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October 2025 Newsbriefs

Fall Fund Drive stretches Fig Tree's media outreach

The Fig Tree Fall Fund Drive is an opportunity for renewing and new sponsors to support and sustain the ongoing work of publishing The Fig Tree newspaper and annual Resource Directory and organizing educational events. It's also an opportunity for volunteers to join the people making the life-changing publications possible.

The campaign runs from Oct. 21 to Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3, by mail, email and online.

The Fig Tree Board are offering challenge gifts to invite people to give. They will match the first $4,000 given.

Supporters suggest reasons to give, saying The Fig Tree stories and resources: 1) transform lives; 2) show how God's people work to improve the world; 3) weave people together in community; 4) are a catalyst amplifying projects; 5) bridge the gap between generations and cultures; 6) invite a sense of belonging and 7) use solutions and peace journalism to challenge the everyday narrative of reality.

This year, the goal is to raise $16,000.

Donations may be made by mail or online thefigtree.org/donate.html or at give lively. For information, email development@thefigtree.org.

Sustainability Fund adds new options

The Fig Tree Sustainability Fund was launched in April 2024 with the gift of $10,000 from the family of Nancy Minard, a long-time Fig Tree editor.

"Our sustainability fund ensures we can pursue long-term planning and projects beyond the day-to-day operation to help us reach goals beyond our annual budget," said Marijke Fakasiieiki, development and editorial associate. 

With research and support of the sustainability fund sub-committee, the group decided to invest the funds through Thrivent Charitable, which is rooted in the Lutheran tradition, and now serves ecumenical communities.

"We chose Thrivent because they serve faith communities, are highly scored by national rating organizations, have high satisfaction rates with their fund holders and have offices in Spokane to provide support on the ground," she explained.

The Fig Tree needs to raise $25,000 minimum to qualify to establish an official endowment investment with Thrivent Charitable.

The Fig Tree is updating the website to include a donation page specifically for the Sustainability Fund, so it can invite a variety of gifts, including from estates, stocks, cars, property and other sources.

Planned gifts are different from sponsors giving annually. They are about more than will or estate planning. Planned gifts provide supporters committed to The Fig Tree with a new tool. They can be tailored to needs and goals of individual donors, as well as providing tax benefits or lifetime incomes.

For information about giving above-and-beyond to The Fig Tree Sustainability Fund call 964-5266, email development@thefigtree.org or visit thefigtree.org/donate.html.

Holy Names Sisters grant Fig Tree $5,000

For 2025, The Fig Tree is among programs receving a Ministry Grant in September from the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary U.S. - Ontario (SNJM).

It was one of 34 groups benefitting from a distribution of $154,000 to groups that "carry on the charism of Mother Marie Rose in our world today," according to the grant team.

The Fig Tree will use the $5,000 grant 1) to publish the annual comprehensive Resource Directory that connects people with the resources to improve their lives; 2) to pay stipends for college interns, and 3) to teach media literacy to help people understand dynamics of media that impact their lives, said Mary Stamp, editor.

Along with receiving SNJM grants for 17 years since 2009, local Holy Names sisters and associates continue the legacy of co-founder and co-editor Sister Bernadine Casey by serving on the board of directors and sharing in the ministry as volunteers.

For example, Ruth Safranek, an associate of the Holy Names Sisters, volunteers to assist with mailings.

A Holy Names Sister who works with a ministry applies for the grant. This year, Kay Herberling, SNJM, a long-time supporter and pianist for the 2025 Benefit Lunch submitted the application.

Catherine Ferguson, SNJM, supplements the grant with her services as a member of The Fig Tree Board, an editor and writer, and assisting in many advisory capacities.

"We appreciate that the Sisters affirm our ministry as an expression of their mission today," said Mary.

For information, call 535-4112 or visit thefigtree.org.

Volunteers from LDS stakes serve area

Spokane area stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined in several projects as part of their JustServe Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Two years after the Oregon Road Fire in Elk burned more than 11,000 acres and destroyed more than 100 homes, hundreds of members of the Spokane Stake helped with recovery and clean-up on Saturday, Sept. 13. Youth had also volunteered at Elk burn sites in July.

The church's JustServe program links volunteers with needs and encourages members and non-members to volunteer in their communities all year.

