The Pathfinder: June 11th, 2026
You’re Invited to our Parish Picnic on Sunday, June 21st!
Every year, All Soulsians take a moment to pause and kick off the summer by celebrating the program year we have shared together as a parish family. And what a blessing this last year has been! The picnic gives us an opportunity to slow down, see each other, and share in the joy of our community.
Most importantly, it is pure FUN! (Click here to sign up for the Potluck) . It will take place at the usual spot- the Padre picnic area in Tilden Park.
Summer is almost here, and the feeling is palpable. Plans are swirling, warmer weather has appeared, and in Berkeley, it feels like the earth is inviting us outside even more than usual.
It was this exact time last year that my family and I first came to All Souls. We were brand new and didn’t know anyone yet. I remember wishing we could have attended the parish picnic, which had taken place just the weekend before we arrived. It would have given us more time to linger and get to know folks before everyone headed off to their summer activities. This year, as we prepare for the annual picnic —which falls on Father’s Day—I can feel the excitement growing. I want to take this opportunity to extend a warm invitation to you to join in the fun at Tilden Park!
We talk a lot about community in the church, and some may wonder why we give so much of our time and energy to it. The truth is that walking the Christian way brings transformation through the beautiful care and accountability that comes from life in communion with God and neighbor. Christian community is a vital ingredient of our life and work together at All Souls Parish.
In the book of Acts, we get a picture of what developed after the Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of God came like tongues of fire, rested on those first Christians, and the Church was born—born into a community enlivened by the Spirit. Scripture tells us that those early Christians established a vibrant communal practice, including a devotion to teaching and formation, to prayer, and to breaking bread together in radical generosity.
It is in this same spirit that we continue our intention to live as a radically generous community. So, please make a point to join in. Mark your calendars and choose to be present, because every single member of our community belongs and makes up the beautiful diversity that reflects Christ in this world.
Things to Note & How You Can Help
To make this day a success, we are looking for volunteers to help with the following:
Activities: Planning games and activities for the littles.
Setup & Grilling: Arriving a little early to help set up, or heading over directly after church to help grill.
The Potluck: Bringing a side dish to share! (Click here to Sign up)
Cleanup: Helping pack everything up, load it back to the church, and leave the space tidy.
The bottom line: COME! It’s incredibly fun and a great way to move deeper into conversation and community. BRING FOOD! It’s a potluck, so it is truly what we make of it. And HELP OUT if you are able!
See you there!
-Mother Rachel
Affirmed & Celebrated: Cindy's Story
In coming to All Souls Parish, I have truly come full circle. My faith journey started at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where I was baptized, confirmed, and raised. I left the church in an effort to practice conversion therapy on myself, turning toward a conservative evangelical faith before finally returning to the affirming community at All Souls in Berkeley.
My childhood experience of the Christian faith was positive; my family was active in the church and close friends with our priest and his family. I began reading my confirmation Bible in high school and attended an active youth group at a friend’s church throughout high school. After moving to Minnesota in my early 20s, I began struggling to accept my sexuality. I asked to speak with the priest at the Episcopal church I attended to inquire about the church’s position on homosexuality. My recollection of his response was similar to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy adopted by the military around the same time, “We don’t care what you do, we just want to know how you can serve the church.” While the church was willing to permit me to be my true self, I was not yet ready to accept myself.
After that, my faith journey took a sharp turn as I sought to conform my sexuality to the expectations of the wider culture. This led me to become a member of an evangelical church, where I was rebaptized as a believer; not only did they disavow my infant baptism, but they also rejected same-sex relationships. Although I developed many spiritual practices during this time, I was also attempting to cure myself of something that my faith could not change. I doubled my efforts, enrolling in a conservative Christian college for a second bachelor’s degree, and then attending an evangelical seminary, where I gladly signed the Community Standard Agreement. Among other things, I agreed to the Sexual Standards which included the belief that marriage is a covenant union between one man and one woman, and that “premarital, extramarital, and homosexual forms of explicit sexual conduct are deemed inconsistent with Scripture.” While I was able to maintain compliance with this standard during my five years in seminary, I failed in effort to become heterosexual.
