The Pathfinder: February 1, 2024
Reflecting Back, Looking Forward
This time of year offers several opportunities to reflect on the life of our congregation––the Annual Report (which you can download here), the Annual Meeting (in a packed Parish Hall this past Sunday), the Vestry Retreat (this coming weekend), and the Parochial Report (a quantitative and qualitative report of the wider Episcopal Church).
Sometimes these opportunities––which come in quick succession––can feel like an overload of occasions to reflect. Often, though, they provide a necessary break to gain perspective and see what has borne fruit, where we need to prune, and where we might be able to plant.
Each year at our Vestry Retreat we use various lenses to reflect, discern, and plan for the life of All Souls Parish in the next year. For about ten years now we’ve looked at the life of the parish by examining the purpose of a Christian congregation and more recently also with the life cycle of an organization. Since coming out of the COViD pandemic we’ve also been reflecting on the state of the congregation by calling to mind the bright stars and pain points of the past year. This then serves as ground for our strategic work looking at the year to come––what do we need to build off that was fruitful? What do we need to let go of? Where do we need to pay our attention so that it can begin to grow?
Those conversations on last year’s Vestry Retreat led to these five goals of our Vestry:
Support the implementation of the Living Waters Campaign: the Capital Projects and the Isaiah Project
Support the health of our Finance ministry and procedures
Develop a strategic staffing plan
Revitalize our Sunday experience
Develop a communications strategy and action plan
As you can see it was an intensive year for our Vestry. It was clear even from the start that this was an ambitious set of goals, but we felt significantly challenged coming out of the pandemic, as there were several areas of our parish life that needed support and attention. And, as the year went on, thanks to the steadfast attention and work of ministry teams and task forces and Vestry members, many of these goals were met. Our Finance ministry strengthened several procedures, called a new bookkeeper, and laid the groundwork for Living Waters. A staffing structure was set, a new Associate Rector and a new Administrator were called, and our staffing was amended. Our Sunday experience shows signs of remarkable life after the changes made at the start of the summer. And our new website is up and running and ready for the next components of our communications plan.
Now, a new year beckons. Clearly the Vestry will need to continue to support the Isaiah Project and Capital Projects of the Living Waters campaign; hopefully that will mean moving from planning and design to actual construction this year. I’m very curious, though, where else the Spirit will lead us this coming weekend at the Vestry Retreat at St. Clement’s, Berkeley. Where are the places that we are being gathered from? How are we hoping to be changed? Where are we being sent? Stay tuned to this space All Soulsians––in the next couple of weeks you’ll be able to read some of the places where All Souls Parish is headed next.
– Phil+
Jewish Origins of Christianity
When the adult formation committee was exploring topics for classes for this year, one idea that bubbled up was a class focused on the Jewish perspective on Christianity.
A number of parishioners were enthusiastic about this class, as were our committee members. As luck (and presumably the Spirit!) would have it, we were introduced to Rabbi Harry Manhoff, a member of Congregation Beth El (as you may know, Beth El is a partner in our Building Interfaith Bridges program).
I reached out to Rabbi Harry and we set up a time to meet in person to discuss the idea of the class. While I was certainly excited about pursuing this idea, I found myself a tad nervous about actually meeting a Rabbi and discussing the Jewish perspective on Christianity. After all, there fraught and complicated history between Christians and Jews. Well, my own fears were laid to rest the moment I met Rabbi Harry at his home in the Berkeley Hills. He was warm, with a wry sense of humor that betrays his East Coast roots.
I was amazed to learn that he is a scholar of the New Testament and that he teaches at St. Mary's College of California - a Catholic institution. He got his doctorate in comparative religion from UC Santa Barbara. Based on my interactions with Rabbi Harry, I think this class is going to be terrific and I would encourage everyone to attend.
– Paul Mathew
Catechumenate Class
“To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” -Simone Weil
Every year, during the six weeks of Lent, we teach a class called the Catechumenate, a course designed to help us put down spiritual roots in the Episcopal Church by preparing us for baptism or for Confirmation in the Episcopal Church.
So many of us have come to this Episcopal tradition from other traditions within Christianity— often some good places that we had to leave behind. Some of us come to this tradition after years of being away, and some of us walk in these copper doors as our very first entry point into Christianity. But no matter how you’ve come to be here, there is a lot to learn about this Episcopal tradition.
In this class you’ll get the chance to explore questions around Episcopal theology, the Book of Common Prayer, the Bible, how the Episcopal Church is organized and its history, and some of the meaning behind the liturgy from the worship services on Sundays. And you’ll get to learn from an incredible line-up of teachers––the Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers, Dr. Scott MacDougall, our seminarian Michael Drell, the Rev. Michael Lemaire, and of course the Rev. Phil Brochard––people who have spent much of their lives working out their faith in the context of this particular Episcopal and Anglican tradition.
And so, for those of us who have wandered or are currently wandering, checking out All Souls and checking out this Episcopal tradition (or considering a return), I invite you this Lent to consider taking this Catechumenate class and wrestling with the idea of putting down roots, here.
