Summit registration opens 
Registration for ACU’s annual Summit, which will be held Oct. 7-9, opened Monday, July 20, and ends Sept. 22. Cost for the pre-Summit workshop, to be held Oct. 6 and 7, is $25. The workshop will feature Dr. Willie James Jennings, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Theology and Africana Studies at Yale University Divinity School. Theme for Summit is “Romans 12: A Call to Genuine Love.” Click here to register for all Summit events.

Free movies for the family
At least three opportunities are coming up for free movies for the children or the family.

• Registration deadline is July 23 for an upcoming Movie Day For Kids, sponsored by First Baptist Church. Children in grades K-5 will receive free tickets but must purchase their own snacks. The movie, “Minions & Monsters,” will be shown at the Cinemark Theater, 672 Overland Trail. Time will be announced on July 21. 
• Abilene Christian University will host “Night at the Museum” at 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, at ACU’s Boone Family Theater. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the free movie. Concessions will be available for purchase. Also, arts and crafts will be available in the lobby. Representatives from local museums will be on hand for more activities. 
• First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St., is hosting free movies from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays through mid-August. Refreshments will be served. Zach Ingle, a Hardin-Simmons University professor of communication, will give a five-minute introduction to each film and will answer questions afterward. Upcoming titles include “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Nacho Libre,” and “Noah

Registration opens for HSU dyslexia conference
Register now for the Aug. 4 dyslexia conference at Hardin-Simmons University. The conference will feature Dr. Tim Odegard of the Literacy & Learning Dyslexia Institute. Odegard is one of the experts who developed a new definition of dyslexia, which is important to classroom teachers. Click here to register. 

Discernment retreat at St. Francis
The Diocese of San Angelo will hold an overnight discernment retreat for boys in high school or older July 31-Aug. 2 at St. Francis Catholic Church, 826 Cottonwood St. Participants will meet current seminarians, engage in confessions and prayers, hear priestly owitness, and take part in Eucharistic Adoration. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Friday, July 31. RSVP to Lori Hines, 325-651-7500 or lhines@sanangelodiocese.org. 

McM names new VP
McMurry University has named Philip Hannon vice president of institutional advancement. In the role, Hannon will serve as the university’s chief development officer, providing leadership for the growth, administration, and management of McMurry’s comprehensive fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. Click here to read McMurry news release. 

Philip Hannon

ACU grad with Savannah Bananas
Kaylee Kahn, who graduated from ACU in 2024, has been hired to help run the social media accounts for the Savannah Bananas. She got her start writing for the ACU Optimist as a student. The Savannah Bananas are a zany exhibition team that travels the country playing local teams. 

FBC recipe book deadline
First Baptist Church is creating a cookbook featuring favorite recipes from its members. Deadline to submit recipes is Friday, July 31. To reserve a copy, email Susie Vandever (susie.vandever@fbcabilene.org). Cost is $30 per book. Click here to submit a recipe. 

Howard Payne cites student excellence 
HPU recognized 258 students, including five from Abilene, for their academic excellence during the spring 2026 semester. Click here to read HPU news release. 

Operation Blue Jeans
Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with its annual Operation Blue Jeans, which provides pre-K, elementary, and middle school children with brand new clothes free of charge. Program dates and times are 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays July 11 and Aug. 15. And, 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays July 14 through Aug. 13. Volunteers are needed for the check-in desk, clothing and shoe assistants, and clothing room organizers. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Click here to register.

Vacation Bible School in July
It’s not too late if you missed out on the May and June VBS sessions.Or even if you attended one, you’re still invited to take part in the following offerings in July:

WYLIE BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 6097 Buffalo Gap Road
When: 9 a.m.-noon July 13-16
Theme: Emerald Crossing
Registration: Click here

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Where: 5125 Antilley Road
When: 9 a.m.-noon July 13-16
Theme: Cactus Ranch
Registration: Click here

FIRST CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Where: 400 Orange St.
When: 5-8 p.m. July 24 and 8:30 a.m.-noon July 25
Theme: Wander & Wonder (Family VBS)
Registration: Click here

‘In God We Trust’ concert
First Baptist Church will present its “In God We Trust” concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28. The Sanctuary Choir and Celebration Orchestra will join together to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. Admission is free. 

