By LORETTA FULTON The new pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church won’t have to spend much time learning his way around Abilene. Benji Van Fleet assumed the role of senior pastor at the historic downtown church on July 1. The Van Fleet family–Benji, his wife Anna and their 7-year-old son Abe–moved to Abilene from First UMC in Stanton, near
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By LORETTA FULTON For the second time in a little over a month, a new senior pastor has been named at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Effective July 1, Benji Van Fleet will become the senior pastor. On Sunday, March 13, Bobby Wilson was announced as the new pastor, also effective July 1. But Wilson, current pastor of St. Paul’s
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON St. Paul United Methodist Church is losing its director of worship arts, Adam Samuels, who has been named the new executive director of the Abilene Education Foundation. His new position is effective June 1. “I am excited and ready to get started,” he said. On July 1, St. Paul also will be getting a new pastor, Bobby
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON A new pastor will be serving St. Paul United Methodist Church effective July 1. Bobby Wilson, current pastor of St. Paul’s UMC in El Paso, was announced Sunday morning, March 13, as the new minister, replacing Steve Patterson, who has been at St. Paul since July 2019. Patterson was appointed as pastor of St. John’s UMC in
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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
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Monday, March 29“The Unsung Hero of Holy Week”Phil Christopher, First Baptist Churchhttps://vimeo.com/529522707 Tuesday, March 30“When God is Late”Shane Hughes, Highland Church of Christvimeo.com/527855462 Wednesday, March 31“Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep”Steve Patterson, St. Paul United Methodist Churchvimeo.com/527413002 Thursday, April 1“The Final Miracle Before the Crucifixion”Cliff Stewart, First Central Presbyterian Churchvimeo.com/527862671 By LORETTA FULTON For the second consecutive year, the
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By LORETTA FULTON Many churches. ministries, and religious institutions are continuing with COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a mask, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that the statewide mask mandate will be lifted effective Wednesday, March 10. The governor’s order also allows restaurants to return to 100 percent seating capacity, effective March 10. Reactions to the governor’s announcement vary from “it’s too
Read moreSt. Paul United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time director of student ministries to work with junior high and senior high students. Interested applicants should contact Steve Patterson, St. Paul pastor, atspatterson@stpaulabilene.org.
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By LORETTA FULTON Possibly no one is happier about the Major League Baseball season finally starting than Dustin Tatro, organist at St. Paul United Methodist Church, who is doubling as organist for the Texas Rangers’ brand new Globe Life Park in Arlington. Tatro was named to the position before the coronavirus shut down baseball and all other sports last spring.
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