November 2024 Newsbriefs

• FAN Dinner introduces new executive director - Nov 17
• Fig Tree fall campaign goal is $20,000 - until Dec
• Folklore Society recruiting new members and Fall Folk Festival - Nov 9+10
• ALTCEW opens new office on Nov 5
• PJALS benefit supports justice efforts
• Spoken River features stories of river - Nov 7
• Salvation Army plans Kettle Kick-Off - Nov 12-14
• First Presbyterian hosts Hymn Festival - Nov 10
• 'No Place to Grow Old' film screened - Nov 14
• LCSNW seeks refugee foster families
• German group sets dinner and concert - Nov 2
• Group in India, social worker recognized at Human Rights Banquet - Nov 21
• 350 Spokane interfaith team announces plans for upcoming programs
• Freedom Fund Banquet promotes education - Nov 9
• ALTCEW connects elders with helpers
• Coeur d'Alene site for new temple

FAN Dinner introduces new executive director

The Faith Action Network Annual Dinner celebration and fundraiser on the theme "Transforming our Future Together," will be held at 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17, in Renton and Spokane, and will be livestreamed. In Spokane, it will be at the Ruby River Hotel, 700 N. Division. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. The dinner is at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m.

At the dinner, FAN will introduce its new executive director, Joyce del Rosario, who begins Nov. 1 to move FAN into a new chapter of work bringing together people of diverse faiths.

"We do not know the results of the election, but we know the threat of Christian nationalism to our democracy and religious pluralism will continue," said Carol Jenson, FAN board chair. "As a multi-faith organization advocating for policies to promote the common good, FAN is a witness to an alternative for our state and nation."

"The dinner celebrates legislative victories from this past year and look ahead to plans for 2025," she said. FAN gathers people of diverse faiths to work for justice and compassion.

Joyce brings experience in community development, nonprofit and higher education management from work as director of multi-ethnic programs at Seattle Pacific University, as assistant professor and director of community engaged learning at Pacific School of Religion in Spokane and as executive director of New Creation Home in East Palo Alto, Calif.

She earned a bachelor's in speech communication at the University of Washington in 1996, a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2000, and a master of theology in 2016 and a doctor of philosophy in 2019 from Fuller School of Intercultural Studies.

For information, call 206-625-9790, email fan@fanwa.org or visit fanwa.org/annual-dinner.

Fig Tree fall campaign goal is $20,000

The Fig Tree's fall fundraising campaign, Harvest Festival of Sharing, is underway with about $5,000 of its goal of $20,000 raised by Oct. 24.

It is an opportunity for sponsors to renew their support and for new people to join those who are sponsors to strengthen the work of this unique media venture as it shares stories, connects people, fosters reflection, builds understanding and inspires solidarity among diverse people.

"Our work is particularly crucial in this time when many media sow division which benefits those in power and those competing for power," said editor Mary Stamp. "That divisiveness keeps people from trusting and respecting each other so they work together to spread the love, care, justice and shalom that most faiths teach."

Without working together, people cannot achieve the solutions needed for people to live together in dignity and community.

Mary celebrates The Fig Tree's persistence over 40 years, promoting media literacy, providing community resources and connecting people who are making a difference.

"Ongoing donations, at any time, make a difference for us in carrying on 40 more years," she said.

For information, visit thefigtree.org/donate.html.

Folklore Society recruiting new members

The Spokane Folklore Society is recruiting new committee members for the next Fall Folk Festival

The 2024 event will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Spokane Community College Lair.

"We seek new committee members with fresh ideas, perspectives and a commitment to serving as team members," said Sylvia Gobel, festival director.

"Several members retire from the board after the 2024 festival. Before they go, they are eager to share their knowledge with new members," she continued, inviting interested people to share in "creating the most diverse, multicultural, free event in the Inland Northwest."

Volunteering with the Fall Folk Festival is a way to become an integral part of the Spokane arts and cultural scene. The committee particularly needs a publicist and grant writer.

