FAN staff are excited to welcome you to our annual Spring Summits, scheduled for two Sundays this spring: May 5 and June 9, 3:00-4:30pm. We’ve opted to host these summits online to allow more people to join and to enable advocates from across the state to hear from each other. During this year’s summits, we’ll be able to celebrate legislative wins and hear about stalled legislation and what is needed to move forward next session. FAN staff will share an update on the three ballot initiatives that will have an impact on everything we do this year. And you will have a chance to meet in issue groups to discuss with others what policy changes you would like to see in the future.

Your voices matter to us! Last year, many attendees expressed concerns for young people and mental health—we heard you and worked with NAMI this year to advocate for some important bills that passed!

Register for the May 5 or June 9 session or learn more on our Spring Summit page and bring your voice and your advocacy to the FAN table!

Are You a Union Member?
Join a Faith-Labor Table!

Faith communities have a long and deep history of support for workers rights, the dignity of work, and labor unions. In all the ways we work for justice and equity for our neighbors, this includes our union siblings. In recent years, the faith community had an important role to play in campaigns to increase the minimum wage, first in SeaTac with our partners at SEIU Local 6, then in the statewide campaign with many community partners. It continues to be critical to ensure workers, many who are immigrants and people of color, have access to good pay, healthcare benefits, and fair treatment. FAN is beginning to reconvene the table for conversation about the ways we can show up for each other and ensure economic justice and well-being for all! If you’re interested in participating, contact Elise DeGooyer or Steve Clagett at fan@fanwa.org.

Summer at Holden and Local Opportunities

Summer in the North Cascades wilderness calls! Holden Village is offering some exciting programming this summer, and we are delighted that FAN Policy Engagement Director Kristin Ang and FAN Governing Board Member Rev. Dr. Edward Donalson will be part of the teaching faculty for the week of August 5-8. There will be lots of opportunities to participate in meaningful programs and discussions, as well as enjoy the outdoors and all that Holden has to offer. Register at the Holden site.

Holden Village is also bringing opportunities for engagement into local communities. Our friends at St. John’s United Lutheran Church in Seattle are hosting a CoCreate Open Space gatherings this spring with unstructured project and social time. Opening space 4-8pm, the focus April 18 is Books. More information at St. John’s website.

Upcoming Events

Passover 2024 celebrations for Jewish communities begin at sunset April 22 through April 30.

Thursday, April 25, 5:00pm, Evening of Hope Protest, Yakima Convention Center, Yakima. Gather outside the convention center to respond to the decision by the Union Gospel Mission to have Michael Shellenberger, author of San Fransicko, Why Progressives Ruin Cities, speak at their “Evening of Hope” event. Join to voice an alternative vision, guided by harm reduction, that lifts up and honors the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness.

Friday, April 26, 6:00pm, Common Ground Film Showing and Discussion, in-person, Journey Christian Church, 1933 NE 125th Street, Seattle. Watch the film together about regenerating the world’s soils which have the potential to rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate.

Sunday, April 28, noon-1:15pm, Activating Faith Communities for Climate Justice, in-person and online, First United Methodist Church, Seattle. Watch the film The Letter, beforehand then hear Rev. Jim Antal, author of “Climate Church, Climate World”, and a leader of the interfaith climate movement, who will share how congregations around the nation are taking action. Rev. Antal will be joined by Anna Johnson, North America Senior Programs Manager with the Laudato Si’ Movement, who will share how Seattle-area faith communities are engaged in the movement

Sunday, April 28, 4:00pm, John Lewis: Good Trouble Online Screening Event. Watch the film about legendary U.S. Representative John Lewis’ life, legacy and more than 60 years of extraordinary activism together then hear from a panel of guests including Barbara Arnwine, President & Founder of Transformative Justice Coalition, Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, Interfaith Alliance Board Member and Cinthia Illan-Vazquez, The Washington Bus Executive Director.

Wednesday, May 1, 3:00pm, Neustras Raices May Day Rally, in-person, Red Wagon at Riverfront Park, Spokane. Join Nuestra Raices in partnering with Eastern Washington University M.E.Che.A and Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane to advocate for immigrants and farmworker rights in Washington.

Wednesday, May 1, 5:00pm, Latinos en Spokane May Day March, in-person, Clocktower at Riverfront Park, Spokane. March in Solidarity to celebrate workers, connect collective struggles, and demand our rights to dignified work, fair wages, safety, racial / immigrant justice, 2SLGBTIA+ rights and the right to housing, health, and education to better our lives!

Saturday, May 4, 9:30-11:00am, “Cast Your Vote Washington,” in-person, University Congregational United Church of Christ, Seattle. Join Earth Ministry/WAIPL to learn about Initiative 2117, the effort to repeal the historic Climate Commitment Act and how to take action to keep climate commitments in place.

Sunday, May 5, May 12, and May 19, 11:45-12:45, Living Our Principals: Faith, Facts and Fun! In-person, Orchards United Methodist Church, Vancouver. Join Pastor Rachel Byers as she explores the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church which include Economic Community, Politics and Power and World Community. Email the church office for more details.

Sunday, May 5, 2:00-3:00pm, Environmental Awareness Summit: An Earth Day Celebration, in-person, Vancouver United Church of Christ, Vancouver. Join for an afternoon celebration and learning from several guest speakers including Heidi Cody and Don and Alona Steinke.

Monday, May 6, 7:00pm, The Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust, in-person, Temple Beth Shalom, Spokane. Learn about young heroes of the holocaust through art, performances from several local community groups and times of remembrance together.

Wednesday, May 8, 7:00-8:00pm, Washington Health Care for All Presents: Transforming Public Will into Political Power, online. Hear from President of Maryland Health Care for All Vincent DeMarco who is a long-time advocate for several public health causes including making prescription drugs more affordable and achieving quality/affordable/equitable health care for all.