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| How are Sigfried and Roy connected with this story? How is a bar connected with a hymn sing? |
Lutheran church postpones 'Beer & Hymns' sing-along after bishop's arrest : Ct:
A Lutheran church on Madison’s east side has put its “Beers & Hymns” social gathering on hiatus, after its bishop was charged this week with striking and killing a Sun Prairie woman while driving drunk.
Pastor Brian Konkol of Lake Edge Lutheran Church, 4032 Monona Drive, offered only a prepared statement on Friday:
“We are postponing ‘Beers and Hymns’ out of compassion, solidarity and respect for the family and friends of Maureen Mengelt, Bishop Bruce Burnside, and this entire tragic situation,” Konkol said Friday.
He would not comment further.
Burnside has been charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, two other felonies and one misdemeanor in connection with the incident Sunday afternoon, in which Burnside’s sport-utility vehicle struck Mengelt as he exited Highway 151 at Windsor Street in Sun Prairie.
Lake Edge Lutheran hosted the “Beers & Hymns” sing-along at Chief’s Tavern on nearby Cottage Grove Road on March 3 and last Sunday, in what was planned as a monthly get-together to introduce the congregation to neighborhood residents.
In a Capital Times feature story last month on faith-related gatherings in local bars, Konkol told reporter Lindsay Christians that while some members of his congregation were concerned about serving up beer with hymns, others praised the outreach effort. “We need to be sensitive to those that have struggled, but not demonize alcohol itself,” Konkol said.
Burnside, 59, oversees 145 area congregations (including Lake Edge) as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He was released on a signature bond Thursday and entered a residential alcohol treatment program. The synod has appointed an acting bishop.
A visitation for Mengelt, 52, was held Friday. People were encouraged by her family to wear tennis shoes in honor of the avid runner who was fatally injured while jogging a favorite route.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/pat_schneider/lutheran-church-postpones-beer-hymns-sing-along-after-bishop-s/article_5e6ace78-f589-5f80-8925-ca6668f05aab.html#ixzz2QL2nBJp4
'via Blog this'
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GJ - They get an A for feigned sensitivity. Otherwise - an F.
