Spirit of Abilene wants to share what’s happening at your place of worship with other Abilenians. Please send notice of events and ideas for human interest stories to: editor@spiritofabilene.com
Or call Loretta Fulton, editor, at 325-669-9006

Join the Racial Healing Revival and Bus Tour
The Carl Spain Center at Abilene Christian University is sponsoring a Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour July 9-17.

The following is from a promotional email:

“This event is an incredible opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore how we may creatively address the history and the healing of racial division in America. 

The Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour is an eight-day journey that will allow us to prayerfully reflect on our shared national history. Your participation will be a valuable contribution to our collective effort to turn the nation’s imagination away from war and towards peace.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour, please contact the National Coordinator of this event, Curtis King at advancement@carlspaincenter.org. or Jerry Taylor at 325-280-1674.

Food Bank Celebrates 40 Years
The Food Bank of West Central Texas is celebrating its 40th year, having opened as the Food Bank of Abilene in 1983. The name later was changed to reflect the growth into a 13-county service area.

The board of directors has approved a capital campaign to expamd the facility located on North First Street. The Food Bank has a goal to distribute 5.2 million pounds of food–the equivalent of 4.3 million meals by Dec. 31, 2024. To help with the distribution, a drive-thru pantry will be created at the expanded food bank.

The capital campaign has been aided by $1.4 million in public funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture, which is about one-third of what is needed.

To assist with the campaign, contact Ronnie Kidd, president and CEO, at ronniekidd@fbwct.org or call 325-695-6311.

Easter Eggstravaganza for the Whole Family
New Hope Church, 3122 S. Clack St., is hosting a community wide Easter Eggstravaganza 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 8.

The event is advertised as “Something for the Whole Family!” It will feature Easter eggs, free food, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and prizes. Easter Sunday services at the church will be at 9 and 11 a.m.

Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Presents Easter Worship Experience
“The Cross, The Crown: An Easter Worship Experience” will be presented Wednesday-Saturday, April 5-8 at the Abilene Convention Center. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to the productions, courtesy of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. The four presentations are free. Tickets may be picked up at the door or contact the church at 692-6776 or music@pioneerdrive.org

Holy Week Luncheon Services This Week
The annual Holy Week Luncheon services are being held at various churches this week.

The series began Monday, April 3, and continues through Thursday, April 6. Click here for the schedule and other details.

Valley View Hosting Holy Week Services
Valley View Missionary Baptist Church, 3564 Clinton St., is having a pre-Easter revival April 3-7.

Services will begin at 7 each night. The public is invited. Theme is “The Seven Last Words Spoken by Christ at Calvary.” A guest pastor will preach each night.

The Rev. Andrew Penns is pastor of the church.

HSU Hosting Hymn Sing April 4
The second annual Big Country Hymn Sing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, in Logsdon Chapel on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University.

The event is free and open to the public. Logsdon Chapel is located at the corner of Pine and Ambler streets.

Order Easter Baked Goods from St. Luke Orthodox
April 1 is the deadline to order baked goods from St. Luke Orthodox Church’s to benefit International Orthodox Christian Charities (iocc.org).

All funds raised will support the humanitarian work of that organization in assisting victims of natural disasters in Syria and Turkey. Orders can be picked up on Saturday, April 8, at the church, 501 Sunset Drive.

Note that supplies are limited and orders will be processed on a “first come, first served” basis. Click here for the link to the menu and the form for order and payment. Please direct questions to Hailey Frazier by text (325) 660-8837 or haileyefrazier@gmail.com

Funeral Friday for Retired HSU Professor Julian Bridges
Dr. Julian C. Bridges, a longtime professor of sociology at Hardin-Simmons University, died Monday, March 20, at age 91.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 31, at First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St. A private family gradeside service will be held March 31 in Elmwood Memorial Park. The Bridges family will receive guests following the service. Click here for full obituary

FBC Hosting Fun Night for People with Special Needs
First Baptist Church is hosting Blessed Families Fun Night on March 30.

Events for adults and children with special needs and their families or caregivers will be held 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, in the FBC Family Life Center, North Second and Orange streets. Adaptive activities will include bowling, skating, and games in the gym. Therapy dogs will be on the scene.

Heavenly Rest Concert Series Features Jeff Cottrell
Jeff Cottrell will present selections for trombone and euphonium at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St.

The performance, which is free to the public, is part of the church’s Chamber Music Concert Series. Cottrell teaches at both Abilene Christian and Hardin-Simmons universities.

Meeting to Highlight Refugees in Abilene
Jen Rogers, program manager with the International Rescue Committee’s Abilene office, will be guest speaker for the March 22 meeting of the Abilene Association of Congregations.

The meeting, to be held at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St., is open to the public. Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. for a $3 donation. The program will begin at noon in Gerhart Hall, with parking in a lot on South Seventh Street.

Clergy Day at Dyess AFB Chapel Feb. 28
The Dyess AFB Chapel Team is hosting Clergy Day 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 28. Deadline to register is Feb. 15. Contact SSgt. Crayton J. Noe, Religious Affairs, 325-696-4224 or crayton.noe@us.af.mil, to register or for more information.

Seminary students, religion directors, and religion professors are invited.

“We want to give back to the community and support the future of those from all walks of faith,” said Noe, with the Religious Affairs Office at Dyess.

HSU Hosting Brister Lectures in Pastoral Care
The C.W. and Gloria Brister Lectures in Pastoral Care will be held on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University Feb. 20.

This free full-day event is for pastors and church staff. Breakfast and lunch are included. C.W. Brister forged a distinctive legacy of pastoral ministry studies that remain vital for today’s ministers. His definition of pastoral care rings true: “Pastoral care is the mutual concern of Christians for each other and for those in the world for whom Christ died.”

Dr. Bruce Prindle, lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Midlothian, will lead the theological/cultural need and basis for sabbath rest for ministers and the mechanics of sabbath rest and margin. The lecture will also include table discussions and a Q&A.

To RSVP, email your response to eric.bruntmyer@hsutx.edu