Stories of people putting their faith
into action in the Northwest
Feature Articles 2009

October 2009

Eva Lassman GU Institute for Action Against Hate honor local Holocaust survivor and educator for years of work in the region. . .
Dan Berg Deer Park church's name, Open Door' reflects its early years of leaving its door unlocked for people passing through. .
Cheney students Cheney school opens a Kids Cafe that provides healthful food to children in after-school program. . . .
Alan Eschenbacher Collaboration of area Lutheran churches led to merger to form All Saints Lutheran Church. .
Tracey Waring GOAL Project helps empower women leaving prison in Medical Lake and give them hope . .
Susie Weller Parent and life-skills educator Susie Weller applies four-brain theory to families, churches,. .
Liz Moore Liz Moore's activism for peace began while a student in Deer Park when she volunteered with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane
Editorial Have we lost truth in a maze of information-age propaganda? Truth seems elusive in the information age.. read more
Editorial Knowing the source of ‘talking points,’we might look at in-depth sources. read more

Sounding Board

 In Mark 9, Jesus took a child in his arms and said “Whoever welcomes a child,


September 2009

Oscas Haupt

Human connections enrich lives. Oscar Haupt connects people in Chile, his homeland, and Spokane.
Linda Thompson Coaching, Sunday school, flex time help prevent substance abuse says Linda Thompson of the GSSACPC.
North Fork church raising Rebuilding gives Nez Perce church new energy, and life after fire destroys church on Christmas Eve, 2008.
Jolie Monasterio Movement in sacred dance expresses meaning of prayers, and scripture for Jolie Monasterio and Revelations group.
Joan Broeckling

Psychologist-minister organizes opportunities for faiths to live in peace for International Day of Peace
Feature The Washington Association of Churches Faith Advocacy Network joined a conference call on health care
Evita Krislock Mother of young woman in mission seizes chance to undo stereotypes while daughter served in Colombia with Episcopal Church.
Our Sister's Closet YWCA turns its clothing bank from plain room to boutique atmosphere in new building
Unity Communty dancer

Unity in the Community celebrates region’s diverse cultures in Riverfront Park in August.
Editorial

We forget that the ‘public’ is us and about real people’s experiences
Editorial

Health care, education, jobs and fair wages benefit society

June 2009

Maria Cuc Couple counteracts cultural losses. Maria Cuc and Felipe Gonzales work to preserve indigenous traditions.
Camp Cross Church camps empower youth. Area camp managers expect scholarships and power of experience to keep numbers up.
Mexican farmer Mexican farmers learn techniques. Mike Ogle of Spokane Vets Center informs pastors of tools to help vets and families.
Ralph Broetje Orchard practices servant leadership, finding that it enhances their business practices and engages them in ministry.
Martin Wells Bishop calls for respect, dialogue among Christians, Jews and Muslims, following visit to the Holy Land this year.
VBS child Vacation Bible schools serves West Central neighborhood. Youth from Episcopal Diocese provide leadership.
Tom Richardson 2 Jubilate! celebrates 30th season of offering retreat and celebration of worship and the arts.
Mrytle Kaul 83-year-old woman visits Kashmir to live among buffalo herders in a small, primitive hut, to express her love and solidarity.
Karen Torkelson Restaurant offers hospitality to poor serving women and children restaurant style and offering nutrition education.
Feature Servant leadership is part of Hoopfest as well as it being a successful 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Spokane
Editorial Economic downturns may bring spiritual upturn. Area faith advocates concerned about cuts, poor bearing brunt.
Editorial Children's song calls for recognizing 'enough.' The repetition can be helpful for adults, too.

May 2009

Rusty and Nancy Nelson Couple nudges world. Rusty and Nancy Nelson retire but will continue commitment to pursue peace and justice.
Marilee Roloff Volunteers of America persists in serving homeless people despite loss of thrift store and funding it provides.
Mike Ogle Clergy learn of veterans' needs. Mike Ogle of Spokane Vets Center informs pastors of tools to help vets and families.
Yom HaShaoh Yom HaShaoh candles lit as reminders for people to prevent future genocide. Mary Stamp lights candle for rescuers.
Rita Waldref Sister church ties St. Aloysius members with people and their stories of suffering and faithfulness in El Salvador.
Ezra Kinlow Holy Temple Church of God in Christ repairs roof, damaged by snow, with funds from members and other churches.
Rick Melin Rick Melin reflects on the impact of technology on churches and on the need to develop church leaders for today.
Moses Pulei Whitworth professor links cultures. Moses Pulei connects African and American pastors and students.
Jason Clark Second Harvest expects food donations to keep up with the rising need during the economic downturn.
Editorial The Fig Tree celebrates 25 years recognizing that it has emerged as a model of peace journalism.

