Author: webadmin

The COVID epidemic six years ago laid bare a national divide over the authority of science. Scientific recommendations, admittedly sometimes contradictory, were discounted and criticized, and scientists were vilified. It hasn’t gotten better. Science remains one more example of our polarized society. Upper House, the Christian Study Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, waded into the issue with a 3-lecture presentation on a Friday evening, September 11th, featuring a retired University of Wisconsin scientist who is now a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Upper House’s Lumen Center.

By John Gittings, Portage Daily Register – Back in 1851, two churches between Wisconsin Dells and Portage united as one congregation. On Sept. 27, they’ll celebrate a relationship that has lasted 175 years and has no signs of faltering. Newport Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in Newport, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is a 10-minute drive down the road in Lewiston. “Our purpose is to keep spreading the word, the truth of God’s Word, from 1851 to 2026,” said Pastor Bill Grimm, who has served the congregation since 2003. Read more of this story.

By Teagan King, Wisconsin State Journal – There’s a lot of prep work into getting schools ready for another year. Decorating bulletin boards, sharpening pencils, printing worksheets … For the last couple of weeks, more than 300 volunteers put in about 930 hours of service helping with these and other tasks, part of a growing volunteer project known as Love Dane, a partnership between more than 20 Dane County churches and Madison-area schools to prepare for the start of the school year. This year, 26 churches are registered to participate at schools around Dane County. Read more of this story.

By Will Briggs – Madison Cap Times – The Rev. Staci Marrese-Wheeler can pinpoint the moment she heard a conversation that crystalized the need for Madison’s churches to rethink their model. Two young student teachers were talking on their way to a monthly gathering, hosted in the former Lakeview Moravian Church building. “They’d always come past my office and say, ‘Hi,’” recalled Marrese-Wheeler, pastor of Common Grace and co-director of the nonprofit Eastmorland Community Center. “One day I hear (them) as they’re walking downstairs, and one of them says, ‘What does this building smell like? It kind of smells like…

The Perry Quilters of Perry Lutheran Church in  Daleyville (SW Dane County) have completed an incredible 121 quilts this year! Throughout the month of August, these beautiful creations are decorating the church sanctuary. The quilts will be distributed both locally and through Lutheran World Relief. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to this dedicated group for the countless hours, care, and love stitched into every quilt. One stitch at a time, they are wrapping the world in love. Small group, big hearts, and 121 reasons to be amazed! Not just impressive, but ‘sew’ extraordinary!” More quilt photos here.

Elizabeth House in Marshall was dedicated on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 with a prayer of dedication by pastor Jamie Thompson of Door Creek Church, one of the largest evangelical churches in Madison. Minutes later, the staff of Elizabeth House and Care Net of Dane County were prayerfully commissioned in their new facility by Bishop Donald Hying of the Madison Catholic Diocese. Since the days of Martin Luther, Protestants and Catholics have had trouble agreeing on some things. But in the Madison area, ProLife Christians of many denominations have given strong support to Care Net, known as the Pregnancy Information Center…

ARGYLE, Wis (WKOW) — Many gathered at Grove Lutheran Church Sunday for an outdoor worship service to celebrate the rebuilding of its church after nearly two years of planning. Pastor Dan Bowman said the congregation voted to rebuild after the church was destroyed, preserving a presence that has served the community for 127 years. Read more of this story.

By Channel3000.com Bishop Donald J. Hying urged Catholics in the Diocese to refrain from attending mass at St. Therese Chapel in Waunakee and other Society of St. Pius chapels after four priests were illicitly appointed as bishops without the approval of Pope Leo XIV. SSPX is not in full communion with the Catholic Church and ministers cannot exercise legitimate ministry in the church. Read more of this story.

Apologetics is a part of theology that defends religious doctrines, not apologizing for them as one might think. But Scott Bessenecker’s new book is an apology. And also a defense of the Christian church. The book is called Bad Religion Good News, An Honest Guide for the Spiritually Disappointed (Herald Press). Bessenecker is a 40-year Madison resident and employee of Madison-based InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where he currently serves as director of global engagement and justice. “The book is me working through my repulsion, my complicity in the sins of the church,” he told a group of about 50 who gathered…

By Nicole Pollack – Wisconsin State Journal – At Madison’s largest Black church, finding space for all the programming requires some finesse. In one room with rows of narrow tables and a fireplace mantel covered in artwork, the weekly rotation includes tutoring for elementary-aged kids, computer help for older adults, painting and yoga classes and a drop-in behavioral health clinic. Mount Zion Baptist Church has about 600 members, said the Rev. Marcus Allen, Mount Zion’s senior pastor. Most of those served by its community programs are not members of the church, he said, and in 2021 the church spun off…