"As we approach our 29th year of the festival, we are thankful to everyone who has participated in its production and growth since 1996," Sylvia said. "It has grown from humble beginnings to draw more than 5,000 attendees."

For information, call 828-3683 or email director@spokanefolkfestival.org.

ALTCEW moved to new office in October

Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, the local Area Agency on Aging for Spokane, Whitman, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, moved to a new office in October.

They are dedicated to a smooth transition so they can serve the needs of older adults, adults living with disabilities and caregivers during the move.

Beginning Nov. 5, their in-person services will be available at 1313 N. Atlantic, Ste 3000, with business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. The phone, email and fax are the same.

The move means they can expand their services and enhance their ability to support the aging population. The new office, a few blocks from the previous one, has more space and improved accessibility for staff and clients.

"We are thrilled about this move and the opportunities it brings to enhance our services," said Lynn Kimball, executive director. "Our new location will provide a more welcoming and efficient environment for our clients and staff, supporting our mission to improve the quality of life for older adults and adults living with disabilities in our community."

The Community Living Connections Helpline is 960-7281.

For information, call 458-2509 or visit altcew.org.

PJALS benefit supports justice efforts

At its annual Benefit Luncheon Sept. 25 and its Virtual Watch Party on Oct. 9, the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS) raised more than $32,700 of its goal of $37,000 for its Fall Fund Drive, said Shar Lichty, development director.

The event video, "Grounded by our Roots: We Grow," highlighted 49 years of PJALS efforts to organize for racial equity, economic justice, peace and human rights.

Along with providing a 2024 Voter Guide, PJALS programs include its Peace and Justice Action Committee, Showing Up for Racial Justice, Young Activist Leaders Program and Building Organizing Leadership Development.

For information, email pjals@action.pjals.org or visit pjals.org.

Spoken River features stories of river

Spoken River, the annual fundraiser to support the Spokane River and the work of Spokane Riverkeeper, features stories of the Spokane River from artists, writers, trivia masters and storytellers. It will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Spokane Convention Center.

The evening will feature live music, a silent auction, guest speakers, appetizers, beverages and the opportunity to connect with river enthusiasts who seek to safeguard the health and beauty of the Spokane River.

For information, visit spokaneriverkeeper.org.

Salvation Army plans Kettle Kick-Off

The Salvation Army Spokane seeks local businesses to join in its Annual Corporate Kettle Kick-Off from Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 12 to 14, bringing businesses together to ring bells for four- to eight-hour shifts at The Salvation Army's Red Kettles. Funds raised in these kettles and virtual kettles are used locally for vulnerable children and families at Christmas and into the new year.

Participating businesses are eligible for "Golden Bell" awards at a Celebrate the Season BASH on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Spokane Convention Center. The BASH includes a dinner, prizes, ugly sweaters, awards and a photo booth.

The Salvation Army needs bell ringers in Spokane and Stevens counties.

For information, call 325-6810 or visit registertoring.com.

First Presbyterian hosts Hymn Festival

First Presbyterian Church of Spokane hosts "Hymn Festival: Celebrating Music of Faith" at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, at 318 S. Cedar. This event features guest organist, Ethan Haman from Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and Derrick Parker, conductor of First Presbyterian's Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir.

It is sponsored by First Presbyterian Church, Church Music Institute and the American Guild of Organists.

For information, call 747-1058 or visit spokanefpc.org/events/hymn-festival.

'No Place to Grow Old' film screened

A screening and discussion of the documentary "No Place to Grow Old" will be presented from 6 to 7:45 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center at Gonzaga University. The documentary, directed by Davey Schaupp and produced by Humans for Housing, sheds light on the systemic challenges that homeless seniors face, specifically in Portland, Ore.

After the screening, Gonzaga graduate and producer Michael Larson, director of Humans for Housing, will host a discussion. This event seeks to raise awareness about homelessness among aging populations.

For information call 957-5539 or visit gonzaga.edu/news-events/events/2024/11/14/no-place-to-grow-old.

