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September 2025 Newsbriefs

New Resource Directory is available in print, online

The 2025-2026 Resource Directory: Guide to Congregations and Community Agencies was published over the summer. Copies were mailed and bulk orders were delivered in late August.

Updated booklets of the different sections are now available online at thefigtree.org/directorybooklets25-26.html and corrections will be worked into the website version in the fall.

Directory editor Malcolm Haworth said this year there were many changes in agencies because "these times are fluid." There are always continual changes, so agencies should send updates to resourcedirectory@thefigtree.org.

"We continue to raise funds to make up for fewer ads this year, reaching out to add community partners and sponsors," said Marijke Fakasiieiki, development and editorial associate. 

"To recognize the community partners and say thank you, we are listing them here and in the ad on page 3," she said.

Community partners are Banner Bank, Sisters of the Holy Names, Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest, Washington Trust Bank, Innovia Foundation. Launch Northwest, Molina Health, Rotary 21 Spokane, Gonzaga University, The NATIVE Project, Goodwill Industries, Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, City of Spokane, Northwest Intermountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Jasmin & Associates, Liberty Park / St. Paul's United Methodist church, YWCA Spokane, Northern Lights Disciples of Christ, Lifeline Insurance and Kiwanis Club of East Spokane.

"Volunteers made a difference. Second Harvest volunteers helped deliver more than 6,500 copies to 52 locations, and about 20 Fig Tree volunteers delivered another 4,000," Marijke added.

For information or to donate, call 535-1813 or visit thefigtree.org/donate.html.

Spring Benefit Lunch will be March 14

The Fig Tree has just changed the date for its annual Spring Benefit Lunch to Saturday, March 14. It was previously set for March 6. The Breakfast-time Zoom Benefit will be March 18.

"Before that comes around, however, we will be completing our annual fundraising drive this fall with our fall fundraiser, which runs from Oct. 21 to Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, and rounds out with year-end giving," said Mary Stamp, editor.

"We met our goal for the 2025 Spring Benefit and now will raise $16,000 more from sponsors," she said.

The planning committee meets at noon on first Thursdays—Sept. 4 this month—and welcomes volunteers to help shape the fall and spring campaigns. Volunteers are also needed to help with deliveries, mailings and displays.

"We will choose the theme at our meeting this month," said Mary, "and will begin recruiting the speakers. We will use video from the 2025 benefits for the fall fundraiser."

For information, call 535-4112.

PJALS celebrates its 50th anniversary

PJALS hosts its 50th Anniversary Benefit Luncheon, 12 to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15 in Spokane Valley with the location provided upon registration. The theme is "Still We Rise: 50 Years of Resistance and Resilience."

They will highlight the enduring struggle and unyielding hope of everyday people who have sustained the work through to this moment.

The emphasis is on everyday people accomplishing extraordinary things together, and its 50 year history organizing for racial equity, economic justice, peace and human rights, and building a multi-racial, intergenerational, all-gender, rural-urban, bottom-up movement centered on the leadership of impacted people.

To be a table host or sponsor, contact slichty@pjals.org

Thrive Center is hub of hope and healing

Thrive International celebrated the third anniversary of Thrive Center Spokane and its milestone of having housed more than 1,000 individuals with a block party in its Spokane parking lot on Aug. 22.

With support from BECU, the Spokane Police Department and First Presbyterian Church, Thrive gave away new shoes and backpacks filled with school supplies, said Amelia Ingle, media and communications manager.

Since opening its doors in June of 2022, Thrive Center Spokane has grown into a hub of hope and healing for refugee and immigrant families, but its impact extends beyond Spokane.

Since December 2023, its Western Washington program has provided shelter for 870 people. When it opened the Thrive Center Tacoma in September 2024, it began to offer housing and support under one roof.

For information, call 688-4056 or email amelia@thriveinternational.org

Family Promise holds UnGala on Oct. 2

Family Promise of Spokane gathers for UnGala, its fundraiser with a Dr. Seuss theme to gather to celebrate with games at 4:30 p.m., food at 5 p.m. and program at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct 2, at Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley.

The event will focus on the community coming together to help families in Spokane overcome homelessness and build lasting stability with powerful stories, games, food and ideas of how to impact the work of Family Promise, celebrating its good work and investing in a future where every child has a place to call home.