This class will meet on the Sunday evenings in Lent (February 18-March 24th) at 7p in the Common Room, downstairs in the church. If you have questions or wonderings about this class or if you would like to sign-up, please email me, emily@allsoulsparish.org.
Looking forward to this season of putting down roots.
– Emily Hansen Curran
Second Thursday Lunch
Some time ago, a few women met for a potluck lunch at Gloria Bayne's home. We had such a good time just visiting and catching up.
There was no agenda; it was simply a time of connecting. We decided that we should do this more often (how often we say this but nothing happens!), and the Second Thursday was born. Why Second Thursday? It’s the day that fit into most calendars, and the title is a way for us to remember when!
So, come join us for some fun and fellowship and a simple "faith " pot luck. Just bring whatever you would like to share at noon every second Thursday.
Our next meeting will be next week, February 8th, in the Parish Hall.
Hope to see you there!
– Julie Burcham
Stewardship Plus:
Kick-off Conversation, February 11th
The scope of the Stewardship Committee is expanding to include all the ways All Souls brings in resources to support its mission. We are going to talk about time; we are going to talk about talent and we need to talk about treasure. Please join this conversation on Sunday, February 11 at 9:15 in the common room.
Stewardship is everything we do with everything we have. At least in my time at All Souls, “Stewardship” has often come to mean simply the annual pledge campaign to fund the next year’s operating budget. But time and again, All Soulsians have asked me about other ways to support the church – from including All Souls in their estate planning, volunteering their time or a specific skill, to suggesting a grant opportunity or a way to maximize our space rentals. All those are Stewardship. This Stewardship Plus committee is going to look at all the resources available from and to the congregation and how we as a community want to ask for and receive the support we need to sustain our work.
Melissa Devereaux and I will be co-chairing this effort. We’ll start on Sunday, February 11 with an open conversation, sort of a town hall, in the Common Room at 9:15. We hope you will join us.
If you have ever thought, “The annual pledge campaign should do (or not do) …” or “We should get a grant for ….” or “I wish someone knew how to ….” you should come on February 11th. If you’re just curious, have an idea to contribute, or have seen something you really liked at another church, you should come on February 11th. We want to cast a wide net for ways we can support our work together. This meeting can be a one-time commitment,or could lead to diving into more work if you’re so moved.
We expect to organize committees to explore and make recommendations about specific parts of our stewardship effort. We will be looking, initially, at several facets of Stewardship:
Annual Operating Campaign
For some years, All Souls has used a four or five week fall pledge campaign to fund its operating budget. Does that structure still meet our needs? Are there new approaches or tools we can use? How can we include more people and voices in this essential campaign?
Planned Giving
Ann Jordan’s generous bequest has provided catalytic and gap-filling support for All Souls for years. How can All Souls invite, or help, people to consider including All Souls in their estate planning? Many organizations have some sort of legacy society that recognizes and supports people who have made a bequest. How would that kind of group look at All Souls? How would we receive bequests?
Time and Talent
During every annual campaign at least one person asks, “Can I pledge my time?” The annual campaign has to focus on raising the operating budget, but the time and talent of the members of the church are amazing resources. How can we provide an avenue for people to use those gifts to support the church? How can we identify specific skills that the church could draw on? How do we make sure we are defining volunteer roles that will be meaningful and constructive?
Other Revenue Options
Are there non-donation-based ways to increase revenue? Heart’s Leap Preschool currently leases space at All Souls. Are there other facility rental opportunities? Are there grants we could be seeking? Do other giving opportunities, such as the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, or the Flower Fund get enough attention? Do we make it convenient for visitors to support All Souls?
This parish has been blessed with amazing resources in so many areas. Too often we have focused only on the gifts that show up on a pledge card. Our effort here is to access all our resources to support the work we do in God’s service. Melissa and I are looking forward to this conversation and hope you will join us on February 11th at 9:15a in the common room. Let us know if you have any questions.
Peace,
– Richard Lynch
Lent is Coming!
This is not as ominous as it sounds. For whatever reason (feeling, thinking) our parish seems to have embraced the season and it has become a favorite or special time of year for us to lean into the really complicated stuff.
One tradition we have grown into is crafting, selecting, and carrying a clay cross for the season. We pick a cross out of the ashes on Ash Wednesday (or a Sunday afterward) and carry it with us through Lent— as a touchstone toward prayer, or a spiritual practice we’ve taken on, or whatever else we are carrying through this season. People also give them to friends who need a touchstone to carry with them, and clergy use them in pastoral care through the year. (If you’re like me, you will find them in all sorts of pockets at unexpected times and it’s really lovely.)
Crafting these crosses is easy. It’s also meditative, soothing, creative, fun and convivial. Folks have made them alone and with friends— over tea, beer, prayer and Sunday school lessons. If you would like to participate in cross making, please pick up a clay kit from the Parish Hall this Sunday and return your crosses the following Sunday (2/11). We will fire them in the Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras fire and they will be available on Ash Wednesday. Thank you!
– Jeannie Koops-Elson
Announcements & Events
Happening This Week
Worship This Week
8:00am, Holy Eucharist in Chapel
10:30am, sung Eucharist (click here to access the live stream)
Wednesday 9am Service. Join the Zoom call here, or join us in person in the Nave. Password: 520218.
