Items of interest

with contributions from Antoinette Rahn, Frank E. Lockwood, Sonia Sharma

"Bible studies are not just for homes and churches anymore. Groups in central Wisconsin are finding they can draw new members by meeting in public places such as restaurants, libraries, coffee shops, and community centers. Three south Wood County women have found success in the three years since they moved their weekly Bible study to From the Ground Up Coffee House in Wisconsin Rapids.

"'It couldn't have been a better idea,' said Nekoosa resident Bonnie Lemke... a core member of the Friday morning women's group. 'We have people on our list of participants, but not everyone comes at once... We have a mixture of ages, denominations, and people from south Wood County. We have people who've joined us because they've heard us laughing and having a good time.'....

"[And] the very-public fellowship of Student Impact and Athletes Action on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus piqued Asha Dewan's interest as interest as a freashman.... Holding visible meeting on campus helps people see that many Christians are fun and not close-minded or judgmental, Dewan said. 'I think it's refreshing for people to see that it's not just about church on Sunday and that fellowship is people caring for people,' she said....

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