Educational Galas provide space for us to deepen into our Sacred Story by exploring theological and practical topics together. You will be able to attend one workshops we are offering, and afterward we will all re-gather for refreshments and conversation. Please RSVP with Pastor Ben and let us know which workshop you would like to attend.
The Essence of Atonement
Facilitated by Pastor Mike Roth
Atonement is essential to Christian thought. In its most simple form, atonement refers to a reconciled state between parties that were formerly alienated in some manner. However, as important as this word is said to be, it's interesting to know that the word “atonement” isn’t actually used in the New Testament. Isn’t that curious? Atonement is a—if not the—paramount concept in Christian perspective. Many theologians would heartily state that atonement is the whole point of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Yet, as important as this word is said to be, it is altogether absent from the New Testament. This seminar will explore the evolution of atonement throughout church history. Ultimately, this class will conclude by inviting us into the deeply good work of atonement which, must function in every generation to reconcile whatever it is that we humans experience and name as, “estranged.”
Recovering our Mental Health From COVID
Facilitated by Valinda Harlan
Covid has left many exhausted and questioning. This seminar, led by Pearl member and therapist Valinda Harlan, will aim to help individuals, couples, and parents get to the heart of their concerns and intentionally take back their mental health, and repair and rebuild relationships and families. We will discuss how to create new and improved normal; learn to identify and prioritize core needs and values; resolve the resolvable needs and value-based conflicts in relationships (which can translate to parenting and work environments), and identify and manage the unresolvable (perpetual problems).
Valinda was born and raised in Venice, California. She was a family pastor for 15 years, before she became a licensed mental health counselor specializing in relationship issues (repair, emotional intimacy, and sexual health). She has been trained and certified by the Gottman Institute of Marriage, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, is a National Certified Counselor, member of the American Psychological Association and the American Counseling Association. She has written curriculum on marriage and parenting, and developed and taught various courses for the psychology department at Southeastern University and Clark College. Valinda has been married to Paul for over 30 years, they have raised four children, and have two grandchildren.
Reconstructing Christian Hope: The Good News of Apprenticeship
Facilitated by Pastor Ben Conachan
In recent centuries, the centerpiece of Christian Hope has been “getting into heaven”—and accordingly, this is what salvation has come to mean. But the Gospel of Jesus is for our whole lives, now: Good news! God is taking students in learning a way of life that is truly, deeply, good. This seminar will cast a vision for why becoming an apprentice of Jesus’ way is deeply good news, what Jesus proposes to teach us, and how we can practically enroll as students of Jesus in our every day contexts and roles. This is the first session of a forthcoming course which follows and extends our “Reconstructing Christian Faith” class, but everyone is welcome to join.