Lindsey Treffry

Timothy Kurek used to think being gay was the ultimate sin. Raised in Tennessee, he attended a Southern Baptist church, was home schooled most of his childhood and went to a private Christian school where his fellow church members were teachers or administrators. He was taught that gay was like the scarlet “S” — the sin of all sins.

Paul Vielle was raised Catholic, by a Catholic family who assumed he was going to become a Catholic priest. Vielle joined the military and upon his return, he left his Catholic faith and found Buddhism.

“I just couldn’t buy it anymore,” Vielle said.

A British voice echoes through a cathedral nave made of stone and mortar, topped with solid California redwood. The source of the voice is a lean, white haired man, pointing to a south window. He slides his glasses towards the bridge of his nose, describing every detail and color the stained glass creates.

The congregation of Unity Church Spokane will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary.

“This congregation, although it hasn’t been Unity the whole time … has been here since 1913,” said the Rev. Clare Austen.

Each summer churches across the region host Vacation Bible Schools, giving children and teenagers a chance to visit with and meet friends in an educational setting and learn religious values and lessons.

Below is a list of local Vacation Bible Schools.