Several churches will be hosting “Blue Christmas” or “Quiet Night” services for people who are grieving this holiday season. Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, will host a Blue Christmas service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St., will have a Quiet Night Holy Eucharist service at 5:30 p.m.

Air Force veteran and former combat medic Bonnie Ressler has spent her life protecting the vulnerable. This December, she graduates from Hardin-Simmons University’s Physician Assistant program and steps into a neonatal fellowship shaped by faith, resilience, and service.Click here to read HSU news release. Bonnie Ressler

ACU to debut intercollegiate golf tournament in 2026Officials from Abilene Christian University Athletics, Golf Channel and HNS Sports Group announced a new collegiate golf tournament, the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate. The competition will be held annually at Halbert National in Granbury. The inaugural event will take place October 19-21, 2026. Click here to read ACU news release. HPU nursing student awarded

The Grace Museum will host a Christmas tree craft session 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23. The collage craft is free with the price of admission. The event is for all ages.

Leo Brownfield IV has been named the inaugural head coach of McMurry University’s newly established women’s flag football program, which will begin competition in 2027. Read more

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) Abilene will host face-to-face meetings at 10 a.m. every Saturday at the Breakfast on Beech Street (BOBS) location, 301 Beech St. Since March 2020, Abilene Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meetings have been exclusively available via Zoom. OA is not a diet club. Following the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, OA is a fellowship of individuals who support one another

Christian Homes & Family Services is hosting a Cookie Crawl, with large and small boxes available. Order online and pick up your box at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St. Click here to reserve a box.

There’s no excuse for not getting in the Christmas spirit, with numerous concerts, theatrical presentations, and special events leading to Dec. 25. There is plenty more in store before Christmas day. Click here for a full rundown.

Universal Human Rights MonthThe Grace Museum will feature a display in observance of Universal Human Rights Month through Dec. 30. Universal Human Rights Month celebrates the landmark document that “enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth