The Pathfinder: June 27th, 2024
A Journey of Hope and Belonging
As many of you know, I recently returned from a ten-day trip to Ireland. Part of the trip was a familiar home-coming. In high school, I spent a semester living on the west coast of Ireland in Galway, one of the strongest remaining centers of Gaelic language and culture. (Ask me sometime about attending a co-ed Catholic high school– I have many stories!).
Fourteen years later, it was wonderful to return. The city and surrounding landscapes were just as I remembered: the wild coastline of Connemara, sheep meandering across narrow roads, the shining waters of Galway Bay.
The second half of the trip took me to new territory. I traveled north, to the tiny town of Ballycastle, to attend a summit called “Sustaining Hope, Creating Belonging.”
The summit took place at a retreat center called the Corrymeela community, Northern Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organization. Corrymeela was founded in the aftermath of World War II, on a simple premise: All humans have the capacity to be inhuman, turning to hate and violence. And all humans also have the capacity to listen, care, love, and heal. Over the decades– particularly during The Troubles– Corrymeela has brought together people from all sides of religious, political, and ideological conflicts. Their goal is to “welcome people into courageous conversation,” facilitating dialogue that moves us toward reconciliation and understanding. (You may have heard of Corrymeela through the work of Padraig O Tuama, a well-known poet who writes for On Being and hosts a podcast called Poetry Unbound; he served as the director of Corrymeela for many years).
The summit was a collaboration between people from many perspectives and disciplines. In addition to facilitators from the Corrymeela staff, we were joined by members of the American Immigration Council’s Center for Inclusion and Belonging, founders of the Center for Engaged Compassion, and a group of students from Willamette University’s “The Conversation Project” (co-founded by my mom, Wendy Petersen-Boring!). I felt privileged to tag along as one of several spiritual leaders, helping lead rituals and reflection sessions and bring the perspective of Christian theology and practice.
I can’t begin to describe all of the moments of grace, insight, and discovery that happened during our time together. But I do want to share three core take-aways– three overarching themes that emerged as we asked together, “Where do we find hope and belonging in a fractured world?”
First – Belonging begins from within.
Many of the sessions at the conference focused on cultivating personal practices of self-compassion. When we don’t love and accept ourselves, we find it hard to love and accept other people. We practiced getting curious about all parts of ourselves (even the parts that tend toward anger or resistance) and welcoming these parts into a whole. We engaged in somatic practices to help calm our bodies, recognizing that our physical states can influence whether we show up in a stance of conflict or peace.
Second – Hope emerges through individual human stories.
We were fortunate to be joined by John Noltner, an award-winning photojournalist who travels around the world collecting stories about peace and hope. (See his extraordinary project, A Peace of My Mind). He interviewed every member of the summit, asking us the question, “What are your sources of hope?” What emerged was a mosaic of faces and answers. People shared that they draw hope from family, ancestors, religion, nature, the next generation, the capacity of love to endure against the odds… I was struck by the way our individual answers resonated and built off one another. Each small grain of hope contributed to a palpable collective force.
Third – Reconciliation requires humility.
Early on, one of the Corrymeela leaders shared something that really struck me: “‘I’ve often found it easier to bring about reconciliation between opposing paramilitary leaders than between opposing religious leaders.” He spoke of the dangers of self-righteousness and moral superiority– the way that religious groups can so easily believe we know the “right” way to act or the “right” values to hold. We discussed the difficult balance between taking a strong moral stance– necessary for justice and change-making– while also remaining open to receiving the views of others and admitting the times you may have done wrong. I emerged with a greater commitment to listen to understand rather than to convince when I encounter people with different values and life experiences.
Though it was difficult to leave the Corrymeela community, I’m grateful to be back at All Souls– another place where we’re exploring what it means to be a people of hope and acknowledge the common humanity of all.
–Emily+
Notes from the Vestry: June 2024
Our new Chaplain, Jenny Kern, began the June 12th Vestry meeting by asking us to reflect on transitions and thresholds in our lives. It was a timely question as All Souls crosses the threshold of beginning the Living Waters construction project. All of us acknowledged that the process may bring challenges, but we feel a lot of pride that our community has gotten to this point.
To support quick resolution of those inevitable challenges, the Vestry voted to empower the Property Committee to make line-item changes to the Living Waters budget of under $20,000, and to make changes under $40,000 after consultation with the Executive Committee (comprised of Phil, Senior and Junior Warden, and Treasurer). Any larger changes would need full Vestry approval. This new procedure will allow the Property Committee to move nimbly when time-sensitive decisions need to be made. And as many of us know, when it comes to construction projects, time is money.
