By FāVS News Staff
Mead School District passes policy limiting employee personal expression
The Mead School District passed a new policy Monday night defining boundaries for employee personal expression both online and in the classroom, including guidelines on what flags and banners can be displayed. The policy allows for disciplinary action if an employee’s expression adversely affects district operations or job performance.
The policy states that classroom decor and displays should support the curriculum and foster an environment where all students feel valued and supported, regardless of their beliefs.
Spokane Falls Community College to host free Holiday Concert series
Spokane Falls Community College’s Music Department will celebrate the season with a series of free public holiday performances. The Spokane British Brass Band kicks off festivities with “Christmas Bells,” a one-hour concert showcasing top regional brass musicians performing classic holiday favorites on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 3-4 p.m. Additional events hosted by The Larsen Group include two family-friendly evenings: the SFCC Community Concert Band on Dec. 15 and the SFCC Jazz Band on Dec. 16. Each performance highlights the talent of SFCC students, community members and local musicians, offering Spokane residents festive music and holiday cheer. All events are open to the public and held in the SFCC Music Building.
Donna Parker to headline “Holiday on Pipes” Christmas Organ concert in Spokane
Spokane First Church of the Nazarene will host “Holiday on Pipes” on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 6–8 p.m., featuring nationally acclaimed theater organist Donna Parker. Parker will perform classic Christmas carols and seasonal favorites on the church’s historic Wurlitzer Hope-Jones theater organ, with the evening concluding in a festive community sing-along. The event is free and open to all, offering a family-friendly way to kick off Christmas week. Donations to the Theater Organ Society are welcomed. The concert will take place at 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd.
Save the Date: Erin Brockovich to headline 2026 ‘Give Like a Woman’ event
Women Helping Women Fund will host the 2026 Give Like a Woman event on May 19, 2026, from 3–5 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center, featuring keynote speaker Erin Brockovich, the renowned environmental activist known for her landmark work in the Hinkley water contamination case. She uses her platform to spread positive messages of personal empowerment and to encourage others to stand up and make a difference. For a limited time, tickets are $100 (from $135) for an early bird option. All proceeds benefit local grants and scholarships. The event celebrates bold philanthropy and collective impact supporting women and children in Spokane County. More information can be found on the ticket purchase page.
AP releases 2025’s 30 best religion photos
Seattle PI featured the 30 best religion photos of 2025 recently announced by AP this week. Included are images of the passing of Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV in a crowd, Palestinians sitting around a large table sharing a meal in Gaza Strip, girls in Romania dancing during the ‘Sanziene’ midsummer festival and more. David Crary, the National AP reporter of the article, writes, “Among the 30 photos selected for this gallery — out of more than 1,000 reviewed by AP photo editors — several vividly captured the fervor and joy of religious festivals, pilgrimages and parades.” You can view the gallery here.
Salish Current highlights Western Washington’s “Bible Belt” and its changes
Lynden, long considered Western Washington’s “Bible belt” for its dense concentration of churches and strong Dutch Reformed heritage, is experiencing significant cultural and religious shifts, reports the Salish Current. Founded by Methodists in 1870 and later shaped by waves of Dutch settlers, the town grew into a hub of Christian Reformed congregations, which once dominated religious life. Today, Lynden hosts more than 30 churches across numerous denominations, yet its population growth — from 9,000 to over 16,000 in two decades—has diversified both culture and faith. The rise of Hispanic and Latino residents has expanded the influence of the Catholic Church, now one of the area’s largest. Meanwhile, national trends toward nondenominational megachurches and spiritual-but-not-religious identities have also reshaped local worship patterns. Longtime residents note declining Sunday traditions, less interchurch collaboration and increasing political polarization, all contributing to a new era in Lynden’s religious identity.
Some summaries created with help of AI. Staff still carefully edited material for content quality and publication standards.
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