How do we find God in the midst of uncertainty? What can we learn from the darkness, and how does it challenge us to trust more deeply, create more freely, and care more fully? These are the profound questions that will be explored in the upcoming Founders’ Day Lecture titled “Listening in the Darkness,” featuring Mark Yaconelli, a celebrated writer, spiritual director, and community builder. This event is sponsored by California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

You are invited to join us on Wednesday, September 18th at 10 AM, either in person at 2000 Center St., Suite 200, Berkeley, or virtually via Zoom. The lecture will be followed by a time of community worship, allowing us to come together in reflection and prayer.

Mark Yaconelli brings a wealth of wisdom and experience to this event. As the founder and executive director of The Hearth, a nonprofit dedicated to healing relational poverty through personal stories, and the author of six impactful books, Mark’s insights into the spiritual journey are both deep and accessible. His latest work, Between the Listening and the Telling: How Stories Can Save Us (Broadleaf, 2022), delves into the power of storytelling as a means of connection and transformation.

In a time when many systems and structures are failing, and darkness seems to be enveloping the world, Mark invites us to see this as a space where the Spirit can manifest new freedoms and opportunities. As the psalmist reminds us, “even the darkness is not dark to you,” and it is with this hope that we gather to listen, learn, and grow together.

Whether you choose to join us in Berkeley or from the comfort of your own home, we encourage you to register today to secure your spot for this enriching event. Let’s come together as a community to explore how we can meet God in the darkness with child-like curiosity and faith.

Register here: Founders’ Day Lecture Registration