Retreats, conferences abound

This is the weekend for several faith-based retreats and conferences in the Spokane area.

•Spokane Bible Church, 9419 N. Five Mile Road, will host a fall Bible conference Sunday through Wednesday.

Pastors and missionaries will attend and speak, and everyone is welcome.

For more information, visit the church Web site at www.spokanebiblechurch.com, or call the church office at 467-9206.

•St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9706 N. Division St., will present a workshop and conference next Thursday through Oct. 18.

For more information, call the church office at 467-5256.

In conjunction with the conference and workshop, the church will present a concert and songfest Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the church.

Speakers and musicians include Mary Haugen, Mary Preus and Tom Witt.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Spokane City Forum

Bill Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will speak at the next Spokane City Forum, Wednesday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spokane First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar St.

Gates will speak on the topic “Building Public Will for High-Quality Education in America.”

The cost to attend is $10 or $5 for students and includes lunch.

For more information, call 777-1555.

Benefit concert

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8441 N. Indian Trail Road, will present a benefit concert for Troy Robinette, the husband of a Prince of Peace preschool teacher, on Friday at 10 p.m.

Eric Engerbresten will perform at the concert and Thrivant Financial will match 50 cents to every dollar raised, up to $2,500.

The proceeds will help alleviate the medical bills that have accrued since Robinette was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006. He was diagnosed with two new stage-4 frontal lobe tumors last April, and after some experimental chemotherapy, the tumors appear to be dying.

There is no cost to attend the concert, and donations will be accepted at the event.

For more information, call the church office at 465-0779.

Craft sales

•New Hope Christian Reformed Church, 3110 W. Francis Ave., will present a gift and craft sale Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Items for sale will include antiques, quilts, linens, personalized bookmarks, candles, holiday decorations, paper dolls and more.

There will also be a soup and bread lunch available for purchase.

The proceeds will benefit the church’s new worship sanctuary.

For more information, call the church office at 325-4882.

•Hillyard Baptist Church, 2121 E. Wabash Ave., will present “Christmas in October,” a silent auction, craft and bake sale, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The sale will include a baked potato bar for $3, popcorn, coffee and a funhouse for kids.

For more information, call the church office at 487-2795.

Spaghetti dinner

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church, 4449 N. Nevada St., will present a spaghetti dinner Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.

The dinner will include spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, a roll, dessert and drinks.

The cost is $5 a person and children age and younger will be admitted for free.

For more information, call the church office at 487-9667.