For information, visit familypromiseofspokane.org/ungala

Habitat invites faiths to join Faith Build

Habitat for Humanity Spokane's Faith in Action initiative provides a space where people of all religions and those guided by moral convictions come together to build not only homes but also hope and understanding.

Its first Faith Build fundraising event series is running on fourth Saturdays of August through October, as a way to create a day for faith communities to gather for fellowship and hands-on services to build homes and hope.

"Faith belongs on the jobsite as a call to serve. While theological paths may differ, the desire to care for neighbors is universal," said Gloria Penaflor, volunteer and faith outreach manager, summarizing principles that inspire people from different faiths.

• In Christianity, Jesus calls followers to love their neighbors and care for the poor.

• In Judaism, tikkun olam calls for acts of justice to repair the world.

• In Islam, zakat and sadaqah emphasize giving and caring for those in need.

• In Buddhism, compassion and right action guide moral living.

• In Hinduism, seva (selfless service) uplifts the divine in every person.

• In Sikhism, serving humanity is a sacred duty.

"Over the years, faith groups have partnered with Habitat-Spokane to make lasting change possible," said Gloria. "From sacred texts to shared values, many spiritual traditions uphold the belief that every person deserves dignity, stability and a safe place to call home."

Habitat-Spokane invites faith communities to partner with them in living out these values through action.

While shifts on Sept. 27 are full, there are just a few morning and afternoon slots available  on Saturday, Oct. 25.

For information, visit habitat-spokane.org/faith-in-action

Synod welcomes Tanzanian church leaders

Since 1990, the Northwest Intermountain (NWIM) Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has had a Companion Synod Relationship with the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese (UKD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania to share ideas, lift one another in prayer and support each other as they walk Bega kwa Bega (Shoulder to Shoulder).

In September and October, the NWIM is welcoming two guests from the UKD.

Pastor Wilson Nyakachewa, assistant to the UKD bishop, is coming with Pastor Ezekiel Mwambungu, who serves on the Diocese Leadership Team and is the director of the UKD's Strobelt Pre and Primary School. 

From Sept. 8 to Oct. 27, they will travel throughout the synod, visiting cluster events to share about the hospital and school the NWIM Synod supports and to learn about plans for 20 people from the synod to travel to Tanzania in June 2026 with two leaders, Janet Boyer and Cory English.

"I had the awesome experience of traveling there with my grandson in July 2025. The people there are so filled with joy and welcoming. We are now part of their family as they are part of our family," said Janet.

"Spending time in the UKD is a life-changing, heart-warming, enlightening, and fulfilling experience," added Heidi Cryer, chair of the Companion Synod Team. "The journey is not easy, but the joys received do outweigh the burdens."

Participants will return home to be ambassadors of the NWIM-UKD relationship.

The Global Mission Committee plans synod trips to the UKD every two to three years.

Heidi said that the synod seeks assistance with transporting guests for the fall visit.

For information, call 539-0449 or email hacryer@gmail.com

Whitworth explores evangelical-ecumenist

Whitworth is hosting a film screening and panel discussion about educator, evangelist and author Henrietta Mears from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, at Weyerhaeuser Hall.

The panel features the film's producer Rob Loo, Whitworth alum Tim McCalmont and Whitworth emeritus history professor, Arlin Migliazzo.

Arlin, the author of Mother of Modern Evangelicalism: The Life & Legacy of Henrietta Mears, interviewed more than 60 people for the book.

Henrietta was born in 1890 in Fargo, N.D., to a banker and businessman with a mother and grandmother who greatly influenced her spiritual life and shaped her understanding of faith. She moved frequently, settling in Minneapolis and attending First Baptist Church, led by the Rev. William Reilly, a leader of the World Christian Fundamentalist Association.

She studied chemistry in the 1910s, taught in rural schools in Minneapolis, then reengaged in Reilly's church as a Sunday School leader and became a Bible teacher. In the 1920s, she began as the director of religious education at Hollywood Presbyterian Church and worked 35 years in that field.

Henrietta started a conference center in California and served on the National Association of Evangelicals Commission of International Relations, launched a Hollywood Christian group and worked for the National Sunday School Association. More than 400 college students she mentored became lay leaders.

In her 70s, she founded an organization to train Indigenous groups in their own languages, believing they needed to carry on without the support of missionaries.

A passion for service and an ecumenical mindset were characteristics of her ministry. She moved American Christianity away from orthodoxy and fear to be more open, ecumenical and inclusive.

