The Pathfinder: February 6th, 2025
A Time to Lean In
These are hard days to be a news junkie. The chaos and uncertainty that we find ourselves deluged by daily is overwhelming and it can be hard to know where to find stable ground.
Are federal funds being pulled or not? Can the Executive Branch really end birthright citizenship? Why would we put tariffs on our two closest neighbors and trading partners? Why is the United States renaming international bodies of water? The disruptions, whether based in reality or delusion, have been relentless.
In the course of conversations with All Soulsians in the past several weeks I know that I’m not alone in finding the temptation to turn away from the swirling needs around us to be very strong. The challenges of our nation and world seem to far outstrip our ability to meet them, and it is very easy to wonder what one person or even one congregation can do. And because of this dissonance, turning away and giving up feel like the only viable options.
Against this backdrop our Vestry met on retreat this past weekend. As we were looking at our Vestry goals from the past year––to support the capital projects of the Living Waters campaign and the discernment and partnerships of racial repair in the Isaiah Project, to strengthen our welcoming ministries and kinship ministries and prepare for Emily HC‘s transition, we realized that good work had been done. Very good work had been done. And that more good work remains. Rather than take on a whole new set of goals, we decided to deepen our work with the goals we had begun.
Over the course of the weekend, it felt like we as a leadership body were leaning in, leaning into relationship with one another, leaning in as a parish for those who have yet to join us and who are seeking connection and sustenance and meaning, leaning in with the people who are working towards racial repair and healing in our community. I emerged with the feeling that we were making tangible a trust that God is not elsewhere.
At a time of profound disruption and uncertainty, we are clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. And our faith in God, seen in the long record of faithful Christians who have acted with courage and conviction and compassion, reminds us that we are not alone, now or in the past, when we lean in.
My hope for us as congregation is, individual as members of it, is that we are each able to find a way to lean in. Maybe you’ll want to join the Justice and Peace team as they give witness alongside people who are making their way through the immigration process in this country. Maybe you’ll want to lean in with our interfaith partners at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church and Congregation Beth El. Maybe you’ll lean in as we walk alongside mothers and their children at Elizabeth house or young adults at the tiny home village operated by Youth Spirit Artworks. Maybe you’ll lean in with a parishioner in need of a meal, a phone call, a prayer, or companionship.
As I said in a recent sermon, I do not know what the next year will bring us. Heck, I’m not even sure about next week at this point. But I have a strong belief in how I want to spend my days––leaning in with the people of this parish, one to another, finding the Spirit alongside our neighbors.
Peace,
–Phil+
Catechumenate
“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 Catechumante, a class 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 (and always more) to learn about this Episcopal tradition.
In this Catechumenate 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, the Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson, our seminarian Harlowe Zefting, 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.
For those of us who are looking for a space to spend time considering what it is that you believe about this faith, or who are checking out All Souls and/or 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 (March 9-April 13) 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
Adult Formation Planning for 2025-26
The Adult Formation committee is in the early stages of planning for the 2025-2026 schedule. We solicit your input on classes you would like to take, teachers you would like to see on the schedule, and any other ideas you have for enriching our opportunities to learn together at All Souls.
Send ideas and proposals to Anne Yardley at ayardley@drew.edu. As is our custom, we will be putting together an advisory panel to help in our discussions. If you are interested in serving on the advisory panel, please also send an email to Anne Yardley. The panel meets with the committee for an initial discussion of topics and for a later discussion as we are getting closer to a final list.
Finally, in the summer we offer Sunday morning book groups. We welome your suggestions for books to read and especially your participation in leading or co-leading a book group. Typically we choose three books and each group meets for 3-4 consecutive Sundays. Those suggestions can also be sent to Anne.
We are excited at the prospect of being able to use the newly renovated Parish Hall next year and appreciate everyone’s patience with the slightly cramped quarters this year!
–Anne Yardley
Ellen Bracken’s Memorial Service
This Saturday at 11am at All Souls Parish is the memorial service for Ellen Bracken. A beloved former math teacher at Berkeley High, Ellen served countless students through her many years as an educator.
She also was a cherished member of the capoeira community, specifically at the United Capoeira Association, where she taught the Brazilian martial art to preschoolers for many years. Following the service at All Souls, there will be a reception at Berkeley Capoeria, at 1901 San Pablo Avenue. Please keep Ellen’s family and friends in your prayers for the days to come.
–Phil+
Undertaking: a task that is taken on
Did you imagine, when you heard about a renovation to our spaces, that it would be such a HUGE undertaking? If you didn’t, my bet is you have been surprised and impressed with the work that has been done. And actually, even if you did know, you should still be impressed with the scope of the work.
We have been extremely fortunate to have a great construction company, WCI, working for us. They are a qualified, engaging group of tradespeople and good communicators. There have been a few surprises and some bumps along the way regarding plan changes but working together with ASEP and the architect, the road has been smoothed. They will take a break toward the end of February or early March while we wait for PG&E to do their thing. June is the target for work to begin again.
Painting is going on all around the space! The undercroft bathrooms are freshly painted, the foyer has a first coat as does the parish hall. What a difference fresh walls make. Once the rain lets up the outside railings will be painted as well as the new doors. As I mentioned last week, the rain has hampered progress on the elevator shaft. Waterproofing has been 90% finished in the shaft and any water coming in is not from the sides but from other channels, which will be taken care of in due course.
Attached are some pictures of new ceilings, bumper walls in the table/storage area of the parish hall and new blinds. Take a walk around and check them out!
Although we are turning rooms over for use, work is still in progress! If you have questions or concerns about what you see, please contact Ann Myers @ annclairemyers@gmail.com for clarification.
Egress continues through both Narthex doors and out the nave to the Jordan Courtyard. Remember to bundle up!
