C.V. Blake, pastor for
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By LORETTA FULTON A traditional Watch Night service will begin at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at Macedonia Baptist Church, 608 N. Seventh St. Guest preacher will be Rev. Jeremy Jay, pastor of True Religion Church in Abilene. The service is sponsored by the Greater Abilene Ministers Alliance. The service, originally called “Freedom’s Eve,” commemorates the anticipation of the freeing
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By LORETTA FULTON Growing up in a Southern Baptist household, Chesna Riley struggled with the persistent call to the ministry that she began feeling as a young teenager. The Southern Baptist Convention prohibits women from serving as pulpit ministers, although some other Baptist churches do ordain women. “I had for a long time assumed I was not called and pursued
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Less is heard about trains these days, particularly since the homegoing of Johnny Cash. He always loved train songs. Accounts of a single railroad car are even rarer, despite the jump start provided in 1930 by “The Little Engine That Could,” a children’s book. This piece about Christmas centers on a single 1950-model
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By NANCY PATRICK The holiday seasons that include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s evoke many emotions from many of us. As a child and young adult, I felt excitement and anticipation as I waited for the holidays. My family had many aunts, uncles, cousins, along with our parents and grandparents. These early occasions provided the few times we all had
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON On Christmas Day: Many will gather around the tree to open fancy gifts wrapped in bright paper and ribbons. Others will gather to open gifts not as fancy or as professionally wrapped. Some will gather with small gifts due to a loss of income. Others will have no gifts at all. On Christmas Day: Many will gather
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By LORETTA FULTON Brandon Hudson was announced Sunday as the new senior pastor at First Baptist Church. Hudson, his wife Jill, daughter Sophia, 15, and son Quinn, 13, are expected to move to Abilene in early February. Hudson has been senior pastor of Crosscreek Baptist Church in Pelham, Alabama, since 2013. Robert Ellis, chairman of the pastor search committee at
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON The fourth candle of Advent (third to some) is the “Shepherd’s Candle” or the “Candle of Joy.” It, first of all, represents the joy that overcame the shepherds in the fields when angels appeared and told them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the
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Spirit Of Abilene 