Religion calendar

News of note

Holiday offerings go to fight Ebola

The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Spokane Valley has joined the fight against Ebola.

The congregation is donating its Christmas giving of $1,879 to Doctors Without Borders, a private international organization made up of doctors and health sector workers. The organization provides assistance to populations in distress, victims of natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict and is on the front line of the fight against the deadly Ebola virus.

Eastern Washington

This week

Immaculate Heart Retreat Center: How to Listen When God is Speaking: A Guide for Modern-Day Catholics – The Rev. Mitch Pacwa will conduct this weekend retreat for men and women. For more information, contact Sister Mary Eucharista at (509) 448-1224, ext. 109, or programs@ihrc.net. Today and Sunday, Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $235/per person, $435/per couple. (509) 448-1224.

St. Mark’s Women’s Retreat: The Path of Prayer - Devotions and discussion. Today, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Family Center, 1016 N. Superior St. $95/two nights and four meals, $35/meals only. (509) 747-6677.

Loss and Grief Workshop - Katie Gage, a retired clinical social worker, will lead this six-week workshop. Call Katie at (509) 290-5162 to register. Tuesday, 2 p.m., Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Road, Spokane Valley. (509) 924-7262.

Evidence for God from Physics - Bishop Emeritus William Skylstad will lead a dinner series on the subject using the Rev. Robert Spitzer’s videos on arguments from reason on God’s existence. There will be a Q&A over dessert and coffee followed by a discussion. The topic for this session is “In the Beginning I: The Big Bang and Our Universe/Did the Universe Have a Beginning?” The topic for February’s session is “In the Beginning II: Is there Evidence of Fine-tuning, Design and Intelligence in the Universe? Physics, Evolution and the Bible.” Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $30. (509) 448-1224.

Afterlife 101: “What Happens When Our Earthly Pilgrimage Ends?” - John Fencik, the Diocese of Spokane’s associate director of Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Spokane, will lead this day of prayer. The day will begin with a rosary at 9 a.m. and includes two conferences, lunch, the sacrament of reconciliation, and Mass. The day will close with Adoration. For more information or to register, contact Sister Mary Eucharista at (509) 448 -1224, ext. 109 or visit programs@ihrc.net. Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $35/per person, includes lunch, $45/includes lunch and use of a private room for the day. (509) 448-1224.

Legislative Conference - St. Mark’s will host the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference. The theme is “Raising Prophetic Voices: Faith Communities Advocate for Justice.” The subjects for speakers, workshops and discussions will bear on issues before the state Legislature. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave. Suggested $20 donation. (509) 535-1813.

Upcoming

Souper Bowl of Caring - Fundraiser for Feed Cheney that will take place at Cheney United Church of Christ, Cheney United Methodist Church and Cheney Church of The Nazarene. Donations may also be mailed to United Church of Christ, 423 N. Sixth St., Cheney, WA 99004 with “Feed Cheney Souper Bowl” in the memo line. Feb. 1, Cheney Church of the Nazarene, 338 Betz Road, Cheney. (509) 324-1659.

Souper Bowl Potluck - The potluck will be at 11:30 a.m. following worship services. There will be humorous entertainment, football trivia and prizes. Bring cans of soup to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m., Moran United Methodist Church, 3601 E. 65th Ave. (509) 448-7102.

Welcome to Lent - The season of Lent has many stereotypes: six weeks of sad, giving up privileges, contemplating suffering. In fact, Lent was created first for baptismal preparation. Whether you’re curious about the season, or you’ve been practicing Lent for some time, there is something here for you in our exploration of this springtime season. You’ll hear poetry and prose from Kathryn Smith and Cara Strickland, and make two simple Lenten crafts to take home for your season of Lent. Families welcome. Presented by Salem Lutheran Church and The Book Parlor. Feb. 7, 4 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 1425 W. Broadway Ave. Free. (509) 328-6527.

Feed Medical Lake - A free meal the second Monday of the month, Feb. 9, 5-6 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church – Medical Lake, 223 S. Hallett St., Medical Lake. (509) 714-1150.

Spokane Inter-Faith Council - Meets second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10, Center for Spiritual Living, 2825 E. 33rd Ave. (509) 534-1011.

Bible Conference - Josh Carter, pastor of Bellingham Baptist Church, will speak at this five-day conference Feb. 14-18. On Saturday through Wednesday, services will be at 7 p.m. On Sunday, services will start at 9:45 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. There will be pot-blessing meals on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:15 p.m. For more information, call Dr. Arthur Houk at (509) 684-3983. The conference will be at Arden Faith Baptist Church, 673 Arden Hill Road, Colville. (509) 684-3983.

Idaho

This week

Friendship Kitchen - Community meal on Thursdays, 4-5:30 p.m. , St. George’s Parish Center, 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls. Free. (208) 773-4715.