Originally published in 2005 and first selected for Oprah's book club in 2008, Oprah called it "the most important book she's ever read" — making her re-selection a first in her book club's history. Tolle's work on ego-transcendence and present-moment awareness has only grown more relevant in an age of fragmentation and distraction. Whether or not you have time to read the book, you're warmly invited to join us for this discussion.

Church Office

You've read the books. You've deconstructed the framework. You understand, intellectually, why the old certainties no longer hold. And yet, something still feels unsteady. That unsteadiness isn't a sign you haven't thought hard enough. It's an invitation into a different kind of work. This class is for people who are further along the cognitive journey than they are the emotional one, and who are ready to name what certainty was actually giving them—safety, identity, belonging—and to begin finding those things in wisdom and mystery rather than answers and dogma.

Questions? Contact Pastor Mike Roth.

Queer theology isn't just for queer folks.

Join us for Queering Theology, a conversation for anyone who's ever wondered whether the Christianity they inherited was telling the whole story. We'll explore how queer theology doesn't just speak to LGBTQIA+ Christians, but challenges all of us to ask better questions: Who gets to define what faithfulness looks like? What voices has the tradition pushed aside? And what might the Spirit be doing in the places we've been told not to look?

This one's going to make you think. Come ready to.

Questions? Contact Ben Conachan (benc@pearlchurch.org)

This class is now full, but you are welcome to sign up for our waitlist. It will be offered again in 2027.

If you've been reconstructing what you believe and reimagining how you see the world, you may be wondering what all this looks like in the real world—not as a set of beliefs to hold or rules to follow, but as a life to live. This class is the next step: building a rhythm that helps you actually flourish.

This summer, we're offering Reinhabiting Christian Practice—a four-week guided experience for a small group of eight participants. Together, we'll explore what's sometimes called a rule of life or a trellis—not as a demand or a spiritual achievement ladder, but as a simple, living structure that holds you as you grow. By the end of the class, you'll have a simple "trellis" that makes sense for your life.

What we'll cover:

Week 1, June 7—Why a "Trellis" 
What a spiritual practice is, and what it isn't. We'll explore practices as wisdom rather than merit, support rather than law—and begin sketching out what a trellis shaped around your real life might look like.

Week 2, June 14—Sacred Story
The stories we live by shape everything. We'll explore practices that help us stay rooted in life-giving narratives—whether that's engaging with Pearl's teaching, or the books, podcasts, and quiet habits you already reach for when you're trying to make sense of things.

Week 3, June 21—Common Table
Faith was never meant to be a solo project. We'll look at practices of community, belonging, and mutual care—from Pearl's home groups to your family, your neighbors, your coworkers. Wherever you are genuinely known and knowing others, that's the table.

Week 4 June 28—Divine Love
What does it look like to extend outward—not from guilt or obligation, but from a place of genuine love? We'll explore practices of service and justice that flow from fullness rather than fear, and that are just as real whether they happen through Pearl or through the work you're already doing in the world.

Details
Sundays in June, 11:00am 
Pearl Church office 
Limited to eight participants

Questions? Contact Ben Conachan

This is the third of Pearl's three Core Classes, which can be taken in any order. Attending the previous Core Classes is encouraged but not required.

Join us for a discussion on Holy Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing, by Hillary McBride. McBride helps us understand that trauma, or whether something’s “traumatic,” is in the body of the beholder — and all trauma is spiritual trauma because it wounds our worldview and sense of connection with self, others, and something greater. Healing is possible, and comes through the body, self-compassion, and community. Whether or not you have time to read the book, you're warmly invited to join us for this important material.

Facilitated by Gary Conachan, LPC.

“Art is nothing more than a guided dream,” somebody once said. So come spend an evening with a professional dreamer and see how his process of guiding imagination (for fun and profit) might help you guide yours as well. Wayne Harrel is a writer, sculptor, and storyteller who’s spent his life sharing creativity with others. 

