Families, join us after second service on December 15 for cookie decoration with kids of all ages! We’ll supply sugar cookies and fun frostings and decorations (and a big tarp to keep the floor clean). Questions? Contact Heather Griffin or Drew Andrews.

Do you enjoy singing? Come lend your voice in our Christmas Eve Choir. No audition necessary. All are welcome to join. Rehearsals will be held Dec 15 and Dec 22 from 11:45 - 1:00. Attendance at both rehearsals is strongly encouraged; attendance at one rehearsal is required. The choir will be singing on Tuesday Evening, December 24 at both the 5:00pm and 6:30pm Christmas Eve Services. To sign up, please contact Brian Cheney at brianc@pearlchurch.org.

Please join us for this monthly opportunity to engage with the Christian contemplative tradition. We will engage in a variety of practices, including Lectio Divina, Ignatian meditation, and other guided mediations as a means of centering our hearts in Divine Love. If you are new to contemplation or mediation, you are very welcome to join us—we will provide an orientation to our practice.

We will meet at the Ecotrust building, in the Church Office, at 7:00pm.

If you plan to join us for our December meeting, please RSVP.

Ring in the holiday season with us as we devour some Pizza Schmizza, watch a Christmas movie and build incredible gingerbread houses! We will be at the ONeal home in Tualatin. Please RSVP to get the address. Questions? Contact Kylie Marble.

Join us on December 8, the Second Sunday of Advent, for our next all-church potluck! The theme this time is everyone’s favorite—BRUNCH! We will have one church service at 10:00am, all together. (Kids and youth will start the service in their programs to make more room to seat all our adults.) Then, following the service we’ll flip the room for our potluck! Everyone is welcome to join us and encouraged to bring a dish to share. You can sign up in the church lobby after services, or you can email bethf@pearlchurch.org to let us know you’re planning to join and what you'd like to bring.

This event has been cancelled.

Please join us for this opportunity to slow down and enjoy contemplative space in community this Advent season, facilitated by Pastor Ben Conachan. The weeks leading up to Christmas can be so full of activity, family, parties—and stress! This year, especially, many of us are holding a complicated mix of emotions—the hope, peace, joy and love of the holiday season along with despair, distress, sorrow and fear that can be overwhelming. This Advent mini-retreat aims to be a pause, to normalize our many feelings and to hold them with kindness and self-compassion in Divine Love. This is also a wonderful opportunity to get to know others more deeply at Pearl Church in a more intimate setting.

Questions? Please contact Ben Conachan.

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.

Membership is for those who appreciate Pearl’s work and desire to more deeply participate. The purpose of membership is to encourage an active engagement between Pearl Church and those who call Pearl “Home.” Membership benefits include an Annual Members’ Meeting, Monthly Updates from the Oversight Team, and intentional engagement regarding the direction of the church. Whether or not you’re interested in membership, the Membership Class is an opportunity to meet with a pastor to hear all about the ins and outs of Pearl Church. Ever wonder about Pearl’s story? Curious about our values? Interested in learning about our dreams for the future? Consider attending the upcoming Membership Class to hear more and to ask any questions that you may have.

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

Questions? Contact Pastor Mike.

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.

Please join us for this monthly opportunity to engage with the Christian contemplative tradition. We will engage in a variety of practices, including Lectio Divina, Ignatian meditation, and other guided mediations as a means of centering our hearts in Divine Love. If you are new to contemplation or mediation, you are very welcome to join us—we will provide an orientation to our practice.

We will meet at the Ecotrust building, in the Church Office, at 7:00pm.

If you plan to join us for our November meeting, please RSVP.

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.

Calling all Pearl Church Youth! Grab a quick lunch after church and then meet us at the arcade! Pearl will cover entrance fee and two laser tag games per person. Bring $5-15 for arcade games! Questions? Contact Kylie Marble.

This educational offering intends to provide information on repairing, rethinking, and rebuilding a healthier sexuality. It’s geared toward adults of all ages who are single, partnered, or married. If you have questions about sexual ethics and healthy sexuality, or if you have felt ashamed, confused, or traumatized by sexuality and sexual experiences, this offering is for you. This class will provide an introduction to deconstructing your sexual past, tools to begin the repair process, and thoughts on reconstructing sexuality in a new framework, which will include biblical and theological perspective. You can attend without talking and if you’re triggered, you’ll be encouraged to practice self-care. Led by Pearl Member and licensed therapist, Valinda Harlan, and supported by 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 second Sunday of each month is Community Sunday. You’re invited to stay a bit after first service, or come early for second service, for a chance to connect with others at Pearl who attend the other service! Coffee and treats will be provided.

Church Office

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.

Church Office

Are you new to Pearl Church? Join with Pastor Mike for a brief conversation about all things Pearl! We’ll discuss Pearl’s rhythms and values, as well as any questions or interests that you have. Questions? Please contact Pastor Mike.

Happy Halloween, Pearl Church! Join us the Sunday before Halloween right after our second service ends (about 11:45am) for everything a church “harvest party” was supposed to be! Costumes are highly encouraged, with games and treats ready after the service for kids and families. Kids are welcome to wear their costumes to church this morning. See you there!

