Bill Libby, former Army chaplain and longtime religion professor at McMurry University, died Jan. 7, at his home in Abilene. Funeral was scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, where Libby was a longtime member, former associate pastor, and founder of the Pathfinders Sunday School class, comprised mostly of Vietnam-era veterans. Libby will be
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By LORETTA FULTON Each December, members of Religion News Association, including Spirit of Abilene creator and editor Loretta Fulton, choose the top religion stories of the year. Those include the top national stories, international stories, and newsmaker of the year.Many of the Top 10 stories, as voted on by members, had local implications, including the No. 1 story, the Supreme
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ACU Gets Largest Single Gift From Dukes Estate The late Dr. Bill and Janie Dukes have given, through their estate, more than $29 million to Abilene Christian University – the largest single academic gift in ACU’s history. Their generosity will establish the Dr. William P. and Janie B. Dukes Excellence in Finance Endowment, supporting prestigious finance student scholarships, preparing students
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The Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, a scholar, pastor, preacher, and activist, will be guest speaker for the Fall Religion Lectureship at McMurry University. The Abilene Interfaith Council also will count the two-day event as its October meeting. Lectures will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, and at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25. Both events will be in Matthews
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By LORETTA FULTON The United Methodist Church is united no more. A number of local congregations have voted to disaffiliate with the UMC and join the new Global Methodist Church. That trend is expected to continue in Abilene and across the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, a regional jurisdiction. For those who have voted to disaffiliate, the change takes effect Jan.
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By LORETTA FULTON Russell Miller didn’t attend McMurry University, but he got to campus as fast as he could. Miller is the new assistant university chaplain and assistant director of religious and spiritual life at McMurry. Marty CashBurless is university chaplain. Miller counts at least 16 family members who attended McMurry, including his own children, who graduated in 2009 and
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By LORETTA FULTON McMurry and Abilene Christian universities both saw enrollment increases for fall 2022, while Hardin-Simmons University recorded its third consecutive enrollment drop. ACU, affiliated with the Churches of Christ, hit a record high for the fifth consecutive year. Total enrollment for fall 2022 is 5,731 students. The university saw increases in all key areas: undergraduate enrollment, graduate enrollment
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Donations are be accepted to help sustain the new Centennial Iris Garden at McMurry University. To donate, contact Josh Poorman, executive director of development, at poorman.josh@mcm.edu or 325.793.4763. By LORETTA FULTON A longstanding tradition at McMurry University that ended in 2007 is being resurrected for the university’s centennial celebration. McMurry opened in September 1923, but centennial events already have begun on campus.
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By LORETTA FULTON “You Are Here for a Reason.” That was the title of a message from McMurry University Chaplain Marty CashBurless during the opening chapel service, but it could easily have been the theme for similar ceremonies at Hardin-Simmons and Abilene Christian universities, as well. All three of Abilene’s universities opened the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 29. ACU
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Spirit Of Abilene 