TakeMeOuttotheBallgame.mov Click on the link above to watch Abilenian Dustin Tatro playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and other baseball favorites. By LORETTA FULTON “I’m the Texas Rangers organist!” Please excuse Dustin Tatro if he can’t help saying that over and over. The St. Paul United Methodist Church organist and EMT for Citizens Emergency Medical Service has added
Read moreHOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Four Abilene Churches, continuing in a tradition over 35 years old in Abilene, are hosting Holy Week Luncheon Series–without the luncheon–Monday through Thursday, April 6-9. St. Paul United Methodist, Highland Church of Christ, First Baptist Church and First Central Presbyterian Church are the host churches. For the first time, the traditional luncheon series won’t be held, due
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By LORETTA FULTON Downtown Abilene was eerily quiet Sunday morning as parking lots at St. Paul United Methodist, First Central Presbyterian, and First Baptist churches were practically empty. That doesn’t mean nothing was happening inside. St. Paul and First Baptist broadcast services live as usual, although with no congregations, and First Central Presbyterian aired via Facebook. Sunday morning was challenging.
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON A move to Abilene as senior pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church put Steve Patterson almost back at Square One, give or take about 30 miles and a population difference of several thousand people. The journey to St. Paul started in 1991 at the United Methodist Church in Avoca, located southeast of Stamford in Jones County.
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Easter Sunday, the holiest day of the Christian year, when resurrection and new life are celebrated, will have a touch of sadness this year. For members of St. Paul United Methodist Church and anyone in Abilene who has interacted with the pastor, Felicia Hopkins, it will be a bit of a farewell. This will be her final Easter
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The Rev. Iziar Lankford, 74, retired at the end of December and his church, Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church, merged with St. Paul UMC. Lankford will continue the “soup kitchen” he operates at Southwest Drive until the building sells or is put to some other use. Even then, he will continue his Tuesday meal ministry, which features a “from
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Popular Abilene pastor Felicia Hopkins is headed for the Panhandle in July after being appointed Amarillo District Superintendent of the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. No replacement has been named at St. Paul. In 2013 Hopkins became the first woman first African-American senior pastor at historic St. Paul United Methodist Church. Her appointment was made by Bishop
Read moreGET AN EARLY START ON FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES If you just can’t wait until July 4 for Fourth of July events, join in the fun on June 29 in the Alameda neighborhood. Pioneer Drive Baptist Church is sponsoring an Alameda Patriotic Parade and other family events 6-8 p.m. Friday June 29. The parade set up begins at 5:30. The
Read morePeople of faith all over the country are speaking out against the bigotry and hatred that ended in death in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend. If you would like to add your comments, thoughts, reflections, please send to editor@spiritofabilene.com And, please attach a photo of yourself. Below are submissions from Jacob Snowden, president of the Abilene Interfaith Council, and Jen
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