The Pathfinder: September 24th, 2026
From Generation to Generation
American society is striated in many ways––by class, by race, by political affiliation. But one of the more overlooked and under-appreciated ways that we have isolated ourselves with groups that are mostly like us is by age. Particularly when we are younger and when we are older, the ways that we have constructed our culture often keeps us clustered with people our own age, much to our collective detriment.
At this point in American life, Christian community, and specifically congregational life, can provide a very necessary antidote. I was reminded of this repeatedly this past weekend during our annual parish retreat at the Bishop’s Ranch. While different age groups (children, youth, and adults) each had developmentally specific sessions to learn about and to practice prayer, the rest of the retreat––our worship, our meals, and our play––was interwoven with the generations.
This interweaving is one of the charisms of All Souls, it has been for decades. On this particular retreat, our youngest participant was a few months old, and our oldest was 85 years old. In between, you’d find all the ages––elementary school children singing ‘God‘s Got the Whole World in God‘s Hands’, middle schoolers and high schoolers throwing themselves into the pool for Dibble sticks, undergrad and grad students playing kickball for the first time, workshops on prayer being led by people from their 20s all the way up until their 80s.
It’s not just the proximity to people older or younger than you that makes a difference; it’s the chance to share perspective and to learn from one another’s experiences that makes congregational life a rare opportunity in America right now.
And while this kind of intergenerational encounter was profoundly evident on our retreat, it’s our desire to have that kind of encounter throughout the year: at our upcoming Lasagna Dinner (10/2), the Stewardship Celebration Dinner (10/25), and the Advent Festival (11/29), to name a few on the horizon.
Be on the lookout for these opportunities to break bread and spend time with people you might not otherwise encounter on a regular basis. I know it can feel awkward at first, but my request is that we all take the courage to lean in to a conversation with someone who is in a different time and place of life. Find out what it’s like to be newly retired, or in high school right now, or getting a degree, or wishing Godspeed to college-aged children. You never know what you will find, but from my experience, you will be drawn in closer thanks to the conversation.
Peace,
-Phil+
Icons at All Souls
This four-part adult formation series on iconology explores how icons communicate theology, spirituality, and prayer through image. Together, we will look at the history, symbolism, and visual language of icons, while spending time with four contemporary icons created for All Souls.
Each session will focus on a different icon, offering an opportunity to reflect on how sacred images can invite us into deeper contemplation of God, the saints, and our own spiritual lives. They are as follows:
Week 1: The Good Shepherd: What Is an Icon, and What Does an Icon Do?
Week 2: The Crucifixion: How Does an Icon Proclaim the Gospel?
Week 3: Mary and the Tree of Life: How Does an Icon Say Something New?
Week 4: Easter and the Anastasis: How Do We Picture Resurrection?
The Rev. Dr. Paul Fromberg is the recently retired rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco. For more than 25 years, he has practiced the ancient art of iconography following the technique of 14th-century iconographers. He believes that one part of his work is sharing the joy of icons with everyone. Join us in the Parish Hall at 9:15 am on the following Sundays: October 4, 11, 18, 25. Questions? Email Anne Yardley (ayardley@drew.edu) or Vicki Dempsey (viv@writingedge.com).
-Anne Yardley and Vicki Dempsey
AOC Kickoff and Brunch This Sunday
This Sunday, September 27th, we invite you to the Parish Hall as we launch our 2027 Annual Offering Campaign. Between services, at 9:15 am, please join us for brunch and our Kickoff Presentation — Setting Our Path. This year's campaign takes its name seriously. Christian communities have always chosen what work they will do and how they will support it.
Now it is All Souls' annual turn to make those choices together — and this presentation is where that conversation begins.
Over the course of about 45 minutes, we'll look honestly at our financial picture — where we are in 2026, where we're headed in 2027, and spend some real time in table conversation about why this community draws us together and how we will support it.
Phil+, Sr. Warden John Gearen, and Stewardship Chair Richard Lynch will guide the morning. Come hungry. Come curious. Come ready to talk about why you're here.
Peace,
-Richard Lynch
Benvenuti! Please Join Us For Our First-ever Lasagna Night!
Join us for feasting and fun in the Parish Hall and Courtyard from 6-8 pm. The menu will feature homemade lasagna, bread, salad, and treats. “Why lasagna?” you may ask yourself. Visitors to New York City might have wandered through the Feast of San Gennaro Street festival held each fall in Little Italy.
Why not in Berkeley? Seems like a great way to enjoy pasta with lots of folks!
Our Mission: From Newcomers to Family
Hospitality is at the center of the Gospel, and at All Souls we believe that no one should ever feel like a stranger. Our Welcome and Kinship Ministries exist to bridge the gap between "visiting" and "belonging".
The Why:
We are committed to making our Annual Parish Retreat financially accessible to all. Funds raised here will lower costs and provide scholarships for families and individuals who otherwise would not be able to attend. Whether you come for the food or make a donation from afar, you are helping us ensure that cost is never a barrier to belonging.