LCSNW seeks refugee foster families

"Be the Village: Refugee Foster Care," a new model for Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LSCNW), seeks to surround a family and foster youth with support.

Faith communities offer a natural system of support, Kelsey Doerr, foster parent recruiter for LCSNW's Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Program.

"We hope that one interested family in a congregation would become a licensed family, then other members can offer meals, rides to after-school activities or respite care for the family," she explained.

The recent list of youth waiting to enter the program has increased beyond capabilities of the URM programs in the U.S., she said, adding that every licensed family is another youth who can be served.

"We hope communities can come together in this time of need. One bilingual church in the Tri-Cities has embraced Be the Village and has five families moving forward with licensing, including their pastor. We hope the program can have similar success around the Inland Northwest," said Kelsey.

For information, call 343-5075 or email Kelsey.doerr@lcsnw.org.

German group sets dinner and concert

The German-American Society Celebration of Pioneer Day, 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2 will be held at Deutches Haus, 25 W. Third. with a $25 rouladen dinner with knödel and red cabbage prepared by Alpine Deli.

There will be music with the Concordia Choir and Lilac City Voices, and dancing to the Good n' Plenty Band.

For information and to RSVP, call 954-6964.

Group in India, social worker recognized at Human Rights Banquet

The hate-crimes tracker website Hindutva Watch and social worker Landon Turlock are recipients of the 2024 Gonzaga University Center for the Study of Hate's Eva Lassman "Take Action Against Hate" awards. They will be honored at the Human Rights Awards Banquet from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, at 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., sponsored by Human Rights Spokane.

Take Action Against Hate awards are presented to one individual and one organization that challenge hate and make positive change, following in the footsteps of Eva Lassman, a Holocaust survivor and anti-hate advocate.

"Our committee considers the degree nominees engaged in action and awareness-building locally, nationally or globally," said Aaron Danowski, who chaired the awards committee.

"We are attentive to efforts that demonstrate impact," he said.

Hindutva Watch, founded by Kashmiri journalist Raqib Hameed Naik in 2021, documents hate crimes and hate speech aimed at religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, in predominantly Hindu India.

Hindutva is the ideological movement to make India a Hindu nation. The Washington Post described Hindutva Watch as India's most comprehensive dataset of hate crimes, documenting more than 4,000 cases to date.

Landon, a community leader in Edmonton, Alberta, is dedicated to combating hate and discrimination, collaborating with colleagues at Coalitions Creating Equity and StopHateAB to produce a report, course, documentary and guide to inform how organizations respond to hate crime reports and support survivors in Edmonton.

Landon was appointed as a hate crimes community liaison by the Alberta government in 2022. Landon works with Cecilia Mzvondiwa to engage with hundreds of Albertans and recommend best practices for Alberta to prevent and respond to hate crimes. Their collaboration with the Edmonton Police Service led to better training and support for hate crime survivors.

For information, call 313-5368 or email nailen@gonzaga.edu.

350 Spokane interfaith team announces plans for upcoming programs

The 350 Spokane Interfaith Committee shares what it is doing and plans to do, and it invites area congregations to tell them what they doing to promote environmental stewardship and justice.

"We want to improve networking among faith communities to build community among those who care," said Janet Farness, program development co-coordinator and a member of St. Mark's Lutheran.

The team gathered in September at the home of Anita and Bob Dygert-Gearheart who have a water-wise perennial garden. They ate fresh produce as they reviewed 2023-2024 activities and planned for 2025-2026. Each shared what calls them to creation care and environmental justice.

"The 350 Spokane Interfaith Committee formed in 2018 to provide an opportunity for faith/interfaith groups to collaborate on climate issues and to assist these groups with resources for education, legislative initiatives and joint activism," said John Wallingford of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, who is one of the founders.

They reviewed their 2023-2024 accomplishments.

• The multi-day Hope for Creation Conference on "Spirituality of Environmental Care" in conjunction with the Expo '74 50th anniversary, gathered speakers from Mormon, Jewish, Evangelical, Episcopal and Spokane Tribe traditions, and included workshops, a Jubilee Event at Temple Beth Shalom, two preaching events, two hikes, a healing the earth vigil and an "environment-in-body" program.