Members of the Mount Spokane Stake joined the Sept. 11 day by cleaning the banks of the Spokane River on Sept. 6.

About 400 members from 10 congregations in the Spokane East Stake cleaned several Spokane Valley cemeteries and playgrounds on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

In addition, the church delivered nearly 40,000 pounds of donated food to Latah County food banks on Aug. 29.

Adventist Community Services Food Distribution Center in Deary, Idaho, hosted the offloading of the shipment, sharing their facility with Troy Adventist Food Distribution Center, Potlatch Food Pantry, Moscow Food Bank, West Side Food Pantry, and Vandal Food Pantry for the day.

For information, call 270-4950 or visit justserve.org.

Healing the Earth Vigil meets at Cataldo

The Healing the Earth Vigil will gather faith and environmental folks from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Silver Valley Community Resource Center, church groups and environmental leaders at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Mission of the Sacred Heart in Cataldo, Idaho.

People living in the Bunker Hill Superfund site will gather to express love for Mother Earth and call for the closure of the toxic waste repository across from the Mission to heal those harmed by pollution from the site.

"The vigil is a time to pray, reflect, mourn the loss and commit ourselves to concrete steps to heal and prevent future damage," said Zoda Suryan, a member of Children Run Better Unleaded.

The date coincides with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment. The vigil is on the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'—"the cry of Mother Earth and cry of the poor"— connecting the environmental crises and the despair of those impacted by the contamination.

Those impacted are working to close the repository and seek funding for a Community Lead Health Center.

For information, call 208-784-8891 or email svcommunityresourcecenter@gmail.com.

CDAIDE serves hospitality workers in need

CDAIDE, which provides funds for hospitality workers facing hardship, is presenting its fifth annual Chef Challenge on the theme, "A Night of Flavor and Compassion." Six top local chefs will compete in cooking challenges and appetizer tastings in this fundraiser at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, at Hagadone Event Center in Coeur d'Alene.

Guests will enjoy a buffet prepared by Chef Reannan Keene of Izzy's Comfort Kitchen and support hospitality heroes in Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls and Rathdrum.

The funds raised will help families stay housed, keep the lights on, pay medical bills, repair their cars and make it through times of crisis.

"Our community takes care of its own, and that hospitality workers deserve the same care they give others every day," said Jason Nye, executive director of CDAIDE, which provides confidential, referral-based assistance.

For information, visit cdaide.org.

Eco-Anxiety Café family event set for Oct. 18

Eco-Anxiety Cafés of 350 Spokane's Interfaith Committee and other groups offer places to share feelings and thoughts, find resources and connect with others with similar concerns.

A Parents and Children event is planned from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, outdoors at Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd. 

For information, visit actionnetwork.org/event/October-parent-and-caretaker-eco-anxiety-café.

PJALS celebrates 50th anniversary

The Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane is holding its 50th Anniversary Benefit Luncheon at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 50 years after it first opened on Oct. 15, 1975.

"Still We Rise: 50 Years of Resistance and Resilience" is the theme for its largest fundraiser of the year, where it increases its capacity in friends and funds to sustain its work.

There is no cost to attend, but guests will have the opportunity to donate to PJALS.

The organization announced it will soon be recruiting its 2025 Young Activist Leaders (YALP), a paid internship program supporting young people making a difference for social justice. The 2025 cohort of young people ages 15 to 22 will focus on voter outreach and mobilization, as well as leadership development.

Programs and recent events include Talk About It Tuesdays workshops on fascism's roots, building cross-race, cross-class solidarity and links between militarism and immigration; training for Peacekeepers for events, and organizing several peaceful protests.

For information, visit pjals.org.

Church holds workshop on 'Bridging the Divide'

Covenant United Methodist Church in North Spokane is sponsoring a free workshop, "Bridging the Divide: Tools for Courageous Conversations," from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the church, 15515 Gleneden.

The workshop is designed to help people have successful conversations about difficult topics within the congregation and community.

"In these highly polarized times with rising political violence, we believe it is more important than ever to be able to have conversations with people who might not share our point of view so we each understand each other better and recognize our common humanity," said organizer Richard Woods of the church's social justice ministry.

