PSR is excited to welcome the general public to PSR campus, and to South Bay and Peninsula locations each summer for a series of free evening lectures led by distinguished members of the faculty and special guests. No registration is needed and all events are free of charge.
Tuesday Night Talks, Berkeley
On the PSR campus in Berkeley. Lectures begin at 7:30 pm. Facilities are wheelchair accessible and looped for the hearing impaired. FREE!
Tuesday, July 15, PSR Chapel - Bishop John Shelby Spong
Biblical Literalism: A Gentile Heresy
The Christian faith was born in the womb of the synagogue and at least the first two gospels were written before the Christian movement split from the synagogue. These gospels are, therefore, significantly Jewish books that have been interpreted primarily by Gentiles, who were not only ignorant of their Jewishness, but they were also generally prejudiced against all things Jewish and unwilling to be informed otherwise. Illustrations for this thesis will be drawn principally out of the gospel of Matthew.
Thursday(!), July 24, PSR Bade Museum - Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock
"Moral Injury, Soul Repair, and Spiritual Life"
What is moral injury, how does it differ from trauma and PTSD, and what is recovery, not only for military veterans, but also for other professions that involve anguishing life and death decisions? This lecture will address these questions and offer multiple ways spiritual communities can support soul repair, such as the use of rituals, arts, literature, and story-telling.
Tuesday, July 29, PSR Bade Museum - Dr. Kwok Pui Lan
"Postcolonial Theology in Asian America"
This lecture will explore the challenges and issues postcolonial theory brings to theology in Asian America, such as hybridity, fluid identity, transnationalism, and planetarity.
Tuesday, August 5, PSR Chapel - Bishop Yvette Flunder
“What's Next? Developing a Theology of Positive Prophetic Expectation”
News of tragedy or disaster in the human family is seized upon by some as the response of an angry and punitive God, who is gearing up for a major apocalyptic event. How differently would we respond if we truly believed that Peace is Possible?
Thursday Night Summer Lecture Series, San Jose
Located at First Congregational Church of San Jose. Lectures begin at 7:30pm with reception following. FREE!
Thursday, July 17 - Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis of the Pacific School of Religion
“The Spirituality of the Arts & Crafts Movement”
The Arts & Crafts movement arose at the end of the nineteenth century, emphasizing principles of simplicity, beauty, and usefulness. The artisans and philosophers of this movement were deeply concerned about the impact of the Industrial Revolution—the shoddiness of mass produced goods, the ugliness of a modern world alienated from nature, and the working conditions of laborers. In response, they returned to older methods of production while developing a new aesthetic of simple beauty expressed in architecture, graphic arts, furniture , painting, textiles, ceramics, and much more. In this talk, we’ll take a look at their amazing work and consider their spiritual lessons for us. We, too, live in a world that is growing increasingly complex. Can art remind us of our values and reconnect us with nature and one another?
Thursday, July 24 - Dr. Kwok Pui Lan of the Episcopal Divinity School
"Reading the Bible in Global Perspective"
This lecture will discuss contemporary readings of the Bible, especially the New Testament, from the Global South to address issues of poverty, HIV/AIDS, gender violence, and racial justice.
Thursday, July 31 - Rev. Alexia Salvatierra
“Faith-rooted Organizing”
Rev. Salvatierra will present a new model for congregational/community organizing drawn from the wells of the civil rights movement and theologies of liberation, practiced by a growing network of faith-rooted organizers in communities around the world.
NEW: Thursday Night Summer Lecture Series, San Mateo
Located at Congregational Church of San Mateo. Lectures begin at 7:30 pm with reception following. FREE!
Thursday, July 17 - Rev. Debra Haffner of The Religious Institute
"Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing: A New Movement"
How are religious institutions (denominations, seminaries, parachurch organizations) changing in the 21st century? How are they breaking the silence on issues of sexual morality and justice? In this talk, Rev. Haffner will talk about the relationship of sexuality and religion, the historical and Scriptural foundations for discussions of sexual justice, and the need for a progressive religious voice in conversations about sexuality.
Thursday, August 7 - Bishop Yvette Flunder of City of Refuge UCC
“What's Next? Developing a Theology of Positive Prophetic Expectation”
News of tragedy or disaster in the human family is seized upon by some as the response of an angry and punitive God, who is gearing up for a major apocalyptic event. How differently would we respond if we truly believed that Peace is Possible?
Parking: Attendees of the lectures on the PSR campus can take advantage of the parking lot behind the Holbrook Building. Enter on Scenic Avenue. Spaces are limited and free of charge after 5:00 p.m. Two-hour street parking is also available at metered and unmetered spaces. The churches in San Jose and San Mateo have parking lots.
Click here for more information on the PSR Summer Lectures series.