Lena Lopez Schindler celebrates that social networks for The Windfall Thrift Store in the South Perry Neighborhood are close and personal.

A thrift store and a children’s center partner to help them serve families in the South Perry neighborhood.

Melissa Cloninger, Second Harvest Food Bank, said 25 percent more people were accessing food in their network in 2012.

The City of Spokane has contracted with First Covenant Church at 212 S. Division to serve as a warming center for homeless men.

Christmas Bureau donations makes its coordinator Judy Lee more aware of the meaning of Christmas.

We need media that enhance and enrich our culture and society

Loss of identity sets up a sense of solidarity with the world’s displaced

Fair Trade items from Kashmir will be sold at the Jubilee International Market benefit families of craftsmen struggling in Kashmir.

The Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho, contributes artifacts to the “Essential Idaho" exhibit and reflects on their past and future role in the church.

Shalom Ministries’ Dining with Dignity program at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Spokane is reorganized with new staff and purpose.

The vote Nov. 6 on referendum 74 decides whether voters will uphold the State Legislature’s vote for marriage equality, conversations will continue in the faith community.

Catholic Charities has new orientation program to help young undocumented immigrants apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Those who trust in God’s abundance avoid the epidemic of obesity

Rick and Jere Gillespie, retired from teaching, continue to be activists for peace and environmental movements in their simple lifestyle.

Jo Hendricks, one of The Fig Tree founders and editorial writer from 1984-2006, died in September at the age of 99 years.

Family Promise Box Cities in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene will spring up on October 12, to raise awareness to homelessness.

Anita and Heiko Held are establishing a Healing Room MInistry in Zambia for young people who grew up in orphanages.

Quaker leader delves into key issues faith community addresses nationally

Assistance convent sisters received during fire is reminder of goodness.

Powwows build cohesiveness and community and promote respect, honor and dignity as people listen to and experience prayers, ceremonies, speeches and humor.

Area community encircled the Sikh Gurudwara to express solidarity and caring in August, led by The Rev. Todd Eklof.

Methodist summer community has become site for interfaith unity and respect. In 2012, it celebrated the work of Swami Vivekananda more than 117 years ago.

The Hate Studies Institute, Gonzaga University, announces the award winners - the Kootenai County Task Force and the Rev Happy Watkins.

The 2012-2013 Directory of Congregations and Community Serviceshas been published and is being distributed.

Can we see beyond propagandistic packaging, so we can discuss politics?

Julia Child’s experience with propaganda lends insights into politics today

Area church camps offer more than a summer of building community and leadership in the midst of nature and fun activities.

Teen Aid, began the Success Shop to help disadvantaged people gain skills as entrepreneurs.

Jackie O’Ryan seeks to help Washington’s congregations build a stronger, interfaith voice to advocate for poor as FAN co-director

Archbishop Desmond Tutu challenged Gonzaga graduates to respond to God’s call to collaborate with God and make the world more hospitable

The Fig Tree, World Relief, Refugee Connections, and Aging and Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington translate Directory

Brian Estes brings a different face to farming promoting urban farming, community gardens and farmers’ markets as parts of urban food production.

The Iraqi Student Project (ISP) brought Mustafa Mahmood to study at Gonzaga, where he is share about their families, communities and religion, as well as studying.

Second Harvest’s new Asuris Northwest Health Volunteer Center provides a safer and more ergonomic setting for volunteers to sort and box food donations for distribution.

Prophetic dancing in worship helps bring healing,and raises self-esteem attests Mona Martin of the Christian Dance Academy.

John Roth, a Holocaust educator speaking at the 2012 Yom Hashoah, challenged people to risk to speak up and speak out when values are in danger.

Author, Wendell Berry, offers food for thought about mindsets that frame values

Internship gives hope for new journalist that she can make a difference.

John Osborn, physician-conservationist, applies principles he uses to diagnose and treat sick people to heal the environment.

New Life Community Church in Rathdrum program, We've got Stuff, helps North Idaho service programs with needed household items.

Catherine Swan Reimer, native american educator and therapist, will speak on "Wisdom in Native American Traditions" at the Ministry Institute April 14.

Stories and comments shared at the benefit breakfast and lunch for the Fig Tree uplifts the many credible ways the faith community contributes

Ingrid Betancourt's faith grew while in captivity six and a half years in Colombia. She shared her experience as part of the Gonzaga University Presidential Series.

Trish McFarland, Director of the YWCA, finds her most meaningful work in sharing stories and classes with the program Alternatives to Domestic Violence.

Organization of International Religious Science from Golden, CO, and Centers for Spiritual Living, from Spokane unite and move headquarters.

Four Newport churches join in Lenten soup suppers and worship for six weeks of dialogue at each other's churches.

Life Center Church in Spokane reaches around world to awaken their own congregants involves worshipers in community and global ministries.

The Fig Tree’s annual Benefit Breakfast, Wednesday, March 14, and the Benefit Lunch, Friday, March 16.  Both events are at Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University.

Books and poetry help us share thoughts and emotions, touching our lives.

Robbie Paul, director of Native American Health Sciences at Washington State University, knows health and healing involve more than medical and prescriptions.

Eastern Washington Legislative Conference, a panel of three regional church leaders reflected on their churches’ statements on economic justice

Local leaders explore ramifications of income gap at the 2012 Eastern Washington Legislative Conference workshop on the state budget

Workshop raises issues before legislature toregulate toxins in products used by children and also water use issues.

World Relief and Lutheran Community Servicesseek to raise awareness, and curb the spread of human trafficking in the Inland Northwest

As we once-young weather history, may we share the need to persevere

Educating and empowering women improves lives in the next generation

“This is a time to stand up and make a statement,” is the theme the Martin Luther King, Jr., planning committee chose for 2012.

Many Inland Northwest communities plan Martin Luther King, Jr., Day events - Yakima, Pullman, Coeur d'Alene, Ellensburg, Lewiston

New labyrinth at Country Homes Christian Church is an active experience to give each walker a path on their journey toward spiritual growth.

The first Community Toy Store, First Presbyterian Church, offered families an opportunity to purchase toys at 80 percent.

Just peace, prayer and common witness keep the church relevant from message of the Rev. Olav Fyske Tveit, World Council of Churches.