Rachelle Strawther, founding director of the Gonzaga Center for Lifelong Learning, is the workshop facilitator.

The focus for the workshop will be on personal stories and hands-on strategies that will help people listen and speak more effectively, and understand more clearly during conversations about controversial issues, Richard explained.

Participants will gain tools for discussing sensitive, controversial issues, learn language to keep minds and hearts open and understand how to set boundaries and manage stress during tense interactions.

For information, call 998-9858, email grantryals@gmail.com or visit covenantmethodist.org.

Women Helping Women Fund sets program

The Women Helping Women Fund's "State of Women and Children" begins at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. 1st Ave., with a reception to connect people who care about improving outcomes for women and children.

At 6 p.m. is a panel discussion with Kerra Bower of Raze Early Learning and Development Center and Little Scholars Development Center, Mable Dunbar of Women's Healing and Empowerment Network, Chrystal Ortega of Feed Spokane and Sabrina Votaba of Fail Safe for Life.

The evening will balance insight with hope, sharing data about women and children in Spokane County and information on how local organizations are creating change.

For information, visit whwfspokane.org or secure.qgiv.com/for/whwf/event/swac.

Bethany dedicates land for new housing, center

Bethany Presbyterian Church held a Land Dedication ceremony on Sept. 28 with drummers from the Spokane Tribe, bagpiper Kenyon Fields and local dignitaries. This event precedes demolition of the building this fall to make way for 22 units of affordable housing apartments, primarily for refugees and homeless families, and a worship-community center space.

Established in 1909, Bethany Presbyterian is a Presbyterian Church (USA) on Spokane's South Hill. Its sanctuary was destroyed by fire on Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Since then, members have been working with Proclaimed Liberty, The Presbytery of the Inland Northwest and others to raise funds to build the new structure.

For information, call 714-0555 or email sharonrodkeysmith@yahoo.com.

GU Faith and Reason Institute hosts lectures

Gonzaga University's Faith and Reason Institute is hosting a lecture series on "Psyches, Personae and Characters: Human Selves in Film" for its Faith, Film, Philosophy Public Event Series Monday through Friday, Oct. 6 to 10. David Calhoun of the institute said all presentations start at 7 p.m.

On Monday, a faculty panel discusses "Compelling Cinematic Characters – on Film Selves" with Danielle Layne, philosophy; Karen Petruska, communications; Wayne Pomerleau, philosophy emeritus and Tyler Tritten, philosophy.

A Tuesday student panel is on "Human Selves in Film."

On Wednesday, Joel Mayward of George Fox University talks on "Now Where Was I? The (In) Capable Self in the Films of Christopher Nolan."

On Thursday, Oct. 9, Tom Hibbs of Baylor University addresses "Inescapable Moral Horizons: Kieslowski's Blue and Charles Taylor on the Self in Moral Space,"

Vernon Cisney of Gettysburg College is the Friday speaker on "We Are Not What Was Intended: The Failed Nihilism of David Fincher's Seven."

For information, email faithandreason@gonzaga.edu.

Whitworth hosts Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Whitworth's Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith and Learning will host Kristin Kobes Du Mez starting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct 22, in the Cowles Auditorium.

Kristin, a New York Times bestselling author and professor at Calvin University with a doctoral degree from the University of Notre Dame, focuses on the intersection of gender, religion and politics.

She has written for the New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Religions News Service and Christianity Today. She is the author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. Her next book is Live Laugh Love, a culture study of white Christian womanhood.

For information, visit https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/weyerhaeuser-center-christian-faith-and-learning/upcoming-events.

Salish School plans two Salmon Tales dinners

The Salish School of Spokane is holding two gala Salmon Tales fundraisers, an experience of community and connection with a dinner, student performances and drumming. The school teaches Salish language and culture to children, parents and community members, engages in traditional cultural practices and provides dynamic Salish immersion education.

The first gala, Salmon Tales Sekwtikn (Seattle), is on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Daybreak Star Indian Culture Center, and the second, Salmon Tales SVxatk (Spokane), begins at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, at Gonzaga University's Hemmingson Ballroom.

Its Dynamic Salish Language Revitalization renews culture and builds a stronger, healthier authentic Salish community to empower children, families and elders after genocide and colonization.

