The Pathfinder: August 22, 2024
New Beginnings at All Souls
One of my favorite things about All Souls is the way we do community. This Sunday is the one-year anniversary of my time with you. In the last year, I’ve witnessed innumerable forms of “togetherness” and common life. We eat together. We serve together. We pray, sing, and worship together. We learn and we read, we ask questions, we discuss. We show up for one another in life’s highest and lowest moments: memorials, baptisms, confirmations, birthdays and anniversaries and illness and health.
This week — Homecoming Sunday — is an occasion to pause, recenter, and to orient ourselves for the ways we’ll gather in the year to come. Homecoming marks the start of our program year. In the coming weeks, you’ll hear about many aspects of life at All Souls, from Adult Formation to Justice and Peace to our plans for Parish Retreat and more. This week, I want to draw your attention to two aspects of our life at All Souls: Children and Family Ministry, and Youth Ministry.
Below, you’ll find information about each of these programs: who they serve, how we gather, and what values guide our formation of young people at All Souls.
To children, youth, and families: I hope you will find concrete ways to participate and immerse yourself in our parish life.
To all: I hope you’ll find an articulation of values, questions, and visions to guide people of all ages as we explore together what it means to have a living faith.
–Emily+
“Let the Children Come”
Children & Family Ministry at All Souls
The goal of our Children & Family Ministry program is to support the spiritual formation of kids of all ages and the people who care for them. Our activities— from Sunday School to Faithful Families to the inclusion of kids in our weekly liturgy— are built on the three foundational values below.
First – we believe that all children, all people, have innate wisdom and connection to the holy. Our children (pre-K through 5th grade) begin Sunday School with Godly Play, a Montessori-based curriculum that centers play, ritual, and story. At the heart of Godly Play is a commitment to “honor the centrality, competency, and capacity of children”-- in other words, to uplift and develop the spiritual gifts that children already possess. Spiritual formation is not a process of changing children, or acquiring external religious truths. Spiritual formation begins by looking inward, trusting that with cultivation and community, we each already have what we need to draw close to God.
Second – in our church, we welcome all questions. Church isn’t a place where children are taught a rigid doctrine or made to memorize a particular set of beliefs. Children will never be told that they’re “wrong.”We believe that spiritual formation is a process of investigation and curiosity. We live out this belief in the open-ended “wondering” time that follows each Godly Play story, and in the way that all of us — adults included— engage in constant learning and wrestling with doubts. We believe that questions are a valuable form of teaching. Questions don’t threaten faith; questions make faith come alive.
Third– we believe that faith is embodied and participatory. In our children’s curriculum, as in our overall liturgy, we strive to include many senses and ways of knowing: sight, touch, smell, taste, sound. Through children’s choir, Nativity Stories, crafts, Godly Play feasts, and more, children are invited to take part in all dimensions of spiritual life. Liturgy is something that’s living, visceral, enacted by voices and bodies moving together through ritual space. We hope to teach children that faith is not something “out there,” but something that lives in each one of us.
What do these values look like in action? Here are some of the pillars of our Children & Family Ministry Program:
Sunday School: Sunday School happens each week during the 10:30 service. We offer two simultaneous classes: one for pre-K through 1st grade, and one for 2nd-5th. Usually, our classes follow the format of a Godly Play story, “wondering” time, and “work” time. Sometimes, we engage in art projects, music, and other embodied exploration. You can read more about Godly Play from a parent’s perspective in Molly Nicol’s reflection below.
During our church renovation project, Sunday School will be held in the downstairs preschool space (formerly Hearts Leap preschool), accessed through an outdoor walkway. Meet outside the main copper doors on Cedar Street at the start of the 10:30 service; Sunday School teachers will walk you down to the space. (If you’re late, an usher can give you directions). Our lessons are approximately 45 minutes; children will return to church at the “Peace.”
Faithful Families: Faithful Families is a time for children, parents, and caregivers to meet one another and engage in fellowship. We gather for a shared dinner, then have a time of prayer, song, and ritual, usually around a particular theme. Sometimes, we’re joined by “empty nesters”— parents whose own children have left home— for intergenerational connection.
Nativity Story & Children’s Choir: During the Advent Season, we prepare and rehearse a Nativity Story to be performed on Christmas Eve. Kids of all ages are also invited to sing in our seasonal Children’s Choir, which performs at the Advent Festival and as part of the Nativity Story.
Children’s Role in Liturgy: We invite our kids to be active participants in our worship life each Sunday. You’ll see kids helping to hand out Newcomer packets during the Announcements; carrying the elements (the bread and the wine) forward during the Offertory; and carrying baskets of food bank offerings. We want kids to know that they are integral participants in worship, not merely observers. We value their presence, and they bring something to our community that no one else can provide.
We hope that you’ll join us for these activities and more as the year unfolds. Please email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org to receive our Children & Family newsletter. A special thanks to Jeannie Koops, Kim Wong, and Molly Nicol, our extraordinary Children & Family Ministry leaders— and to all of the parents and volunteers who teach and lead.