For information, email amandaclark@whitworth.edu

Multifaith Peace Vigil offers solidarity

A Multifaith Peace Vigil in solidarity with Immigrants and Refugees, hosted by St. Ann parish's Matthew 25 Ministry, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Spokane Federal Building Plaza.

Organizers hope for the community to come together in support and solidarity with refugees and immigrants living in fear and to stand up for the vulnerable and marginalized in the tradition of Matthew 25, "For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me."

For information, contact 535-3031 or sjm.stann@gmail.com

VOA hosts Eye Contact Fundraiser with art

The Volunteers of America Annual Eye Contact Fundraiser, featuring art created by its clients and storytelling on resilience and strength, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Washington Cracker Building.

Its theme, "Sacred Shapes," is a tribute to how people are shaped by connection, healing and hope, said Sherrece Scott, director of annual giving. The theme, which appears in the Crosswalk logo, reflects the sunflower as a sacred shape, turning toward the light, standing tall and growing each day.

The fundraiser features a silent and live auctions, and food prepared by Inland Pacific Kitchen.

For information, visit event.gives/eye2025

Library event highlights Hanford legacies

Spokane Public Library will shine a light on the lasting impacts of environmental contamination in the Northwest at "Hanford Leaks, Legends and Legacies" from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Central Library, 906 W. Main.

A panel of writers and activists, Trisha Pritikin, Kay-Smith Blum, James Patrick Thomas and investigative journalist Karen Dorn Steele, will be moderated by Ann Le Bar, Eastern Washington University history professor.

Trisha, a Hanford "downwinder," shares her new novel, Then Came the Summer Snow. Kay wrote an award-winning novel, Tangles, Set in Hanford. James wrote a new memoir Atomic Pilgrim: How Walking Thousands of Miles for Peace Led to Uncovering Some of America's Darkest Nuclear Secrets. Karen is the Spokesman Review reporter who unearthed Hanford's secrets in the 1980s. Hanford is the nations' largest superfund site and nuclear waste repository.

"The result wasn't just millions of gallons of toxic and nuclear waste. It was a toxic environment of public distrust in government, experts and science," said Ann.

Auntie's Bookstore and Latah Books have the books. A month-long exhibit of materials about Hanford is on display at Central Library.

For information, call 444-5300, visit spokanelibrary.org

Organists Guild marks 80th season with concert

The American Guild of Organists Spokane Chapter celebrates its 80th season starting with its first offering, an organ recital featuring Lukas Hasler, an Austrian organist, with more than 100,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

He will be presenting a performance from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept 23, on the newly renovated Aeolian-Skinner organ at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 E. 12th Ave.

For information, call 402-319-1716, email ehurd1742@gmail.com or visit spokaneago.org

Whitworth Forum features Francis Collins

Whitworth University is hosting Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health, to speak on "The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith and Trust," at the President's Leadership Forum, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

Francis is one of the best-known scientists of the current era, having served with the NIH for 12 years through three presidents. He discovered disease genes, led the Human Genome Project and worked to connect science and faith.

For information, call 777-3732, email iaevents@whitworth.edu or visit foxtheaterspokane.org/event/whitworth-presidents-leadership-forum

South India Cultural Assn. plans events

The South India Cultural Association is planning two fall performances in Spokane.

The Jayanthi Raman Dance Company, BhaRaTham: Bhava-Raga-Thalam, will explore nuances of classical music and dance from South India with a live orchestra led by Natyacharya Jayanthi Raman from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Lair Student Center Auditorium at Spokane Community College.

A workshop with performers will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, at Shadle Park Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave.

The second performance is Jugalbandi: A North Indian Classical Concert with Sarod, Santoor (string instruments) and tabla (percussion) from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Unity Spiritual Center, 2900 S. Bernard St.

A workshop about that program will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at Shadle Park Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave.

Sreedharana Nandagopal, president of SACA, describes Jugalbandi as "a whimsical, mesmerizing string and percussion performance from India's classical arts."

Artists, dressed in traditional clothing sit on the concert platform floor with the instruments on their laps and play with their hands.

The sarod is an instrument known for its deep resonant notes. The santoor is an ancient instrument that originated in Iraq, Iran and India, and is depicted in Babylonian and Assyrian stone carvings from around 669 BCE. A tabla is a pair of hand drums.