The school strengthens intergenerational cultural and social connections.

For information, visit salishschoolofspokane.org/salmon-tales-galas.

SHIBA helps with Medicare enrollment

During Medicare's open enrollment period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington's Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program will help individuals navigate Medicare decisions.

SHIBA is a free, unbiased and confidential service of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).

Their volunteers counsel people of all ages, adults living with disabilities and people preparing to retire about their Medicare choices.

SHIBA helps people understand their Medicare rights and options. It offers group presentations or one-on-one counseling to answer Medicare questions, make referrals and help people compare and evaluate health insurance policies, said Monica Kudrna, who is the SHIBA coordinator.

For information, call 625-4801 or visit altcew.org or insurance.wa.gov.

Groups host Candidate Housing Forum

Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium (SLIHC), Black Homeownership Spokane and Habitat for Humanity Spokane are hosting a City of Spokane Candidate Housing Forum at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 500 S. Stone St.

It is a public forum for voters to hear candidates' visions for affordable housing, homeownership and community development. It is also an opportunity for them to ask questions about their priorities. It will highlight solutions and give Spokane residents the chance to participate in shaping local housing solutions.

"Spokane faces a housing crisis that requires community-driven solutions. By leading these conversations and bringing partners to the table, SLIHC is ensuring residents have the tools and information they need to shape a more affordable and equitable future," said Ben Stuckart, executive director of SLIHC.

For information, call 710-9611, email ben@slihc.org or visit slihc.org.

Faith Action Network plans Nov. 16 dinner

"A Night of Unbreakable Spirit," Faith Action Network's Spokane Annual Dinner, will be held Sunday, Nov. 16, at Gonzaga University's Hemmingson Center.

Guests will gather for inspiring stories, food and music to celebrate achievements of this multi-faith advocacy agency.

The event connects two locations, Spokane and the SeaTac Hilton by livestream. It is also available for those who cannot attend in person. Speakers will participate from both locations.

There are opportunities to purchase individual tickets, host a table and sponsor the event.

"Together, we can ensure that we can continue the increasingly important work of promoting justice, compassion and sustainability in the halls of power," said Joyce Del Rosario, executive director of FAN.

For information, email fan@fanwa.org or visit fanwa.org.

Lutheran Community Services sets lunch

Gathered for Good Luncheon fundraiser for Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) begins with a social hour at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m., Saturday Oct. 18, at the Mukogawa U.S. Campus, 4320 Owens Ridge Rd.

"It's an afternoon of fellowship, inspiration and impact, an opportunity to come together as church members, faith partners and community supporters to share connections, celebrate the impact of working side-by-side, servicing and strengthening bonds across congregations and communities," said Megan Eickmeyer, communications director at LCSNW.

For information, call 343-5060, email meickmeyer@lcsw.org or register by Oct. 10 at bit.ly/GFGRegister.

CME plans event on Mental Health Day

Hands Across Spokane, a Community-Minded Enterprises city-wide campaign, seeks to make mental health and recovery visible, accessible and grounded in community connection.

It culminates on World Mental Health Day, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, with a Hands Across Spokane Resource Fair at its North Central Mental Health and Development Center, 2001 N. Division St.

For information, call 666-4183, email madia@community-minded.org or visit handsacrossspokane.org.

40th Coats-4-Kids collects coats in October

KXLY's Coats-4-Kids celebrates its 40th Anniversary as it collects new and gently used winter coats from Oct. 1 to 31 at Goodwill, Papa Murphy's STCU and Fred's Appliances.

Goodwill is sponsoring a Glow for Good kick-off, 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, at 2927 E. 29th, with an 80s/90s costume theme. People can meet KXLY chief meteorologist Kris Krocker.

Over the years, Coats-4-Kids has collected, cleaned and distributed more than 400,000 coats and sent them to community centers for distribution. They also take cash donations to buy new coats.

Distribution is in November. For donation sites, visit kxly.com/features/coats-4-kids or at kxly.com, weather tab with a full list of locations.

For information, call 435-8649, email jfinafrock@kxly.com.

Fall Folk Festival is Nov 8, 9

The 30th Annual Spokane Fall Folk Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Spokane Community College Lair Center, 1810 N. Greene St.