Thanks,
–Emily+
Nurturing the Inner World of Children
I attended last year’s Godly Play training largely out of obligation. I was vaguely curious about the program because I had only ever taught the older kids in Sunday School, and my assumption was that Godly Play was just for the preschool crowd. But I pretty much thought of it as compliance, like the online Safe Church training but with a snack at the end. I certainly didn’t expect to have a parenting paradigm shift, but that’s what happened.
Jill Gidlund, who led the training, described Godly Play as a way to respect the inner world of every child and to provide them a space they may not otherwise have in their busy weeks to simply exist in that inner world for a bit. Whoa. Both as a mother and an educator, I easily get into autopilot mode managing the things that matter in the outside world: tying shoelaces, writing five paragraph essays, bills getting paid, grocery lists, field trips, and on and on. But if you asked me why I come to church on Sunday morning, it really boils down to what Jill named, the chance to simply exist in my own inner world for a bit. To explore the limitations of living as a human with other people who are interested in doing the same thing (but with snacks at the end!) Of COURSE children have an inner world and OF COURSE they deserve and want the same opportunity to explore it as grown-ups do. It’s just that until Jill pointed out that this was the explicit purpose of Godly Play, I didn’t quite realize what was on offer.
This summer I read Godly Play in Middle and Late Childhood by Cheryl V. Minor to learn more about how to enrich the sacred experience for kids, especially those in upper elementary school. She expanded on what Jill shared by explaining how Godly Play is an environment distinct from the school setting, where there is definitely a right and a wrong answer (both in terms of academic content and what is socially acceptable in kids’ peer groups.) Children and their parents can quickly get caught up in the whirlwind of activities that are intended to help them to be successful as what Minor calls “savvy school-goers.” If you are currently overwhelmed by the abrupt transition from summer to the school year in terms of your calendar, you know just what she means. Many kids have nearly every hour of their day programmed for them. This makes the open-ended “wondering” time of Godly Play and the “response” portion - in which they have complete choice over how to interact with expressive art materials as they process the story they just heard - so different for them it can sometimes even be uncomfortable. Minor writes, “All of this makes the kind of slow pace and silence that is part of a typical Godly Play session almost radical.”
I am so grateful that I attended Jill’s Godly Play training, and I am so excited by the effort our congregation is making in extending the opportunity to children of all ages to explore their inner world with Godly Play. While there are certainly challenges that arise in the reality of all this, it feels wonderful to provide all children a sacred space and time as well as a community that hopefully embodies to them the message that they are loved no matter what. And there’s even a snack at the end, which Jerome Berryman, the founder of Godly Play, named “the feast.”
If you are interested to talk more about Godly Play, or if you are curious how you can support it, please reach out. We are always in need of both storytellers and “door people” (adult volunteers to shepherd kids). Jill will be back to offer another Godly Play training at All Souls on September 7th and our Children’s Formation program officially starts this Sunday, August 25th (we will meet outside the Cedar St. Doors at 10:30am and walk to the new Godly Play space together, returning at the “Peace.”)
–Molly Nicol
“You A
re Beloved”:
Youth at All Souls
What do we want young adults to carry away from their time at All Souls? When they leave our walls and head off to college, work, and the wider world, what do we hope they will have learned, experienced, and done?
These are the questions that guide our Youth Program– grades 6-12– at All Souls.
In their time at All Souls, we hope that our youth will engage with three core areas of learning:
Who is God?
How Do I Experience God?
What Does God Call Me to Do?
You can visualize these circles in the diagram below.
In the first circle, “Who is God?”, we explore what it means to think theologically. What does it mean to say that Jesus is Christ? If God is all-powerful and all-knowing, why is there suffering? What kind of truth does the Bible offer? What is the relationship between reason and faith?
In the second circle, we hope to help youth develop their own toolkit for spiritual practice. We offer many forms of worship– prayer, song, meditation, movement, nature– so that youth can begin to discern what works for them. We explore the key elements of Episcopal liturgy, and encourage youth to learn hands-on by serving as acolytes. We hope that youth will come away with practices they can call on during times of need.
Finally, in the third circle, we explore what it means to act ethically and help build beloved community. What is the obligation of Christians in response to racism? Climate change? War? We’ll also provide exercises in leadership and self-development, helping youth discern and claim their unique role and gifts within group settings. Activities like the annual Immersion Trip, service projects, and community engagement will help us practice what it means to be a Christian in the world.
At the center of our vision– the most important part– is the message that we hope every youth will receive and take with them: “You are a beloved child of God.” You are accepted and loved for exactly who you are.
Here are some of the main elements of our Youth Program:
Youth Group: Youth Group meets weekly on Sunday evenings at 7pm and is open to youth in middle and high school. We gather for a combination of play, art, reflection, and learning (and plenty of snacks!). Our goal is to offer a harbor, a place to connect deeply with self, others, and God amid the activities of the week. This year, we are exploring ways to split into middle and high school groups more often, so that youth can connect with others at a similar age and life-stage. Stay tuned for more details (and email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org to sign up for updates).
