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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Church plans dance

Lisa Leinberger, Lisal@Spokesman.Com, (509) 459-5449

The Open and Affirming Committee at Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, 411 S. Washington St., will hold a gay/straight dance Saturday at 8 p.m.

The band Too Many Men will perform at the dance that Chris Aumack, one of the dance’s organizers, said is meant for everyone to come and have a good time.

Aumuck said the idea for the dance came when two of the members of the Open and Affirming Committee (“I just call it the gay/straight club,” Aumuck said of the group) were talking about how much they loved to dance and have fun, so they decided to put on an alcohol-free event at the church.

“Our church is open and affirming,” Aumuck said, “where gays are not only tolerated, but they are welcome.”

The cost of the event is $8 to help pay for the band, and tickets will only be sold at the door. Soft drinks will be sold for $1 and participants are asked to bring their own snacks.

For more information, call Mary Rupert at (509) 838-7449.

Blessing of the Animals

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave., will celebrate St. Francis Day Sunday with its annual Blessing of the Animals service at 10:45 a.m.

Pets can come and sit with their families during this service and then come forward for a blessing.

This will be the 20th year St. Mark’s has held this service, and the church expects more than 100 pets to be blessed.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 747-6677.

Domestic violence vigil

Faith Partners Against Family Violence will present a Domestic Violence Awareness Month vigil Tuesday from 5:15 to 6 p.m. at the Central YMCA, 930 N. Monroe St.

Speakers at the event include Brad Buff of Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, Pat Stickel of the state Department of Social and Health Services’ Adult Protective Services and Patty Wheeler of YWCA’s Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program.

For more information, call Wheeler at (509) 326-1190.

Apple Festival

Green Bluff Community United Methodist Church, 9908 E. Green Bluff Road, will present its annual Apple Festival Craft and Bake Sale Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 10, 11, 17 and 18. Saturday hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays are from noon to 5 p.m.

The event includes entertainment, crafts, apple pie and dumplings, Frank’s Hot Dogs and Mr. Don’s Mexican food.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 238-9100.

Ugandan Orphans performs

Crossover Church, 16825 N. Newport Highway, will present the Ugandan Orphans Choir Sunday at 6 p.m.

The choir is made up of five girls and five boys, orphans from Uganda who will drum, dance and sing at the concert.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 238-7955.

Speakers and classes

St. Aloysius Parish, 330 E. Boone Ave., will present “Living and Dying in Christ,” a three-part series to support those who suffer from sickness or declining health Oct. 8, 15 and 22 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Facilitators will include the Rev. Charles Barnes, Dr. Pierre Soffe and Sherry Fisher.

The sessions will discuss how to discover the graces in illness, suffering or death and what the church teaches about end-of-life decisions and more.

Registration is required. For more information, call (509) 313-5896 or (509) 313-7006.

Fundraiser

First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar St., will present the program, “The Children of Ibillin,” Saturday at 7 p.m.

The event will include a Middle Eastern dessert and beverages. The program is a fundraiser for Father Chacour’s Mar Elias Schools.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 747-1058.

Book sale

Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church, 312 W. Hawthorne Road, will present a used books sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There also will be videos and DVDs.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 466-0305.