 

 

 

April 2009

FeliciaReilly Faith and Environment Network inspires faith community to care for creation and promote ecology.
Marty Miller
Sally Duffy Holy Names associate stirs awareness of spirituality and water issues. Sally Duffy works through Sacred Space in Spokane.
Miriam Abrahamowicz-Ferst Miriam Abramowitz-Freszt recalls memories of the Holocaust as a reminder of how some people saved her life.
Marian Beaumier Counselor Marian Beaumier invites community support and accountability to community as part of healing.
Linda Crowe Linda Crowe tells about how food, smiles, buildings and outreach speak of a church's welcome to people.
campus mea Food is integral to University of Idaho Campus Christian Center's ministry to students in Moscow, Idaho.
Father Dean Brackley, SJ Father Dean Brackley, SJ, believes global solidarity invites pilgrims to discern their vocational calls.
News
 New building expands New Hope Center.
News
 Tri Cities churches join in ShareFest.
Editorial Newspapers may benefit from becoming nonprofit corporations, like The Fig Tree.
Editorial Careful Word choices create more trust.

March 2009

Audrey Wagner Learning English at Barton School opens doors for immigrants, refugees and the volunteer tutors who teach them.
Warde Bayyuk Immigrant teacher understands needs of students. Wardé Bayyuk grew up in Lebanon and taught in Syria.
Dong Jin Teaching English engages tutors in lives of immigrants and refugees at Country Homes Christian Adult Language School.
Donna Christensen Religious leaders challenge state leaders as they develop budget and decide policies in the 2009 legislative session.
Connie Malone Walking and praying through West Central Spokane opens eyes of church and community members.
Guatemala Sign in Colfax Colfax churches join together in community worship as they prepare for common mission in Colfax.
Dale Cockrum District Methodist leader matches pastors leadership skills with congregations to facilitate mission outside the walls.
Kevin Scherer Orthodox youth minister identifies with the struggles and questions of youth. Kevin Scherer heads national youth ministry.
Editorial Economically challenging times call for churches to be churches, serving their congregations and communities.
Editorial People deserve recognition when they are able to restore trust.

February 2009

David Brown Eagle Martin Luther King Rally and March draw record crowd to celebrate dream and anf African American President.
Mosque Spokane Islamic Center includes about 1,000 Muslims from many cultural and national backgrounds.
Spokane Alliance Spokane Alliance Assembly promotes green jobs, green building and energy efficient retrofits.
Jimmy Pierce Elder Jimmy Pierce challenges people to recognize that these times may be the time they are called to act for justice.
Gail Duba Rockwood chaplain listens to stories of lives of people living in the retirement community and shares her insights.
Adie Goldberg Medical team seeks to rebuild medical system in Rwanda years after 1994 genocide, said Adie Goldberg.
Bob Peeler Bob Peeler visits people on streetsthrough his work with the Spokane Neighborhood Action Program.
Mission Outreach Mission Outreach Center responds to emergency needs of low-income people who come for food, clothes and assistance.
Editorial How and what we choose to do in our time makes all the difference. - Steve Blewett - Fig Tree Board
Editorial We will suffer less if we share our wealth in money, goods and love. - Nancy Minard, editorial team

January 2009

Yvonne Morton Yvonne Morton advances human rights motivated by her Hispanic and French heritages.
Waggoners Listening to colleagues at Lambeth brought more unity that legislating, said Bishop Jim Waggoner and Gloria Waggoner
Wallace Williams Life mentors inspire Wallace Williams to a life of mentoring children and youth through work with schools and WSU.
Tara Leininger Metaline Falls pastor, mayor and theatre director, the Rev. Tara Leininger, responds in three roles to mine shutting down.
Juliet Sinisterra Energy consumption issues permeate Juliet Sinisterra's work at Community Minded Enterprises and her personal life.
Barb Borgens Cross-cultural exchange in Romania with Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ stretches Barb Borgen's faith
News
 As needs rise with economy in flux, Our Place Outreach Center donors keep up with the needs.
Editorial In economic downturns and upturns we can care and share. Mary Stamp, Editor


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1323 S. Perry St. • Spokane WA 99202
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