The Pathfinder: February 13th, 2025
A New Year of Vestry
The Annual Meeting kickstarted what should be another meaningful year for All Souls and the 2025 Vestry. At the Annual Meeting, the Parish elected Sarah Bakker-Kellogg, Jesse Kadjo, Joe Garrett, John Gearen, and Molly Nicol to Vestry.
They will join Laura Altieri, Cathy Goshorn, Erin Horn, Ryan Greene-Roesel, Grace Telcs, Mark Wilson, and me. I humbly accepted Phil’s invitation to serve as Senior Warden. We also thanked the outgoing Vestry members: Jill Anderson, Nathan Bostrom, Jenny Kern, and Sarah Kern. The Vestry greatly benefited from Sarah serving as Senior Warden for the past two years.
During the first weekend of this month, we gathered at The Bishop’s Ranch for the Vestry Retreat where we discerned and chose the Junior Warden (aka the “People’s Warden”), calling Grace Telcs to serve in that position for a second year. Grace will be the primary liaison to the Property Committee for Vestry. We then selected three members to serve as Chaplains to the Vestry: Sarah Bakker Kellogg, Jesse Kadjo, Ryan Greene-Roesel. The Vestry also elected Shelley Altura to the position of Treasurer and Tim Hausler to the position of Clerk. At the retreat, we discussed Vestry Goals which we will vote to approve at the March meeting. We also received updates on the Isaiah Project and Living Waters.
I look forward to serving as Senior Warden this year, and as I mentioned, I was deeply humbled by this invitation to serve from Phil and excited for the year ahead. Just a little about my background, I grew up in the Baptist church in Philadelphia (Go Birds) which was a critical part of my youth and prior to moving to the Bay Area almost 8 years ago, I was a member of the multi-denominational Riverside Church in New York City. My husband, David, and I chose to get married in an Episcopal church, and when we moved to Berkeley, we visited All Souls one Sunday and immediately knew this was the place for us. We joined in December, 2019 and our son, George, was baptized here on Christmas Day of 2021. I was fortunate to take part in Project Sandwich, Sacred Ground, and the Racial Justice Ministry. Hopefully, this gives you some perspective on me and what informed my decision to serve as Senior Warden.
–Michael Lewis, Senior Warden
Welcome to
The Great All Souls Jambalaya Off!
As we look toward Lent this year, we also look forward to the traditional feast and All Souls favorite: our Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday party!
Mardi Gras 2025 will be on Tuesday, March 4th, and this year it will feature multiple jambalayas. Due to ongoing construction, our Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday party will have one significant change: many cooks! Instead of the Open Door Dinner folks and Vestry members cooking for all of us, All Soulsians will participate in a parish cook-off. We will be regathering in the Parish Hall for our party, but since our kitchen stove will not yet be functional, we are looking for members to try their hand in a jambalaya sharing cook-off.
We’re looking for 12-15 people/families to cook and bring jambalaya for our community dinner on Tuesday, March 4th. Your dish should serve 8-10 people (we will also have salad and pancakes). We will provide our traditional recipe if desired, but you’re also welcome to use an old favorite recipe or try a new one this year. Twists on the classic jambalaya are welcomed. There will be judges to taste-test and hungry All Soulsians to feed!
Additionally, we are looking for electric griddles to cook pancakes! If you have one (or several) you’re willing to let us borrow, please email Emily B.
At the turn of the night we’ll head to the courtyard to gather around a fire to burn the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday to make the ashes for the next day, Ash Wednesday.
Our Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday dinner is also our annual Youth Program fundraiser. If you are able, please consider a donation of $5-10 for kids 12 and under, $10-15 for adults, $35 max for families (credit cards or Venmo accepted; QR codes will be provided on each table). If you are a jambalaya cook, your shared meal is considered your donation! If you are able to give more, please do. And if cost is a barrier, please join us anyway!
If you enjoy cooking, enjoy jambalaya, or enjoy Mardi Gras, share your gifts with other All Soulsians! Sign up HERE to bring a large jambalaya serving.
–Harlowe Zefting
A Service of Remembrance for Robert Shadric
One of the strangely joyous aspects of grieving the loss of someone has come for me in the meeting of strangers who also knew them. Hearing stories of their friendship fills out that person beyond who I knew.
These experiences have helped me come to terms with the fact that my loss was always there and the person I knew and grieve was always part of something larger and unknowable than any one relationship. Sometimes hearing others’ stories represents the deceased in ways that surprise us or even challenge the image of that person for us. This can be confusing and painful. Even when I acknowledge the multifaceted natures of siblings, friends, and neighbours, hearing about them from strangers offers something humbling and liberating in the acceptance of my (always) limited experience.
My friend and neighbour, Robert Shadric, also known as Jamil or Jamal, was found dead on January 9 th in Sutardja Dai Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. I was in New York at the time but received the news from another friend. Back in Berkeley a few days later, I was contacted by a journalist, Kate Darby Rauch, writing an article about Robert for the Berkeley Scanner. I encourage you to read the article here:
In the comments section of the online article, we find a range of responses to the news of his death. There is diversity and honesty in the comments leaving me with mixed feelings and ongoing questions that further reveal the complexity of community relationships and the ongoing work in loving our neighbours.
The day after the article was published quoting me, I received an email from a stranger and neighbour who also grieved Robert’s loss and wanted to organise a memorial service and gather those bereaved. Alex Elias (linguist and doctoral student at Cal) and I have been coordinating plans, putting together a pilgrimage and Service of Remembrance for Robert to be held this Saturday the 15th. Alex has made efforts to contact family of Robert, but no one has come forward. Several others from our neighbourhood have made contact and share our desire to hold a memorial service.
