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

Religion Calendar

Eastern Washington

Today

Deck the Halls Sale - Gently used Christmas decorations will be sold to benefit the clients of New Hope Resource Center to help with heating costs this winter, many of whom were affected by the severe windstorms this summer in north Spokane County. Today, 9 a.m., St. Joseph Parish, 3720 E. Colbert Road, Colbert. (509) 466-4991.

The Welcome: A Public Listening - A group of veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder present their stories to the Spokane community through works of music, visual and performance art. The result of a four-day retreat hosted by Warrior Songs that introduces veterans to multiple artistic mediums, this culminating event gives the public an opportunity to witness artworks and performances, all the while forming a valuable support group and audience for veterans to share their stories through art. Today, 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Free. (518) 878-8579.

Upcoming

31st Annual Parish Thanksgiving Dinner - Served at noon in the Great Hall following 10:30 a.m. worship. Sunday, St. John’s Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave. Free will offering accepted. (509) 838-4277.

Thanksgiving Potluck - Following 10:30 a.m. worship. The choir will furnish turkey, stuffing, gravy and rolls. Attendees please bring the rest. Special guests will be Japanese students from Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute. Sunday, Opportunity Christian, 708 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 926-3691.

Thanksgiving Eve Service at Zion - Dessert potluck to follow the 7 p.m. service. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Cupboard of Daily Bread pantry. Wednesday, Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 926-5407.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship - With Baptism and pie social. Bring food and/or donation for the Caritas Food Bank. Wednesday, 7 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church, 4202 N. Belt St. Free, food donations accepted. (509) 327-4446.

Thanksgiving Worship at the Cathedral - Holy Eucharist holiday service. Wednesday, 7 p.m., St. John’s Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave. Free. (509) 838-4277.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner - St. Aloysius Parish, Gonzaga University and Sodexo Food Services will host a free Thanksgiving dinner for all who might otherwise be eating alone on Thanksgiving Day. If you would like to volunteer as a host or greeter, call (509) 313-7001. There will be bus service to and from the dinner at the following locations: 11:30 a.m. at House of Charity, 32 W. Pacific Ave.; noon-12:15 p.m. at Union Gospel Mission, 1234 E. Sprague Ave.; and 12:30-12:45 p.m. at UGM Men’s Shelter and Recovery, 1224 E. Trent Ave. Thursday, noon-2 p.m., Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall, Globe Room, 402 E. Boone Ave. Free. (509) 313-7001.

Thanksgiving Day Worship - Annual service includes a Bible lesson, National Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, prayer and hymns. Thursday, 10 a.m., First Church of Christ, Scientist, 310 E. 14th Ave. Free. (509) 624-1637.

Outdoor Christmas Tree Lighting Event - Festivities include games, crafts, live Nativity, carols and refreshments. Nov. 30, 3-5 p.m., Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Road, Spokane Valley. (509) 924-7262.

Advent Party - Annual event includes crafts for children and adults, singing Christmas carols and sharing bounty of snacks. Nov. 30, 4-7 p.m., Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood.

Advent Reflections - Held Tuesdays, Dec. 2-23, from 2-2:30 p.m. Get away during this quiet time each week and let soft music support your intimacy with God and prepare for the miracle and mystery of Christmas. Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 1926 W. Chelan Ave. (509) 326-1252.

Spokane Valley Quilter Christmas Party - Potluck at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m. Bring a $10 wrapped gift for exchange. We will be collecting food for the Spokane Valley Food Bank. Open to the public. Dec. 2, Spokane Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 924-6320.

“Journey to Christmas” - Advent of Prayer led by the Rev. David Kuttner, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tekoa and St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Oakesdale. Day of Prayer begins with a Rosary at 9 a.m. and includes two conferences, lunch, the sacrament of Reconciliation and Mass. The Day of Prayer will close with Adoration. Dec. 3, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $35, includes lunch. (509) 448-1224, ext. 109.

The Resiliency Project: The Story of Life in Unlikely Places - An initiative of Youth for Christ giving young people a platform to share their stories with the community through creative arts. Dec. 3, 6 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. $20. (509) 327-7721.

Simplify Your Holidays - Bring joy back to the holiday season with thoughtful exercises and discussions to help you create more authentic holidays that reflect what these celebrations mean to you. Classes facilitated by Georgette Thornton. Dec. 3 and 10, 6:30 p.m., Unity Spiritual Center, 2900 S. Bernard St. $5-10/suggested donation. (509) 838-3807.

Newport United Church of Christ Holiday Gift and Bake Sale - Dec. 5-6. Christmas gifts, baked goods, handcrafted items, white elephant table. Lunch served Friday from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sale Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Presented by the Women’s Fellowship. Newport United Church of Christ, 430 W. Third St., Newport. (509) 447-4121.

Advent - A Time of Waiting - An Advent day of prayer and reflection for the special season before Christmas. Retreat day will include Advent thoughts, guided reflection through time and prayer, personal quiet and sharing with others. Dec. 6, 10 a.m., St. Joseph Family Center, 1016 N. Superior St. $25. (509) 483-6495.

Christ Hands on Afrika - Christmas shopping with vendors, live performers, food and a silent auction. Funds raised will go toward sending supplies to West Africa to help with the Ebola crisis. Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m., Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3606 S. Schafer Road, Spokane Valley. (509) 926-6363.

North Idaho

This week

Northwest Sacred Music Chorale Fall Concert - Beginning its 2014-15 season with one of the most beloved sacred works of all time, the Brahms Requiem. This work seeks to comfort the living and affirm that those who trust in the Lord, and who die in the Lord, are indeed the most blessed of all. Performances today at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene. $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. Tickets available online at nwsmc.org. (208) 762-9956.

Annual Holiday Bazaar - Handcrafted treasures and raffles and lunch available. Today, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene. (208) 765-1002.

“Developing Bodhicitta” - Taught by Sravasti Abbey nuns and presented by Coeur d’Alene Dharma Friends. Today, 10 a.m., Life Center Therapies for Well-being, 1319 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. (208) 667-3813.

North Idaho

Upcoming

19th Annual Craft and Gift Fair - Presented by Coeur d’Alene Christian School. Featuring craft and gift items, lunch, coffee, hot cocoa, hot cider and baked goods. Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Christian School, Fourth and Hanley, Dalton Gardens, Idaho. Free admission and parking. (208) 772-7118.

St. Luke’s Snowflake Faire - Handmade crafts, affordable gifts, homemade soup and pie, original art, raffles, gently used treasures, baked goods, stocking stuffers. Dec. 6, 9 a.m., St. Luke Episcopal Church, 501 W. Wallace, 501 W. Wallace, Coeur d’Alene. Free admission. (208) 664-5533.

Ceremony of Remembrance - Speaker for the 11th annual event is William Paul Young, best-selling author of “The Shack” and “Crossroads.” Enjoy a free, self-serve continental breakfast, Christmas music, reading of names and memorial Christmas ornament, to honor loved ones who have passed away, whether that loss is recent or long ago. Please register at lakecitycc.org/ ceremony. Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m., Lake City Community Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 676-0632.