What do you get when you mix a fidget, precious beads or stones, and mindfulness practice? The Rosary! The Rosary is an ancient religious exercise that invites us into the story of Jesus. On Maundy Thursday—when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with friends—we’ll take time to learn about the Rosary. We’ll then work our way through the Sorrowful Mysteries, taking time to pause and to thoughtfully reflect on Jesus’ passion—the agony in the garden, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the cross, and the crucifixion. Bring along your own Rosary or use and take home a simple Rosary that we’ll provide. Questions? Contact Pastor Mike.

An Educational Evening: Gospel & Salvation

3/19, 7-8:30pm, Church Office

The “gospel” and “salvation” are theological ideas that christians have, at times, used violently, causing incredible harm. In this class, we’ll explore the historical and biblical meaning of these words. In doing so, we’ll deconstruct violence in Jesus’ name and reconstruct a truly good gospel and desperately needed salvation capable of animating our lives by Divine Love. 

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, by Lisa Damour

Do you have teenagers or will you eventually have teenagers? This book discussion is for you! The Emotional Lives of Teenagers is a guide for parents to understand and support their teenagers' emotional development, addressing common challenges and providing practical strategies for building a strong and supportive relationship during adolescence. 

Church Office

You are invited to take an evening to pause from the hustle and bustle of life, to focus on a very precious relationship—the one that you have with your partner. In this offering we will consider practical ways of loving and our propensity to love others as we want to be loved. After considering intentional ways to love ourselves we will then turn toward our partners to consider meaningful expressions of love, unique to them.

This event has been cancelled

Are you committed to raising your child, in love? Most parents quickly say “Yes!” But what does it mean to raise a child in love? In earlier dispensations, this meant maintaining parental power and control through the use of fear tactics such as shame or physical pain. Today, it is abundantly clear that such “parenting” results in trauma—for children and parents. In this offering we will explore parenting dynamics and strategies grounded in theological and developmental thought that is intentionally non-dominion and non-violent. We will then brainstorm, as a group, the complexity and goodness of love as our guiding light.

We are happy to arrange childcare for this event, with at least three day's notice. You can request childcare while registering.

Wednesdays in January and February, 7:00pm

At the core of Christian life is a set of mysteries which we find in the Bible: Incarnation, Atonement, Resurrection, Trinity. These religious words provide lenses for life. Our hope for this class is to reimagine these mysteries as lenses for a non-violent and non-dominion Christianity that’s capable of grounding us, inspiring us, and leading us more deeply into lives that flourish.

Each session of this class will provide rich content, deep conversations and space for growing deeper relationships at Pearl. We will cover content and engaging practices that help to give Christian shape to our lives:

• 1/7, Living the Bible, Inspiration 

• 1/14, Living Incarnation, Union

• 1/21, Living Atonement, Repair

• 1/28, Living Resurrection, Wholeness

• 2/4, Living Trinity, Community

• 2/11, Living the Way, Practices

You’re warmly invited to join us for this class. Interested, or have questions? Please contact Pastor Ben.

Facilitated by Ben Conachan.
Many of us are asking what we can do to make a difference in today's political climate. In his book, Healing the Heart of Democracy, Palmer writes about what we can do to restore civil discourse, reach for understanding across lines of difference, focus on our shared values, and hold elected officials accountable. He explores ways we can reweave the communal fabric on which democracy depends in everyday settings such as families, neighborhoods, classrooms, congregations, workplaces, and various public spaces―including five “habits of the heart” we can cultivate as we work to fulfill America's promise of human equality. We will discuss this book and ponder its intersections with our Sacred Story and Common Table.

Questions? Please contact Pastor Ben.

We are happy to arrange childcare for this event, with at least three day's notice. You can request childcare while registering.

As Christmas nears, you’re invited to ponder the Rosary's Joyful Mysteries, which celebrate Jesus’ birth and early years of life. Following a brief orientation to the Rosary, we'll take time to appreciate the angelic annunciation, Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth, the nativity, the presentation of Jesus in the temple, and the finding of Jesus in the temple—which will provide a backdrop for our contemplation of what God is inviting us to birth into the world, in this season of our lives. Bring along your own Rosary. If needed, simple rosaries will be provided.

Questions? Please contact Pastor Mike Roth.