Suggested donation for the evening is $15 per person, with a maximum of $50 per family.
All are welcome, so bring a neighbor, a relative, a friend. For further information or if you’d like to help set up or cleanup, contact Deirdre Nurre at deirdre.nurre@gmail.com or Cathy Goshorn at ogoshca@yahoo.com.
Click here to register and RSVP in Realm by September 30th. Questions? Please email Cathy Goshron or Deirde Nurre.
Peace,
-Cathy Goshorn and Deirdre Nurre
St. Francis Would Love This
In just over a week, on Sunday, October 4th, we will celebrate the annual feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was known for many remarkable characteristics: his humility, his compassion, and his desire to live in simplicity. Within all that, Francis displayed a charismatic love of all of God’s creation.
In that tradition, we will be blessing animals at the 8 AM service in the Chapel and after the 10:30 AM service in the courtyard on Sunday the 4th (in addition to celebrating the conclusion of the Living Waters work). Please make sure that your animal is on a leash or in a carrier, as there will be many other creatures excited to be there as well.
-Phil+
Announcements & Events
Thursday (TONIGHT)
5 pm, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room.
6 pm, Beer Garden Meet-up at Fieldwork.
Saturday
2 pm, Letter Writing Session for immigrant detainees in the Common Room.
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, 2027 Annual Operating Campaign Kickoff in the Parish Hall (with breakfast!).
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here.
12 noon, Coffee Hour in the Courtyard.
5 pm, Being With Group Meeting in the Common Room.
7 pm, Youth Group in the Youth Room.
Monday
1 pm, Noah Zimmerman Memorial Service in the Nave with reception following in the Parish Hall. Click here for the livestream.
Tuesday
6 pm, Being With 20/30’s Group.
8 pm, Taize in the Chapel.
Wednesday
9 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
7 pm, Choir Rehearsal in the Nave.
Memorial Service
NOAH ZIMMERMAN MEMORIAL - September 28th
A memorial service honoring Noah Zimmerman, the son of Jane Vandenburgh and Jack Shoemaker, will be held in the Nave at 1 pm on Monday, Sept. 28th. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. The service will be live-streamed for people who are unable to attend in person. Click here for the link.
Gather With Us
BEER GARDEN MEET-UP AT FIELDWORK IN BERKELEY- September 24th
One Thursday a month, from 6-8 pm, All Soulsians meet up at a different beer garden to connect - for a drink, a bite, a chat, a game, etc. Beer gardens are ideal because they have plenty of family-friendly, outdoor space and are casual enough that anyone can drop by for a spell as they are able. This is an all-ages, intergenerational event—we would love to see everyone there! Invite a friend.
2027 ANNUAL OPERATING CAMPAIGN KICKOFF - September 27th
Yes, it is nearly time for the beloved annual tradition of raising money for next year’s budget. We look forward to gathering together for breakfast on Sunday, September 27th, at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall for the Annual Operating Campaign Kickoff. We will hear the leadership's vision for 2027 and how we plan to get there. Please plan to join us! See the article above for details.
FIRST EVER LASAGNA NIGHT - October 2nd
Mark your calendars! Friday, October 2nd is All Souls Lasagna Night! Join us for feasting and fun from 6-8 pm, featuring homemade lasagna, bread, salad, and treats. We'll gather in the Parish Hall and the courtyard. Suggested donation for the evening is $15 per person, with a maximum of $50 per family. Funds will provide scholarships for All Soulsians to attend the annual Parish Retreat and for newcomers' welcome lunches. Click here to register. See the article above for details.
FAITHFUL FAMILIES DINNER - October 4th
Join us for an intergenerational evening of food, discussion, and community. We'll start with a shared dinner, and then there will be time for parents to have a discussion together while kids have their own programming. This is especially geared toward families with young kids and youth, but folks of all ages are welcome. RSVP to Emily B+ by Oct. 2nd.
ALL SOULS RACIAL JUSTICE TEAM OUTING - October 4th
Join the Racial Justice Team on Sunday afternoon, October 4, at the Oakland Museum of California for Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory, the first major museum retrospective of the beloved Bay Area artist. Optional lunch on your own at the museum café at 1:00, then we'll see the exhibit together at 2:00, with informal conversation afterward. Admission is free as part of OMCA's First Sundays, but tickets must be reserved in advance at museumca.org/first-sundays. Questions or RSVP: Paul Mathew, pmathew1000@gmail.com. All are welcome — come for the art, the lunch, the conversation, or all three.
FALL 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.
