Author: Gordon Govier

Travis Agnew’s album release show has been half a decade in the making. “I started writing songs for this album five years ago,” the Cottage Grove musician said. “I’ve done other projects since then, but it’s something that was kind of slowly boiling to the surface.” “Under the Sun” is comprised of 15 diverse songs about all aspects of life. They will be performed at his album release show Feb. 15 at the Majestic Theatre in Madison. “I kind of approached it as a soundtrack to the human experience,” Agnew said. Inspiration for the album came from his own life…

Do faith and football go together? For players on the Philadelphia Eagles, the answer is a resounding “yes.” The Eagles won their first Super Bowl 41-33 over the New England Patriots in a hard-fought game Sunday night in Minneapolis. “All glory to God,” MVP Quarterback Nick Foles said right after the win. “I felt calm. We have such a great group of guys, such a great coaching staff… we’re very blessed,” he said. Just nine years ago, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was coaching high school. Now he’s a Super Bowl champion. “I can only give the praise to my Lord…

It was a fifth anniversary for an interdenominational organization serving black Christian students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the 30th birthday of the woman who started all this here. The Friday evening gathering Upper House brought together community supporters, ministry partners, and students to celebrate Impact Badger. Kesha Wilkinson is the campus coach who launched this five years ago when she saw a need in Madison.

Church and state are about to collide on the calendar. Ash Wednesday, when Christians are smudged with a reminder of death, falls on gushy, lovey Valentine’s Day. And Easter, the most important Christian observance, lands on April Fools’ Day, when we need to be careful what to believe.

Merely remembering and celebrating the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. isn’t enough, a speaker told those at Madison’s annual observance honoring the civil rights leader at the state Capitol Monday. To advance the ideals King espoused, people must continue to live them and fight for them, said Muhibb Dyer, the keynote speaker at the longest-running state tribute to King in the nation, now in its 38th year. He said that’s especially important because disparities are still so wide and young African-American children — including those in Wisconsin — still don’t have the same opportunities as…

In three months, The Beacon has quickly become a refuge for the homeless, bringing comfort to some of the community’s most fragile individuals, but also attracting predators and crime while testing an operating model that relies almost exclusively on volunteers. On Oct. 16, Dane County and partners opened the day resource center offering showers, laundry, restrooms, kitchen, mail operation, lockers, food, computer lab, family space and offices for nonprofits at the property, five blocks from the Capitol at 615 E. Washington Ave. The operator, Catholic Charities Madison, had expected usage to gradually grow to about 150 a day. But on…

The Perspectives on the World Christian Movement is an opportunity for ordinary Christians to gain a global perspective on the spread of the Gospel around the world. Once again this unique opportunity is being offered to Madison area residents, featuring sessions taught by local residents who have global missions experience. Perspectives participants strengthen their foundation in the gospel by learning from the history, the strategies, the theology, and the practices of the world Christian movement. They go deeper in understanding how God works in communities and discover more how to live cross-culturally.

BELOIT – Would having your pet by your side make you more comfortable at church? Gridley Congregational Church, 1101 Partridge Ave., is inviting people and their (friendly) pets to services on the last Sunday of each month at 10 a.m. The first animal-friendly service will be Jan. 28. Pets should preferably be on a leash, or in a cage if necessary. Pastor Jerry Thomas, wife Cindy and minister-in-training Sean Williams want everyone to know they love animals and so does God. Pets have a soul and are great companions.

Nearly 400 people converged on First United Methodist Church for the Downtown church’s annual free Christmas meal, and they left Monday with their stomachs full and their hearts content. “It was a blessing to me,” said Virginia Cox, who said she will be homeless in one week. “It gave us life.” Cox, a first-timer at the holiday feast, came with her fiance, Thornton White, who said he has been living in his van since late November.

As the sun set at 4:26 p.m. Thursday, the ensuing darkness capped the shortest day of the year. But for some, it marked more than just the winter solstice — it was the start of months of cold winds and a snow-shrouded landscape that challenges survival. For the 10th year, members of Madison’s homeless community, faith leaders, advocates and friends honored homeless people who have died in the past year during the Longest Night memorial service.