By LORETTA FULTON Local and area Catholic churches will be have penance services during Advent, which begins Sunday. Advent marks the beginning of a new church year and is the season leading to Christmas. The final Sunday of Advent will be Dec. 22. The season often is observed with wreaths, which feature a candle to be lit each Sunday, or
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON What could be more Christmasy than an outdoor sing-a-long ending with merry carolers belting out “Joy to the World” or an operatic rendition of Handel’s “Messiah”? How about voices from seven church choirs joining the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra for two presentations Dec. 7? And if that’s not enough, toss in a performance by the Abilene Christian School
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON When I was young, my friend and I would climb a tree and jump from the branches like we were parachuting from a plane. There were two levels–a low jump of about four feet, and when we were brave enough, a six-foot drop. When I was young, another friend and I would ride around the elementary school
Read more
IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury It is a simple request, embodied in a one-syllable, five-letter word. Yet, it is potentially sobering, whether perused by an individual, or considered by an entire nation, or even the world. Whoever penned it likely had no clue that its message should be implemented beyond the walls of Chick-fil-A to a world spinning
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON The neatly arranged rows of boxed and canned foods, diapers and wipes, laundry detergent and other household goods make a statement that this pantry is tended to by someone who cares deeply about its appearance and its purpose, That someone is Latrice Gooden, a student volunteer at the Food For Thought pantry at the Abilene campus of Cisco
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON The parking lot of Arrow Ford will be busier than usual on Friday, Nov. 22, when the 21st annual Mission: Thanksgiving is held 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Each year, Arrow Ford, 4001 S. First St., hosts the event that benefits Love & Care Ministries. At the same time, a similar Mission: Thanksgiving will be taking place
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON When your mother de-Friends you on Facebook, you know you’ve got a problem. Dan Stiver, a religion professor at Hardin-Simmons University, was at a philosophy conference when he heard about that unfortunate family situation. But it could just as easily happen in your own family if disagreements turn to disgust with one another. “That puts the whole
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK I only recently heard the term “enneagram.” I felt a little behind the curve when I discovered that most of my family already knew about it, so I jumped at the chance to attend ACU’s Summit this fall when I saw a two-day course on enneagrams listed in the program. Before you get bored and quit reading,
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS A news report recently identified interesting results. A large number of college students (2,700) from five countries—three from Western cultures and two from Eastern cultures—took a common survey. The content of the survey forced the students to narrow down which characteristics they considered most important as they chose a lifetime mate. The survey took a progressive approach
Read more