The circle was closed when I returned to the Episcopal Church and eventually landed at All Souls Parish in 2013, after moving to the Bay Area from Southern California. I came to the congregation in my early 40s, finally at a point of surrender and acceptance of myself. I knew I would be accepted in the church of my childhood and was ready to finally integrate my identity with my faith.
Through my participation in church services, along with the fellowship I have found in my Sacred Ground small group and Dawn Patrol Bible study, I have been able to fully accept my identity as a gay Christian woman. By listening to other members of the church share about their same-sex relationships, I have become comfortable talking about my own relationship. My spouse is welcomed when she attends worship services with me during the holidays, social church gatherings, and service opportunities such as All Souls Parish’s table at the Berkeley Pride event.
I no longer attempt to suppress part of myself as unacceptable to God, and being part of a community which accepts me as I am has helped me trust that God accepts me as I am. Instead of having a sense that I my identity is tolerated or rejected by God, All Souls has provided a community in which my identity is affirmed as God’s beloved, just as I am.
–Cindy Townsend
Targeting of Immigrants without Legal Representation
Things are heating up at the Concord Immigration Court, making our vigils there even more crucial. The San Francisco Immigration Court has essentially been closed, and all judges fired, with new ones hired to serve in Concord who are more in line with the Trump Administration’s desire to deport a million people per year.
Cases formerly heard in San Francisco will now be held in Concord, except for a few cases which are considered a “satellite” of the Concord Court.
Judges around the country are drastically accelerating immigration cases, bunching them together with the goal of issuing more deportation orders. Immigrants are being scheduled for “mega master” hearings that include 100 or more people at a time. These hearings target people without lawyers who will have little opportunity to receive due process for their cases. The Concord court calendar shows “Mega Master” hearings all this week.
ASEP will continue to have a presence in Concord throughout the summer. Everyone is welcome to participate, even once, to sing, pray, hold signs, and encourage the people attending their hearings there.
Contact Kaki or Ruth to join a carpool or to volunteer to drive. We leave around 6:45 am and arrive home around 10 am. Our shift is the 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9:30 am at 1855 Gateway Blvd, Concord. We’d be delighted to have you join us.
For more details on these changes, click here and here.
–—The Immigration Team of the ASEP Justice & Peace Ministry
May Vestry Update
The Wednesday before Pentecost, Vestry gathered for our monthly meeting and began with a discussion of “The Library of Babel” by Jorge Luis Borges and Acts 2. While the vastness and chaos of the story certainly resonated given our current times, Phil+ reminded us that we are grounded by one another, by our community.
We then transitioned from Philosophy/Religion to Finance! Senior Warden John Gearen and Phil+ led us in a high-level overview of the current state of the Parish’s financial fabric, including annual operating income/expenses and reserve levels. John rightly framed the discussion as our current Vestry being responsible for overseeing the tail end of a multi-million dollar and multi-year capital project, which comes with its own unique need for keenness. (That said, special shout-out to the previous Vestries who managed the rest of the animal, not just the tail.)
As part of the final stages of the Living Waters project, Vestry approved a bid for landscaping to begin this summer. Although forthcoming fire safety guidelines altered some of the design plans, we are looking forward to repaving the courtyard and beautifying the Cedar Street side of our space, as well as adding safety and accessibility to the lightwells and reserved parking area. Enormous gratitude to the Landscaping Committee, especially Kaki Logan and Joni Stickney, for the time and care they have spent considering how our physical environment can reflect and support the spirit of All Souls Parish.
We then continued to reflect as a Vestry on the focal question, “How do we want to be related to our neighbors,” by hearing from Paul Mathew and Kaki Logan about the important work of the All Souls for Racial Justice and All Souls for Immigration Justice teams, respectively. Events for ASRJ included a movie night on May 29th in the Common Room. We are also excited that All Souls will be hosting the Diocesan Juneteenth Celebration on June 20th at 11 am. There are many ways for All Soulsians to be a part of Immigration Justice, including letter writing, attending vigils on the last Tuesday of each month, and accompaniment (a new endeavor being led by All Soulsian Toni Martinez-Borgfeldt).
Lastly, we heard some exciting updates from the Rector’s Report, including that the seismic work is due to be done at the end of June! And with summer comes new seating “in the round” for All Souls and wedding season for several parishioners.
-Molly Nicol
Congratulations to the Rev. Emily Hansen Curran!
On Saturday, June 6th, Emily Hansen Curran (our former Associate for Ministry Development) was ordained to the priesthood. The pews of Grace Cathedral were full, and over sixty All Soulsians filled the crowd.
We hope you enjoy the pictures from this wonderful day!
-The Staff
Announcements & Events
Thursday (TONIGHT)
5:30 pm, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room.
Saturday
2:30 pm, Letter Writing Session in support of immigrants in the Common Room.
PRIDE SUNDAY
7 am, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room or click here to join by Zoom.
8 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
9:15 am, Adult Formation classes in the Common Room.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here.
5 pm, Being With Group in the Common Room.
Wednesday
9 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
Gather With Us
PARISH PICNIC - June 21st
Just after the 10:30 am service, we’ll all head up to Tilden Park for a church potluck and picnic! We’ll have a BBQ fired up with burgers and hot dogs, and maybe even play a favorite pastime of ours: a corn hole tournament. If you can help out with the picnic, please see Jeannie Koops. No RSVP necessary.
ALL SOULS PARISH ANNUAL CAMPING TRIP - July 17th–19th
Registration is now open! Join us for a weekend of togetherness at our private spot on the river behind the Big Sur River Inn. Whether you want to float downstream, let the kids splash in the swimming hole, or chat under the stars, it’s a sweet time for all.
Where? Santa Lucia Campground, Big Sur
Everyone is welcome: Invite a friend and get your tent ready!
Early Bird Option: Limited spots are available to arrive one day early (July 16th).
Sign Up: Click here to register on REALM or on the sheet in the narthex.
Volunteer: We need help with campfires and activities! Click here to email Mother Rachel and to lend a hand.
BEING WITH GROUPS
Being With is for anyone who’s curious about faith or wondering if Christianity has something meaningful to offer them. In this 10-week small group, we seek out the sacred simply by paying attention to our lives — and the lives of those around us.
What happens during Being With?
Every 90-minute group, we listen to a brief teaching and move on to a group conversation. Participants are encouraged to listen to and openly receive what each person shares. Together, we’ll come to see how our stories are interconnected.
Our pilot Being With group began on May 17th, 2026. Groups are kept to 12 people. The class meets at 5 pm in the Common Room. Questions? Click here to email Mother Rachel.
Learn With Us
ADULT FORMATION
Summer Book Group - June 14, 21 & 28
Join Jack Shoemaker in June as he leads a discussion of Elaine Pagels’ book Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus. As the description of her book says, Pagels “sets out to discover how a poor young Jewish man inspired a religion that shaped the world.” She explores her most ambitious subject, the life of Jesus himself. The book is a historical mystery with each chapter addressing a fascinating question. Why a virgin birth? What did it mean for him to rise from the dead? Did miracles really happen? We will roughly follow this outline:
June 14: Intro, Chapters 1-2
June 21: Chapters 3-4
June 28: Chapters 5-7 and Conclusion
Classes meet in the Common Room at 9:15 am. If you have to miss a class, feel free to attend the others.
COMING UP IN ADULT FORMATION
July 12, 19, and 26
Mark Richardson and Anne Yardley will lead a discussion of Angela Buchdahl's book Heart of a Stranger. “From the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi, a stirring account of one woman’s journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming one of the most admired religious leaders in the world.”
August 2, 9, and 16
Jane Vandenburgh and Jenny Kern will lead a discussion of Glenn Jordan and Pádraig Ó Tuama's book Borders and Belonging: The Book of Ruth: A Story for our Times. “A leading poet and a theologian reflect on the Old Testament story of Ruth, a tale that resonates deeply in today's world with its themes of migration, the stranger, mixed cultures and religions, law and leadership, women in public life, kindness, generosity and fear.”
Any questions, please contact Anne Yardley at ayardley@drew.edu.
BIBLE STUDY GROUPS
All Souls hosts two weekly Bible Study Classes each week. In addition to our Sunday morning group (meets from 7-8 am), we are now offering another group on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 pm. Both groups meet in our Common Room and use the Reading Between the Lines curriculum. Join us! Drop-ins are always welcome, too!
