Religion calendar

Eastern Washington This week

Weekend Retiree/Empty Nester Retreat - Mary Sharon Moore will lead a retreat on “Fresh Invitations for Midlife and Beyond: Crossing the Threshold of Midlife with Grace” for men, women and married couples of Christian faith who are experiencing “empty nest blues,” feeling restless or lost after retiring or grieving lost time or opportunities. To register, call (509) 448-1224 or visit www.ihrc.net. Today-Sunday, Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $192/person; $294/couple; $107/commuters.

Origin Adult Spirit Study Group - If you ever wanted to really know what the Bible is about but felt it was too big, now is the time to understand what God is doing through this ancient text. Bring your colored pencils because the text we will be using will invite us to engage the story through pictures and large concepts presented by Daniel Erlander in his book “Manna and Mercy.” Sunday, 9:30 a.m., Origin Church, 5115 S. Freya Ave. Free. (509) 448-1311.

Back to Church Sunday - With “Back to Church Sunday,” St. Matthew hopes to reach the “un-churched” and “de-churched” – people who once attended church, but no longer do – and invite them to return for a special Sunday. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ StMatthewSpokane, or email StMatthew@StMatthew Spokane.org. Sunday, 10 a.m., St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 6905 N. Country Homes Blvd. (509) 326-3766.

Fall Equinox “Ohigan” Buddhist Service - Ohigan occurs with the spring and autumnal equinoxes and is a time of gratitude toward this life. Rinban Don Castro from the Seattle Betsuin (Temple) will give the Dharma Talk. All are welcome. Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 534-7954.

Fall Festival - Family fun for everyone will include games, prizes, cakewalk, four-square, basketball, face painting, costumed photos, bingo and bounce castle. Festive food and refreshments will include hot dogs, brats, macaroni and cheese, chips, salad and ice cream. Sunday, 4-7 p.m., St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 5720 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 448-2255.

Spokane Compassion Games “Let’s Keep it Going” Celebration - Act on your compassion and join a service project benefiting Spokane’s homeless. Suitable for all ages and abilities, no physical exertion required. Potluck following; bring a dish to share. Sunday, 4:30 p.m., West Central Episcopal Mission, 1832 W. Dean Ave. Free. (509) 536-2811.

Carl E. Olson Lecture - Olson will present “God, Grace and Partaking in Divine Nature.” Olson is a Catholic theologian, author and editor of Ignatius Insight and Catholic World Report. For more information, call (509) 777-4482. Monday, 6 p.m., Whitworth University, Weyerhaeuser Hall, Room 111, 300 W. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 777-1000.

Men’s Weekly Bible Study - The men’s weekly Bible study meets in the Reception Hall on Tuesdays at 7 a.m. Participants share in the leading of the study. All men are invited to join. Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood. (509) 924-2350.

High Holy Days - Congregation Emanu-El and Temple Beth Shalom are hosting several High Holy Days events. Tuesday: 6 p.m., Yom Kippur evening service/Kol Nidrel. Wednesday: 9:30 a.m., Yom Kippur morning service; 9:45 a.m., youth services for all ages; 4:30 p.m., discussion with rabbi; 5 p.m., CEE Mincha and Yizkor service, discussion; 7:45 p.m., Havdalah, Shofar and break-the-fast meal (potluck). Temple Beth Shalom, 1322 E. 30th Ave. (509) 747-3304.

The Untethered Soul - How does our spirituality allow us to be the complete and free souls we are all yearning for? Explore “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer and discover how. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Unity Spiritual Center, 2900 S. Bernard St. By donation. (509) 389-7290.

80th Annual Greek Dinner Festival - Lunch: gyro sandwiches, soups and salads. Grill: Greek shish-kebabs (souvlakia) grilled and “baptized” in a special lemon and herb marinade. Greek salads and vegetarian plates also available. The dinner menu features beef kapama and orzo tossed with browned butter and myzithra cheese. Pastry available daily from 11 a.m. Lunch menu served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Souvlaki at the grill nightly from 4:30 p.m. Dinner served 4:30-8 p.m., dine in or carry out. For more information, visit www.spokanegreekfest.org. Thursday-Sept. 26, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1703 N. Washington St. In advance: $8/under age 12; $15/adults. At the door: $18/adults. (509) 328-9310.

Pops Concert - Dr. John Atwell, renowned theater organist from Melbourne, Australia, will be playing on the historic Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Thursday, 7 p.m., Spokane First Church of the Nazarene, 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd. Donations accepted for the Organ Fund. (509) 467-8986.

Lindaman Chair Lecture - Whitworth associate professor of history Anthony Clark presents “An Elusive Dream? Religious Freedom and the Reign of God.” In his lecture, Clark will explore Christian understandings of the reign of God in a world seemingly torn apart by sectarianism and religious difference. For more information, call (509) 777-3270. Thursday, 7 p.m., Whitworth University, Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Hall Teaching Theatre, 300 W. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 777-1000.

Upcoming

Youth Yard Sale - The sale supports youth programs and helps with scholarships for retreats and camp. Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Country Homes Christian Church, 8415 N. Wall St. (509) 466-3414.

First Century Worship - Origin Church will celebrate worship by re-creating what it looked like in the first century with an agape meal (love feast) and communion. Bring a dish and drink to share. Sept. 27, 11 a.m., Origin Church, 5115 S. Freya Ave. Free. (509) 448-1311.

Introduction to Buddhism Classes - This six-week course is open to anyone interested in learning more about the basic teachings of Buddha. Activities consist of lectures, discussion, online readings and DVDs. There is no required text for this course. Contact Sensei Paul at paulv78w@yahoo.com with questions. Sept. 27, 12:30-1:45 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. Free; donations welcome. (509) 534-7954.

Dinner Series on the Reformation - Two talks per evening on the topic of the Reformation with the Rev. Michael Maher over dinner, wine, dessert and coffee. Discussion and Q&A follow the talks. Sept. 28: “The Reformation: Part I”; Oct. 27: “The Reformation: Part II.” 5:30-8:30 p.m., Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $30 each session. (509) 448-1224.

Community Dinner - Free family-friendly dinner for anyone who would like to have a meal in fellowship with others. Reservations are helpful but not required. Call the office at (509) 926-7966. Sept. 29, 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2511 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley. Free.

Days of Prayer 2015 - All days of prayer include the rosary, two conferences, Reconciliation, Mass, lunch and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Day of Prayer on the New Evangelization with Sister Mary Eucharista. Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $37; $47 for a room for the day. (509) 448-1224.

Idaho This week

“Revival: Faith As Wesley Lived It” - All are welcome to join anytime during the six-week Adam Hamilton DVD series that follows the journey through John Wesley’s land, life, ministry and teachings. Small groups meet Sundays at 9 and 10:30 a.m., and various times during the week. For more information, call (208) 765-8800 or visit cdaumc.com. Sunday, 9 a.m., Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Friendship Kitchen - Community meal on Thursdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, St. George’s Parish Center, 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls. Free. (208) 773-4715.