The Pathfinder: April 11th, 2024
Embracing the Resurrection: Practices for Eastertide
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Like many of the mysteries of faith, this statement can’t be grasped intellectually or contained by words alone. The truth of the resurrection is a whole-self truth, something we feel in our bodies and participate in together in a dynamic, unfolding way.
Here at All Souls, we journeyed together through the story of Holy Week– from the triumphant entry on Palm Sunday, to the drama of the Passion, to the tender discipleship of foot-washing, to the waiting by an empty cross on Good Friday. And then together, on Saturday night and Sunday morning, we felt light and life burst forth anew.
This journey isn’t over. In some ways, it’s just begun. During this fifty day season of Easter, we invite you to participate in the truth of the resurrection, to bring your whole self as we explore what the claim “Christ is Risen!” means.
One way to do this is to take part in a new devotional practice: the Stations of the Resurrection. Many of us are familiar with the Stations of the Cross, or Via Crucis– a series of images or other artistic representations that depict Jesus’ path to the crucifixion. Less well-known are the Stations of the Resurrection, or Via Lucis, which depict Jesus’ appearances and actions after he rises from the dead.
Traditionally, the fourteen Stations of the Cross end with a scene of crucifixion, leaving the story partly unfinished. The Stations of the Resurrection, then, pick up with the empty tomb and take us through the road to Emmaus, appearances to the disciples, the doubt of Thomas, and more. The sequence traditionally ends with the Spirit descending at Pentecost. Together, the Stations of the Cross and the Stations of the Resurrection capture the wholeness of the Paschal mystery: the suffering and death of Jesus, and the glory of Christ’s rising again.
This year’s Stations of the Resurrection were prepared by Lenore Williamson, a member of the Arts at All Souls committee. Below, she reflects on her experience of envisioning, developing, and crafting the sequence.
The Stations of the Resurrection will be available through Pentecost, on the pillars and walls throughout the nave. We encourage you to spend some time exploring them.
Finally, to aid your exploration, we want to offer a devotional booklet prepared by All Souls staff several years ago, which reflects on five of the Stations of the Resurrection. That booklet can be downloaded at the bottom of our Resources page.
Easter blessings and joy to all!
In peace,
– Emily+
Stations of the Resurrection: An Artistic Reflection
I first began forming my thoughts about the Stations of the Resurrection at the 2022 Parish Retreat. The Art Committee was asked to interpret a Station’s scripture with a photo to visualize the passage. As I reflected on the Gospel’s words for my photo choice, questions surfaced. I wondered— how does the Word speak to me about Christ’s presence in my life?
The next year, I chose the Resurrection Stations for my art installation. The focus would be on the 14 passages from the Gospels with questions that might raise thoughts for personal reflection by the congregation. Even though the installation would be Easter 2024, two years beforehand, I had already started imagining the resurrection stories and questions presented on colorful banners hanging from the church columns.
I shared these ideas with a spiritual, creative friend, and she understood exactly what I envisioned. Using beautiful paper, she designed a poster-sized hanging with a bold red square to draw attention to reading the scripture and the one red question.
The choice of paper was intentional and symbolic. The marble Lokta paper is handmade from the Daphne shrub, a renewable, fast growing bush found in the Himalayas. The metallic gold, silver, and copper colors were handcrafted by Nepalese artisans into the paper to resemble marble. Each sheet has its unique pattern, and to me the metallic swirls evokes the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Japanese red paper is handmade from wood pulp and reminds me to keep in mind the Passion story and the Stations of the Cross. The gold paper is also handmade from a mulberry tree and shines bright to frame the words of the risen Christ.
As you visit the stations and read the scripture from the Gospels, my hope is that the question will evoke a personal reflection from your life journey with Jesus.
– Lenore Williamson
Invitation to Seder from Congregation Beth El
Our parish is building strong ties with Congregation Beth El. Anyone who would like to attend a Community Seder at Beth El synagogue is invited to come on April 23, 2024.
The Passover Seder is a major holiday for the Jewish people all over the world. It celebrates the release of the Israelites from bondage and slavery under the Egyptian Pharoah during the time of Moses. Pharoah was not eager to lose the hardworking Israelites as his slaves. The Lord sent plagues to destroy Egypt-- frogs, locusts, boils, hail and finally the death of every first born child of the Egyptians and of their livestock, to convince Pharoah to free the Israelites.
If you would like to hear more of this story, please register no later than April 15, 2024 at bethelberkeley.org. After pulling up bethelberkeley.org, click on the word "Calendar" at the top of the homepage. This will take you to the April calendar. Look for April 23, 5:00 Community Seder, and click on that. From that point, follow the remaining prompts. We are being given a reduced fee of $25.00 per person for the evening. To register with the reduced fee, register as a "student." Ignore the part of the registration form that specifies attire.
The Passover meal will be held outside on the grounds of Beth El at 1301 Oxford Street. The celebration begins at 5 p.m. and lasts until approximately 7:30 p.m. Parking is primarily on the street. If you have any questions, you may contact Alana Haim Community Event Administrator, (510) 616-5001, for Beth El. You may also text Bonnie Bishop at (510) 230-8307 or send an email to bonniekbishop@myyahoo.com.
