Churches offer events during Lent

It’s officially the season of Lent, which brings discussion groups and book studies.

•Bethany Presbyterian Church, 301 S. Freya St., will present a Lenten book study Sunday at 9 a.m. to discuss “A Political Reading of the Life of Jesus” by George W. Baldwin.

The books are available to purchase in the church office.

The Sunday worship service will be at 10:30 a.m.

For more information, call the church office at 534-0066.

•Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd., will offer its annual “Films of Faith Lenten Movie Series” Saturdays at 4 p.m. from Feb. 9 through March 22.

The first movie in this series this week will be “Amazing Grace,” a story about how John Newton, the composer of the hymn, mentors the young William Wilberforce, who will later take a seat in the British Parliament.

The movie is free and includes free popcorn and beverages. There will be a discussion after the film, which is rated PG.

For more information, call the church office at 747-4755.

ConnectPoint events

ConnectPoint, formerly the Pentecostals of Spokane, will offer a time for women to get together and talk about issues today at 7 p.m. at 601 W. Maxwell Ave.

The group, Women of Virtue, will discuss biblical methods of dealing with issues that face women today.

The church also will offer a new series, “Organic Christianity” from 11 a.m. to noon every Sunday at the church, 1316 N. Lincoln St. starting Feb. 10.

For more information, call the church office at 325-0183.

Buddhism workshop

The Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St., will offer a seven-week course, “Essentials of Buddhism” Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. starting Feb. 13.

The course will discuss the basic teachings of Buddhism.

The cost is a $20 donation to pay for handouts.

The temple also is offering a Vipassana Meditation Group Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

Beginners are welcome.

For more information about either of these classes, call the temple office at 534-7954.

Fundraiser

Faith Baptist Church, 2804 E. Euclid Ave., will present its 2008 Sports Program Auction Fundraiser Friday at 6 p.m. in the church.

The evening will include an auction of items such as home-cooked desserts, hotel stays, ski tickets, crafts and more.

The proceeds will benefit the students of the Faith Baptist Academy sports program.

The evening will also include concession stands selling hot dogs, nachos and desserts.

For more information, call the church office at 482-6101, ext. 17.

Singles groups

Spokane Christian Singles will offer two speed-dating events Friday and Saturday.

Singles older than 45 will meet Friday at 7 p.m., and singles ages 20 though 49 will meet Saturday at 3 p.m.

Both events will be at Mission Community Presbyterian Church, 2103 E. Mission Ave.

The cost is $10 for your first visit and $7 for each visit after that.

For more information, call 226-7674.