Church Engages Neighbors Near and Far by Mary Stamp the Church’S History of Educat- the Rev
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STORIES INSIDE Our Place gives out produce - p. 5 Lutheran builds in El Salvador - p. 7 Pastors seek to instill unity - p. 9 October 2010 [email protected] Micah 4:4 Feed Cheney fills Volume 27 Number 8 (509) 535-1813 • 535-4112 nutrition gap - p. 12 Monthly newspaper and website covering faith in action throughout the Inland Northwest online in color at www.thefigtree.org Church engages neighbors near and far By Mary Stamp the church’s history of educat- The Rev. John Sowers considers ing adults, children and students. it “a holy joy” to work with people Former Whitworth professor Dale engaged in doing ministries they Bruner used to teach hundreds in feel called to do. an adult Sunday school class that As senior pastor at First Pres- infused a “living relationship with byterian Church in Spokane since Jesus.” 2007, he seeks to continue the The church still benefits from teaching and opportunities that the availability of teachers from the connect people with ministries. Whitworth University faculty such Through his preaching, at meet- as Terry McGonigal, Keith Beebe ings as administrator, and in plan- and Jerry Sittser. ning with program staff, he reminds “Our goal is to deepen disciple- the people of Scriptures about ship and expand apostleship, turn- “God’s call to love our neighbors ing a living relationship with Jesus, with our whole being and to live nurtured in the church, into life in out our faith.” the world as active witnesses of “It’s a delight to preach that and Christ’s kingdom,” John said. to have the congregation respond,” Convinced that the mission state- John said. ment of First Presbyterian, like Members are involved in such that of many other churches, was community ministries as Christ too long, he worked with leaders Kitchen, Christ Clinic, Habitat for to develop a four-word mission: Humanity and the Liberty Park “Internally strong, externally fo- Day Care Center. Many members cused.” live out their vocations in helping The internal strength comes from professions, as teachers, doctors discipleship, and the external focus and mental health workers. is apostleship, he said. “People do their work out of a The Greek root of “disciple” sense of Christ’s call to care for oth- means learner. The Greek root ers. It’s a privilege to be shepherd of “apostle” means messenger or of that flock,” he said. ambassador. “We have made strides in re- “There’s much activity happen- capturing our legacy of Christian ing in and through the church, not discipleship,” John said, noting The Rev. John Sowers is delighted with response to preaching and teaching. Continued on page 4 Hate Studies Institute recognizes efforts Donna Flanagan shares to challenge bigotry, celebrate diversity Gonzaga University’s Institute Gonzaga’s Cataldo Hall. its name last month to reflect its ways UN tackles poverty for Hate Studies will present The institute will also pres- future direction, was previously the 2010 Eva ent a new award, known as the Gonzaga Institute When the phone rings at Donna Flanagan’s home, it may be Lassman: Take the Eva Lass- for Action Against Hate since it a call from Kenya or Uganda, as she continues her international Action Against Ken Stern, a specialist man: Take Ac- was founded at the University in career from her home office, now as a consultant living in Hate Award– on anti-Semitism, tion Against Hate 1997 to help combat and eliminate Spokane across the street from her grandchildren. Individual to Award–Organi- hate in the Northwest and the na- Her encounters with people in Asia and Africa since leaving hate studies and Spokane after high school and returning in retirement have the university’s extremism with the zation, to the Hu- tion through research, education associate aca- man Rights Edu- and advocacy. made her aware that the United Nations, for which she worked demic vice pres- American Jewish cation Institute in The awards are named for eight years, is more than a building in New York City, interna- ident Raymond Committee, Coeur d’Alene, Eva Lassman, a local Holocaust tional peacekeeping teams and Security Council decisions. Reyes, a found- Idaho, for its survivor who has worked with Speaking for the annual United Nation’s Day Dinner of the will speak on Spokane United Nations Association Chapter, she will tell of ing member of “Why Hate Matters.” work promoting the institute to combat hate in the the institute, at human rights as region. the 65-year-old international organization’s work through its the Take Action an essential ele- “Raymond has been a tireless 37 agencies to promote peace and security, international rela- Against Hate Annual Banquet at ment of a just society. advocate for the marginalized tions, social progress, improved living standards and human 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12 in The institute, which