Asbury Seminary is no longer an approved school for United Methodist candidates after disagreements over LGBTQ+ inclusion and denominational standards.
The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run will stop at Veradale United Church of Christ for a community dinner celebrating peace during its nationwide relay.
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The 2026 Chanukah was organized by Chabad of Spokane - Gen Heywood/FāVS News
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Photo Essay & Video by Gen Heywood | FāVS News
About 20 vehicles were gathered at Ferris High School for the annual Menorah parade hosted by Chabad of Spokane. The rain came down cold and hard at times as revelers prepared for the parade that navigated through neighborhoods on the way to Riverfont Park.
The parade route ended at Riverfront Park.To a crowd of about 100 Rabbi Yisroel Hahn offered reminders of what Chanukah teaches in these dark times. He spoke of his heavy heart in response to the tragic and brutal shooting of Jews in Australia. That people he knew were senselessly killed, old and young.
“It reminds us how fragile life is,” he said.
Hahn said Chanukah is a reminder of resilience and strength, noting Jews overcoming slavery in Egypt and all other hardships through history. He said that every time of suffering became a strengthening of the Jewish people. He said this is why the menorah is lit at the darkest time of the year because where there is light there is no darkness.
“We light it when it’s dark. That’s our response,” he said.Mayor Lisa Brown said the attack in Australia was on people’s hearts this Chanukah.
“And those acts of violence and hate were far beyond our borders, but they are with us. Those international borders mean nothing when it comes to … violence, and we must stand together in sorrow, but also in solidarity and also in hope and in celebration and in holding all those things together is what I think Chanukah stands for. But tonight, as we gather, we remember and honor all the victims, their families and communities. And we recommit ourselves to compassion, to community and this must be a Chanukah season in which we all feel safe, seen and valued.” Mayor Lisa Brown helped light the shamash, the helper or servant candle, that Hahn used to light four candles on this fourth night of Chanukah. Another part of the celebration of Chanukah is the giving of a gift money to the children. Hahn gave a $2 bill to all the children.
Rev. Gen Heywood has been active in parish ministry for more than 30 years. From small towns to big cities, she always lets the needs of the community and the congregation be her guide. Gen credits the supportive leadership of Veradale United Church of Christ for including her work to overcome racism, poverty, the war economy and ecological devastation as part of her ministry. “Veradale UCC is a small church with a powerful faith. They are the reason I can be a witness for a world where we do justice, live with compassion and walk humbly with the Divine.” Gen grew up in rural Maine. She received a B.A. in Music Therapy and German from Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts, and her M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Massachusetts. She is a lifelong learner who lives in Spokane Valley, Washington, with her three dogs, as well as, sometimes, with her amazing young adult children.
