Pearl Church

The Bible was written over roughly 900 years by people in particular times and places, each trying to understand God and the world as best they could. That's how one book can hold both "love your enemies" and stories of terrible violence done in God's name. At Pearl, we read these as sacred words inspired by God and yet written by humans over a long, long time—so we can bring both our wonder and our full intellect to the page. If scripture has been used to hurt you, you're welcome to come read it with us, with curiosity and honesty.

Starting this Wednesday, September 23, anyone is welcome to join in our Wednesday Open Group. Facilitated by Mike Roth, this is a great way to get more connected at Pearl Church. This group is hybrid, meeting in person on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, and online via Zoom the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. You're welcome to attend as often as you're able, with no commitment.

Learn more and sign up at pearlchurch.churchcenter.com/groups

We tend to think of growth as a straight line—upward, onward, done. But the prophets of Israel knew better. Their books, read together, trace something closer to a spiral: naming what’s broken, feeling its weight, and finding a way back to life on the other side. Not accusation, punishment, and renewal as courtroom terms, but as the shape of how anything—a person, a people, a planet—actually changes. In this series, we'll walk through the book of Isaiah as a map for that spiral, exploring how this same re-ordering movement can re-order us: naming what's true, grieving what's gone wrong, and rising into something more whole.

New Contemplative Offerings
Starting this fall, we have two new groups on Monday evenings for anyone interested in contemplative practices. These groups are hybrid, alternating between in person and online via Zoom.

On the 1st and 3rd Mondays, join us for Centering Practice, a simple method of silent meditation. And on the 2nd and 4th Mondays, join a Listening Circle, a space designed for quiet reflection on a contemplative text in community.

Learn more and sign up at pearlchurch.churchcenter.com/groups

Reconstructing Christian Faith Retreat at the Coast
Nov 6-8, 2026
sign up at pearlchurch.org/events

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 a special weekend at the coast, filled with meaningful content and community engagement. To ensure that there’s space for dialogue, we’re capping this offering at eight people. Please RSVP no later than October 11 so that we can reserve an appropriate house based on sign ups.

By way of content, here are the topics we’ll cover:

Session One, Gospel as Good News

Session Two, Bible, Part I: Formation, Accommodation, & Inspiration

Session Three, Bible, Part II: Books, Section, & Trajectory

Session Four, Salvation & Atonement

Session Five, The Afterlife

Session Six, Being Christian

It’s an annual tradition at Pearl to take an early Sunday in September to cast vision for the year ahead. On this special day we’ll begin in Ecotrust’s conference room at our usual Sunday service time, 10am. However, rather than offering our usual service, our ministry leaders and pastors will share vision for the year ahead, and how you can get connected as part of the Pearl family. Everyone will have a chance to learn more about our ministry offerings and sign up to get involved.

After this we’ll head up to the rooftop terrace for a yummy potluck lunch! We'll provide the mains with options for vegetarians and vegans; please consider contributing a side, salad, or dessert (please, no Crock-Pots or other plug-in needs for food containers).

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 ([email protected]).

Seemingly contradictory things can be true at the same time.

That's part of what Jen Johnson named in her reflection with us this week—that holding tension, rather than rushing to resolve it, has become part of who we are as a community. Complicated relationships with faith. Gratitude and grief, side by side. None of it needs to be hidden or explained away.

There's room for all of it at Pearl.

Pearl Youth—Jump into some board games after church on September 6! We'll have all the classics - Bananagrams, Telestrations, Sushi Go, Catchphrase, Taboo... Bring a sense of adventure and we’ll provide pizza and games! Questions? Contact Kylie Marble ([email protected])

We can't fix everything wrong with the world all at once, right now. We can't undo racism or misogyny or homophobia by voting or marching on their own, as much as those things matter. But last Sunday, Mike Roth suggested one thing we can do: "Truly good Christian communities are subversive embodiments of the world that we want." A community that fully includes women and LGBTQIA+ people, that commits to anti-racism, that treats every person as sacred — that's not just a nice idea. It's way of bringing into reality the world we're hoping to see.