HSU’s Steve Neves debuts nine statues in Storybook Garden 
Hardin-Simmons University professor of art Steve Neves played his familiar role in this year’s Children’s Art + Literacy Festival (CALF) with the unveiling of nine new bronze sculptures in Abilene’s Storybook Garden. Click here to read HSU news release. Com

Steve Neves

Chaplains Fellowship Webinar
The next lunch-and-learn webinar sponsored by the Siburt Institute at ACU is scheduled for July, featuring David Bearden and Paul Riddle. Topic will be “When a Chaplain Needs a Chaplain.” Register here. A recording of the last webinar is a now available. 

HSU, Cisco College partner to streamline transfer process
Hardin-Simmons University and Cisco College recently created a pathway for Cisco College students to apply completed coursework toward a bachelor’s degree at HSU. Click here to read HSU news release.

Job openings at Christian Service Center
Christian Service Center has two job opening, one full-time and one part-time. The full-time position is for a social worker with a master’s degree. The part-time position is for a front office receptionist and is for 18 hours per week. Contact Jim Clark, executive director, at jclark@cscabilene.org.

HPU sets pre-registration deadline for scholars program
The pre-registration deadline for Howard Payne University’s Summer and Young Scholars annual academic summer camp for children entering K-6 grades is June 27. The program is scheduled for July 13-17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration fee is $165. Deadline for late registration is July 9. Click here to register online. 

McMurry University names Susan Decker as first female athletic director
Susan Decker brings more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience in collegiate athletics, with a strong record of advancing competitive success, supporting student-athlete achievement, and strengthening athletic programs through strategic leadership. Click here to read McMurry news release. 

Susan Decker

Hardin-Simmons, ACU earn high marks from Forbes for financial strength
Hardin-Simmons University and Abilene Christian University were by cited by Forbes for their strong financial foundation. ACU earned a 4.5 GPA, the highest score awarded, and A+ rating, placing it among the top four Texas private schools – alongside Rice, Trinity and TCU. The list assessed 928 private colleges. HSU received a 4.0 GPA and A grade. Click here to read the full list.

Howard Payne University welcomes new VP
HPU named Wes Livesay as vice president for advancement. He supervises HPU’s offices of development, alumni relations, external affairs, and marketing and communications. He began June 3. Click here to read HPU news release.

Wes Livesay

FBC offering Backyard Bible Club
First Baptist Church will sponsor its annual Children’s Backyard Bible Club June 22-25. Sessions will be 9-11:30 a.m. at FBC’s Friendship House, 1518 Orange St. For more details, call FBC, 673-5031 

June 14 Highland Hymn Sing 
The public is invited to Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland Ave., on June 14 for its Hymn Sing at 6:30. Ice cream will be provided. Everyone is asked to bring cookies. 

Six White Horses, Cowboy Band in Washington parade
Hardin-Simmons University’s World-Famous Cowboy Band and the Six White Horses proudly represented Texas as the only college from the state to participate in the 2026 National Memorial Day Parade held May 25 in Washington, D.C. Click here to read HSU news release.

Upcoming VBS sessions
Following are some of the Vacation Bible School sessions scheduled for upcoming days and weeks.
SOUTHWEST PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 2901 S. 20th St.
When: 6-8:30 p.m. June 7-11
Theme: Illumination Station
Registration: Click here
WYLIE METHODIST CHURCH
Where: 3430 Antilley Road
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14; 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, June 15-17
Theme: Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God
Registration: Click here
WYLIE BAPTIST CHURCH
Where: 6097 Buffalo Gap Road
When: 9 a.m.-noon July 13-16
Theme: Emerald Crossing
Registration: Click here
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Where: 5125 Antilley Road
When: 9 a.m.-noon July 13-16
Theme: Cactus Ranch
Registration: Click here
FIRST CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Where: 400 Orange St.
When: 5-8 p.m. July 24 and 8:30 a.m.-noon July 25
Theme: Wander & Wonder (Family VBS)
Call the church for registration information, 677-3501