FāVS Religion News Roundup: Nov. 29
News Story by FāVS Staff
Washington LGBTQIA+ survey looks for more participants
Washington state has launched its first comprehensive statewide LGBTQ+ survey, open through Jan. 31, 2025, to gather data from LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit residents aged 11 and older. Led by Washington State University and a queer and trans research team, the anonymous survey aims to inform government policies and legislation by collecting information on demographics, economic status and health and safety concerns.
Available in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese at walgbtqsurvey.com, the initiative has already reached over 4,000 participants across all counties since its June 2024 launch, with a goal of 10,000 respondents.
The survey particularly seeks increased participation from Latine/x, Asian, Southeast Asian and Asian American LGBTQ+ communities.
Spokane Tree Lighting is here!
The Numerica Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Numerica Skate Ribbon in Spokane. This free event features food trucks, community performances and the Riverfront Winter Market. Highlights include ice skating, hot chocolate and a 6 p.m. countdown to light the community tree. Performances include dance, figure skating and choir acts, culminating with the tree lighting and more skating performances. For more information, visit the event’s website.
MulitCare funds several Inland Northwest nonprofits
The MultiCare Community Partnership Fund awarded $800,000 to nonprofit organizations in Washington, 12 in the Inland Northwest. The Fund focuses on building partnerships to advance initiatives, programs and projects that improve the communities MultiCare operates in. This year’s winners include: Vanessa Behan Center, Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, Shades of Motherhood Network and Communities in Schools of Spokane County. See list of all the recipients on the Fund’s website.
10th White Christmas open house at Bing Crosby House Museum
The Bing Crosby House Museum in Spokane will host its 10th annual “White Christmas” open house on Dec. 1 from 1-3 p.m. The first 50 visitors will receive a mystery gift from Bing Crosby’s family. The museum, filled with Bing memorabilia, will be decorated for the holidays, with his iconic Christmas songs playing in the background. Hot cider and cookies will be available. This free event is open to the public and celebrates the legacy of Bing Crosby. The museum is located at 508 E. Sharp Ave.
New Gonzaga climate speaker to confront population denial
As the global population has grown from 4 billion in 1970 to 8 billion, scientific authorities warn of the dangers of overpopulation, overconsumption and environmental collapse.
Nandita Bajaj, executive director of Population Balance, will speak at Gonzaga University on Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. to discuss this in her talk “Confronting Population Denial Amid Unraveling Global Crises.” Bajaj will address how socio-economic systems, pronatalism and powerful institutions have silenced this discourse and denied its impact. She will explore the harmful effects of population denial on vulnerable people and ecosystems and advocate for strategies to confront these issues, emphasizing population and economic degrowth to advance justice.
This free event will be held in person at the Hemmingson Auditorium on the Gonzaga Campus and will be streamed online. More information or to register for the event, visit the Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment event webpage.
Whitworth Christmas Concert at St. John’s Dec. 7 and 8
The Whitworth University Christmas Festival Concerts will take place in St. John’s Cathedral on Dec. 7 and 8. They will showcase the voices of Whitworth’s choral ensembles and student instrumentalists. Directed by Xiaosha Lin and Scott David Miller, the concerts will feature Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit pour Noël” and other Christmas songs. Interim Provost John Pell and Erica Salkin will offer prayers and readings.
Attendees are encouraged to connect the program text with the cathedral’s stained glass. Tickets are $20 online, $15 for seniors, faculty and non-Whitworth students and free for Whitworth students. Purchase tickets here.
Some summaries created with help of AI. Staff still carefully edited material for content quality and publication standards.
