Bible schools offer beach, harvest, Veggie Tales themes

• Living Word Christian Center, 3525 E. 57th Ave., will present Beach Blast vacation Bible school Sunday through Aug. 18 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Children from age 3 through the sixth grade are invited to play games, hear music, and participate in skits, crafts and more.

Parents can register their children at lwccspokane.org or call (509) 443-6181.

• Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd., will present Kids Camp vacation Bible school Monday through Aug. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The harvest-themed camp is for children ages 5 through 12 who will learn about fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There will also be crafts, cooking, Bible stories and music.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 747-4755 or visit www.manitoumc.org.

• Mead United Methodist Church , 12611 N. Wilson St., will present “A Night with Veggie Tales” vacation Bible school on Monday from 5:45 to 9 p.m. The free event is for the whole family, but children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or grandparents. Activities will include video Bible stories, music, crafts, outdoor games and snacks.

Call the church office at (509) 238-9438 for more information.

Prayer retreat

The Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road, will present, “God Calling: Invitation to Prayer,” a weekend prayer retreat for all faiths Friday through Sunday.

Nancy Copeland-Payton will present the retreat, which will explore different forms of prayer and spiritual practice.

The cost for the weekend is $185 per person or $280 per couple and includes two nights lodging and five meals. The cost is $100 for commuters.

For more information or to register, call the center at (509) 448-1224 or visit www.ihrc.net.

Buddhism lecture

The Rev. Tetsuo Unno will speak on “Buddhism: On the Cause of Suffering and the Way Leading to its Cessation” at 7 p.m. today at the Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. Donations will be accepted.

Unno will also give the Dharma talk at the Temple’s Obon service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The service, also known as a Gathering of Joy, is to remember loved ones who have died.