The Pathfinder: December 5th, 2024
Blessed By Story
There are many ways to bless something. I’m told that in the Eastern Orthodox tradition there is an understanding that items can be blessed by their use. And I appreciate that, because it marries the act of using something with one’s intention and gratitude to God. At the same time, I find inspiration in Abraham’s creation of altars across the Great Family’s epic migration, and Jacob’s blessing of the space where he wrestled the angel, to say nothing of Solomon’s ornate consecration of the first temple.
There’s a long tradition in the Anglican Church of blessing things––marriages, churches, houses, fields, fleets, animals, graves. Wherever human life is lived, we have asked for God to hallow it, for God’s presence to be made known in it. I’ve been honored to bless many things in my life as a priest––stuffed animals in hospitals, the cars of 16-year-olds newly minted as drivers, newly imagined icons, even racehorses. Some have said that I’ll bless anything. And they might be right.
As the work of the capital projects of the Living Waters campaign has started to come to fruition, we have wondered how to bless them as we begin to inhabit our new spaces. A few months ago, you may remember a story in the Pathfinder with photos from the consecration of the new nave in 1956. Since our spaces are being finished over several months, a one-time consecration at the very end of the project felt somewhat anticlimactic. So recently we began our discernment for how to set these spaces aside once more.
In an inspired and iterative process that began with our Wardens, and then our Staff, we’ve come to way to bless our spaces over time. And it is being built off one of our core practices at All Souls: the storytelling of Godly Play.
One of the geniuses of the Godly Play curriculum is that while there is a canon of stories, Christian communities are encouraged to use the structure of language of Godly Play to tell new stories about how God has been known in their midst. And one of those ways of telling a story is to have it unfold over a period of tellings, like the story of days of Creation, or of the unfolding Mysteries of Christmas and Easter.
To bless the use of each newly re-created space, be it a Sunday School classroom, the Common Room, the Parish Hall, the Courtyard, or the elevator, we will be telling the story of the God’s generative Spirit moving through All Souls Parish over centuries, even to our own day. The story will grow over months, much like the life of the parish has over years.
Our hope is that by the end of these blessings we will know our story and God’s story more clearly and will be able to give thanks again for the gifts that we have received, broken open, and shared at the corner of Cedar and Spruce.
Peace,
Phil+
N.B. This Sunday, December 8th, after the 10:30a service, from around 12n to 2p, we will be doing the Great Move-In Part 1, moving couches and chairs and shelves and cribs and toys back to their homes in the Common Room, Library, Godly Play Classroom, Nursery, and Youth Room.
To do this WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please come and pack a box, push a dolly, arrange a shelf, or encourage others. Thank you!
Surprised By “Yes”
For our Taize services this Advent, we have asked parishioners to share reflections about a time when they said “Yes” unexpectedly to something in their lives. Below is the reflection by the Rev. Marguerite Judson, which she shared on Tuesday the 3rd.
Join us for Taize services at 7:30 pm on Tuesdays during Advent, Dec 10th and 27th, in the nave.
“Our question tonight is: When have you said ‘yes’ to something unexpected?
For me, what was unexpected, was that I would say ‘yes’ to the call for ordained ministry. Let me explain.
When I married my husband, Thee, in 1973, we agreed he would work two years while I finished college and then I would work two years while he did an academic masters in theology.
But after going to Virginia Theological Seminary for his interview, I looked at the course catalogue while we drove home and announced: I’m going too! VTS provided us with full scholarships and we both enrolled.
The first day of the semester, Dean Cecil Woods came to address our incoming class. He described how incredibly complex and difficult the job of a parish Rector is. And said: If there is ANYTHING ELSE you can do, do it!
I was flabbergasted. Here were all these bright eyed Seminarians and he was telling the class not to pursue ordination? But for 40 years, I used that advice as my touch stone: was there something else I could do? Yes, I could. Until I could not do “something else” anymore.
I was at VTS when women’s ordination passed in 1976. I watched the women in my class get crucified in their job searches. And said “no thanks!” to that niggling pull inside me.
