The Pathfinder: August 20th, 2026
A Year at All Souls
A little over a year ago, I arrived at All Souls Parish as your new Associate Priest for Welcome and Kinship. My very first Sunday with you was Pentecost—a fitting beginning, marked by the movement of the Spirit and the gathering of a diverse, vibrant community. Looking back on this full program year, my heart is full of gratitude.
To journey through a complete year alongside you—witnessing the flow of our liturgical seasons, the generosity of our annual operating drive, and the quiet dedication of our ministry teams—has been deeply encouraging. My primary task has been to work with our Welcome and Kinship teams to build spaces and connections that bring people closer to God and to each other through Christian care and fellowship.
That work begins with the Welcome Team. Our goal is simple: to make sure every visitor who enters All Souls is met with warmth and genuine curiosity. Over the past year, the Welcome Team has created intentional pathways for newcomers. We hosted Welcome Lunches, conducted individual outreach, and organized two major parish fundraisers: our Lenten Fish Fry and our new Fall Lasagna Dinner. Beyond bringing us together over a meal, these events directly fund initiatives to invite newcomers deeper into parish life, including offering discounted rates for first-time attendees at our parish retreat. Whether connecting someone to a service project or arranging a conversation with clergy, our goal is that everyone meets the generous love of Christ here.
In tandem with this work, I have worked closely with Dan Hardy to organize our Kinship Team, addressing our Vestry’s goal to cultivate deep, lasting connections across our community. We experience kinship at All Souls in three practical ways:
In Service: Working side-by-side in our Justice & Peace events, serving meals through the Open Door Dinner, and serving on our Sunday liturgical teams as ushers, greeters, sacristans, acolytes, and lectors.
In Fellowship: Sharing life together through the Spaghetti Again Men’s Group, the returning Thursday Ladies Lunch Bunch, Intergenerational Beer Garden Meetups, and Faithful Families.
In Small Groups: Gathering in seasonal Advent and Lent groups, steady Emmaus groups, weekly Bible studies, and our new Being With small group, which explores questions of faith by reflecting on our personal experiences of God.
Beyond welcome and kinship, I have had the opportunity to oversee our sextons, hospitality teams, and volunteer ministry leads. This operations-focused work is both challenging and essential. My main goal here is to build healthy, supportive structures so that serving our community brings joy and spiritual renewal rather than fatigue or burnout. I want to ensure our leaders have the systems and support they need to thrive.
What a year this has been, and I look back with a full heart. Thank you for journeying with me this past year, and for welcoming me and my family so warmly into this community. As we look ahead, please know that my door is always open. Reach out anytime if you want to connect, share an idea, or collaborate on a new project. I look forward to all that lies ahead as we answer Christ's call together to love our neighbors and share in community.
-Mother Rachel
Presenting the 2026-2027 Adult Formation Calendar!
All Souls Parish takes the biblical injunction very seriously: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). The Sunday morning schedule is specifically set up so that we have a full hour (9:15 am-10:15 am) for learning together.
The Adult Formation Committee is excited to introduce our 2026-2027 classes!
Each class we offer runs for three or four weeks so that we can explore topics in some depth; however, each class also stands on its own, so you should feel free to drop in at any time. One of the amazing things about this parish is the wealth of teaching talent within the parish, both in the clergy and the laity. We open our program year on August 30th with a three-part series on Christian Perspectives on Money (see description elsewhere in this week’s Pathfinder!). In October, we have a great opportunity to learn about Icons at All Souls from the person who painted our four icons, the Rev. Dr. Paul Fromberg. November brings the opportunity to think about Disability, Theology, and Social Justice with guidance from a team that includes Erin Horne, Jenny Kern, Sarita Cannon, and the Rev. Emily Boring. As we move into Advent, the Revs. Michael Lemaire and Phil Brochard team up to offer John the Baptist: Forerunner or Rival?
Immediately after the new year, you will have your choice of learning about The All Souls’ Organ and Worship with Matt Wolka or reading Paradise Lost with Jack Shoemaker. Following that, Mother Rachel Dykzeul will offer Praying with the Book of Common Prayer, helping us learn how our book of corporate prayer is also a great resource for personal prayer. Lent brings the opportunity to dive into the theology of Paul Tillich with the Revs. Emily Boring and Michael Lemaire. After Easter, the Revs. Mark Richardson and Phil Brochard will take us into the 21st century with a class on AI and Theology. The Rev. Bill McNabb takes us deep into a primary Christian teaching with The Beatitudes in Today’s World. And we finish our program year with the All Souls’ Racial Justice Team offering Becoming Beloved Community.
