This spring, the Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church reached out to Walla Walla University’s Speakers Bureau, requesting Cynthia Westerbeck, chair of the English department. She accepted, guest speaking at their quarterly Pacific Yew Scholars Speaker Series.
“It was a pleasure to get to meet and engage in conversation with the members of this vibrant church community,” said Westerbeck.
The weekend seminar was titled From Icons to AI: Depicting the Divine in Art & Literature. It hosted four different, connected sessions meant to invite attendees to discover more about God and His goodness through thoughtful conversation and learning.
While Westerbeck had much to share on this topic, she hoped attendees truly walked away with a “new appreciation for how art and literature can help us understand the divine, wrestle with challenging theological questions, and inspire creativity.”
Each quarter, the Pacific Yew seminar sponsors a new guest speaker, attracting both church members and guests from other churches in the region—ranging from high school students up through retirees. This weekend welcomed about 40 attendees at the Friday evening and Sabbath afternoon events, and around 300 for church.
The topics Westerbeck spoke on were drawn from those listed in her WWU Speakers Bureau bio but were adapted to the interests of this particular audience. The bureau consists of a wide variety of WWU experts. Each of them has extensive experience engaging congregations and inspiring audiences across the United States and around the world.
Speakers expand the educational mission of WWU beyond our walls, pouring into our communities outside the valley. We would love to bless your group, your space, for the glory of God. To learn more about requesting guest speakers like Westerbeck, visit wallawalla.edu/speaker.
Posted July 29, 2026.