As one priest described it to me: there are two calls. The one inside you about serving as a priest. And the one from your community that they want you as a leader.
After our daughter was born, we moved to Berkeley so Thee could start on his PhD at the Graduate Theological Union.
You may not know that Thee and I were members of All Souls for several years, in the very early 1980s. I told Fr. Bill Clancy about that “niggling pull” and he immediately put me on the rota as a Seminarian. I started the ordination process at All Souls. And after a year, the parish was ready to nominate me for ordination but something stopped me.
I was surprising myself - and everyone else - by coming out of the closet when I was ten years clean and sober in 1983.
I ceded All Souls to Thee and started attending St. Mark’s.
Life got more complicated. There was the custody fight draped in religious language, which I lost. And then, in 1987, our daughter died in a car accident in Atlanta. It was a lot to deal with.
My faith walk was strong, but the possibility of pursuing ordination as an out Lesbian was not possible.
I would occasionally feel that pull again - most often during the prayer of consecrating the Eucharist. But I said “no - that’s not possible.”
Keeping Dean Wood’s admonition in mind, I found the “anything else you can do” in a variety of good jobs:
public health initiatives in Berkeley & Albany;
State-wide community organizing for consumer rights;
20 years of fundraising for those on the margins;
All while taking on increasing leadership roles at St. Mark’s, for social justice, stewardship, chair of the Choir Board, and finally, Senior Warden.
I was delighted to work as a fundraiser at UC Berkeley. It took three years to get that job. But after seven years, I was inexplicably restless.
Here I was, with my ideal job, at the best public university on the planet, but it was not enough.
One evening that winter I attended an alumni event for Virginia Seminary in San Francisco. This was the first and last such event I’m aware of - this is CDSP territory! I was amazed that the priests who had recently graduated from VTS, who sat on either side of me at dinner, were out gay men serving as Rectors!
On the BART ride home that night, I felt the words of consecration reverberating inside of me and I finally said: YES. I surrender.
And from that point on it became a humorous series of the Holy One saying YES to me.
That Monday morning when I arrived at work, I read a campus wide email: As a money saving venture, UC Berkeley was offering staff initiated reduced time. With our supervisor’s agreement, we could arrange to work 50% time or more, for up to three years, and have our Full Time jobs available when the period was over.
Both my supervisors were active in their faith communities and supportive of my request to reduce work to 50% time so I could go to Seminary.
The Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) was literally across the street and around the corner from UC Berkeley. I could take all the “practical classes” at CDSP I had skipped at VTS.
Or there was the mad scramble to figure out how to do 40 hours per week in a summer Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program while still working at UC Berkeley two and a half days per week in 2016.
I had to combine an online CPE class plus my field education placement plus a special volunteer chaplaincy at SF General for a six day work week, but it happened.
And (I love this!) It all came together on June 1st that year; the program started June 6th!
So there are times we say YES to the Holy One. And times God says YES to us.
I am particularly honored to reflect on encountering a surprising YES in our life this week because yesterday is the seventh anniversary of my ordination to the Priesthood.
I am also grateful that I recently saw a YouTube clip of the former Dean of Canterbury Cathedral and host of the Garden Congregation which knit thousands of people together for Morning Prayer online during the pandemic.
Dean Willis recounted the story of a pilgrim to Canterbury asking if we can say “no” to God and to a sense of calling to particular service. Initially, Dean Willis focused on free will, and affirmed that we can indeed say “No” to the Holy One. But the next morning he urgently tracked down the questioner and said that: if the call is from God, it will come to us again.
I’m here to say: yeah. The Holy One loves us enough to respect us when we say NO. And loves us enough to invite us again to say YES and then take us into surprising territories.
Thanks be to God.”
–The Rev. Marguerite Judson
Advent Ingathering Week 2: Berkeley Food Pantry
Every Sunday in Advent we collect items for some of our neighbors in need. Our Justice & Peace team has coordinated lists for each week of Advent and what is needed. Please bring these items on Sunday mornings and place them in front of the altar.