There are many other opportunities to learn at All Souls, including four-week new member classes offered in November and May, the catechumenate class during Lent, and our regular “Reading Between the Lines” Bible Study offered Sunday mornings at 7 am and 5 pm on Thursdays.
All of this has been planned and shaped with the help of the Adult Formation Advisory Panel that met in March and April to brainstorm ideas with the Adult Formation Committee. The committee is pleased to welcome three new members this summer as Lia Deihr, Vicky Dempsey, and Pat Rudebusch join Kade Sigford and Anne Yardley on the committee.
All of this information can be found on our website, where we also post audio recordings of classes whenever possible. (https://www.allsoulsparish.org/adult-formation)
We hope you will find ways to participate in these offerings. Please contact me at ayardley@drew.edu if you have questions or suggestions!
-Anne Yardley
A Most Worthwhile Meeting
Last week, I was invited to attend the first meeting of the newly formed NEAT (Nueva Experanza Accompany Team). It was an opportunity that I was delighted to accept! To spend two hours with this enthusiastic group, listening to an amazing woman whose words are so vitally inspiring…it wasn’t just your ordinary evening meeting!
The meeting brought together a small team of All Soulsians to discuss their mission—to help develop self sufficiency for an indigenous Chilean woman who had come to this country on a visa to advocate for the rights of her Mapuche people at a United Nations Conference. Afterward, she was informed by family members that it would not be safe for her to return to Chile. Our NEAT team was formed when a representative from IM4HI offered an Adult Formation presentation last spring. The aim of the team is to help immigrants whose situation has become unbearable as they face essential issues.
Juanita, a Chilean environmental activist, survivor of the Pinochet regime, and whose son had been killed, has been taken under the wing of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (IM4HI), the organization so vital to All Souls’ immigration activities. She speaks with the enthusiasm, the fervor and obviously, the knowledge of a professional, and her work is vital to the Mapuche people of Chile. She currently lives in Durant House of the First Congregational Church.
Watching this inspirational activity for the first time has inspired me to share my experience with the congregation! Chairing the presentation were Nadia Tavers of IM4HI and Toni Martinez-Borgfeld. In attendance were Gretchen Donart, Gabriela Heniquez, Kaki Logan, and Teresa Munoz. Jenny Kern, chair of the ASEP Justice and Peace Team, was also present. Two team members were unable to attend: Pam Maffei and Anikka Wright. This team, representing All Souls and under the tutelage of IM4HI, is just getting started in support of Juanita.
More to come,
-Margaret Sparks
JOIN US FOR HOMECOMING SUNDAY!
THIS COMING SUNDAY, after the 10:30 am service, we have planned a fun-filled afternoon for All Soulsians and visitors alike. Whether you’re returning from summer, you’ve been away for a long time and are hoping to reconnect, or it’s your first time: welcome home!
Invite your neighbors and bring your backpack to have it blessed for the start of the new school year. Email Mother Rachel to see how you can help out (rachel@allsoulsparish.org). More details can be found below in the Announcements section.
-Mother Rachel
Walking the Walk
When we decided on the dimensions for the paved area in the Courtyard, we left space for 6 feet of soil between the window wells along the Nave and the edge of the concrete. Since this area is within 5 feet of the eaves, however, by the time we hired a designer to create the plans, the EMBER fire regulations required that this area be made hardscape.
So while we will miss the opportunity for more greenery, we have gained additional space in the Courtyard for a gathering space and for a new seating area under the Cross and the Ginkgo tree.
The Landspaces crew is gently and artfully turning this 6-foot strip of land into a terra cotta colored walkway, combining four different shapes and sizes of pavers into an attractive whole. They leveled the base of sand carefully, set the pavers one by one, removed or added small amounts of sand underneath each paver, hammered each one into place, and created a perfectly level walkway. They plan to complete the installation of the pavers in time for Homecoming this Sunday.
Come and be one of the first All Soulsians to walk on our new path or to sit in the sweet shade of the Ginkgo tree.
-Kaki Logan
Announcements & Events
Thursday (TONIGHT)
5 pm*, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room. *Note the change in start time.
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.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Children’s Choir Downstairs.
12 noon, Homecoming in the Courtyard.
