Religion

Amid the local excitement since the debut of the Spokane Velocity and Zephyr professional men’s and women’s soccer teams last year, the bulk of the attention has naturally been directed at their competitive achievements, as with the Velocity’s surprise run to the final of the United Soccer League’s League One playoffs.

I’m estranged from most of my immediate family, though occasionally I get a ping from someone back home.

Life got in the way of my writing for all of 2024. I had many things in my mind to write about, but I decided to end 2024 with gratitude and start 2025 with compassion.

Though their prayers came from the depths of a church basement, God heard the appeals for a new place of worship.

In an early December Facebook meme, a cartoon man ponders this: “They said ‘keep Christ in Christmas.’ But wouldn’t that mean loving everyone, being inclusive, helping the poor, and working for peace on Earth?”

Nearly 200 Moscow residents gathered Tuesday night to discuss combating Christian nationalism amid growing influence of Christ Church.

In the last four months, three of my friends have either moved away or announced that they’ll be leaving soon. It’s strange how quickly “drinks at our usual spot” becomes “let’s catch up on Zoom sometime.”

Ahead of the holidays, Salvation Army’s food bank is running dangerously low.

This past Thanksgiving, while millions gathered for the traditional four 'f's' — food, family, festivities and football — I found myself in a different space. The holiday season that began with turkey day has become less about consumerism and celebration, and more a period of peaceful pause and prayer.

I committed journalism’s cardinal sin this year: I put a blue “Harris for President” sign in my yard.

It was heartfelt, emotional and long past due.

In a recent statement, Diocese of Spokane Bishop Thomas Daly reportedly said he plans to confront Catholic hospitals and clinics that offer gender-affirming care to children.

Pope Francis recently called on us to remember the people of Haiti, saying, “I ask everyone to pray for the cessation of all forms of violence and, with the commitment of the international community, to continue working to build peace and reconciliation in that country, always defending the dignity and rights of all.”

Mike Strock remembers driving from Sandpoint to Spokane Valley last winter to go to a wedding at the region’s only Latter-day Saints temple when a fluke storm blew in, bringing with it hail so strong it split his windshield.

I’m an old learner and hope to keep it going for a while, to wrinkle my brain at the rate of my skin. It’s not a bad hobby if you can get into it; there’s always something to learn about. The trick is to not confuse knowledge with wisdom. I call it the Curse of Socrates, who said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” The humility of humanity is right here.

Note: This is one of Paul Graves’ occasional letters to his grandchildren.

WASHINGTON – When the House of Representatives convened at the Capitol on Friday, the opening prayer was delivered not by the House chaplain but by a Spokane pastor who prayed for national healing in a divisive time for the United States.

Sometimes we cross paths with souls so pivotal they redefine our existence. For me, my former journalism professor, Patti Dobson, was one of those people.

This month, Sravasti Abbey in Newport, Washington, will be hosting an online series featuring prominent Buddhist scholars to honor the legacy of Jeffrey Hopkins, renowned Tibetologist and former interpreter for the Dalai Lama, who died on July 1.