• The six-week "Wake Up World, Hope Through Understanding" curriculum, developed by Bob and Anita, was offered with eight faith communities, giving 100 learners understanding of the climate crisis and how to address it. The curriculum is available at wakeupworld.earth.

• Three Eco-Anxiety Cafes were held in the summer with 35 individuals sharing concerns to address the psychological burden of the climate crisis. Two college students, Elliott Weidemann and Isabella Rossi, in collaboration with Anita and Janet, hosted the cafes. More are planned.

Members set 2025-2026 plans.

• They will reach out to faith/interfaith communities to welcome new participants. John is the contact at jcwallingford@gmail.com.

• They will facilitate the Wake Up World curriculum in new settings. Anita is the contact at adygertgearheart@hotmail.com.

• They will offer community learning opportunities through movie nights and other events. Anita is the contact.

• They will share about xeriscaping and water-wise landscaping at faith campuses, such as Manito United Methodist. Sandy Ward, Manito pastor, will share about their project. Her contact is 747-4755 or manitoumc@gmail.com.

• A subcommittee will offer Eco-Anxiety Cafes with Elle McSharry, coordinating that effort at elle@ellcsharry.com.

• They plan to connect faith communities who want to participate in or are offering Earth Day programs. Janet is the contact at jkftahiti@comcast.net

• It will also connect faith communities with information on solarization and electrification while incentives are good.

• It will continue to review opportunities for additional multi-week in-depth programs to deepen a shared spiritual/environmental journey with Elle the contact.

"We will continue our multi-generational focus and meet monthly on Zoom at 7 p.m., second Wednesdays," said Janet, referring people to Adam Bartholomew at aglb43@me.com to be added to the meeting list.

For information, call 425-417-5217 or email janet.farness@gmail.com.

Freedom Fund Banquet promotes education

The Freedom Fund Gala, the Spokane NAACP branch's annual fundraiser, supports a scholarship fund for local high school students entering higher education.

The keynote speaker for the 2024 banquet from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at the DoubleTree Hotel, is actor, author and activist Hill Harper, who played Dr. Marcus Andrews on ABC's The Good Doctor.

Hill is also a New York Times bestselling author, with works such as Letters to a Young Brother, offering inspiration and guidance to young people. In addition, he advocates for social justice, financial literacy and community empowerment.

The banquet begins with a VIP reception at 5 p.m., a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and the main event at 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, 322 N. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Supporting the dinner enables the Spokane NAACP to further its mission and continue the fight against the assault on civil and human rights.

At the event, the Spokane NAACP recognizes achievements of individuals and entities who have contributed to the fight for civil and human rights and have laid the foundation to ensure justice and equity for future generations.

Spokane NAACP works to ensure political, educational, social and economic equity, to eliminate race-based discrimination and to affirm the health and wellbeing of all persons.

It promotes a world free from racial discrimination through its committees on education, health care, criminal justice, youth and young adults, environmental justice, LGBTQ+, civic engagement and communications.

For information, email president@spokanenaacp.org or visit spokanenaacp.org.

ALTCEW connects elders with helpers

Adopt a Neighbor assists older adults and individuals with disabilities with raking leaves in autumn and shoveling sidewalks and driveways in winter.

Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW) is recruiting groups willing to help those in need--—clubs, businesses, churches, community centers and schools—to adopt one or more older adults or individuals with disabilities.

Each group decides how many they can adopt. ALTCEW shares requests with them.

For information, call 960-7281 or email action@altcew.org

Coeur d'Alene site for new temple

During the final session of the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 6, President Russell Nelson announced that 17 new temples will be built throughout the world, including one in Coeur d'Alene.

"We are overjoyed at the announcement of a new House of the Lord to be built in the Coeur d'Alene area. Temples assist faithful members of the church in our journey to know and follow Jesus Christ," said Elder Hal Hunsaker, area authority seventy.

For information, call 860-5340.