News

A local Lutheran bishop faces tentative homicide charges after a crash Sunday that killed a 52-year old woman, according to Sun Prairie police and a local pastor. Bruce H. Burnside, 59, of Madison was arrested on tentative charges of homicide by intoxicated driving after he allegedly hit a female pedestrian at the northbound off ramp of Highway 151 at Windsor Street in Sun Prairie.

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Though Protestants—by and large—do not hold pilgrimages in high esteem, many “tours” to locations of spiritual significance—be it the Holy Land, Reformation Germany, or Anglican England—still play an important role in the life of many people. But what about Chicago, Illinois? Not usually associated with pilgrimages, Chicago should become a place of interest for Protestants wanting to bask in the life and history of the Protestant movement in America.  

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If this were a typical year at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, the high school seniors would have spent last week packing swimsuits and beach towels for the annual spring break class trip to South Padre Island, a Texas resort town. Instead, the students were swallowing anti-malaria pills and stocking up on Wet Wipes. The class of 2013 voted to forgo the traditional beach vacation for a “Survivor”-like mission experience in Panama.

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Raised agnostic, Aria Cabot figures she set foot in a church fewer than 20 times growing up. For her undergraduate degree, she chose Smith College, a “progressive, feminist” school, as she puts it, in Northampton, Mass. That’s why some of her friends are now a bit puzzled. “They say, ‘Whoa, I didn’t expect this from you,’” said Cabot, 29, a graduate student at UW-Madison. This weekend, Cabot is joining the Catholic Church. In the Catholic tradition, adult converts are welcomed every year at Easter, a time of rebirth and renewal for all Christians as they mark the resurrection of Jesus…

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A typical Sunday night at Chief’s Tavern is pretty quiet — a few regulars, having a beer and watching the game. But if those regulars had stopped in at 7 p.m. on the first Sunday in March, they likely found their east side pub unrecognizable. On that night, some 50 Lutherans from a nearby church crowded the tables, drinking pints and singing “Amazing Grace,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and “Be Thou My Vision.” The atmosphere was noisy and fun, accompanied by acoustic guitar and djembe bongo drum. Some people danced, most clapped. “When the Saints Go Marching In” inspired…

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