By JANICE SIX The Simpsons have been called on the carpet for the portrayal of the Indian-American character, Apu, who speaks with a thick Indian accent, and is less than ethical as the owner of the fictional Kwik-E-Mart, where he sells food long past its expiration date and rips off his customers. According to an article in the New York
Read more(Editor’s Note: Meredith Stone, director of ministry guidance and instructor of Christian ministry and scripture at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology, was guest speaker for an April 4 presentation at First Central Presbyterian Church. She was introduced by Jacob Snowden, the church’s director of Christian education. Following is his “confession,” which served as an introduction.) By JACOB SNOWDEN I
Read moreBy JANICE SIX Easter morning, pastors will proclaim from pulpits all across this land, “He is risen!” and in response congregants will exclaim, “He is risen indeed!” Alleluias that have laid dormant since Ash Wednesday will arise in response to the magnificent brass, timpani drums, and voices united in song. As the congregation stands to sing “Christ the Lord is
Read moreBy JANICE SIX “What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you say.” This quote is a favorite of mine. It’s certainly not original to me. Most who occupy their time searching for the origin of quotes believe it to be a variation of a saying attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson in an essay published in 1895. The
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON “The battle to be like Christ is won or lost in a millisecond.” It happens as quickly as looking away from someone in need–or looking at them. Everyone knows the story of the Good Samaritan, Richard Beck said to a group Feb. 7 at First Central Presbyterian Church. But we don’t become the Good Samaritan ourselves because
Read moreBy JANICE SIX As the season of Lent draws near, even Christians from non-liturgical denominations and traditions can be heard discussing what they plan to “give up” during the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter morning. It’s baffling to me what people choose to “give up” as a spiritual practice during Lent. For example: Chocolate. Yes, it’s considered to
Read moreBy JANICE SIX It was a Tuesday afternoon and I had ventured across the street to First Central Presbyterian Church’s Food Pantry. After greeting the volunteers, who were busy sacking groceries in the back room, I made my way to the lobby and spotted a vacant chair by the window. After a little while, a young woman came and sat
Read moreBy Loretta Fulton Jim McDonald served on the steering committee that formed the Abilene Association of Congregations in 1985, was a member when it began a year later, and stepped aside as the outgoing president during a ceremony Jan. 9. But he made it clear in his last remarks as president that the association’s history isn’t as important as its
Read moreBy Loretta Fulton The season of Advent, the four-week period of anticipation and reflection leading to Christmas, got off to a joyful, musical, and fun start in Abilene Dec. 3. Several churches held events that ranged from a bell choir concert to messy, but fun, chrismon-making, to an auction of chocolate “church mice” and other goodies. The Canterbury Adult Bell
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Spirit Of Abilene 