By LORETTA FULTON Thinking of going shopping for a new Easter outfit? Be sure to add “white mask” to the list. A year after Christians were stunned by the closure of churches on Easter Sunday, life is somewhat back to normal. In 2020, the traditional Easter celebrations with flowers, music, sunrise services, breakfasts, and egg hunts fell victim to the
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By LORETTA FULTON Many churches. ministries, and religious institutions are continuing with COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a mask, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that the statewide mask mandate will be lifted effective Wednesday, March 10. The governor’s order also allows restaurants to return to 100 percent seating capacity, effective March 10. Reactions to the governor’s announcement vary from “it’s too
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Pew Research CenterAnna Schiller As the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause deaths and disrupt billions of lives globally, people may turn to religious groups, family, friends, co-workers or other social networks for support. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in 14 countries in the summer of 2020 reveals that more Americans than people in other economically developed countries say the outbreak has
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By DARRYL TIPPENS “Life has never been normal.”—C. S. Lewis In the midst of the pandemic with its endless disruptions and tragic loss of life, it’s tempting to shout, “This is unprecedented—the worst ever! Nothing like this has ever happened before!” It’s easy to think such thoughts, but they are not true to the facts. It’s been this bad before
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By LORETTA FULTON More than a dozen Abilene churches, including one with two campuses, are canceling in-person worship services Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, and in some cases farther into the future, following a public letter signed by fifteen Hendrick Medical Center officials and community leaders expressing concern over the growing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Also, Bishop Michael
Read moreBy CAROLYN NEWMAN I do not go to church in town,I go to church in my nightgown.I do not want to be a crier‘Cause I cannot sing in choir. I’ve done that for 53 yearsSee me holding back my tears?The next best thing for you and meIs pioneerdrive.tv. I do miss my Sunday School friendsMy teacher’s expertise never ends.Our leader
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“The Year of COVID-19” won’t be celebrated by many people, but don’t discount the innovation and creativity that continues to pop up because of the pandemic. Spirit of Abilene would like to share the innovative and creative ways that congregations, or individuals, are coping with the chaos brought about by the coronavirus. What does your “Everyday Ministry” look like during this
Read moreEditor’s Note: Nancy Patrick is a regular contributor to Spirit of Abilene. Her columns usually carry weight, but she recently posted the following “Lessons Learned,” with both insight and humor, on Facebook. Read and enjoy. Lessons learned from COVID-19 quarantine from Nancy Patrick 1. I know there is no one I had rather been quarantined with than my sweet husband
Read moreEnglish singer and hymn writer Andrew D. Brewis is hoping to raise money for Christian Aid’s COVID-19 Appeal with his new single, This Is The Time To Pray. The new song, based on a poem by the late William Aubert Luce, was released on Saturday, May 23. To hear Brewis perform the hymn, go to thetimetopray.com. Brewis is a Christian Science pratitioner,
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