Religion notebook

Spokane Valley

This week

God’s Backyard Bible Camp – Free evening vacation Bible school Monday-Aug. 16, 6 p.m. at UPLiFT Church, 23424 N. Swing Lane, Liberty Lake. Includes Backyard Bible Club, food, crafts, stories and motivation for community projects. Call (509) 995-7718 or email amyjoykells@gmail.com.

Picnic and Worship in the Park – Wednesday, 6-7 p.m. at Terrace View Park, 13599 E. 24th Ave. Hosted by Advent Lutheran Church. (509) 892-4016.

Upcoming

Sunday Brunch Spokane River Cruise – Aug. 18, leaving the Advent Lutheran Church at 13009 E. Broadway Ave. at 10:45 a.m. and travel to Red Lion Templin’s Hotel on the River in Post Falls. Cruise departs at noon and returns at 2 p.m. $18/age 4-12, $35/age 13-54, $20/age 55 and older. RSVP with advance payment by Aug. 15 at the church office, (509) 389-4191 or get tickets from Red Lion, (208) 773-1611.

Yard Sale Fundraiser – Aug. 24 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway Ave. Proceeds benefit the 2015 Youth Gathering Mission Trip. Donations accepted through Aug. 23 at the church. (509) 928-7733.

Summer Festival in the Park – Eastpoint Church is hosting festivities Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. at Liberty Lake Pavilion Park, 727 N. Molter Road. Event includes worship, activities for kids, live music, and free snow cones. (509) 533-6800 or (509) 295-7030.

Spokane

This Week

Yard Sale at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church – Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church at 1325 E. Queen Ave. Sale includes collectible Christmas tree ornaments and miscellaneous items.

All Saints Picnic – Saturday, 2-5 p.m., hosted by Dave and Cora Jelinek at 8602 W. Rutter Parkway. Hamburgers and hot dogs are provided. Bring a salad/dessert, lawn chairs and beverages. (509) 838-4409.

Shotsuki Hoyo Service – Sunday, 10:30 a.m. followed by Obon dance class at 12:30 p.m. at Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. (509) 534-7954.

Kingdom Rock Vacation Bible School – For ages 3 through sixth grade Monday-Aug. 15, 5 p.m-8 p.m. at Moran United Methodist Church, 3601 E. 65th Ave. Offering music, games, Bible stories, crafts and an evening meal. Registration available online at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/ morankingdomrock or call (509) 448-7102.

Developing Heart-strength with Meditation: Buddhist Meditation Class – Weekly series runs Mondays through Sept. 16, 6:30-8 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Presented by Tibetan Buddhist nuns from Sravasti Abbey monastery near Newport. The class teaches Buddhist meditations for developing love and compassion and focuses on the “six far-reaching practices” – generosity, ethical conduct, fortitude, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom. The emphasis is on developing the heart-strength to benefit others. Donations are appreciated. To register, call (509) 447-5549, or go to www.sravasti.org.

Church on the Grass at Country Homes Christian Church – Wednesday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m., casual worship at the church, 8415 N. Wall St. (509) 466-3414.

Upcoming

Obon Festival – Aug. 17, 2-8 p.m. and Aug. 18, 4-7 p.m., the Spokane Buddhist Temple will revive its annual Obon celebration honoring ancestors at the temple, 927 S. Perry St. Event includes traditional meals, games for kids of all ages, exhibits, performances and dancing. (509) 534-7954.

Community Hymn Sing – Aug. 18, 3 p.m. at First Free Methodist Church, 1725 W. Courtland Ave. (509) 534-8080.

Hike at Riverside State Park – Meet Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. at the parking lot at Pettet Drive and TJ Meenach Bridge for an easy hike to Bowl and Pitcher. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by St. John’s Cathedral. (509) 838-4277.

Church in the Park with Westminster Community United Church of Christ – Aug. 18 worship at 10:30 a.m. at Cowley Park, corner of Sixth Avenue and Division Street. Bring a chair, blanket and picnic lunch. (509) 624-1366.

Ongoing

Central Baptist Church – Summer schedule, no Sunday school, worship at 10 a.m. with guest speaker Joel Benegar. Adult Bible study on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., Prayer Circle Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the church, 19 W. Shannon Ave. (509) 327-9322.

Adult Basic Judaism Classes – Most Sundays through 2013, 10 a.m.-noon at Temple Beth Shalom, 1322 E. 30th Ave. Cost is $50/each TBS member or couple including textbooks, $150/non-members, $50/each additional non-member family member. Call for information, (509) 747-3304.

Eastern Washington

This week

Exploring Monastic Life with the Ven. Thubten Chodron – Friday-Aug. 26 retreat at Sravasti Abbey, 692 Country Lane, Newport. The retreat is for lay people exploring the possibility of ordination and for nuns and monks who have been ordained for five years or less. A dana offering and registration form are requested to reserve a spot, www.sravasti.org or call (509) 447-5549.

Feed Medical Lake Free Meal – Monday and each second and fourth Monday through August, 5-6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 223 S. Hallett St., Medical Lake. (509) 714-1150.

To include church news in this column, please submit items at least two weeks in advance and include a contact phone number to publish. Send to Sherry Adkins by email at sherrya@spokesman.com, or by fax at (208) 765-7149, phone (208) 765-7120.