This Week (Dec. 8th): Berkeley Food Pantry
The Berkeley Food Pantry is a non-profit organization providing emergency groceries to over 2,000 Berkeley and Albany residents in crisis monthly. All Souls collects donations at church weekly. We also pick up donations twice a month upon request. The Christmas ingathering is especially welcomed to satisfy increased need around the holiday.
Canned goods, mostly vegetables, no beans,
Rice
Oatmeal
Fresh fruit if it has a peel that removed like tangerines or bananas
No perishables
Coming Up:
Week 3: December 15h
Berkeley Unhoused Encampments
We will be gathering the following items to be distributed to the encampments at 8th/Harrison and 2nd/Jones. This list comes from the residents themselves.
Small fire extinguishers
Small propane canisters
Head lamps
New Gloves
New Hats
New Socks
In addition, you are welcome to make a monetary donation which will be granted to the Homeless Action Center in Berkeley on Shattuck. This organization provides advocacy for the unhoused and disabled residents of Alameda County.
Week 4: December 22nd
Tiny House Project Many of you remember the tiny houses we helped build and furnish for Youth Spirit Artworks. They’re now filled with transitional age youth who are rebuilding their lives! We will continue the Advent tradition of supporting these young adults with holiday gifts to be determined. We are requesting cash donations we will use to purchase gift cards so the resident can purchase needed items. More information forthcoming about how to donate.
With questions, please email Beth Christensen.
–Beth Christensen for the Justice and Peace Team
Come Carol With Us!
Join us this weekend for the annual All Souls Caroling Party!
Sunday, December 8th at 5pm
We’ll start at the Legrand’s house for dinner and singing around the piano. Then, we’ll carol from house-to-house, visiting All Soulsians and neighbors. And we’ll end up at the Wilson’s house for dessert!
This is a beloved tradition and especially fun for children and families!
Please RSVP using this form. You can contact Molly Nicol with questions (molly.joan.nicol@gmail.com).
If you’re coming, please bring something to contribute:
Suggestions:
Last names A-I: Drinks
Last names J-R: Desserts
Last names S-Z: Side dish
(Or, feel free to get creative and go outside of these suggestions!)
We hope to see you there!
–The Legrands, Nicols, and Wilsons
Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Having celebrated Thanksgiving this week, let us give many thanks for the fine work being done on our building. The consideration by the contractor for timing and materials, the willingness of the contractor to make desired changes in plans and the congregation for understanding that big projects take time, usually more than anticipated, to get the job done correctly. Great progress has been made in the last few weeks!
Bathrooms are open in the Undercroft!!! If you go down the stairs by the Cedar street entrance, you will find three brand new bathrooms for your use. This is really exciting! The ADA bathroom is also downstairs and can be accessed by the chapel door. One can also go to Jordan Court.
Both the Spruce Street narthex doors and the Cedar Street narthex doors are open! A new door in the nave, by the altar, takes you down new stairs and out the door to Jordan Court.
A note: the church is still chilly, so dress warm, and blankets are welcome.
We’re getting there!
New bathrooms!
Archive room; stairwell to undercroft is painted.
Sunday School room
Common room
Undercroft hallway, painted.
Kitchen
–Ann Myers for the Property Committee
Announcements & Events
Happening This Sunday
7:00am, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study either in person in the Jordan Court Conference Room or Click here to join by Zoom.
8:00am, Holy Eucharist in Chapel. Please access the Chapel through the copper doors on Cedar St.
9:15am, Adult Formation: “Introduction to the Gospel of Luke,” with the Rev. Michael Lemaire
10:30am, Sung Eucharist; enter through the Cedar St. doors. Join us via livestream here.
Move-In Work Day! 12:30-3pm
Wednesday: 9am Eucharist Service, in the Jordan Court Community Room. Join us on Zoom here.
