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Tracy Simmons

Tracy Simmons serves as the editor and community manager of Spokane Faith & Values.

All Stories by Tracy Simmons

Dogs and dharma: A prison ministry yields children’s books teaching Buddhist lessons
By Tracy Simmons — January 4, 2022
(RNS) — The author began practicing Buddhism while in prison, meditating daily and keeping a gratitude journal. He now aims to help other convicts as a field minister through the North Carolina Field Minister Program.

‘Snapping out’ of a cult and sharing her healing with others
By Tracy Simmons — June 29, 2021
(RNS) — Since finding her way out, a cult survivor has a fierce drive to share her story and help other cult survivors share theirs.

Congregations improvise ways to fight COVID-19’s isolation
By Tracy Simmons — March 18, 2020
PULLMAN, Wash. (RNS) — Most of the 100 people filling the pews at Calvary Lutheran Church of Federal Way fit the description of those at high risk for COVID-19, making social distancing a pastoral problem.

Doomsday preppers put faith in God and plan for the end of all things
By Tracy Simmons — March 5, 2020
(RNS) — Faith-based preppers say they'll be ready when the end of the world comes — whether by coronavirus, nuclear weapons or some other catastrophe.

Douglas Wilson’s ‘spiritual takeover’ plan roils Idaho college town
By Tracy Simmons — November 6, 2019
MOSCOW, Idaho (RNS) — A conservative pastor and his followers say they plan a 'spiritual takeover' of this community. But its more progressive residents aren't so thrilled with the idea.

Douglas Wilson’s ‘spiritual takeover’ plan roils Idaho college town
By Tracy Simmons — November 6, 2019
MOSCOW, Idaho (RNS) — A conservative pastor and his followers say they plan a 'spiritual takeover' of this community. But its more progressive residents aren't so thrilled with the idea.

Douglas Wilson’s ‘spiritual takeover’ plan roils Idaho college town
By Tracy Simmons — November 5, 2019
MOSCOW, Idaho (RNS) — A conservative pastor and his followers say they plan a 'spiritual takeover' of this community. But its more progressive residents aren't so thrilled with the idea.

‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ at Washington state libraries attracts protesters
By Tracy Simmons — June 21, 2019
SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) — As drag queens read 'Not all Princesses Wear Pink' and 'Love Is Love Is Love' inside, protesters cited the Apostle Paul in saying that God’s wrath will be revealed.

Bookmobile, groceries and relationships help niche bookstore stay afloat
By Tracy Simmons — April 24, 2019
SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) — As major Christian bookstore chains fold, niche faith-based bookstores look for creative ways to survive and thrive.

Portland bans discrimination against atheists, other nonbelievers
By Tracy Simmons — March 4, 2019
(RNS) — Portland now bans discrimination against atheists, agnostics, and those who don't believe in "god or gods."

Composting may offer the latest option in green burials
By Tracy Simmons — February 4, 2019
(RNS) — The approach, called recomposition, is currently being discussed by lawmakers and, if approved, could become a legal third option for after-death care by 2020.

Fires at Jehovah’s Witness halls in Washington state puzzle authorities
By Tracy Simmons — December 11, 2018
(RNS) — Blazes that were purposely set have damaged or destroyed five of the Olympia area's kingdom halls in the past nine months.

In Washington state, a Tibetan Buddhist nun blazes a trail for other women to follow
By Tracy Simmons — January 27, 2015
NEWPORT, Wash. (RNS) A Tibetan Buddhist nun has quietly founded one of the only U.S. monasteries where women -- and soon men -- can become fully ordained. Since its founding in 2003, 10 nuns have been ordained there.

Some protest, others celebrate Roe v. Wade with festive meals
By Tracy Simmons — January 22, 2014
(RNS) Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho is hosting "Celebrate Roe" parties throughout the region to commemorate "reproductive justice.” It's a tradition started by Mary Wissink 41 years ago.

Update: Washington voters reject genetically modified foods measure
By Tracy Simmons — November 6, 2013
Initiative 522 would have required product labels to disclose when genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are included in grocery store items.
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