"The goal of the project is for people in the vicinity to see how beautiful diverse art forms exist in other parts of the world," said Sreedharani.

An Indian vegetarian dinner will precede each performance at 5 p.m. Early-bird tickets are available before Sept. 15 for the first event and by Oct 13 for the second.

For information and reservations, call 467-5558, email sacaspokane@gmail.com or visit jayanthiraman.com

Second Harvest lists Mobile Markets

Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest offers Mobile Market distributions of wholesome, healthy food at no cost in many neighborhoods and rural communities in Eastern Washington or North Idaho,

Its Mobile Markets are foodbanks on wheels. The markets are coming Sept. 2 to Plummer and Grandview; Sept 3 to Pomeroy and Northeast Community Center in Spokane; Sept. 4 to Kennewick and Cusick; Sept 9 to Pinehurst and Yakima; Sept. 10 to Republic and East Wenatchee; Sept 11 to Newport and Richland; Sept 16 to Granger and Basin City; Sept 17 to Warden and Rathdrum; Sept. 18 to Reardan and Ephrata; Sept. 23 to Spokane Valley and George; Sept. 24 to Bonners Ferry and Dayton; Sept 25 to Sandpoint and Richland and Sept. 30 to Goldendale and Clarkston.

In October the Mobile Markets reach those towns and more.

A list of Mobile Markets with times and locations each month is located at 2-harvest.org/food-near-me

St. Margaret's Shelter marks its 65th anniversary of serving Spokane

St. Margaret's Shelter, operated by Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington (CCEW), celebrated its 65th anniversary on July 21, gathering current and former clients, staff, volunteers and community leaders to recognize its role in offering residents protection, love, help and support to get back on their feet, find their path and thrive.

Best practices for safety, security, respect, connections and trust have aided the shelter's team.

The attendees visited a model guest room, the communal kitchen and lobby, playground and outdoor space, food and clothing pantries, offices and meeting space.

The shelter, named for St. Margaret of Cortona who devoted her life to caring for people who were poor and homeless in 13th-century Italy, first opened on McClellan St. in 1961 to serve women leaving Eastern State Hospital.

By the 1980s, it had become a residence for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities and by 1992, it offered emergency shelter to homeless women and children.

The 1996 CCEW strategic planning called for upgrading the facility and expanding services.

In May 2000, a new facility opened, doubling the capacity for the programs.

In 2017 when the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requested that St. Margaret's serve all families, including single fathers, it moved to meet that challenge.

"At the end of the day, when someone becomes homeless, they don't have a support system that can help them get through a tough time. We become that family, with non-judgmental assistance and personalized support aimed at moving folks into a stable situation within 90 days," said Heather Eddy, St. Margaret's Shelter director.

"St Margaret's is all about families and all about helping people be stabilized and safe. We're more than a shelter," said Heather.

St. Margaret's Shelter, at 101 E. Hartson Ave., accepts donations of clothing, household goods, food, toys and supplies for its residents and has a space designated "The Pearl Boutique," with second-hand specialty items.

The Spokane Community Warehouse, Vinegar Flats Garden and The Pearl offer job training opportunities for clients who need to develop marketable skills and resumes for industry jobs.

For information, email heather.eddy@cceasternwa.org or visit cceasternwa.org

Gonzaga Climate Institute presents series of programs

Karin Stevens Dance and Gonzaga University Dance will perform "Sea Change Within Us" as part of the For Our Common Home Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, at Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center at Gonzaga University.

"Sea Change Within Us" is a 60-minute performance on water concerns and climate change in the state of Washington through people's voices and images of water formed by dancers.

Ten dancers move panels to express concerns about rivers and dams, endangered species, ice, ocean and sea-level rise, flooding, migration, Indigenous fishing rights, and injustice, divisive politics and human dis/re/connection.

Karen conceived, directed and choreographed the project.

ArtsWA, National Endowment for the Arts, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, Earth Creative and 4Culture funded this re-creation of a 2019 project.

Karin, a Seattle-based choreographer, performer, writer and facilitator in somatic and spiritual healing, formed Karin Stevens Dance in 2009 to connect movement, art, ecology, spirit and humanity.

Since 1999, she has created more than 90 professional concert-dance, theater and education-based movement-art works.

She has a master's in choreography and performance from Mills College and a bachelor's in dance from the University of Washington.

There are several other programs in the series.

