The 2022 Eastern Washington Legislative Conference on the theme, "Mobilizing for Our Future," will feature Fr. Pat Conlin SJ as keynote speaker.  He was the chaplain to Congress from 2011 to 2021 and now is a campus minister at Gonzaga University.

There will also be sharing by four in an interfaith panel discussion on how their faith communities mobilize and what issues are of primary concern.  The panelists are Melissa Obel of the Spokane Buddhist Temple, Jeremy Press Taylor of the Jewish Community, Naghmana Sherazi of the Muslim community, and the Rev. Benjamin Watson of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Two sessions of workshops will be on the following topics: the Climate Crisis, Housing/Homelessness, Food Security, Afghani Refugees/Border Issues, Human Trafficking, Racism and Equity, and Securing Our Democracy.

Between workshop sessions, Kristin Ang of the Faith Action Network of Washington, Donna Christensen of the Washington State Catholic Conference and Jessica Zimmerle of Earth Ministry/Interfaith Power and Light will discuss issues before the 2022 Washington State Legislature.

The opening prayer will be led by the four interfaith panelists.  The closing prayer will be given by Mike Denton, conference minister of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Eighteen displays on agencies and resources will be presented virtually beginning at 8 a.m. and after the conference there will be opportunity to talk with agency leaders.