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Summer-June, July, August 2026

Healthcare consultant reveals long-term vision for a community of care
Teacher finds niche to help students facing socioeconomic struggles learn
Ideas to reduce homelessness are now being implemented for families
N-Sid-Sen encourages ownership by campers of all ages giving back
Lutherhaven sets kids outdoors and away from the noise of screens
Camp Cross' new cabins will expand numbers of people it can serve
New Ross Point director has passion for church camps
Camp Gifford includes youth who might not otherwise come to camp
Day camps are popular at two United Methodist camp locations
Camp Spalding has 'unprecedented' interest in its camps
Both campers and volunteers value connections at Silver Lake Camp
Reardan Presbyterian connects with community to find new outreach
Rise in diesel prices affects Second Harvest donations, deliveries
Episcopal churches explore ways to build bridges in their communities
Golden picha used to break ground for Salish School
MLK energy hub for every day and emergencies
Sharing and reading stories of innovation, ingenuity gives us hope
Program cut by USAID continues to influence work with women/ SLIHS sums up housing statistics

May 2026

Name 'Joya' conveys joy and seeing children they serve as 'jewels'
Black leaders' journey to South Africa draws insights on U.S. Civil Rights era
MLK Community Center grows into its space, opens resiliency hub on May 12
Students explore their place in U.S. religious, racial, political diversity
Jadrian Tarver embraces music from classical to cultural folk to social justice
Lecturer's thesis examines caste mindset under which he grew up in India
Long-time Fig Tree volunteer editor is continually amazed by stories
Organizers of diocesan partnership celebrate 67 years of connections with Guatemala
Editorial: Multi-racial, cultural community invites unity in action on voting rights
Religious life in Albania is a story of resurrection, restoration and rebirth
Six stops in Good Friday pilgrimage downtown offered questions for reflection

April 2026

Project links region's rural and small-town churches ecumenically
Avista describes some of the various 'named communities' project grants
Garden connects Lidgerwood Presbyterian with its neighbors and a youth project
Spiritual and worldly dynamics intersect in the life, ministry of Amos Atkinson
Laurel Fish uplifts value of persisting in community organizing work
LaRae Wiley gives her speech in Salish language so people hear the sound
Luc Jasmin III knows power of seeing the face of a Black man in a newspaper
David Gortner said that stories bring people together to make miracles
Journalism professor Erica Salkin boosts efforts to support newspapers
Emma Hoagland strengthens nonprofits because of ways they serve
Dayton UMC members choose to use reserve funds to feed hungry people
The demographics at Thrive center in Spokane have changed since 2025
To persist for 42 years of difficult times is the basis for The Fig Tree's strength
SB: Those attending the Benefit Lunch and Breakfast-Time events donate and network

March 2026

SNAP infrastructure has become resilient through ebbs and flows of funding
Policy advocates direct conference attendees to latest information on bills
Faith leaders on panel consider 'Spiritual Ramifications of Persistence'
Young adults discuss political climate, social media, community and inclusion
Two women point out faiths' Golden Rule as impetus for advocacy
Musicians present hymns and camp songs bearing call to advocacy
Gonzaga music professor presents overview of history of 'We Shall Overcome'
Raging Grannies describe their humorous words and sing advocacy songs
Songs are a way the tribes have communicated over the generations
Artist aims to foster dialogue to build bridges with multidisciplinary art
200 in Spokane celebrate Buddhist monk's national Walk for Peace
Center teaches about the Holocaust so people will interrupt hate, violence
Editorial: John Alder always showed up to volunteer, to protest, to protect, to persist
Sounding Board: Visits around Mediterranean stir questions, insights
Sounding Board: Visit to Minnesota stirs questions and insights

February 2026

Pastor understands that love, not just laws needed to transform hearts
Taffy Hunter outlines how domestic violence coalition has impact on people
Ezra 3 Project funds improvements for Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
Four women turn their retirement years to Benedictine community
Stephy Nobles Beans rouses people at Martin Luther King Jr. 2026 rally
Women and men join in Idaho for All to honor diversity and challenge hate
Cathedral of St. John carillonneur plays tunes by depressing batons with fists
Manzanita House welcomes immigrants and refugees by helping in many ways
Sounding Board Commentary - Sermon of a pastor returning from Minneapolis
People of faith must persist in bearing witness, speaking truth
Sounding Board: 300 attend Spokane prayer vigil in solidarity with 650 in Minneapolis

January 2026

Indigenous people and wisdom hold the solutions to climate change
Orthodox church's English liturgy includes Lord's Prayer in diverse languages
Theologians', historians' challenges bring change to Oberammergau Passion Play
Two Spokane environmental activists promote the idea of a Green Amendment
YWCA Spokane new CEO continues core programs, collaborates
Fig Tree editor started WCC Ecumenical Institute newsletter in Bossey, Switzerland
International ties strengthen local congregations in U.S. and abroad
Faiths express concern about shooting, faiths plan response to disaster