We hope to see you there!
– Bonnie Bishop
Notes from the Vestry, March 2024:
A Peek Behind the Curtain
As Holy Week was fast approaching, the Vestry gathered for our 2nd meeting of the year. One of our Vestry Chaplains, Jill Anderson, led us in a devotion to draw us in closer to the Great Mystery. Then we moved into approval of documents, as happens at the beginning of every month. This all sounds pretty standard at this point, right?
Actually, here is where it gets fun. Vestry members, as representatives of the congregation, are entrusted with the inner workings of the church, a peek behind the curtain. As we reviewed the parochial report, which is an overview of all of the business of the church by numbers; this includes number of staff, attendance charting and records of celebrations such as weddings and funerals. With the new Realm computer program soon to begin, we delighted in the fact that moving forward, these parochial reports will be much less time consuming with this new church platform onboard. One of our members pointed out at the meeting that we did not have a baptism in 2023, to which Father Phil indicated that we have a lot of baptisms coming up this year. I had not noticed this, which caused me to ponder whether or not baptisms come in segments, based on what is happening in our community, nation and world?
The Vestry has narrowed down our goals for this year in the following three categories: Welcome, Kinship, and Living Waters.
For Welcome, the goals concern building a team and transitioning newcomer support to that team, as well as other actions to support the goal of welcoming newcomers. Our discussion focused on building up a team to hold the responsibility for welcoming newcomers.
For Kinship, the goal focuses on creating a ministry team to develop strategies to foster deeper connections within the Parish. The vestry discussed the specific goals around developing new small groups and how self-sustaining meant removing staff as a limiting factor and building a ministry team that can act with less direct staff support.
For Living Waters, the goals focus on communications and processes to enable the Vestry to properly support the Living Waters team.
One of the most sacred times behind the curtain is when people who are being sponsored by All Souls for ordained ministry meet with us throughout their journey to ordination. We have the honor of engaging in conversation with them, hearing about their continued sense of call and where they are headed next. This month, the vestry voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Rev. Cal Taylor to the priesthood. I actually wondered if our enthusiastic applause and cheering made it up to the Nave where the music of the choir was flowing throughout the building.
If you want your own peek behind the curtain, all members of All Souls are invited to attend vestry meetings and observe where the magic happens.
– Erin Horne
Invitation from The Rev. Nikky Wood
Dear All Soulsians,
It seems like just yesterday that I was among you all as seminarian, transitional deacon, and then assisting priest.
I spent several years being formed, loved, challenged, and called by this community; ultimately being sponsored by All Souls for ordination in 2019. It’s been a wild few years since then for all of us!
With overflowing gratitude and joy, I write to share that I have now been called as Rector of St. Timothy’s Parish in Mountain View (just down the peninsula, in your neighboring Diocese of El Camino Real) – and you all are invited to the celebration! I’d love to have you join us as you are able: in person, online, or simply in prayer, on Sunday, April 28th at 4pm. I’m so deeply grateful for what I learned from and how I was shaped by you. I hold you always in my heart and in my prayers.
Many blessings,
– Nikky Wood+
Announcements & Events
Happening This Week
Worship This Sunday
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.
Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, Sunday @ 7:00a. Click here to join by Zoom, or join them in-person in the Common Room.
Youth Group There will be no Youth Group this Sunday, April 14th. Youth Group will return next week, April 21st. See below for important info about our 3rd Annual Pilgrimage to Grace Cathedral on April 28th!
Adult Formation
Written that you May Believe: The Gospel of John with the Rev. Michael Lemaire
In this introduction to the Gospel of John, we will explore this most unique of Gospels emphasizing how its Theology and Christology enrich the Christian faith. (April 7, 14, 21)
Coming Up: Newcomer Class with the Rev. Phil Brochard and Emily Hansen Curran
Wondering how to learn more about All Souls and connect with our community? Join us for a newcomer class, April 21 through May 12, 9:15-10:15, downstairs in the Common Room. Email emily@allsoulsparish.org with questions.
Summer 2024 Book Groups
The Adult Formation Committee is excited to announce the schedule for book groups in the summer of 2024. We will be offering three different books and hope that you will choose to participate in at least one of them. The groups will meet at 9:15am on Sundays.
June 9, 16, 23, and 30
Marilynne Robinson, Reading Genesis (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2024) and the book of Genesis from the Bible. Led by Jack Shoemaker.
July 7, 14, 21
Charles Duhigg, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection (Random House, 2024). Led by Raymond Yee.
July 28, August 4, 11
Steven Charleston, We Survived the End of the World: Lessons from Native America on Apocalypse and Hope (Broadleaf Books, 2021). Led by Marguerite Judson.
More details will follow but we wanted to share this with you now so you can start reading!
Any questions? Contact Anne Yardley at ayardley@drew.edu
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.
