Community events

Bill Gaither to perform at Arena

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Bill Gaither brings his 10th annual homecoming tour to the Spokane Arena Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Gaither Vocal Band will be joined by a cavalcade of Christian singers, musicians and comedians. All ticket holders will receive a commemorative anniversary CD.

Tickets are $49.75, $34.75 and $19.75 ($2 discount for ages 2-12 and 65-plus), through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

For more information call (888) 217-0301 or visit www.gaithernet.com.

High holidays

Congregation Beth Haverim is celebrating the Jewish high holidays during the next two weeks with its student rabbi, Deborah Marcus.

The reform Jewish congregation will celebrate Erev Rosh Hashanah with a service Monday and will hold a children’s service Tuesday followed by a regular Rosh Hashanah service.

The celebrations continue Friday, when Marcus will lead a special Jewish meditation service for Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return. The day falls between Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

A Kol Nidre service will be Oct. 12, and on Oct. 13 there will be a children’s service, Yom Kippur service, adult discussion group and closing services.

For information about times and the location, call 232-4367 or send e-mail to bhaverim@aol.com.

Musical benefit

Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, 411 S. Washington St., is presenting “Manna 2005: A Benefit Music Revue for Second Harvest Food Bank and Meals on Wheels of Spokane,” Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

The master of ceremonies will be Mark Peterson of KXLY. Performers will include the Celtic Nots, Sidhe and the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus. The day will also feature gift baskets that will be available for viewing from 4 p.m. through intermission.

The cost of admission is $20 for adults and a jar of peanut butter for children under 12.

For more information, call the church office at 624-1366.

Blessing of the Animals

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave., is celebrating the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi on Sunday with a blessing of the animals service.

Pets and their people are invited for the service at 10:45 a.m. and can come forward at the end of the service for blessing. The Spokane Humane Society will also be on hand with pets available for adoption.

For more information, call the church office at 747-6677.

Prayer services

• Call to Action Spokane and Future Church are presenting a prayer service Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 219 E. Rockwood Blvd.

The service is to seek guidance for delegates attending the International Synod on the Eucharist in Rome.

For more information, call Marilyn Phalen at 624-9869 or send e-mail to CTA_Spokane@msn.com.

• Plymouth Congregational Church, 1502 W. Eighth Ave., is presenting Tower 18:10, a prayer and modern worship service, every Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The service is targeted toward twenty- and thirty something people, but all ages are welcome.

For more information, call 838-8667.

Retreat

St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Parish, 2803 N. Lincoln St., is hosting a retreat Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The day will begin with the Holy Qurbana, and the Rev. K. Kuriakose will speak on the topic of “Christian Discipleship and Witness.”

For more information, call the church office at 325-6432.

Workshops and speakers

• Radha Yoga Center, 406 S. Coeur d’Alene St., Suite T, is presenting “The Power of Words,” a workshop with Swami Radhananda, today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Radhananda is the spiritual director of the Yasodhara Ashram and is a columnist at Ascent magazine.

For more information, call the center at 838-3575 or visit www.radha.org.

• Summit Ridge Christian Fellowship is presenting the Rev. Gordon Dalbey on Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at South Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5607 S. Freya St.

Dalbey will speak in the morning sessions on the topic of “Naked but Not Ashamed: Men and Women Learning to Trust.” The evening topic is “Fathers and Daughters: Healing the Father Wound in Women.”

A free-will offering will be accepted.

For more information, call the fellowship at 443-8079.

Oktoberfest

St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, 4515 N. Alberta St., is hosting Oktoberfest today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Scheduled activities include games, craft booths, a book nook, car wash and a beer garden.

For more information, call Therese Walden at 467-5256.

Pancake breakfast

The Catholic Daughters of America are presenting a pancake breakfast Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 302 E. Boone Ave.

The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 through 10 and free for children under 5.

For more information, call Mary Alice McGinn at 487-4707.

Spaghetti dinner

Mary Queen Parish, 3423 E. Carlisle Ave., is presenting its annual spaghetti dinner Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 through 12.

For more information, call 483-4384.

Bazaar and teriyaki takeout

Highland Park United Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield St., is presenting its annual bazaar and teriyaki takeout dinner next Saturday.

Fresh produce, sushi, crafts and baked goods will be available for purchase.

Tickets are only available in advance by calling 535-2687 or 534-7994.

Rummage sales

• Minnehaha Covenant Church, 4005 E. Marietta Ave., is holding a rummage sale today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the church’s after-school program, Jesus and Me.

For more information, call the church office at 483-2552.

• Trinity United Methodist Church, 1725 E. Bridgeport Ave., is presenting a book and rummage sale today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sale items will include books, sheet music, records, furniture and household items.

For more information, call Bessie Mott at 924-0964.

Christian singles

Spokane Christian Singles is hosting another opportunity for singles in their 20s, 30s and 40s to get to know each other today at 5 p.m. at 416 S. Neyland, Liberty Lake.

The cost is $10 for your first session and $5 after that.

For more information, call 226-7674.