Left: FRP installation in storage room. Middle: Blinds in the Common Room. Right: Acoustical Ceiling at undercroft and Chapel.
All pics: Restrooms with accent paint applied.
–Ann Myers and the Property Committee
Announcements & Events
Happening This Week
SUNDAY
7:00 am, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, either in person in the Common Room or Click here to join by Zoom.
8:00 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please access the Chapel through the copper doors on Cedar St.
9:15 am, Adult Formation in both the Common Room and the JC Comm Rm.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here.
7:00 pm, Youth Group - High School small group.
WEDNESDAY
9:00 am Eucharist, either in the Jordan Court Community Room at 9:00 a.m., or by Zoom here.
Adult Formation
Liturgy and the Lyric: A Workshop in Reading and Writing Mysteries, with poet Tess Taylor
How do the forms of poems relate to the forms of prayer? How might the reading of poems help us more deeply engage the psalms, the Bible, and liturgical language? And how might the figures of poetry– small and large-- help us access the mysteries of the Bible and of the Divine? In this course, offered across three weeks, Tess Taylor ( author of five books of poetry and a practicing All Soulsian) will explore some of the shapes, forms and pathways of poetry in and outside liturgical texts—inviting us to use that exploration to deepen our experience of liturgy, prayer and Biblical text. Come ready to read, write, and explore. Feb 2, 9, and 16 at 9:15 in the Common Room.
Theology and Evolutionary Biology with the Revs. Emily Boring and Mark Richardson
Is there purpose or direction to evolution?
How do we define knowledge?
Do cells or genes have “agency”?
What kind of evidence makes something true?
These are just a few examples of the kinds of questions that we’ll encounter in this class– questions that both science and religion, in turn, have tried to address. Our course will begin with a brief history of the relationship between evolutionary biology and theology, dating back to the early responses of theology to Darwin. We then explore various ways or methods of approaching this relationship still present in our culture. Finally, we will turn to contemporary case studies, exploring the possible theological implications of recent advances in genetics and evolutionary theory. Our class isn’t an argument between science and religion, nor is it an attempt to “reconcile” opposites. We come from a stance of curiosity and integration, exploring how these two disciplines mutually inform one another and meet in lived experience. Join us in the Jordan Court Community Room at 9:15 on the following Sundays: Feb. 9, 16, 23 and Mar. 2nd.
Children & Family
Sunday School (for kids pre-K through 5th grade) happens every week during the 10:30 service, in our newly-renovated classrooms in the undercroft! Enter the narthex and walk down the stairs. There will be signs, and/or an usher can help you find the way. Children return to church at the “Peace.”
Exciting news: The playground is open! Come join other All Soulsian families and kids in the courtyard after church. Please be mindful of fencing around the perimeter.
To sign up for our Children and Family newsletter, please email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org.
For Both Kids and Youth: Summer Camps!
It’s that time of year… time to sign up for camp! Kids and youth from All Souls have loved attending camp in two places: Bishop’s Ranch (the same place we have Parish Retreat, near Healdsburg), and St. Dorothy’s Rest. Both have roots in the Episcopal tradition and have programs for all ages (and some for families, too). You can find more information about St. Dorothy’s here, and Bishop’s Ranch here.
For children: It can be especially fun to go to camp at the same time as other kids from church! If you’re interested in coordinating dates, please reach out to Brenna Hall, an All Souls parent (brenna.k.hall@gmail.com).
Youth Program
Youth Group (for grades 6-12) happens on Sundays from 7-8:30pm. Generally, we alternate between an all-grades gathering, and a high school small group (~once a month).
This week, Feb. 9th, High school small group.
Download our winter (Jan/Feb) 2025 calendar here. Look our for a full winter/spring calendar soon! To join the weekly youth mailing list, email emilyb@allsoulsparish.org.
Request for collage materials: Do you have old magazines sitting around at home? We are seeking collage supplies for our children and youth programs, and we’d love to give your materials a home! Please bring them to church on Sundays and/or arrange a time to hand them off to Emily B. Thanks!
Justice & Peace
Help for SoCal Wildfire Victims
If you’d like to learn more about how to help the wildfire victims in Southern California, please click on the links below for more information.
Open Door Dinner (ODD) will be happening this Sunday, February 9th. If you are able or interested in helping put the meal together or deliver some meals to the camps around Berkeley, please email Jennifer Akiyama.
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. As the weather gets colder, they are especially seeking donations of the following items:
General hygiene products (toothbrushes/toothpaste, deodorant, soap, etc.)
Clothes/cold weather gear
Bottled water
Please bring these donations to the red bin in the Narthex. Email Beth Christensen (beth.christensen) for donation and other direct volunteer opportunities with USMO.
Needs of the Community
A seminarian at CDSP, Karla Koon, needs temporary help with some domestic chores as she deals with medical treatment. If you are interested in joining a temporary ministry team to provide assistance (between now and the end of May), please contact bonniekbishop@myyahoo.com.
Everything Else
Realm Support (3rd Sunday of every month): We have a new church online directory, database, and community - and you are invited to join! If you are a member here, you should already have received an invitation from Realm. If you’re new and looking to join (or didn’t get an email invite), then see Emily Hansen Curran. For anyone interested in learning more about Realm, who need help troubleshooting any problems logging in, or using different features, we’ve got folks who will be in the Narthex on the 3rd Sunday of each month, after the 10:30 service, with laptops ready to answer your questions and help. Come by and get the help you need.
New E-mail Service: You might have noticed, but we have shifted our mailing service from Squarespace to Constant Contact. Hopefully this will not impact any or many of you, but in case it matters, please add allsouls@allsoulsparish.ccsend.com to your contacts. This will hopefully ensure that the Pathfinder arrives in your inbox and not your spam folder.
