I moved to Idaho and lost my faith community. FāVS News helped me find my way back.

By Becky Tallent | FāVS News Board President

Twenty years ago, I thought religion news was a nice addition to a Saturday newspaper features section.

Then I moved from Oklahoma, where I had an established multi-tribal faith community in the Native American church, to the Pacific Northwest. I could not find such a faith community in Moscow, Idaho.

For a long time, it was a very lonely feeling when it came to matters of faith for me.

Then something wonderful happened: About 12 years ago I found FāVS News. Within its stories, I found similarities of values shared among the various faiths in the area. To me, those values shout volumes about how much alike we are as a community despite our different faiths and political beliefs.

While I still live my faith as I was taught to do, I take heart in knowing there are many more people in this area who — although they are of a different belief system — share my ideals of living in harmony, living with a sense of justice/balance in this world.

Stories covered by FāVS News matter. These are mirrors of our communities beyond what is shown on TV or in social media alone. They expand on our similarities while also detailing our differences through news and commentary.

In short, FāVS News shows us we are not alone, that many people believe in basic concepts together. By knowing this, it gives us strength to live our faiths, our truths in an uncertain world.

Yes, because of my involvement as reader, later a columnist, and later still as a board member, I began to financially support the work of FāVS reporters and editors. It is important to me that the work continues, and quality journalism is not cheap. Nor should it be.

Quality journalism means reporters not only tell a story clearly, but they also take the time to make sure their information is both timely and accurate. It means editors review the materials before publishing, verifying anything that could be questioned.

As a columnist, I appreciate the editing because I have made unintended errors which have been caught by a sharp-eyed editor. Trust me, such precision deserves to be paid well because it means you, the reader, get the very best information.

This Local News Day (coming up April 9) I encourage you to support your local news organizations, especially FāVS News, through both readership and financial contribution. Even $5 a month helps keep the lights on and the journalists working for you locally and with a focus on who we are as opposed to news of just what happened.

There’s only one digital newsroom in America covering local religion news. Support it this Local News Day — April 9.