changed and underprivileged, committed rights in 192 countries. to giving voice to the voiceless,” She will discuss “Engaging America in the Millennium said Jim Mohr, director of the Development Goals” at the dinner from 6 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Institute for Hate Studies. Oct. 24, in Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University. The Human Rights Education “While we often hear about political issues, we do not know Institute works to build a better about the infrastructure of United Nations’ work around the and more inclusive community world and the Millennium Development Goals to address through its work challenging hate extreme poverty,” said Donna, who hopes to help people in and educating the community on Spokane understand how UN activities around the world have social justice and human rights. impact on people in Spokane and how people here can have In 2009, the Spokane chapter impact around the world. As she presents each of the goals, she will describe why Permit No. 1044 No. Permit of the NAACP honored Raymond WA SPOKANE with its Educational Excellence each is necessary, based on her personal experiences. Spokane, WA 99202-3571 WA Spokane, PAID Award at the organization’s Free- “While many people may think poor people, dirty water 1323 S. Perry St. Perry S. 1323 U.S. POSTAGE U.S. Continued on page 8 Organization dom Fund Banquet for dedication The Fig Tree Fig The Non-Profit Continued on page 6 Page 2 - The Fig Tree - October 2010 Religion News Briefs REGIONAL ECUMENICAL & INTE R FAITH NEWS Around the World Auction items are still being donated World Council of Churches News, PO Box 2100 Restaurant certificates, themed to seek donations of items for the growth of The Fig Tree’s role as CH - 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel: +41-22 791 6111 baskets, dinners, bread, art and live and silent auctions. a model of solutions-oriented, Fax: +41-22 788 7244 www.oikoumene.org fair-trade items are among the In recognition of its being on ecumenical, peace-and-justice donations The Fig Tree has re- Veterans Day, a representative journalism that shares stories of Improving cooperation empowers communities ceived for its second annual from Friends of Veterans and people who are making a differ- By Jane Stranz Harvest Auction from 6 to 8:30 Families will tell of their trainings ence in the community, region, Sometimes, to supply clean water to a village in Tanzania, p.m., Thursday, Nov. 11, at the for clergy and congregations. nation and world. direct action is needed, said Moses Kulaba, a program offi- Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, While those attending the 2010 A flier/bulletin insert is avail- cer on accountable governance with Norwegian Church Aid 127 E. 12th Ave. event make bids, they will snack able online at www.thefigtree.org/ (NCA), based in the south of the East African country. Yvonne Lopez-Morton, associ- on foods from Azar’s hummus bar FigTreeEvent.pdf. In Ilula, he said that a corrupt retired army colonel was the ate editor and event coordinator, and taste fair-trade coffees. For information, call 535-4112 local water official, controlling access and resale of water. said that The Fig Tree continues Proceeds will support the or email [email protected]. With ecumenical assistance, villagers organized to find what was happening to their water supplies and call the corrupt of- ficer to account, he said. Event trains veterans and people who care “Water is increasingly a target for petty corruption,” Friends of Veterans and Fami- Veterans Center, Catholic Chari- community members, clergy and said Moses, a member of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, lies and five other agencies are ties of Spokane, Lutheran Com- pastoral ministers to hear from speaking in Geneva at a September consultation for civil planning “Welcome Home: A Vet- munity Services, the Washington peers, learn how to share their society organizations. erans, Family, Friends and Faith Association of Churches (WAC) struggles, realize how substance He said Norwegian Church Aid has set up a public expendi- Community Event from 8:30 a.m. Veterans Support Network. abuse exacerbates problems, un- ture tracking system, called PETS, as a community empower- to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, at at The program encourages faith derstand how to help children, be ment tool to encourage local people to work together to demand Sacred Heart Catholic Church, communities to develop outreach aware of the impact of trauma and accountability from public officials. 219 E. Rockwood Blvd. ministries to families when a value the role of faith. In Ilula, residents risked arrest to regain access to their The event gathers veterans and spouse is deployed and informs The WAC and ACT will also lead water supplies—seeking to learn what was happening and to those who are welcoming and families what to do when the vet- an Oct.