Tuesday
7 am, Vigil at the Immigration Court in Concord.
Wednesday
9 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
Gather With Us
JOIN US FOR HOMECOMING SUNDAY - August 23rd
THIS COMING SUNDAY, August 23rd, after the 10:30 service, we will celebrate Homecoming Sunday with popcorn, treats, a bounce house, a backpack blessing, and delicious tacos!
How You Can Get Involved
Invite a Friend: Set an intention to reach out to a friend, neighbor, or colleague and invite them to join the celebrations on August 23rd (or any time that works for them).
Ministry Teams: If you lead or serve on a ministry team and would like a table in the courtyard to share your work and invite folks to serve, please contact me so I can reserve your space.
Homecoming Volunteers: We need several hands to make the day special! If you can help serve snow cones or popcorn, pour wine, set up tables, take photos, or clean up, please let me know at rachel@allsoulsparish.org
ISAIAH PROJECT 2.0: VOLUNTEER TRAINING - September 8
Join us from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, 9/8, in the Common Room for a mandatory training for people wishing to volunteer at one of our four Isaiah Project grantee organizations. Led by Rector Phil Brochard, Wendy Calimag, Jenny Kern, and Molly Nicol, the training is designed to invite us to reflect on what it means to serve in a Christian context. In addition, we will learn about how cultural humility can help us build bridges and help “repair the breach”. Dinner will be provided. To sign up, use the QR code on the bulletin board in the Narthex or click here.
YOUNG ADULTS: ATTEND A DIOCAL FELLOWSHIP AND RETREAT - September 11-13
Young adults, ages 18-40, are invited to "Seeing and Being Seen", a weekend retreat at the Bishop's Ranch, September 11-13. The retreat will include plenty of unstructured time to relax and enjoy fun and fellowship with other young adults from across the diocese, as well as opportunities to connect and share where God is at work in our lives, worship together, and learn about opportunities for leadership and involvement. Maleah Rios will be our facilitator, leading us in prayer each morning and night as well as in a time of formation on Saturday.
The cost of the retreat is $200 for general and $150 for students, with scholarships available for those who cannot afford to pay full price. The cost covers shared room accommodations in the St. Stephen's Cottages, as well as all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch.
Register to attend today! If you have questions or want more information about scholarships, please contact Hannah Elyse Cornthwaite, vicar@holyinsf.org.
ALL SOULS PARISH RETREAT - September 18th–20th
It’s time for our annual Parish Retreat! Join us Friday, September 18th through Sunday, September 20th for a weekend getaway up at the beautiful Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg. This year’s theme is "Teach Us to Pray," featuring sessions led in part by members of our own community.
The Bishop’s Ranch offers something for everyone. You can join the traditional group bike ride, relax by the pool, hang out on the lawn, or get creative in the well-stocked art casita. Whatever your pace, you are sure to find renewal in this beautiful space.
On Saturday, we’ll gather for an intergenerational session on prayer practices before breaking into focused workshops, with special programming tailored just for children and youth. Beyond our program, the weekend includes plenty of free time for reflection, rest, adventuring, and play.
It’s always a sweet time of connection and spiritual growth in a lovely setting, and we’d love for you to join us! Reach out to a fellow All Soulsian, make plans to room together, and reserve your spot:
Registration is officially open! 👉 Click Here to Register
Registration & Pricing Notes:
Costs are listed per person. Please select whichever occupancy type suits each family member best, and we’ll work out the remaining details!
Financial Support: We want everyone to be able to attend. If cost is prohibitive for you or your family, please let us know or indicate it on the registration form—scholarship and sliding-scale options are readily available, and we are more than happy to help.
Questions? Feel free to reach out to me directly at rachel@allsoulsparish.org.
BEING WITH GROUPS
Being With is for anyone 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.
To foster trust and meaningful conversation, cohorts are capped at 12 participants and led by trained All Souls clergy and community members.
Who Is This For?
This course is especially designed for you if:
You want deeper connection: You’re looking to meet new people and build relationships at All Souls.
You are exploring: You are new to Christianity, grew up in another faith tradition, or consider yourself "spiritual but not religious."
You are re-examining faith: You grew up in the church, have experienced doubt or hurt, and want a safe space to process your questions.
You have big questions: You’re wrestling with thoughts about God, Jesus, and what it means to practice faith in the modern world.
What Is the Commitment?
