We have seen FAN faith communities and individuals in all corners of Washington rise up during the challenges of this year. Together we have risen up in the face of multiple pandemics: COVID-19, systemic racism, economic uncertainty, and environmental devastation. You have risen up to learn to be community in new ways, take care of neighbors, build mutual aid efforts, non-violently vigil, march and rally for Black Lives, stand with essential workers who provide healthcare and harvest our food, and more. And now you are rising up to encourage others to VOTE their values to ensure a brighter future.

Regardless of what happens in November, FAN people and communities will need to RISE UP TOGETHER to rebuild our democracy, repair divisions, resist systemic racism, and refocus on economic and environmental justice. FAN wants to support you in this shared work and accompany you in the rising!

Please join us on Sunday, November 15, 2020, for our first virtual Annual Dinner. A virtual gathering will allow MORE people from across the state to join in, expanding the traditions of our Renton and Spokane dinners! While the food served will be in your own homes, our program will be energizing and interactive. We have lived through a year that required so much of our individual strength and collective creativity. We want to take this time to celebrate with you the ways our vision of a just world keeps us going and helps sustain our courage to Rise Up Together in 2021. Your partnership (and financial support!) helps us keep advocating for inclusion, racial equity, and justice.

The Annual Dinner is free to all this year! Please RSVP by Friday, November 13 to let us know you will be there and to get the link to participate in the program: bit.ly/FANDinner2020. We invite you to consider being a Virtual Table Host with friends on Zoom—we’ll give you some ideas about how to make that fun. You are welcome as a Sponsor, and we’ll share your organization/logo in promotions. More will be revealed, once you register!

As our nation sadly surpasses 200,000+ deaths from COVID-19, FAN is engaging with October nationwide Mourning into Unity events planned for faith communities in coordination with healthcare providers. Their goal is to make a space for collective grieving, while promoting healing and unity during this time of many losses. Houses of worship will be participating across the nation, with a culminating event in Washington D.C. on October 19.

FAN’s new regional organizer Zahra Roach is helping organize the outdoor event in the Tri-Cities on 10/19 at 6-6:30pm at Howard Amon Park. Faith leaders will be asked to share a prayer of mourning or hope. Essential workers will also address the audience. Social distancing and masks will be required. Anyone who wants to adhere to more strict social distancing can drive by or park in the lot. Wear the color purple to the vigil or decorate your car with purple lights to symbolize mourning. Stay tuned for a Facebook livestream of the event.

In King County, Pastor Carey Anderson and Seattle First AME is serving as one of Washington’s flagship vigil sites. The Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ has engaged 25+ congregations across the state, including Shalom UCC (Tri-Cities), Veradale UCC (Spokane Valley), and United Church Ferndale, who are gathering people in their regions.

Contact the campaign at letsreimagine.org/unity if you are hosting a vigil. Faith leaders can endorse the Month of Mourning here.

FAN is participating again in Presbyterian (PCUSA) Hunger Program’s Food Week of Action, October 11-18. Each year, Food Week of Action offers a platform to educate, organize and mobilize to build food justice.

Despite the crises we currently face, we want to lift up the work you are doing to build a more just and sustainable food-farm system during this year’s Hopeful Harvest Food Week of Action. At FAN, we especially want to highlight the way multiple forms of food growing, distribution, and advocacy helped our neighbors get through during these last 6 months. We hope to highlight a story from your congregation or community! Share those stories or photos with us by mailing degooyer@fanwa.org. Your stories will be shared with a national Food Week audience.

To kick off #2020FoodWeek, @foodsovusa will present the 2020 Food Sovereignty Prize to one domestic and one international group which are bringing justice, sustainability and democratic control to the food system. Follow the US Food Sovereignty Alliance Facebook page for details.

As we head into election season, FAN is co-sponsoring a few candidate forums we would like to invite you to. Candidate forums are an opportunity to hear from candidates in your district on the issues that matter most to you. Each of these will be held virtually, so please RSVP ahead of time.

5th Legislative District October 5, 6:30 PM
Legislative Districts 36, 37, 43 October 12, 7:00 PM
37th Legislative District October 13, 6:30 PM
9th Congressional District and 41st Legislative District October 13, 7 PM
11th Legislative District October 15, 6:30 PM
Secretary of State October 21, 6:30 PM

You can also see Jewish Federation's landing page for other upcoming candidate forums, and their 2020 election resource materials, including debates.

As we near voting season and faith communities take up Get Out the Vote efforts, we want to share these websites with you: Nonprofit Vote has a ton of resources, from voting information to tips on how to engage your community. Faithful Democracy is a coalition of faith congregations and organizations dedicated to democracy reform. See also the WA Secretary of State website and the Faith in Public Life toolkit.

Food Sovereignty: Youth Rising BIPOC Teach In October 3, 11 AM - 3 PM Bellevue Urban Garden, 1608 156th Ave SE, Bellevue. Lunch provided, COVID-compliant.

Get Out the Vote: Opportunities to Mobilize People October 6, 12-2 PM Register to receive the link. Previous webinars in the series are available to view.

Conference on Ending Homelessness October 7-8 Register online+, $75-$195.

NW Justice Summit October 9-10 Register online.

12th Annual Duwamish Resilience Gala & Native Art Auction October 10, 5:00-6:30 PM Register online or bid on auction items from October 3-17.

Building a Better Normal October 10, 5-6 PM Register to receive the link.

During this statewide stay-at-home order, virtual events and opportunities are listed on our web calendar and Facebook page. Be sure to check event links ahead of time for updates.

We always post the E-News to our website each week as well at fanwa.org/news/.

Stay connected with our emails! Please be sure to list fan@fanwa.org as a safe sender by adding us to your contacts.

Help FAN the Flames for justice year-round; support FAN with a donation!