Serve With Us
LETTER WRITING SESSION in SUPPORT of IMMIGRANTS - 6/13
Our next letter-writing event is on Saturday, June 13th from 2-4 pm. Join with All Soulsians in the Common Room to engage in this important work. Please RSVP to Pam Maffei (pamelamaffei@icloud.com) or Cindy Townsend (hikinpsyd@gmail.com).
Coffee hour isn’t just about coffee and cookies—it’s about community. After worship, we gather not only to enjoy a bite to eat but also to welcome newcomers, catch up with friends, and strengthen the bonds that make our parish family so special. To keep this ministry thriving, we invite everyone to take part, as they are able.
Each week, we ask a few parishioners to bring refreshments—homemade treats, fruit, or simple snacks—to share. Your contributions help make our hospitality warm and abundant. Please click the Coffee Hour Sign-Up link to support this ministry. We ask for someone to lend a hand (literally) as “host” in support of Scott, and folks to provide some treats (enough to feed 10-15).
Your help will make coffee hour a joyful expression of Christian community and welcome!
Open Door Dinner makes a warm jambalaya meal on the second Sunday of every month for anyone who is hungry. Teams of All Soulsians and friends take turns cooking and delivering. Email Jennifer A. (akiyama.jennifer@gmail.com) if you’d like to help!
Food Bank collection is active for the Good Shepherd Food Pantry. Please bring non-perishable food on Sundays and use the baskets in the Narthex. We also need drivers to deliver food. If you want to help, click here to e-mail Cathy G.
Meal Train delivers food to others. If you are in need of meals or if you’d like to join this team to deliver to others, click here to email Sarah O.
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. They are especially seeking donations of the following items:
Waterproof tarps
Bottled water, or water filtration devices
Clothing, particularly large shoes, socks, and jackets/sweaters
Hygiene supplies and toiletries, particularly wet wipes, toothbrushes, soap
Menstrual pads and diapers
Please bring these donations to the red bin in the Narthex. Click here to email Beth Christensen for donation and other direct volunteer opportunities with USMO.
Worship With Us
CELEBRATE PRIDE SUNDAY AT ALL SOULS - June 14th
Come celebrate Pride with us THIS Sunday, June 14th, at the 8 am & 10:30 am services! On this Sunday, our prayers will center on how God created humankind in all our diversity, in God's own image, and declared us good. Wear your rainbows, bring a friend, and join the celebration.
All Souls fully affirms and welcomes LGBTQIA+ people. Everyone is invited to participate fully in our worship and programs—always.
DIOCESAN JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION - June 20th
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20, at 11:00 AM. Our parish has been asked to host the official Diocese of California Juneteenth Celebration this year. It is a huge honor for All Souls, and a beautiful opportunity for us to open our doors and welcome a wider diocesan family into our space for worship, reflection, and celebration. Please consider bringing food to share for our potluck reception afterward. And, contact Mother Rachel if you would like to serve in the liturgy.
TAIZE TUESDAYS
These services will be on hiatus during the summer months. Check back in the Fall for information on a potential new series of services.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Sunday School (for kids pre-K through 5th grade) is currently on hiatus for the summer. Typically, we gather weekly during the 10:30 am service. We follow Godly Play, an approach to spiritual formation that features storytelling, hands-on learning, and wondering. Shortly after the service starts, children follow a teacher, carrying a cross, downstairs to the classroom and return to church at the “Peace.” Check back in the Fall for futher information or email Emily B+ with any questions.
To join our Children and Family mailing list, email Emily B+ (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
YOUTH
We are currently on a summer hiatus. Check back in the Fall for a new schedule.
Youth Group (for grades 6-12) generally happens each Sunday from 7-8:30 pm during the school year. All youth are welcome to join us for games, art, reflection, and prayer. We alternate between a middle and high school group with some all-grades events.
To join the weekly youth mailing list, email Emily B+ (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
GREAT NEWS! The landscaping work to transform our exterior spaces along Cedar Street, Spruce Street, in our parking areas under the oak, and in the Courtyard will begin next week! It will likely last through the summer, as the ground is prepared, plants and pavers are placed, and our spaces are made beautiful again. Look for more information about this final element of Living Waters in Pathfinders to come!