Many of us are experiencing the emotional grief, anger and exhaustion of this current time. Being a political bridge builder is a commitment to a way of being and requires the support of community for processing, problem solving, commitment and camaraderie to know you’re not alone. Join us for this session as we seek to articulate what this vision actually means and explore what turning vision into action might look like beyond just interpersonal dialogue.

Facilitated by Gary Conachan and Abby Coppock.

This event has been cancelled. We encourage you to attend our Brave Conversations gathering this Sunday after second service.

The current state of our world, and country in particular, is rousing many feelings and much grief. This offering exists to make space for us to name our grief. We’ll also take time to consider integrated strategies that allow our grief to metabolize and pass through. Finally, we’ll consider some ways in which honoring our grief frees us to creatively imagine practical steps forward. 

Facilitated by Mike Roth

Instructions for Traveling West, by Joy Sullivan, is a collection of poems that examine what happens when we leave home and leap into the deep unknown. This book is for anyone flinging themselves into fresh starts and grappling with loss, loneliness and belonging. These poems remind us that joy is not a trick; joy is what we make with our lives.

Questions? Please contact Pastor Mike.

We are happy to arrange childcare for this event, with at least three day's notice. You can request childcare while registering.

The Way of Balance: Benedictine Spirituality for Postmoderns

Faciliated by Pastor Ben Conachan.
Over the past thirty years, there has been a growing interest in monastic spirituality and the wisdom it holds for everyday lives. In this seminar, we’ll explore how the key teachings of the Rule of Benedict, written in the early sixth century, are surprisingly relevant to postmodern lives. Rhythm, stability, humility, hospitality, attention, and transformation—these Benedictine hallmarks are guideposts for us all, single or married, in all our stages of life.
Questions? Please contact Ben Conachan.

This class is full; there is a waiting list if you would like to sign up in case additional spaces open up. We will also offer this content as a weekend retreat in the winter, Feb 6-9 2026.

Wednesdays throughout October and November (10/15-11/19), 7-8:30pm
Many people who find themselves at Pearl have either begun or are in the process of deconstructing harmful, Christian faith. Yet, what is good Christian faith? To help thoughtfully answer this important question, you’re warmly invited to participate in this six-session class. To ensure there’s space for dialogue, we’re capping this class at eight people.

To ask questions, please email Pastor Mike. By way of content, here are the topics we’ll cover:

• Week One, Wednesday, October 15, Gospel as Good News

• Week Two, Wednesday, October 22, Bible, Part I: Formation, Accommodation, & Inspiration

• Week Three, Wednesday, October 29 Bible, Part II: Books, Sections, & Trajectory

• Week Four, Wednesday, November 5, Salvation & Atonement

• Week Five, Wednesday, November 12, The Afterlife

• Week Six, Wednesday, November 19, Being Christian

Please note: if these dates do not work for you or the class becomes full, this content will also be offered as a weekend retreat, February 6-9, 2026.

Do you wrestle with device usage? Are you curious about recalibrating device usage, post-covid? Do you wonder how to engage your kids and youth in their device usage? Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee is a psychologist, speaker, and author who is passionate about people living wild, embodied, fiery lives… even with their devices in their hands. Her research focuses on the cost of our over-use of technology on our brains, bodies, souls, and relationships. We’re thrilled to have Doreen help us to wisely navigate our devices. Bring your thoughts and questions, and consider reading Doreen's book, Deviced!, prior to this educational offering.

We are happy to arrange childcare for this event, with at least three day's notice. You can request childcare while registering.

Thursdays throughout Lent, 7-8:30pm

Catechesis is an old word that refers to an ancient idea: being shaped by religious instruction. Our hope for this class is to provide non-violent and non-dominion Christian instruction that’s accessible for both teenagers and adults. Furthermore, our hope for this class is to encourage a Christianity that’s capable of grounding us, inspiring us, and leading us more deeply into lives that flourish. Each class will cover relevant content and engaging practices that help to give Christian shape to our lives:

• 3/13, Living the Bible, Inspiration 

• 3/20, Living Incarnation, Union

• 3/27, Living Atonement, Repair

• 4/3, Living Resurrection, Wholeness

• 4/10, Living Trinity, Community

• 4/17, Living the Way, Practices

Lent is a church season during which we’re invited to slow, to simplify, and to deepen. You’re warmly invited to join us for Catechesis During Lent. Signups will open in Winter. Interested, or have questions? Please contact Pastor Ben.

