By Rev. Cliff Stewart I am deeply troubled by the Secretary of Defense’s proposal to execute Nidal Hasan by firing squad and make his death available for public viewing. Let me be clear. Hasan committed monstrous crimes. Thirteen people were murdered at Fort Hood. Their families deserve our remembrance, our compassion, and justice. But justice and vengeance are not the
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Click on the following links for related stories:Presbyterian/Abilene History: A Minter Family LegacyA Prayer for Abilene By Loretta Fulton Just over two weeks before the city of Abilene was founded on March 15, 1881, the Presbyterians had already put down roots. They claimed a spot at North 1st and Pine streets by setting up a tent. A marker on the corner
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By LORETTA FULTON It was quite a week for Cliff Stewart, pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church who also wears a number of other hats. First, he was honored by members of his church on Sunday, April 2, for his 30 years of service to the congregation. On Monday, April 3, he was referred to as “The Archbishop of Abilene”
Read moreCliff Stewart, pastor, First Central Presbyterian Church Holy God, we turn to you in this time of crisis. The news is filled with despair. We speak aloud the names of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Abery, George Floyd.Communities of color bear the uneven weight of the disease of racism and injustice. There is much that is wrong in our relationships with others.
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The first Holy Week Luncheon Series video is live now. Each day’s sermon will be posted on spiritofabilene.com through Thursday. Monday’s sermon is from Cliff Stewart, pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church
Read moreHOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Four Abilene Churches, continuing in a tradition over 35 years old in Abilene, are hosting Holy Week Luncheon Series–without the luncheon–Monday through Thursday, April 6-9. St. Paul United Methodist, Highland Church of Christ, First Baptist Church and First Central Presbyterian Church are the host churches. For the first time, the traditional luncheon series won’t be held, due
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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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(Editor’s Note: Five people were stabbed during a Hanukkah party in New York on Saturday. During Sunday morning services, two members of West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement were shot to death by a gunman, who also was killed. Cliff Stewart, president of the Abilene Association of Congregations, provided the following comments.) By CLIFF STEWART President, Abilene Association
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(Editor’s Note: Following are statements from religion leaders about the deadly shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27. Rob Sellers, retired religion professor at Hardin-Simmons University, is chairman of the board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Cliff Stewart, pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church, is president of the Abilene Association of Congregations.) A
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