Kelly McBride

Churches fight child abuse Incest victim April Moline, center, with her husband, Emery, is thanked by a group of Spokane ministers for sharing her story. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Giulio Clovio's "Creation" (1546.) Photo by Associated Press

People opposed to teaching religion in public schools argue it can't be done without offending the devout. Not true, say professors who have taught religion on the college level for years.

As their grandfather Jim Gooley runs a combine, Roni Jo Mielke, 7, and Alicia Mielke, 6, play in a load of wheat. The Gooleys are giving wheat to Bolivians. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

Reaching out. Maya Hensold, 10, left, and Julien Sather, 4, try to catch bubbles blown by Tibetan monk Lobsang Tsering. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

William Skylstad, Spokane bishop

Ken Trent works on a landlord-tenant dispute at the Volunteers of America office. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

1. Crawford Mizell of Lighthouse Full Gospel Mission beseeches the heavens for the presence of the Lord. 2. Sunlight streams through the bottom edge of the tent as a child moves toward the audience. The field has been trampled by people and cars during the 10-day camp meeting. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 3. Associate Pastor Paul Morse and his wife, Diane, feel the presence of the Lord during an evening service at the Camp Meeting just north of Deer Park.

Kelly McBride, the author of this story, with her children Molly, 2, and Clarke, 5 months. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Father Elliott

Pop artists Chris Isaak and Sheryl Crow aren't the only big shows coming to Riverfront Park this summer. More than 30 Spokane churches are joining up to sponsor Sunday-night worship services during July and August in the Gondola Meadows, next to the Bloomsday sculpture.

With guidance from God, Subud is coming to Spokane. More than 450 North American followers of this spiritual movement are gathering downtown this week. Next year, as many as 3,000 members will be here for several weeks, the biggest international gathering in Spokane since Expo.

Everybody knows at least one. That elderly woman who scowls at your toddler for eating Kix during the Gospel reading. Or the grumpy deacon who furrows his eyebrows every time you show up for Mass in sneakers. Church folk are not always the cheeriest people. And Mitch Finley is taking names - that is, if they happen to be prominent cranky Catholics. "There are a lot of grim believers running around out there," says Finley, who has bachelor's and master's degrees in theology. "Being grim is sort of incompatible with authentic Christian faith."

Lutheran minister Jerry Walters, who has had extensive dealings with the freemen, is speaking at a conference this weekend at Whitworth. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Faith and fatherhood. Rob Wright, center, holds his son Trey, 5 months, and daughter Janice, 2, in the Arena. At right is David Kiser, holding son Austin, 1. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Rich Lang reads from the Bible on Friday during a Spokane gathering of Workplace Connections. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

1. Orville Sassen 2. Eastep 3. These revolvers were found on Orville Sassen after Tuesday's shooting. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

For the second year in a row, Catholic Charities is facing a disappointing end to its annual Christmas fund drive. The largest private charity in the Inland Northwest has raised $516,000, short of its $550,000 goal. Last year, Catholic Charities set the same goal and collected $527,000. Although the annual drive has no official end date, less than 150 people gave money after January last year, said Mary Ann Heskett, fund drive coordinator.

Cowboys fans led by pastors Jim Parker and Rikk Harris on the right, with Steeler fans at left. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

1. Roe vs. Wade anniversary. Despite poor weather Sunday, hundreds marched from Deaconess hospital to the Federal Building to protest the Roe vs. Wade decision 23 years ago. Photo by Liz Kishimoto/The Spokesman-Review 2. Belle Taylor McGhee, right, board president of the Washington State National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, joins a group of about 100 abortion rights activists on the steps of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Volunteer Terry Anderson stocks produce at the Bishop's Storehouse, which gives food to needy Mormons. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

Religious groups are hosting two rallies Sunday - either to celebrate or mourn the 23rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Abortion opponents will begin a prayer walk around Deaconess Medical Center at 2 p.m. The center is the region's only hospital where abortions are performed. The crowd will then walk down the hill to the U.S. Court House, 904 W. Riverside, where church groups will hold a rally for life.

With his son interpreting for him Sunday evening, the Rev. Boris Shiva pointed out a growing problem among Southern Baptists: "I don't know what language we will all speak in heaven." Shiva's observation came during a multi-ethnic service celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Catholic Charities of Spokane has lost an early lead in its annual money drive, but still hopes to meets its goal of raising $550,000. "The next two weeks are just critical for us," said Mary Ann Heskett, fund drive coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Spokane. "We need to hear from another 500 to 600 individuals, if we are going make it."