The Vestry then heard from Richard Lynch and Melissa Deveraux about their efforts (tentatively called "Stewardship Plus") to expand the All Souls stewardship process. All Souls has historically limited Stewardship to a specific season, and not tied Stewardship initiatives to specific goals. The Stewardship Plus initiative seeks to expand this work to enhance our traditional stewardship efforts with more visioning of how All Souls could grow with additional resources. It would also add new dimensions to our fundraising efforts, such as planned giving campaigns.
Vestry members are regularly checking in with All Souls ministry leads to understand how ministries are evolving. Of note, the Sound Team, which supports audio and video recordings of the service and facilitates production of our live-streams and sermon recordings, is seeking volunteers. Their work is so vital to broaden All Souls' reach beyond the Parish walls. Please contact Emily Hansen Curran if you can help!
Warmly,
–Ryan Greene-Roesel
Meet the Acolytes!
Our acolyte program is back in full swing! You’ve likely noticed many of our youth serving as crucifers and torchbearers.
Acolytes play an indispensable role in our worship life, providing assistance to the altar party and participating in all parts of the service.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be running profiles of our current acolyte team so you can get to know them.
If you'd like to join us and be trained as an acolyte, please reach out to me, Emily B!
Acolyte Profile: Keller Lynch (she/her)
“I am going to be a freshman at Saint Mary’s College of California. In my free time I like to play video games, talk to friends, and teach sailing. My favorite part of being an acolyte is being helpful to the clergy and being able to provide a good church experience for those in the congregation. I also love talking to people at church and meeting new people.”
Keller is one of our most experienced acolytes, and we are very grateful for the insight and leadership she brings to the program. Thanks, Keller!
–Emily+
News from General Convention
Dear All Soulsians,
Greetings from Louisville, where the Episcopal Church is holding its General Convention! Some of you know that I agreed to stand for election as Vice President of the Episcopal Church’sHouse of Deputies (the lay and clergy wing of the convention). This morning, the House of Deputies elected the Rev. Steve Pankey from Kentucky as the Vice President. I am grateful for your prayers and support.
As I write this, we have a day and a half to go, with lots of legislative business still to accomplish. I’ll write a fuller article for the Pathfinder after we have concluded. There are many other ways in which I can and will serve the church. I look forward to seeing where the Spirit nudges me next!
Peace,
–The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers, Assisting Priest
Living Waters
We are still awaiting news from the City of Berkeley to finalize our construction permit, so we were unable to begin construction this week.
Our architect has been told that we can expect the next response from the City around July 9th.
Stay tuned for more updates and a timeline!
–Richard Lynch and the Property Committee
Announcements & Events
Presiding Bishop Election
At General Convention yesterday, the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe was elected and confirmed as the 28th presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church. You can read more about the election and the presiding bishop-elect here. Along with the wider Episcopal Church, we are grateful to all of the candidates and will hold the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe and all leaders in our prayers during this transition time.
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 Eucharist Service. Join us by Zoom at this link.
Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, Sunday @ 7:00a. Click here to join by Zoom, or join them in-person in the Jordan Court Conference Room.
Adult Formation
Reading Genesis Book Group: Final Meeting!
Join Jack Shoemaker and other All Soulsians for the final session of our first summer book group, 9:15am in the Jordan Court Community Room.
Let’s begin at the beginning. Join us as we read Reading Genesis, the latest book from Marilynne Robinson. A recent review of this book calls her “one of the most influential Christian writers and public intellectuals alive today.” Come see if you agree. Her book includes the complete text of Genesis in the King James version, but feel free to read any translation you wish. We will imagine dividing our reading of the 50 chapters of Genesis into four parts, but our discussions of Robinson’s book may well discover a looser structure.
Upcoming Book Groups:
July 7, 14, 21
Charles Duhigg, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, led by Raymond Yee.
Have you ever wondered what makes some people "supercommunicators"? Who among your friends and family are the people you turn to when you need to be understood, to be heard? This month, we’ll embark on a journey to become better communicators ourselves and deepen our connections with each other.
Join us for this second session of All Souls summer book groups! All are welcome.
July 28, August 4, 11
Steven Charleston, We Survived the End of the World: Lessons from Native America on Apocalypse and Hope, led by the Rev. Marguerite Judson.
