Conference To Focus On Legislative Issues

On Feb. 4, frustrated voters can learn practical ways to influence the legislative process.

Ned Dolejsi, director of the Washington State Catholic Conference; the Rev. Dan Comsia, director of Lutheran Public Policy Office; and Tony Lee, legislative director of the Washington Association of Churches, will conduct the churches’ legislative agenda for Eastern Washington Legislative Conference 1995.

The speakers will articulate the moral dimensions of health care reform, welfare reform and juvenile justice - issues under consideration by the state Legislature.

Last year’s conference attracted 125 people.

The conference, from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Jewett House of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, is co-sponsored by the Spokane Council of Ecumenical Ministries, Catholic Charities, Church Women United, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane.

“In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray, ‘Thy kingdom come, on Earth as it is in heaven,”’ said the Rev. John Olson, executive director of the ecumenical council. “We are establishing to create God’s kingdom.

“The definition of a righteous person is someone who not only cares about their own personal morality, but the common good, what happens in the world,” Olson said. “We see Christ, or God, in the least of our brothers and sisters.”

There is a $12 registration fee which includes lunch.

For more information, call 624-5156 in the mornings, or 535-1813.

Speakers set for Institute of Ministry

The Rev. Tom Long, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, will be a guest speaker for Whitworth College’s 20th Annual Institute of Ministry, July 24-29.

Jerry Sittser, associate professor of religion at Whitworth and the institute’s dean, said the event is to encourage spiritual renewal of church professionals, their families and the churches they serve.

Other speakers will be the Rev. Don Postema, pastor and author of “Space for God,” and Joseph Gichuhi, director of the Institute of Christian Ministries and Training at Daystar University College in Nairobi, Kenya.

Long, designated as this year’s “preacher,” is also author of “Crucified Love.”

The institute is for singles, married couples and families; there is also a carefully planned youth and teen program as an intricate part of the week.

For more information, call 466-3291.

Ascension Lutheran on move

The congregation of Ascension Lutheran Church will hold its last service in the Beacon Avenue building where members have met the past 31 years.

The service at W2910 Beacon will be at 9:30 a.m., conducted by Bishop Robert Keller and the congregation’s interim pastor, the Rev. Donald Schneuker.

A luncheon in the fellowship hall will follow.

Beginning Feb. 5, the group will meet in the chapel of Excelsior Youth Center, W3574 Indian Trail Road.

Congregation members have no idea when they will again meet in a church they can call their own since their plans went awry: The Beacon Street building had been sold and members expected next week to worship in their new church on their property in the Five Mile neighborhood. But then came the building moratorium for that area and the congregation’s plans had to be postponed, a church spokesman said.

Until that restriction is lifted, members will gather Sunday mornings in the Excelsior chapel and conduct their business in offices rented in the Five Mile Business Park.

Christian Talent Contest

Contestants are needed for the fifth annual Washington State Christian Talent Contest to be held in Seattle in March, sponsored by the Worthy Music Ministries in Redmond, Wash.

The first 20 entries in each category will compete in the semifinals with the top two from each category competing in the finals for more than $3,200 in cash prizes.

Categories include female and male vocalists, miscellaneous (rap, drama, dance, comedy, instruments), bands, choirs and ensembles, duets, youth and songwriting.

Entry forms are available by calling Worthy Music Ministries at (206) 881-6251.