Adult Formation
This week: “Introduction to the Gospel of Luke,” with the Rev. Michael Lemaire
Starting in Advent, we will begin a new liturgical year that will follow the Gospel of Luke in our Sunday liturgies. This gospel contains some of the most memorable and beloved gospel stories from the nativity, to the parable of the Good Samaritan, to the parable of the prodigal son. As we have done with other introductions, we will explore what is known about the history and authorship of this gospel, explore its Christology as well as the particular theological concerns of Luke. (Dec. 8, 15, 22, 9:15am)
Children & Family
Sunday School: Sunday School (for kids pre-K through 5th grade) happens every week during the 10:30 service. 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 return to church at the “Peace.”
Advent and Christmas:
Advent is here-- and with it, many fun things for kids! Whether you've joined us for Christmas every year, or this is your first year in town/ at All Souls, we want to personally invite you and your family to take part. It’s not too late to join us for our Nativity Story and choir!
Nativity Story
Takes place at the 4pm service on Christmas Eve.
Rehearsals: Dec 8, 15, and 22, 9:15-10:15.
Kids get to choose their roles and costumes!
Children's Choir
Performs at the 4pm service on Christmas Eve as part of the Nativity Story
Rehearses during Sunday School (10:30) on Dec 1, 8, 15, 22
Led by Tess Taylor; all abilities welcome!
Children in Liturgy
During Advent, we invite families to take part in our 10:30 a.m. service in two roles: Lighting the Advent wreath, or reading three questions as part of our Eucharistic Prayer
To sign up, please email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org.
Download our Children & Family Advent Calendar.
Youth Program
Youth Group (for grades 6-12) happens each Sunday from 7-8:30pm.
Dec 8th: No Youth Group - Join us for the caroling party at 5pm!
Dec. 15th: 3rd Annual Gingerbread Competition (festive sweaters/attire welcome!)
View and download our full fall calendar (Sept. - Dec.) here.
To join the weekly youth mailing list, email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org.
Justice & Peace
Film Screening: Past Lives, TOMORROW, Dec. 6th at 7pm
Note: There’s been a location change in this film. We will meet in the Jordan Court Community Room (rather than the nave).
The Racial Justice Committee (RJC) invites you to explore themes of identity, migration, and belonging in our next movie discussion series. Join us Friday, December 6 at 7:00 pm (snacks at 6:30) for a screening of the acclaimed film Past Lives, directed by Celine Song and starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro. (Bring some snacks to share.)
Serve With Us
Flower Donations After an Advent with just greens, Christmas flowers are especially welcome and offer an opportunity for you to remember or recognize a person, an event, or simply blessings received. If you want to contribute to Christmas flowers, you can donate online, put a check in the offering plate or mail to the church office with 'Christmas Flowers' in the memo line. If you want wording other than ‘For blessings received’ in the Christmas bulletins, please email Maggie Cooke, Giving Secretary at giving@allsoulsparish.org before December 20.
Everything Else
2nd Thursday Lunch is on hiatus until further notice. Rest assured that we will return in the new year! Contact Gloria Bayne with questions.
Extra wreath materials Did you miss our Advent Festival on Sunday? Down in the common room, we have a table with extra wreath forms, greenery, decorations, etc. You can also pick up an Advent breviary and set of candles, and make an ornament! Head down there this Sunday, or email Emily B.
A message from the Diocese:
The Board of Trustees of Grace Cathedral seeks input from the DioCal community
Dear People of the Diocese of California,
The Trustees of Grace Cathedral need your help. We are exploring what it means to be a cathedral in the 21st century. To address this question, The Board of Trustees of Grace Cathedral created a committee to consider what role the cathedral plays today in the Bay Area and diocesan community and, in conjunction with the Strategic Vision Process of the Diocese of California, what we should, and could be in the future.
We need to start with learning where we are now. We want to know what the people of the diocese and its institutions know and think about Grace Cathedral. You can help us by filling out this short (10 question) survey, which will only take about 5 minutes.
We appreciate your participation and look forward to getting your response! If you have questions or would like further information about the survey, please contact one of the members of the committee: Anne Casscells, Valerie Crane Dorfman, The Very Rev. Dr. Deborah White, The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, or Warren Wong.
