For life-long learners, hungry for knowledge
30+ years of learning
For over thirty years, the San Diego School of Christian Studies (SDSCS) has invited world-class speakers to address matters of spiritual concern to people of faith or of no faith. The purpose of SDSCS is to create meaningful educational experiences challenging adults to deepen their Christian faith as they broaden their knowledge. Today, SDSCS is led by a Planning Council composed of members and friends of First Church and chaired by Dr. Kay Gilbert. The School offers three to five lectures, events, and/or events per semester, on subjects in Old and New Testament, church history, theology, Christian ethics, world religions, and other topics. All are welcome.
The San Diego School of Christian Studies
cordially invites you to the
Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 Curriculum
The curriculum is dedicated in loving memory of:
Dr. Ben Christensen & Dr. Kathee Christensen
Who Is My Neighbor?
Unity in Love: We seek to strengthen commitment to a collective understanding of unity—that we embrace our diversity and turn from divisiveness. This curriculum provides opportunity for renewed and deeper understanding that we are connected to all people. Through expression of our diversity we can become united and “love one another.”
SDSCS relies on funding from sponsorships and donations.
How to become a sponsor of SDSCS
Watch previous lectures
9/24/22 -Who is My Neighbor: A Global Perspective by Peter Bolland
10/22/22 - Chicano Park: Our Sacred Place by Dr. Alberto López Pulido. See pictures and read a reflection from this memorable walking tour HERE
11/12/22 - Broad Commonalities & Differences of the Abrahamic Faiths. Panel: Rev. Trudy Robinson, Imam Taha Hasanne & Rabbi Jason Nevarez
2/4/23- Being Human Takes Practice by Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter
3/4/23 - Art and Religion by Museum Docent Anne Minteer, San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park
4/15/23 - Loving Your Neighbor - Work shop led by Sheilah Cameron, LMFT & Dr. Bill Stephenson
Become A San Diego School of Christian Studies Sponsor
SDSCS relies on funding from sponsors and donations taken at each event.
Become a sponsor at any of these levels:
- FAITH - $ 25.00
- HOPE - $ 50.00
- LOVE - $ 75.00
- KATHEE and BEN CHRISTENSEN “Fan Club” - $100.00
Become a sdscs sponsor
More ways to give:
Donate Online: fumcsd.org/sdscs-sponsor
Send a Text: MYCHURCHGIFT SDSCS to 73256
Mail a Check: FUMC, 2111 Camino del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108 (Please designate "SDSCS" when you give.)
Past Lectures (recordings)
Who is My Neighbor: A Global Perspective.
Who is inside the sacred circle, and who is out? And who gets to decide? How do various religions, philosophies, and wisdom traditions frame these vital questions? Join us as we explore this ancient and timely challenge.
Speaker: Professor Peter Bolland
recorded Saturday, September 24, 2022
About the speaker:
Professor Peter Bolland is the Philosophy and Humanities Department Chair at Southwestern College where he teaches world religions, Asian philosophy, world mythology, and ethics. A columnist for Unity Magazine and author of the upcoming book, The Seven Stone Path: An Every-day Journey to Wisdom, Professor Bolland is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator at a wide variety of churches, spiritual centers, and learning centers like San Diego Oasis, The Osher Institute of Life Long Learning at SDSU, the Chopra Center, the San Diego Vedanta Monastery, and more. For more information visit peterbolland.com.
Broad Commonalities & Differences of the Abrahamic Faiths
Join these Interfaith Leaders in discussing what it means to be a neighbor to others & with others in the Islamic, Jewish, & Christian faiths. Addressing the question of who is my neighbor, we will examine sources of faith authority & the impact of that authority.
11/12/22 - Panel discussion with Rev. Trudy Robinson, Imam Taha Hasanne & Rabbi Jason Nevarez
Being Human Takes Practice
Rev. Dr. Carter will have us realize more deeply than ever what it means to be spiritually human with others by diving into the parable of the Good Samaritan told by Jesus.
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter
Recorded Saturday, February 4, 2023
About the speaker 
Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter is an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of San Diego; a Faith in Food Fellow at Farm Forward; and Lead Pastor of The Loft in Westwood, CA. His teaching, research, and activist interests are in Black, Womanist, and Environmental ethics, with a particular focus on race, food, and nonhuman animals. He is the co-creator of Racial Resilience, an anti-racism and anti-bias program that utilizes the combined insights of contemplative practices and critical race theories. His academic publications include The Spirit of Soul Food (University of Illinois Press, 2021), and “Blood in the Soil: The Racial, Racist, and Religious Dimensions of Environmentalism” in The Bloomsbury Handbook on Religion and Nature (Bloomsbury, 2018). He believes that at its broadest level, learning should transform how the student views herself, her neighbor and her worldview.