Come join others at Pearl for an evening of conversation, connection and whiskey tasting! Dan and Cheri Gilbert are opening their home and sharing whiskeys and their knowledge about the history and varieties of whiskeys. You are encouraged to bring a bottle of your favorite Bourbon, Scotch Irish or blended whiskey to share tastes, if you like (you’ll take home your bottle at the end of the night); you also can simply show up! Dan and Cheri will provide nibbles to go with the whiskey. This event will be limited to 16 people; please sign up to get the address.

Meets in the Church Office after second service.

Are you frustrated with political polarization and its impact on you and your relationships? Are you nervous about navigating life if “your side” doesn’t win? Join us as we ground ourselves for the upcoming election, explore what it means to build bridges across political differences, and set intentions for how we want to navigate what’s ahead – regardless of what side wins. This workshop will be co-facilitated by Abby Coppock and Gary Conachan.

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

Thursdays throughout October and November (10/17-11/21), 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, Thursday, October 17, Gospel as Good News

• Week Two, Thursday, October 24, Bible, Part I: Formation, Accommodation, & Inspiration

• Week Three, Thursday, October 31 Bible, Part II: Books, Sections, & Trajectory

• Week Four, Thursday, November 7, Salvation & Atonement

• Week Five, Thursday, November 14, The Afterlife

• Week Six, Thursday, November 21, 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 7-9, 2025.

Church Office
In the midst of a politically charged season, it can be all too easy to abide in worry, anxiety, and angst. Yet, practices exist that can help to lift our gaze toward an elevated vision of a City of Light that is so filled with love that our concerns are eclipsed by sincere hope. With this in mind, a set of ancient Christian meditations called "The Glorious Mysteries” exist, which are capable of encouraging us to expect the subversion of power that ostracizes and harms. However, more than subversion, these meditations invite us to imagine a world so spirit-filled that the “other,” whoever that may be, is cherished and freed to help make all things new. You are warmly invited to join us as we spend an evening sitting with five ancient meditations and allow them to have their hopeful way in our hearts and minds.

Please note, this event is cancelled - please join us next month!

Please join us for this monthly opportunity to engage with the Christian contemplative tradition. We will engage in a variety of practices, including Lectio Divina, Ignatian meditation, and other guided mediations as a means of centering our hearts in Divine Love. If you are new to contemplation or mediation, you are very welcome to join us—we will provide an orientation to our practice.

We will meet at the Ecotrust building, in the Church Office, at 7:00pm.

If you plan to join us for our October meeting, please RSVP:

The second Sunday of each month is Community Sunday. You’re invited to stay a bit after first service, or come early for second service, for a chance to connect with others at Pearl who attend the other service! Coffee and treats will be provided.

If you're new(er) to Pearl, you're invited to a casual reception following Sunday’s service where you'll have an opportunity to meet some of Pearl’s core members, ministry leaders, home group leaders, oversight team, and staff. We would love to meet and warmly welcome you to our Pearl community. You’re invited to pop in between our two services (starting about 10:00) for light refreshments and casual conversation. Please RSVP with Pastor Ben.

Lace up your hiking boots and join us on the trail! We’ll be exploring Portland’s beautiful Hoyt Arboretum, and hoping for some fall colors along the way. This section of Forest Park has a huge variety of landscape, from redwood forest stands to oaks, larches, pines and magnolias. The hike is easy-to-moderate, 1.8 miles (but there’s also plenty of trails to explore if you want to keep going!).

We will meet at the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center, where there is a parking lot (there is a fee for parking using the Parking Kitty app), and explore from there. You can learn more about the Arboretum at their website.

To get more information, contact Pastor Ben.

Membership is for those who appreciate Pearl’s work and desire to more deeply participate. The purpose of membership is to encourage an active engagement between Pearl Church and those who call Pearl “Home.” Membership benefits include an Annual Members’ Meeting, Monthly Updates from the Oversight Team, and intentional engagement regarding the direction of the church. Whether or not you’re interested in membership, the Membership Class is an opportunity to meet with a pastor to hear all about the ins and outs of Pearl Church. Ever wonder about Pearl’s story? Curious about our values? Interested in learning about our dreams for the future? Consider attending the upcoming Membership Class to hear more and to ask any questions that you may have.

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

Questions? Contact Pastor Mike.

After Second Service, in the Church Office
As we enter into a season of political agitation and angst, we want to invite you into a conversation that encourages belonging in our communities, organizations, and culture. In this book, Brown offers us the clarity and courage that we need to find our way back to ourselves and to each other. Co-facilitated by Patti Widener and Pastor Mike.

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

Each September, Portland hosts the incredible migration of thousands of Vaux’s Swifts, who claim Chapman Elementary’s chimneys as their home for a few weeks. The nightly roosting is a marvelous sight! Come join others from Pearl as we spend an evening on the lawn at Chapman for Swift Watch.

Plan to bring low lawn chairs or a picnic blanket, and any snacks or non-alcoholic beverages. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. Parking is a challenge so please plan on using public transportation if possible, or be prepared to walk a few blocks. Trimet buses #77 and #15 stop at NW Vaugh and 26th, a 5 min walk from the Chapman Elementary.

If you plan to join us, please sign up so we can send updates about where to meet!