By RICK HAMMER Here we are at Earth Day 2021 after one of the most tragic and heartbreaking years in over a century. Over the past year the world has been through much sickness and death as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by a highly infective virus. A virus, mind you that is a part of God’s
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By LORETTA FULTON Methodists are used to change, but no one could have predicted the big change that is coming in July. And, it will be welcomed news to all who were touched by the ministry of Felicia Hopkins when she served as senior pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church from 2013 to 2019. Hopkins will be returning to
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS In 1786 poet Robert Burns penned a line that is memorable. Paraphrased, it suggested it would be a great gift from God if we could see ourselves as others see us. I am speaking to myself now as well as readers. The two types of glass with which we are most familiar are windows and mirrors. Through
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON A preacher was making his rounds on a bicycle when he came upon a little boy trying to sell a lawnmower. How much do you want for the mower?’ asked the preacher. “I just want enough money to go out and buy me a bicycle,” said the little boy. After a moment of consideration, the preacher asked, “Will
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By LORETTA FULTON As accomplished as she is, Jessica Goudeau had no intention of writing a book when she met a refugee at a church festival in Austin. She had no intention of forming a relationship with the woman and her family. And, she had no intention of starting a nonprofit to aid other refugees from the same country, Myanmar
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Editor’s Note: The following article by Loretta Fulton first was published in the West Texas Angelus, the newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo. By Loretta Fulton Every priest serving St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church in Abilene since 1985 has at one time or another said the same words when confronted with an issue that needed a decision. “Let’s
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK I recently had my seventy-first birthday. (I didn’t say “celebrate” because I don’t enjoy birthdays as some people do.) My birthdays, especially those of the past two decades, have effected a time of reflection and assessment for me. I think my family must have had some pretty good genes because most of us have lived full lives.
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS At the conclusion of a visit to a hospice patient, the outside caregiver must complete an electronic questionnaire regarding the impressions from the visit. This is a requirement of the hospice providing company as well as Medicare, the entity often paying for the service. Since there are generally three different types of service provided, there are three
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS It has happened so many times now that I have stopped thinking it is unusual. I will see or hear one snippet and, suddenly, a flood of other memories arises and stacks on top. One of my favorite parts of the local newspaper is a section “Today in History.” Here appears a short list of notable events
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