Community events

With the holiday season winding down, many churches are taking a break this week, but there are a few places where you can ring in the New Year with spirit:

“The Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 E. 12th Ave., will offer its New Year’s Eve Celebration on Monday.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with an open labyrinth walk for visitors to come and go as they please. That will be followed by a Harmony Walk at 10, a traditional walk of Veriditas, the Worldwide Labyrinth Project.

There will also be a service of Healing and Holy Communion at 11 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Jewett House on the cathedral campus. Refreshments will be served in the Guild Rooms following the service.

For more information, call the church office at (509) 838-4277.

“The Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St., will offer a Bell of the Last Night, or Joya-e, service Monday at 7 p.m.

The service, which should last 30 to 45 minutes, will include a ringing of the temple bell 108 times. That represents “ringing out” the 108 delusions or passions that afflict human beings.

For more information, call the temple office at (509) 534-7954.

“Harpist Leslie Stratton Norris will present a service of music and praise on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Lincoln Heights Congregational Church, 29th and Freya. A freewill offering will be taken.

Valley services

With the new year just around the corner, several Spokane Valley churches are combining their usual two Sunday worship services into single services that all members and guests may attend:

“Christ Lutheran Church will host a special combined Lessons and Carols service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 13009 E. Broadway Ave.

“A Carols and Communion service with a special Christmas message will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Veradale United Church of Christ, 611 N. Progress Road.

“The Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene, 15515 E. 20th Ave., will have a combined service at 11 a.m. Sunday. The church also will host a New Year’s Eve service at 5 p.m. Monday.

“A combined worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave.

“The Spokane Valley United Methodist Church will have one service beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 115 N. Raymond Road.