A stable share of Americans have been participating in religious activities in some way – either virtually or in person – during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in-person attendance is slightly lower than it was before the pandemic. That was a finding of a recent poll by the Pew Research Center. Click here to read the report, highlighted by five key
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Rick Hammer, former biology professor at Hardin-Simmons University, is well known in Abilene for his role in the development of a nature park at Kirby Lake and for his creation stewardship activism. He recently had an article published on the Baptist News Global website titled, “Why I see COVID-19 vaccines as a sign of God’s grace.” The article begins with,
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By ANNA SCHILLER Pew Research Center As houses of worship continue to reopen, most U.S. adults who regularly attend religious services voice confidence in their clergy to provide guidance on the coronavirus vaccines – and far more say they have heard their pastor, priest, rabbi or imam encourage people to get vaccinated than have heard their clergy raise doubts about
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To add a clinic to this list, send information to editor@spiritofabilene.com By LORETTA FULTON Several Abilene churches are expanding their community outreach by offering COVID-19 vaccination clinics. On Wednesday, Aug. 18, University Church of Christ added free vaccinations to its list of offerings during its annual back-to-school block party. Three other Church of Christ congregations also are providing vaccinations–Oldham Lane,
Read moreCOVID Vaccine ClinicAnyone interested in setting up a COVID vaccine clinic in conjunction with another event can email Cheryl Bacon at baconc@acu.edu. Bacon led the way in setting up a vaccination clinic to be held Wednesday, Aug. 18, at University Church of Christ. By LORETTA FULTON The annual back-to-school block party sponsored by University Church of Christ will have a
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B.O.B.S., or Breakfast on Beech Street, will begin serving sit-down hot meals again beginning Monday, July 19. Since the onset of COVID in 2020, service at B.O.B.S. had been limited to take-out meals that included breakfast bars, bottled juice, and coffee, plus a sandwich and fruit for lunch. Beginning July 19, the traditional hot breakfasts will return, plus the sandwich
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By ROBIN SAYLORAbilene Christian University The COVID-19 pandemic might feel like déjà vu for ACU graduate Kent Brantly, who contracted the deadly Ebola virus in 2014 while serving as a medical missionary in Liberia. Six years later, Brantly and his family returned to Africa, where Kent works in Zambia at Mukinge Mission Hospital. Read a Q&A conducted in 2020 with Brantly
Read moreBishop Scott Mayer has eased COVID-19 restrictions for churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas. Masks will still be required for indoor worship social distancing requirements will be lifted. The diocese issued the following statements, with changes effective Sunday, May 16: After more than a year of living with COVID-19, we may finally be seeing a light at the
Read moreThe following news release was issued Friday, April 20, by Bishop Michael Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo. Effective May 8, the diocese will enter Phase Two Protocols, which ease some restrictions. Changes are as follows: Facemasks for attendees are not mandated but are strongly encouraged. Every pew may now be used. The social distance requirement of six
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