We will gather outside the CDSP (All Saints) Chapel on Ridge Road at 10:30 AM where the bell will toll 52 times for the years of Robert’s life. Just down at the corner with Euclid Ave, we will gather again outside the Campus Store where Robert spent time on the sidewalk each day. There we will hear a eulogy and offerings from employees of the shop who knew Robert well, cherishing memories spanning many years. From there, we will continue to the Cheeseboard at 1512 Shattuck Ave, where Robert also spent time most days. There are employees and customers of the Cheeseboard who knew Robert from this part of the neighbourhood and want to share stories and prayers there. Finally, we will walk up Cedar Street to All Souls Chapel for a short and beautiful Service of Remembrance liturgy from Enriching Our Worship, followed by food and fellowship in the Common Room. Please join us in person or from afar with your prayers for the repose of the soul of Robert Shadric.
–Michael Drell, Seminarian
When It’s Time to Give…
Have you ever closed your eyes, put your fingers in your ears and said to yourself: “I can’t listen to the news anymore! There is nothing I can do about it!!!” Most of the time, it’s true, there is nothing any of us can do to personally stop the insanity around us, but in the meantime, we can look about ourselves and find a local situation about which we can make a difference!
Last Sunday morning during the Formation Hour, I joined several All Soulsians when Jenny Kern introduced two women, Karini Pereira-Bowers, Executive director, and Alex Wilson, a Program director of Youth Spirit Artworks who are truly making a difference every day of their lives. This was the final presentation from the four recipients of Isaiah Project grants from All Souls.
Founded in 2007, Youth Spirit Artworks was first a studio for young artists, but has developed as its founders learned more about the needs of Alameda County’s transitional aged youth impacted by adversity, economic and housing challenges. Today, the services provided are not only arts’ support, but life skills, healing clinics, mental health service, nature trips, and even transitional housing. When a new perceived need arises, they initiate a new service with professional expertise. “We provide holistic engagement, intervention and opportunity offering transitional housing, leadership development utilizing art as therapy and by celebrating youth empowerment in community, beauty, land, history and freedom. Our vision is that transitional age youth (16-25) will emerge centered, joyful, and thriving in the world.”
In Youth Spirit Artworks, the Center for ArtEsteem, the American Indian Child Resource Center, and the Oakland Elizabeth House, could we have found better organizations to work with?? “But, I haven’t heard of these groups!” one might say. That’s just the point! Now, we have! And it’s our job to get the word out!
A big “shout out” goes to the members of the Isaiah Project: Lewis Maldonado (chair), Paul Mathew, Mark Mattek, Wendy Calimag, Nathan Brostrom, Toni Martinez-Borgfeldt, Christine Trost, and the Rev. Phil Brochard.
-Margaret Sparks
Safety: the condition of being protected from things likely to cause danger, risk, or injury.
One of the goals of our major renovation was to make our spaces safe for everyone. Great progress has been made in this regard, from new lighting to automatic doors. There are new smoke detectors throughout the church, new ramps, dependable wi-fi, new handrails, and a smooth courtyard with bright evening lights. Once installed, the elevator will add floor to floor ease for those who require it.
The rain has delayed some outdoor work as well as progress on the elevator shaft. This is not to say workmen have been sitting around! Work continues at a good pace wherever possible.
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: A well lit courtyard from dusk to 10:00 pm.
New ramps and railings for accessibility.
More new handrails for folks to use
New fully functional roll up kitchen pass through . Coffee anyone?
–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 the Jordan Court Community Room.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here.
12 pm, Realm support in the Undercroft.
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
The final class in this series will be postponed and rescheduled for a later time. More details to follow.
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.
Catechumenate Classes
Are you hoping to be baptized, or Confirmed, Received (this means that you were confirmed in another tradition before now), or Reaffirmed (this means that you were once Confirmed in the Episcopal church, but you would like to renew your confirmation) in the Episcopal Church? Consider the Catechumenate! It's basically a 6-week crash course on the Episcopal Church. This class is also great if you're just wanting to learn more about what the Episcopal church believes about God, humanity, the Bible, or how to use the Book of Common Prayer. The class will be taught during the six Sunday evenings of Lent from 7-8:30 in the Common Room: March 9-April 13th. Reach out to Emily HC if you're interested, emily@allsoulsparish.org.
Lenten Home Group Hosts Requests
Lent is approaching and we're planning on doing Lenten home groups again! If you're able to host your home as a meeting place for a group (midweek or weekend during the day or evening) please e-mail Emily Hansen Curran. When responding, please let her know what day and time works best for you and if your home has a pet or accessibility challenges (i.e. stairs to entry or stairs within the home).
Building Interfaith Bridges (BIB)
BIB is planning monthly events through April to further the relationship building among Congregation Beth El, St. Paul AME, and All Souls Parish. As our world becomes more fractured every day, now, especially, is a time to reach across the aisle to our neighbors.
On Sunday, February 23, 2025, members of Congregation Beth El and St. Paul’s AME will join us at the 10:30 am service. Please extend your warmest All Souls welcome to our guests. Also, please wear your name tags!
Next week’s Pathfinder will include a calendar of upcoming BIB events!
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 Emily B.
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 Sunday (Feb 16th), there will be no Youth Group due to President’s Day Weekend. Enjoy your time off school.
Coming up:
February 23rd and March 2nd: All-grades Youth Group
March 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) happens once a month on the second Sunday. 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 at coffee hour THIS SUNDAY (and 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.