Youth Group is on for this Sunday, Feb 4th, 7-8:30p in the Parish Hall!
Adult Formation
Feb 4, 11, 18: The Jewish Origins of Christianity with Rabbi Harry Manhoff
Before Judaism (as we know it today) and Christianity, the people of Israel were learning how to live according to the Hebrew Bible. In the Jewish Origins of Christianity series, Rabbi Harry Manhoff will present the rabbinic traditions of the first century that are shared in the New Testament. We will see that Jesus of Nazareth, called Rabbi (in Greek letters), taught many of the same traditions as sages of the people of Israel. This class will meet in the Parish Hall from 9:15-10:15 a.m..
Note: The Adult Formation Committee has decided to suspend Zoom access to classes due to technical issues and low turnout. Audio recordings will be posted when available.
Catechumenate Class
If you are new to the Episcopal Church, or new to Christianity, or if you have been around and are possibly looking to be baptized or Confirmed in the Episcopal Church, please consider joining the Catechumenate class this Lent! The class will meet on the Sunday nights in Lent (2/18-3/24) at 7p in the Common Room. Please RSVP with Emily Hansen Curran (emily@allsoulsparish.org) or reach out to her if you are interested.
Children & Family
Nursery The downstairs nursery is open and available to you for your use whenever you’re at All Souls. This is not a staffed nursery, so an adult must be there with your child, but if you need a quiet place to take a time out, change a diaper, let your child play or take a rest, the nursery is open for you to do all of those things. If there is a service going on that’s being livestreamed, you will be able to watch the livestream on the computer in the nursery as well.
Children’s Ministry Sunday School continues each week during the 10:30 a.m. service for children from pre-K through 5th grade. Children head downstairs at the start of the service, then return after the “Peace.” See an usher if you need directions.
All ages attend a shared Godly Play “Storytime.” Then, our youngest kids (pre-K to 1st grade) remain in the Godly Play classroom for “wondering” and “work” time, while our older kids (grades 2-5) split off for deeper investigation and exploration.
Read more about our Sunday School program here.
Youth Program - Youth Group happens weekly on Sundays from 7-8:30 in the Parish Hall. If you are not receiving weekly Youth Program updates but would like to, please reach out to Emily B to be added to our mailing list.
Godly Play & Faith Explorers Teachers We are actively seeking teachers and/or alternates to add to our Sunday School team for all ages. If you are interested, please reach out to Emily B. (All teachers will go through SAFE Church training and background checks).
Justice & Peace
Ways to help with the Israel-Hamas War, from Episcopal Relief & Development
Since the start of the current Israel-Hamas war, Episcopal Relief & Development has been supporting long-time partners in the Holy Land including Al Ahli Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, to provide emergency medical support in Gaza. Despite being hit by two explosions that damaged buildings and claimed hundreds of lives, the hospital is still serving those who are in need of care. Episcopal Relief & Development stands with the brave staff of Al Ahli Hospital as they risk their lives to help others.
Please pray for peace in the Holy Land and consider making a contribution to the Episcopal Relief & Development Middle East Fund to help meet the growing needs of all people in the region.
Stay informed about the Episcopal Relief & Development response at episcopalrelief.org.
Needs of the Community
Request from Scott Garriott, All Souls sexton “As many of you know, my father is in hospice care right now. My sister in law and brother have started a Go Fund Me page to help with their travel and lodging expenses as they come out to help caretake and spend time with my family. If you could share this with the all souls community we would all be very grateful. Thank you all for the help.”
Please consider supporting Scott and his family here: https://gofund.me/07676df5
Moving Help A member of our community, Teresa Vosper, is seeking help as she moves apartments. She needs assistance between now and Feb 3rd. If you have time to spare, please email tlvosper@gmail.com.
Companion Request, from Mary and Bruce Elgin: We are still looking for someone who could come to our house Friday mornings from Feb 16 to May 31 this year to stay with our disabled adult daughter while we are at rehearsals for the Oakland Community Orchestra. She is self-sufficient and does not need any medical support. Nothing is required except your presence for about 4 hours starting at 8:45am on Friday mornings through May 31. We are only asking for someone to be here with her (in the hills up Broadway Terrace) so she won't be alone. Compensation is offered. If you are interested, or you know of someone who may be willing, please call Bruce Elgin for more information (626-644-0539).
Everything Else
Soup + Story Returns! After a one year hiatus, we are returning to the practice of Soup + Story for this Lenten season. Soup + Story is just as it sounds; for the first five weeks of Lent, we’ll gather in each others’ homes around soup and conversation. Sign-ups start this week in the Narthex and coffee hour table. We’re also looking for hosts (people with homes who can host 8-12 folks five times during the weeks of Lent. Please note that you will not be expected to make the soup for those five weeks, just host the group in your home). Please reach out to Emily Hansen Curran if you think you might be able/interested to host.
Second Thursday Lunch is next Thursday, February 8th, at noon in the Parish Hall. Bring a potluck dish to share!