Note to Parents: We encourage all kids to return to the sanctuary after Sunday School and save outdoor playground time for later. In the Godly Play curriculum, we view the Eucharist as an important extension of Sunday School; the sacred space that we create downstairs continues and expands as we join the whole congregation upstairs. We appreciate your help reinforcing this norm!
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.
3rd Annual Pilgrimage to Grace Cathedral: Sunday, April 28th Join youth from the Alameda Deanery and DioCal as we travel by foot and ferry to Grace Cathedral for dinner, fellowship, and Vespers (and meet the incoming Bishop!). Here is the rough schedule:
10:15a - Meet in the All Souls courtyard for a blessing, then begin walking to Oakland
12:15p - Arrive at St. John's Oakland for lunch and connect with other deanery youth
2:30p - Take the Ferry from Jack London Square (you'll need a Clipper Card/app)
3:00p - Walk up the hill, through Chinatown and other landmarks
~ 4:00p - Arrive at Cathedral
5:00p - Dinner
6:00p - Vespers
7:00p - make our way home, by carpool or BART
RSVP here by April 15th to get a free t-shirt! All ages (including but not limited to youth) are welcome. Email Emily B for details.
Justice & Peace
Earth Day Celebration and Waterfront Clean-Up: Saturday, April 20th
The City of Berkeley is organizing a cleanup of trash and plastic pollution along the Berkeley shoreline at Shorebird Park on Saturday morning, April 20, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. A group of All Soulsians will be participating in honor of the 54 th anniversary of Earth Day. We will gather at the Shorebird Park Nature Center, 160 University Avenue, at 9:00 am. This is a family-friendly event and is a great way to spend part of a Saturday morning in the fresh air, along the Bay, and in the company of many others who are honoring Earth Day. Bring gloves and a bucket if possible. Some extra gloves may be available. Please email Lewis Maldonado at Lewiscm@mac.com if you are able to join us, or have any questions. Sponsored by the All Souls Justice and Peace Ministry Team. For map and details, click here.
Interfaith Event: Practicing Hope in Times of Despair
The next gathering of our ongoing relationships with Congregation Beth El and St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church is coming up on April 28th at Congregation Beth El (1301 Oxford in Berkeley) from 1p-3p. The theme of this event of Building Interfaith Bridges will be, "Practicing Hope in Times of Despair." Drawing on scriptural texts, small group conversation, and a shared meal we will listen to one another's stories, and learn from one another's traditions. As this will involve a catered meal, please RSVP on this website so that we can know how much food to provide.
Menstrual Hygiene Donations In partnership with a UC Berkeley organization called Undergraduate Street Medicine Outreach, All Souls is beginning a weekly collection of menstrual hygiene products for folks in the Berkeley and Oakland encampments. Please bring products on Sundays and place them in the designated basket in the Narthex. If you'd prefer to make a monetary donation, you can write a check to All Souls and indicate "hygiene donation." Contact Beth Christensen (beth.christensen@gmail.com) with questions.
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
Rides Ministry We are working to reinvigorate our Rides Ministry team, which helps provide rides to and from church on Sundays and to other parish events, especially in the evenings. If you are willing to be added to the list of drivers, please email Emily B and share a bit about your availability. We are also seeking a coordinator of this Rides Ministry team, who will assist in matching drivers with those who need rides. If you are interested in this leadership role or feel called to learn more, please email Emily B or Emily HC.
Call for Volunteers: Communications Team We are seeking volunteers to join our Communications ministry team. We welcome help in many areas: website design and maintenance, social media, weekly communications, livestream and Youtube, outreach to neighbors and newcomers, and more. If you have visions, skills, or enthusiasm in this area, we welcome you! Please reach out to Emily B.
Everything Else
Poetry Workshops with Tess Taylor Did you know… All Soulsian Tess Taylor was recently named Poet Laureate of El Cerrito! There are several upcoming chances to explore writing with Tess and celebrate her award-winning poetry collection, Leaning Toward Light. From Tess:
Writing Poems with Plants: April 13th! Let’s write poems together! I’m excited to teach a one-day class about writing in gardens, for gardens, with gardens! Come dream and write with me! in the Tilden Botanical Garden in Berkeley, hosted by Left Margin Lit! Spend a spring afternoon reading and crafting poems of curiosity and wonder. Register here. Everyone who registers gets a free copy of Leaning Toward Light.
Earth Day/Black Pine Circle: Want to write some poetry with your kids, and celebrate Earth Day? On April 28th join me at Black Pine Circle School in Berkeley for a family-friendly Earth Day poetry festival. Email tess_taylor@mac.com to sign up.
Weekly Sermon Haiku
Fun fact: Chat GPT can take the transcript of a sermon and generate a catchy haiku! Some are lovely, some are awful, some are worth a laugh. Below, see the poems from our Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday sermons.
From The Rev. Emily Boring’s Vigil Sermon:
From darkness to light,
Communal faith binds us close,
Christ’s living Body.
From the Rev. Phil Brochard’s Easter Sunday Sermon:
Jesus leads the way,
Through death to life eternal—
Trust replaces fear.
Watch All Souls sermons on our Youtube channel, or listen to them as podcasts here.