Look out for more info in the coming weeks!
Any questions? Contact Anne Yardley at ayardley@drew.edu
Children & Family
Faithful Families Join us for the second Faithful Families dinner of the summer next Tuesday, July 2nd, from 6:00-7:30! We’ll gather in the courtyard for a kid-friendly meal, hear a story, and finish with prayer in the Chapel. Please RSVP to emilyb@allsoulsparish.org with the number of people in your group and any dietary needs.
Big Sur Camping Trip Sign-ups Are Live! Any and all are invited to the annual church camping trip at the Santa Lucia Campground in Big Sur. The dates this year are July 19-21st and the cost is $45 per person (kids under 5 are free) and there is a $180 max for families. If cost is prohibitive, please just let us know and we’ll have you covered. Sign-up here!
Children’s Book Group While Sunday School is on a break for the summer, we are excited to offer a new form of fellowship for kids: children’s book groups! Fourth to sixth graders will read The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers. First to third graders will read The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas. If you are interested in participating, please email Molly Nicol (molly.joan.nicol@gmail.com).
Youth Program is on hiatus for the summer. We’ll return Sunday, August 25th.
Justice & Peace
Collecting Backpacks for Young Immigrants We are assembling backpacks to support newly arrived immigrants that the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is hosting this summer at the University of San Francisco. There are 10 people from Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico, including 3 women and 7 men. Folks range in age from 18-33 and most are single. With the help of 14 area congregations, they are applying for asylum or temporary protected status, finding longer term housing and work. Useful items for backpacks include dental care, socks, and other personal items. Please bring to All Souls THIS Sunday, June 30! Also, we could use any leads on work! Many folks are looking for informal jobs such as yard work, computer, cleaning, moving, painting, construction, landscape. For more information see or email Elena Ramirez: ivanelena2@yahoo.com
Boost the Vote! “…it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.” - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
The All Souls Justice and Peace team invites you to help increase voter turnout by writing letters, following these easy steps:
Pick up from church 20 individual names, addresses, paper, & envelopes
(The names come from Vote Forward’s analysis, identifying citizens in low voter turnout areas)
Write non-partisan notes to encourage voting
Add postage
Return to Janet or a church basket to be mailed on Vote Forwards’s assigned dates
Ask for 20 more…?
Contact Janet Chisholm, jgchisholm@aol.com to request materials or to ask questions.
Undergraduate Street Medicine Outreach Undergraduate Street Medicine Outreach (USMO) is a Cal student group that organizes outreach events every Saturday to bring food and resources to homeless encampments in Berkeley. Because these encampments are in resource deserts, they often lack access to quality food, medical services, and other resources which we try to facilitate through our many partnerships. All Souls has been supporting this effort through donation of menstrual hygiene products.
Now, USMO has invited us to take part in more direct outreach efforts, especially as USMO student volunteers are away for the summer. The USMO group meets on Saturdays at 12:10 pm at the West Circle on UC Berkeley's campus (location linked here). From there, they organize pick-up and delivery of food and supplies. If you would like to join in this effort, please contact Beth Christensen for details (beth.christensen@gmail.com). She will connect you to the USMO leadership team.
Finally, while menstrual hygiene products continue to be welcome, there is additional need for the following items:
Power banks
Phone chargers
Batteries
General hygiene and first aid products
Size 8 women’s shoes
You can drop off these items in the red donation bin in the narthex. Thank you!
Needs of the Community
Meal Train If you are in need of meals, or if you’d like to join this network to deliver food to others, please email Sarah Oneto at sarahoneto@gmail.com.
Everything Else
Save the Date: Parish Retreat Join us at Bishop’s Ranch for our annual Parish Retreat, September 13th-15th. More info and sign-ups to come!
Notecards in the Narthex There are a few boxes filled with notecards located near the name tags. We would like to invite folks to take a look at these beautiful cards and take them home with you. Why not sprinkle some joy around with some handwritten notes to loved ones.
Flowers on Sundays at Church If you are interested in dedicating the flowers in the Church on Sunday mornings to a loved one or a particular remembrance, please fill out this form and indicate which day you would like to contribute the flowers and what you would like the dedication to say. The dedication will appear in our announcement sheet on the Sunday you have selected. The suggested contribution for flowers is $75, which can be paid to All Souls either electronically or by check (see the giving page on our website for more information there), and be sure to write in "flowers" in the memo line.
Please contact Maggie Cooke for any questions, dmcooke92@comcast.net.