We ask participants to commit to attending all 10 sessions. Because we hold these conversations—and the personal stories shared within them—as sacred, building a safe and trusting environment requires everyone to show up consistently.
Click Here to Sign Up for a Fall Being With Group
Schedule & Origins
When: Being With is offered twice weekly and starts the second week of September. The Tuesday evening group for 20/30s starts on Tuesday, 9/8, at 6 pm, and the Sunday evening group (all ages) starts on 9/13 at 5 pm. We will add more groups if there is interest.
Origins: All Souls is deeply grateful to the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells and the Rev. Sally Hitchiner of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, who originally developed the Being With curriculum.
For questions or more information, please contact Mother Rachel at rachel@allsoulsparish.org.
Learn With Us
ADULT FORMATION
Christian Perspectives on Money is a three-session Sunday school series exploring what the Bible — and particularly the teachings of Jesus — has to say about our relationship with money, from the broadest social level down to our own wallets and our church community. We begin by examining how money functions in society, considering how the economic world of Jesus' day compares to our own, and asking how his teachings remain powerfully relevant across that divide. In the second session, we turn inward to explore our personal relationship with money: considering money as a tool whose use reveals our deepest values, and taking up practical questions about ethical investing. Finally, we zoom out to look at the church itself — tracing the many creative ways congregations have sustained themselves throughout history, and reflecting on how a community's choices about funding its church are themselves an act of faith and shared values. Classes will be held at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall on the following days: Aug. 30, Sept. 6, and 13, and will be led by Sarah Reynolds, Jenn Ying, and Richard Lynch.
WEEKLY 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 5-6:30 pm. Both groups meet in our Common Room and use the Reading Between the Lines curriculum. Join us! Drop-ins are always welcome, too!
Worship With Us
CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES
Looking Ahead at the Program Year
The start of the All Souls program year is coming soon! In the next few weeks, you’ll hear much more from Emily B+ about our Sunday School and Youth program offerings.
For now, we want to share a few key dates.
Children’s Choir: Kids of all ages are invited to join us as we sing “We’re Coming Home!” on August 23rd during the 10:30 service. Even if you couldn’t make the rehearsals, please jump in anyway!
August 23rd - Homecoming Sunday! Bring your backpacks to church and join us for an outdoor festival, featuring tacos, snow cones, a bouncy castle, and more. Invite a friend to church!
August 30th - Sunday School begins and is offered weekly during the 10:30 service. Kids start in the nave with their parents, then process downstairs (following the wooden cross) shortly into the service.
September 13th - First Youth Group of the year! All grades (middle and high school) are invited to join us in the courtyard for a kick-off event, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Sept. 18th-20th - Parish Retreat at The Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg. This is a great family-friendly event. Youth are also welcome to attend on their own (there are special youth cabins and programming). Read more and register here.
If you want to join the Children and Family or Youth mailing lists, please email Emily B+ (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
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.
WEDNESDAY MORNING EUCHARIST
Join us every Wednesday at 9 am in the Chapel for a small, discussion-based service. All are welcome!
Serve With Us
There are lots of ways to share your talents and time! Check out the bulletin board in the Narthex to sign up for one of All Souls’ many ministries.
Vigil at the Concord Immigration Court on the 4th Tuesday of every month. Most of our vigil is spent singing and holding signs expressing welcome and solidarity for those who are coming for an appointment at the court. We take time each month to pray, remembering immigrants in detention centers and those who have died in detention. Join us at 1855 Gateway Blvd., Concord, on the 4th Tuesday of every month, 7:15-9:30 am. For more information, contact Kaki L. or Ruth M.
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.
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!
Last but not least
Genesis is an interfaith social justice coalition working to build the Beloved Community in the East Bay. Many of you have met Mary Lim (Executive Director of Genesis), who is the partner of Matt Wolka (she does other stuff too!). The Genesis "Be the Change" Breakfast Fundraiser at First Unitarian Church of Oakland will feature The Rev. Ethan Lowery as keynote speaker.
As you may remember, All Souls was the sending parish of Ethan. Ethan was also the seminarian assigned to Genesis during his time at CDSP. Ethan, who has created an amazing youth-centered ministry in Fredericksburg, Virginia, would be very jazzed to see All Souls-ians in the crowd!
Come find out what social justice work Genesis is doing and how you can support on September 26th at 8:30 am-10:30 am. Register at the QR Code on the graphic OR you can email gamaliel.genesisca@gmail.com