Being With is offered twice weekly. The Tuesday group for 20/30s is held at 6 pm and the Sunday evening group (all ages) starts at 5 pm. Both groups meet in the Common Rm. Email Mother Rachel at rachel@allsoulsparish.org with your questions. We can add more groups if there is interest. Click Here to Sign Up for a Fall Being With Group
Learn With Us
ADULT FORMATION
Coming Up Next: Icons at All Souls with the Rev. Dr. Paul Fromberg. This four-part series on iconology explores how icons communicate theology, spirituality, and prayer through image. Together, we will look at the history, symbolism, and visual language of icons, while spending time with four contemporary icons created for All Souls. Each session will focus on a different icon, offering an opportunity to reflect on how sacred images can invite us into deeper contemplation of God, the saints, and our own spiritual lives. Classes meet at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall on the following Sundays Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25. See the article above for full details.
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
Sunday School - Grades Pre-K - 5th
We meet during the 10:30 am service. We follow the Godly Play curriculum, an approach to spiritual formation that features storytelling, hands-on learning, and wondering. Shortly after the service starts, we go downstairs together, following the cross, and return at “The Peace”.
Youth Group - Grades 6-12
We meet on Sunday evenings in the Youth Room from 7-8:30 pm for games, art, reflection, and prayer. We alternate between a High School Small Group and a Middle School Small Group with occasional larger group events. Click here to see the Fall Calendar.
If you want to join the Children and Family or Youth mailing lists, please email Emily B+ (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
TAIZE TUESDAYS RETURNS
We're delighted to announce that Taize Tuesdays will return for a new season, beginning September 22 - November 17, 8-8:30 pm in the Chapel.
Our pilot last year was a wonderful gift. Week after week, a small group of us gathered in the Chapel for a contemplative, community-led service that wove singing chants, reading poetry and prayers, and sitting in silence. Many of you told us how much you valued this space beyond Advent, confirming it's a practice our community wants to continue.
What makes this extra special is the shared ownership of the experience, and that's what we want to grow this season. We now have a simple format anyone can lead.
We're looking for people to help lead chants, select and read readings, or keep time and guide the flow. Ryan and Kris will attend most weeks, but we'd love this service to run with or without us. No musical experience needed—just a willingness to hold space gently. Interested in helping, even occasionally? Email us: rypotpie@gmail.com and kris.starr@gmail.com.
Join us to sit in the stillness, or to help hold it for others.
JOIN US FOR THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS - Oct. 4th
You and your animals are invited to the Feast of St. Francis Sunday! Join us for worship (where your well-behaved and potty-trained animals are welcome in the pews) at the 8 am and 10:30 am services. Stick around after the 10:30 am service to have your animal blessed in the courtyard. See the article above for full details.
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.
VOLUNTEER* WITH CENTER FOR ARTESTEEM - September 25th
ArtEsteem has requested assistance with preserving, organizing, and cataloging their artwork, which helps them both preserve their organization/community history and better prepares them to show and share that work with the wider community. We have scheduled this volunteer event for Friday, September 25, from 2-5 pm.
This volunteer project is a wonderful way to meet some of ArtEsteem’s staff and see firsthand the transformational work they are engaged in through art and education.
For more information about the ArtEsteem volunteer event, feel free to contact Wendy Calimag at wcalimag@gmail.com or Lewis Maldonado at lewiscm@mac.com.
*If you would like to volunteer at any of the Isaiah Project organizations, we have asked that folks attend the mandatory volunteer training that took place on Sept. 8th. If you missed it, please reach out to one of the trainers (Rev. Phil Brochard, Wendy Calimag, Jenny Kern, and/or Molly Nicol) for additional information.
LETTER WRITING SESSION - September 26th
All are welcome to join us for another letter-writing session to immigrant detainees on Saturday, Sept. 26th, from 2-4 pm, in the Common Room. Join with All Soulsians and folks from other Berkeley congregations to engage in this important work. RSVP to Pam Maffei (pamelamaffei@icloud.com) or Cindy Townsend (hikinpsyd@gmail.com).
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.
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!
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.
COURTHOUSE VIGIL
Most of our vigil is spent singing and holding signs expressing welcome and solidarity for those who are coming for an immigration 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.
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 Fundraiser- September 26th
Genesis 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 from 8:30 am-10:30 am. Register at the QR Code on the graphic Or you can email gamaliel.genesisca@gmail.com
Good Shepherd’s 4th Annual Used Book Sale - Oct. 10th
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Berkeley will hold it’s 4th Annual Used Book Sale on Saturday, October 10th from 9 am– 4 pm. All proceeds go to the church and our outreach program, Pan del Cielo. Click here to see the flyer. Join us for books, bakes, and brats!
Book Donations Wanted!
Do you need to free up bookshelf space to make room for more books? We have the solution for you. Donate your books to the Good Shepherd, Berkeley Used Book Sale. We’ll even pick the books up from your home or place of business. All we ask is that:
books be gently used - Would I purchase a book that looks like this?
bags and boxes be of manageable weight - Can I carry this comfortably?
donations be made by Saturday, October 3rd
no self-help or religious books be included
Contact us at gsbooks@gmail.com or text 510.829.2316 to schedule a pickup.