On six stages, the festival includes hundreds of performers presenting music, dance and crafts celebrating various folk cultures.

The festival highlights talent that makes Spokane special.

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

Maji Rising opens access to health care at block party

Pop Up! A Healthcare Block Party, hosted by Maji Rising in collaboration with service providers and community organizations will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and 12, at Raze Early Learning and Development Center, 6519 N. Lidgerwood.

It reimagines healthcare access by transforming it into a community-wide family reunion, building trust, addressing disparities, celebrating holistic health with joy, culture and connection.

It will feature dental exams, primary care, CPR training, a suture and phlebotomy clinic, housing support, voter resources, vision, hearing, speech, and cognitive screenings, financial resources, pharmacy outreach, healing through music, mental health resources, Naloxane training, Eastern Washington University and Spokane Colleges applications and same-day acceptance, a teddy bear clinic for kids and more.

For information, visit majirising.org/rsvp.

Vigil honors domestic violence victims

A community vigil to honor survivors and launch Domestic Violence Action Month begins at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Riverfront Spokane, Snxw Meneɂ Amphitheater, 617 N. Howard.

Guests may wear purple in solidarity with survivors. Domestic Violence Action Month (DVAM) is dedicated to awareness, education and action.

After the vigil, participants may walk through a StoryWalk exhibit, featuring survivor poetry and local art. It is open all month to spark conversations about healthy and unhealthy relationships.

The event includes remarks of Lisa Brown, Spokane's mayor; Jeanette Hauck, YWCA Spokane CEO, and representatives of local groups supporting survivors, including Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Mujeres in Action Spokane, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition, Stop the Silence Spokane and Yoyot Sp'q'n'i.

"Domestic violence is not a private issue. It's a community issue that requires a collective response," said Jeanette. "Spokane's rates remain among the highest in Washington. This vigil reminds us that survivors are not alone. Together, we can create a safer future for everyone."

According to the Spokane Regional Health District, one in three women and one in 10 men in Spokane County experience domestic violence.

YWCA Spokane's 24-hour helpline expects to receive nearly 6,000 calls this year, 2,000 more than last year.

For information, call 280-2616, email erica@ywcaspokane.org or visit ywcaspokane.org/dvam2025vigil.

Cheney churches hold Bazaar Day

Saturday, Nov. 1, is "Bazaar Day" in Cheney.

Four churches will host holiday bazaars, giving people the opportunity on one day to visit multiple bazaars with baked goods, craft items, Christmas gifts, raffles and baked goods.

The United Methodist Church (UMC) at 204 4th St., St. Paul's Episcopal at 625 C St. and St. Rose of Lima Catholic at 460 N. 5th St. will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Congregational Church at 423 N. 6th St. event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The UMC includes pie and coffee, and the Congregational Church serves a soup lunch.

For information, call 235-4600 or email djpeck71@gmail.com.

Gonzaga University relaunches Environmental and Climate Law Clinic

Gonzaga University School of Law, in collaboration with the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment, relaunched its Environmental and Climate Law Clinic this fall with the leadership of the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, Vanessa Waldref, and former Department of Justice environmental crimes coordinator, Dan Fruchter.

This addition to Gonzaga Law's Clinical Legal Programs—now in their 50th year—will provide students with real-world legal experience to address some of the most pressing environmental and public health issues facing communities today.

The clinic's return comes at a pivotal moment for public health and for environmental and climate advocacy. Amid need for meaningful legal interventions in these areas, the clinic will empower students to make a tangible impact through public interest litigation, policy development and community advocacy.

Brian Henning, founding director of the Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment, shared that the Climate Institute looks forward to collaborating with the law school.

"The climate crisis is the most pressing challenge facing our planet," he said. "Using the tools of law and policy, the Environmental and Climate Law Clinic will meaningfully advance structural changes needed to promote the flourishing of Inland Northwest communities, waters and lands in the face of a rapidly changing climate."

Students and faculty will work on cases that defend public health, protect public lands, promote clean air and water, and advocate for the enforcement of environmental regulations.

It will help legislators draft environmental legislation and provide research on best practices.

