He was convicted of murder, attempted murder and a hate crime. Now 11 years into his imprisonment, Haq is the new imam for the Airway Heights Correctional Main Facility in Airway Heights, Wash. In his new role, he’s trying to lead by example in conveying remorse to those he hurt.

Lately it seems examples of courage are swirling all around us.

Her curiosity has since led to a thriving friendship with more than 20 women, dubbed “Spokane Women Together” and starting next week, the “Spokane Women Together: Portraits and Stories” photo exhibition – an outgrowth of the group.

As you know, if you read this column, family was a complicated thing for me as a child. I envied my friends who had two parents and who had brothers and sisters. I would daydream about having their life.

We all want and deserve love. Finding it, keeping it and giving it is hard, though. Love is labyrinthine.

This is what Shedlock wants church to be like – fun, creative, communal, messy. That’s why four months ago she started “the Studio” – a congregation described on social media as a “queer-celebrating, whiteness-deconstructing, empire-destabilizing, radically joyful, wildly creative, courageously nonviolent, beautifully redemptive community of Jesus-followers, truth-seekers, and beauty-lovers, for people who are tired of religious (B.S.) and in search of a spiritual home.”