The first day of Youth Group is September 8th; meet in the narthex of the church (enter through the main copper doors on Cedar St).
Acolytes: Acolytes serve during our 10:30 service as vital members of the altar party. They carry crosses or torches, lead our processions, and assist the clergy with many kinds of tasks.
Annual Immersion Trip: Each summer, we offer a chance for youth to travel somewhere outside of the All Souls community to engage in a combination of service, learning, and inward reflection. Recent destinations have included Mexico and Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more information on this year’s Immersion Trip.
Parish Retreat: Youth are especially encouraged to join us at Bishop’s Ranch for our annual parish retreat Fri-Sun, Sept 13-15th. We'll have youth programming that runs alongside the adult program, and the option of staying in youth cabins. Scholarships are available; please register using this link.
Finally, we are currently seeking new volunteers for our Youth Program leadership team, to support weekly Youth Group and special events. If you are interested in serving this way, please reach out to me.
– Emily+
Living Waters Weekly Update
We are making progress in our Construction Zone!
Like previous weeks, the lower Cedar Street door is the entry point for the 8AM chapel service while the upper Cedar Street door is the entry point for the 10:30 service. Egress is through the door next to the lift and right out to Jordan Court. The stairs from the narthex to the undercroft are off limits as well.
ADA porta potties are located in the off street parking spot on Spruce. They will be unlocked prior to the 8AM service. The bathroom in the Jordan Court Community room are also available.
Keep the faith!
See the photos below for a peek at week’s progress.
–Ann Myers and the Property Committee
Announcements & Events
Happening This Week
Worship This Sunday
8:00am, Holy Eucharist in Chapel. Please access the Chapel through the copper doors on Cedar St.
10:30am, sung Eucharist (click here to access the live stream). Enter through the Cedar St. doors.
Blessing of the Backpacks, at the end of the 10:30 service. People of all ages are invited to bring your school bags for a special blessing.
Wednesday 9am Eucharist Service, in the Jordan Court Community Room (note the new temporary location, due to construction noise). Join us on Zoom here.
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.
Homecoming Festivities! Join us after the 10:30 service (around 11:45) in the Jordan Court courtyard for a bouncy house, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, music, and information about our areas of ministry. All are welcome! If you want to help set up, please email Emily HC.
Adult Formation
There is no Adult Formation class this week. Look out for the full class calendar for 2024-5, coming on Sunday! Thanks to those who led us in book groups this summer and those who participated.
Children & Family
First Day of Sunday School! Sunday School for kids pre-K through 5th grade begins this Sunday, August 25th and continues each week during the 10:30 service. During ongoing construction, classes will be held in the downstairs preschool rooms (formerly Hearts Leap Preschool).
Parents and kids: Meet outside of main Cedar St. doors at the start of the service; teachers will lead you around the corner to our temporary classroom space. (If you’re late, ask an usher for directions). Children will return to church at the “Peace.”
Godly Play Training, Saturday Sept. 7th, 9am-1pm. All are welcome to learn about our Sunday School curriculum! We are actively growing our teacher team and especially encourage parents to attend.
To join our Children and Family mailing list, email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org
Youth Program
Youth Group returns on September 8th from 7-8:30 for middle and high schoolers. Meet in the narthex.
Homecoming Volunteers We’re still seeking youth to help out with Homecoming Sunday, running the popcorn machine, snow cones, etc. Meet at 11:45 in the Jordan Court courtyard to help.
Parish Retreat Youth are encouraged to sign up for Parish Retreat! We’ll have special youth programming and designated cabins. Register with this link and select "Youth" as your occupancy. Scholarships are available; ask one of the Emilys.
Join the youth mailing list, email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org.
Justice & Peace
Boost the Vote! “…it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.” - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
This important effort is still ongoing! Please consider taking part:
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. In addition to ongoing menstrual product donations, there is need for the following items: power banks, phone chargers, batteries, general hygiene and first aid products, and size 8 women’s shoes. Please bring these items to the red bin in the Narthex. Email Beth Christensen (beth.christensen) for other volunteer opportunities with USMO.
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
Young Adults Baseball Game: If you are in your 20s or 30s, come join us for a special outing! On Tuesday, August 27th we will be going out to the Oakland Ballers game at 6:30pm (tickets are $2). For more information, reach out to Tommy and Lizzie Belgum at tommylbelgum@gmail.com.
Save the Date: Parish Retreat Join us at Bishop’s Ranch for our annual Parish Retreat, September 13th-15th. Sign up here, in our new Realm system. If you have trouble signing up via Realm, you can use this link instead.
Sermon Haiku Here is this week’s sermon Haiku— generated by ChatGPT!— about the Rev. Marguerite Judson’s sermon on August 18th.
Kings build, kings destroy,
But Jesus builds hearts with love,
Life without an end.
We’ve been experimenting with other forms of poetry (sonnets, limericks, and more). Stay tuned in coming weeks!
You can listen to this sermon and all past All Souls sermons on our podcast channel.