The clinic will provide free or low-cost legal representation to individuals, nonprofits and community groups facing environmental challenges, including disputes over pollution, land use and resource management.

Meetings and workshops will be facilitated with community members to raise awareness about environmental issues and help them understand their rights and responsibilities.

Law students, supervised by clinic directors, will engage in legal research on environmental issues, analyzing existing laws and regulations to identify areas needing reform, said Sarah Guzmán, executive director of the Gonzaga Law School Foundation.

For information, email guzmans@gonzaga.edu or visit gonzaga.edu/school-of-law/clinic-centers/law-clinic/environmental-clinic.

National Council of Churches reviews its 75 years of working for unity and racial justice

The National Council of Churches (NCC), founded in 1950 in a time of tumult after World War II, celebrates its 75th anniversary in another time when Christian unity and witness for justice are important.

The NCC celebration and Governing Board Meeting will be Monday to Thursday, Oct. 13 to 16 in Boston, Mass., on the theme, "Christ is Risen: A Transforming Witness from Generation to Generation."

In May 1908, 32 Christian communions met in Philadelphia to form the Federal Council of Churches seeking immigration and labor reform, the abolition of child labor, improved conditions for the poor and temperance.

Despite being regularly accused of being socialists, they continued their zeal for unity.

In November 1950, U.S. churches that formed that council joined with more ecumenical bodies to establish the National Council of Churches at a Constituting Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. 

The new council and the churches' theological and public witness on social justice issues, continued, taking stands against wars of the late 1900s and early 2000s—Vietnam, Iraq, Korea, Middle East and more.

The NCC has adopted policy statements on social issues such as gun violence, reparations and affirmative action. In 1963, it created a Commission on Religion and Race to establish a new role for its churches in the racial conflicts and joined the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.  

The commission helped end segregation in Mississippi. Church leaders attended the 1963 funeral of Medgar Evers in Jackson and in 1964 sent minister-counselors to lead the Delta Ministry. Everyone in the ministry experienced threats and harassment like those that were part of the daily life for Black Mississippians. Its efforts for voter registration and political education continued until 1974. In 1986 the first African American was elected to Congress in Mississippi since Reconstruction.

As a young man, Andrew Young interned for the NCC in this period, and later was president of NCC from 2000 to 2001.

 After Bloody Sunday in Selma, Ala., on March 7, 1965, the NCC heeded the call from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to join the march from Selma to Montgomery and asked for Christians across the nation to join.  In the aftermath of brutal attacks by state and local police on Black demonstrators, the commission and national church leaders brought religious leaders to Washington, D.C. to support the Voting Rights Act.

In 2018—50 years after King's assassination—the NCC re-committed itself to eradicating the entrenched racism that grips the U.S. by launching the Awaken, Confront and Transform Now (A.C.T. NOW) to End Racism initiative on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It urges the NCC, its members and partners to awaken to the many manifestations of white supremacy and racism especially in the church, to confront the need for change, and to work to transform church and society into a reflection of the inclusive and equitable reign of God.

The membership and scope of the NCC have evolved since 1950, so that today 37 member denominations are committed to proclaiming God's word and expressing the Christ's love for all persons at every level of society and to live as a community of communions called by Christ to visible unity and sent forth in the Spirit to promote God's justice, peace and the healing of the world.

Casa Mia plans new housing

Casa Mia, a project of Mujeres in Action Spokane (MiA) in Northeast Spokane, will be Eastern Washington's first culturally responsive permanent housing for survivors of violence.

It will feature 13 cottage-style homes and a communal clubhouse on two acres, providing stability for families and individuals in a permanent housing community offering trauma-informed care, gathering spaces and culturally responsive services.

The project prioritizes safety, dignity and community integration, ensuring survivors can rebuild their lives in a nurturing environment, said Ana Trusty, executive director for MIA Spokane.

Construction begins in summer 2026 and leases start in fall 2027. Casa Mia will bring economic and social value to Spokane, offering survivors a path to stability while enhancing neighborhood infrastructure and community safety, said Ana.

"We're not just building homes, we're building a future where survivors thrive as neighbors and community members," she explained.

For information, e-mail casamia@miaspokane.org or visit miaspokane.org/casa-mia.

 

 
Copyright@ The Fig Tree, October 2025
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