Religion Notebook: Service planned for Japan disaster

Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St., will offer a traditional “Seventh Day Memorial Service” for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan Friday at 6 p.m.

Donations to the Buddhist Churches of America’s Social Welfare Fund will be accepted. The combined donations from all Buddhist Churches of America temples will be sent to relief agencies in Japan.

After the service, held seven days after the disasters of March 11, attendees will be able to ring the Kansho, the temple bell, in memory of the victims.

In rural areas of Japan, the temple bell is repeatedly run as a tsunami warning.

For more information, visit the temple website at www.spokanebuddhisttemple.com, or call the temple office at (509) 534-7954.

Seminars and classes

• The Religious Studies Department at Gonzaga University and the Franciscan Place at St. Joseph Family Center will present “Companioning the Dying: A Paradigm for Spiritual Direction,” Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in College Hall, Room 101, at Gonzaga University.

Sister Rose Mary Dougherty will share experiences as a hospice caregiver.

The cost to attend is $35 and includes morning tea and coffee. Attendees should bring a sack lunch.

For more information, call Sister Celeste Crine at (509) 483-6495, ext. 133.

• Northwood Presbyterian Church, 6721 N. Monroe St., will present a genealogy workshop Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The workshop will discuss changing technology in tracing your family tree.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 328-2012.

• Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 2733 W. Northwest Blvd., will present Maxim Katz of Chosen People Ministries Sunday at 8 and 10:45 a.m.

Founded in 1894 by Hungarian Rabbi Leopold Cohn, Chosen People Ministries hopes to make the message of the Messiah more accessible to Jewish people and help Christian believers appreciate the Jewish basis of their own traditions.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 325-5738.

• Spokane Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, 828 W. Spofford Ave., will present “Mad about Marriage,” with Mike and Gayle Tucker of the television program “Lifestyle Magazine,” Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

The two will discuss some of the bigger issues that may derail a marriage such as infidelity, pornography, finances and anger.

For more information, call (509) 328-5900 or visit www.spokaneadventist .org.

St. Patrick’s service

St. David’s Episcopal Church, 7315 N. Wall St., will present a St. Patrick’s Day Communion service today at 7 p.m.

The service will focus on personal spirituality and includes a Christian Communion service, sung chants, Celtic prayers and music.

A potluck reception follows the service.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 466-3100 or visit www.stdavidspokane.org.

Lenten events

Central Baptist Church, 19 W. Shannon Ave., will observe Lent at 7 p.m. every Wednesday evening through April 13 with soup and bread dinners.

There will be a short testimony on the topic “Blessings” each evening.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 327-9322.

To volunteer

Catholic Charities of Spokane, 12 E. Fifth Ave., will present a volunteer information coffee Tuesday from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

Snacks and tours of the facility will be available, as well as information about opportunities to volunteer for one of the organization’s many programs.

For more information or to reserve your place, call Brigid Krause at (509) 358-4270 or e-mail bkrause@ccspokane.org.