• The Spokane Candidate's Forum is at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga and livestream. Gonzaga's Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment has hosted the forum annually since 2019 as a non-partisan space where candidates for local office can share their ideas.

• Gonzaga's Theatre performers will join theatre artists from around the world to present several short Climate Change Action Plays from Friday to Sunday, Oct. 3 to 5, in the Magnuson Theatre and livestream. The plays will explore Gonzaga's relationship to its place, Spokane and the river.

• Colville National Forest supervisor Joshua White will speak on "Forest Health, Diversity and Productivity in the face of the Forest Health and Wildfire Crisis" at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Hemmingson Auditorium.

• Kyle Shimabuku, associate professor of engineering at Gonzaga, will discuss "Safeguarding Our Drinking Water in the Pacific Northwest in an Era of Megafires" at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Hemmingson.

• Shamyra Lavigne-Davey, executive assistant of RISE St. James, La., will speak on Zoom about "There Is No Justice without Environmental Justice" at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2.

For information, visit gonzaga.edu/climate-institute/events

New Crosswalk Youth Shelter is now open

For 40 years, Crosswalk has served as a refuge for Spokane's youth experiencing homelessness. In August, the long-awaited dream of a new shelter became reality.

Volunteers of America Eastern Washington (VOA) celebrated the grand opening of the new Crosswalk Youth Shelter on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 1440 N. Haven St., dedicating the shelter and Cannon Hall.

The bright, modern facility uses natural light. It was designed with the youth it serves to offer safety, dignity and belonging.

"Since 1985, Crosswalk has been a lifeline," said Sherrece Scott, annual giving manager. "Within its walls, young people find not only a safe place to sleep, but also the support of case managers, educators and behavioral health counselors who help them navigate trauma and begin a new path toward stability."

As Spokane has grown and changed, so have the challenges for youth. The downtown shelter at 525 W. 2nd Ave. no longer met the needs of the youth and could not support the full range of services youth need to thrive, Sherrece said.

As they helped design their future shelter, youth described it as a fresh start, "a home in a neighborhood away from the stress of downtown, surrounded by green spaces and close to schools."

The new Crosswalk is near Spokane Community College, Chief Garry Park, CHAS Health and the VOA Young Adult Shelter (YAS).

The first floor features a welcoming shelter space to encourage connection and comfort. The second floor, named Cannon Hall to honor Bridget Cannon, hosts private dorm-style rooms for youth enrolled in an education or employment program. The third floor houses its administration team.

"Crosswalk's mission has always been more than providing a place to stay. It's about breaking the cycle of homelessness," said Sherrece. "This shelter is a testament to what is possible when a community listens, collaborates and acts. It's a promise kept, a sanctuary built not just for youth, but with them."

For information, call 862-4877 or email sscott@voaspokane.org

ELCA Churchwide Assembly elects first Black presiding bishop

At its 2025 Churchwide Assembly July 28 to Aug. 2 in Phoenix, Ariz., the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected Chicago native Bishop Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop.

What an exhilarating moment for the Lutheran community as we step into a new era of leadership, marked by a historic milestone! The recent election of Bishop Curry as the first Black presiding bishop is cause for great celebration and unity among us all.

As he prepares to transition from his impactful leadership in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod to his new role in October, we are filled with excitement and hope for the inclusive and compassionate journey ahead.

Bishop Meggan Manlove - Northwest Intermountain Synod, ELCA

Speaking to the assembly after his election, Bishop Curry reflected on his membership at Shekinah Chapel in Riverdale, Ill., where he became a lay mission developer while participating in the ELCA's Theological Education for Emerging Ministries program, which prepares individuals for ordained ministry, with a focus on emerging ministry contexts like ethnic-specific, multicultural, rural and inner-city settings. He spoke to the assembly about his initial hesitation in accepting that first ministry role.

"I never saw myself as good enough, so for two years, I said no. I finally said yes. When I said yes, this church's support, of that ministry meant everything," he said, indicating he was an example of what that church investment meant.

He has served as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod since 2019, was a mission developer from 2009 to 2012 and pastor from 2012 to 2019 of Shekinah.

He received a bachelor of arts from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., in 1995 and a master of divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) in 2013.

The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, which met under the theme, "For the Life of the World."

It made decisions about the church's work, engaged in theological reflection and worshiped.

Live video of the plenary sessions is at elca.org/CWA

 

 

 

 
Copyright@ The Fig Tree, September 2025
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