The Devil—who is called by many names in scripture and culture—takes on many forms and holds many roles within Christian perspective. But who is the devil? What does the devil do? And, where did the devil come from? This class will pay particular attention to the evolution of the devil in Christian consciousness. It will also consider the contextual situation from which ideology about the devil rose. Finally, this class will consider the rhetorical function of the devil, pondering its value and role in Christian life, today. Questions? Contact Pastor Mike.

Church Office
Gay Christian author and activist Chris Glaser believes that sexual minorities, often denied their churches' traditional sacraments, have found unique access to the sacred in their lives: coming out of the closet. Glaser persuasively argues that coming out—as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender—has biblical precedence and sacramental dimensions. Using personal and biblical illustrations, he discusses coming out as an act of vulnerability, much like a sacrificial offering of ancient times that invokes God's presence. In this engaging book he shows how coming out, like other sacraments, may serve as a means of grace—that is, an experience of God's unconditional love.

We are happy to arrange childcare for this event, with at least three day's notice. You can request childcare while registering.

At Pearl Church, one of our core values is Integration — to discover how, by Divine Love, everything belongs. And yet our personal experience is often of fragmentation and disintegration. The early desert mothers and fathers spoke of nine logosmoi — thoughts or passions that obsess our attention and turn us against the imago dei within us. While one tradition of the church hardened these into seven deadly sins, an older wisdom was preserved in the tradition of the Enneagram, which helps us discern: what questions, passions and even strengths tend to lead me to disintegration, and how does the Gospel bring integration into my particular personality? The Enneagram explores how we are each invited to relax into a whole, integrated self. In this workshop, we’ll explore the history and use of the Enneagram, get a sense of how it speaks to us personally, and discuss particular practices that help each personality move toward integration with God. Facilitated by Pastor Ben Conachan. Question? Email Pastor Ben.

Church Office

You are invited to take an evening to pause from the hustle and bustle of life, to focus on a very precious relationship—the one that you have with your partner. In this offering we will consider practical ways of loving and our propensity to love others as we want to be loved. After considering intentional ways to love ourselves we will then turn toward our partners to consider meaningful expressions of love, unique to them.

Church Office, during first service

Dreading conversational awkwardness with family as a result of the election? You're not alone! Join Abby Coppock for camaraderie and creative inspiration as we generate some practical ideas and explore these questions together:

• How have the election results impacted your heart and mind about being a political bridge builder?

• How would you characterize the current state of your relationships and how might that inform your next step? (hint: building relational trust around non-political topics might be where you're at)

• What are some good questions to ask around the dinner table that range from safe bets, to being vulnerable ourselves, to staying curious about their views and experience? 

Sex Ed 2.0: Unpacking Recent Language Around Attraction & Gender Identity
Church Office

This education night will focus on exploration of LGBTQIA+ and associated terms, definitions, and emerging research. This will set the foundation for brief discussion on recent topics of inclusion and advocacy. The conversation will emphasize intersectionality while also highlighting those of particularly suppressed experience. Open exploration will allow attendees to practice using language that is inclusive of everyone, as well as navigating compassion for different levels of learning and development within a community. Facilitated by Pearl Member Hanson Kriegel (they/them) who is a joyful creative, lover of frogs, and longtime community advocate with a Master’s in Social Work, working with trauma, queer, developmental disability, and chronic illness populations.

Good Inside, A Guide To Becoming The Parent You Want To Be
Church Office

This book is for any parent who has ever struggled under the substantial weight of caregiving—which is to say, all of us. Good Inside is not only a wise and practical guide to raising resilient, emotionally healthy kids, it’s also a supportive resource for parents intent on raising kids with non-violent and non-dominion values. Dr. Becky is a bright, thoughtful, and in-the-trenches parenting resource with valuable insights.

We are happy to arrange childcare for this event, with at least three day's notice. You can request childcare while registering.