The Pathfinder: October 1st, 2026
Setting Our Path: All Souls 2027
From the beginning, Christian communities have been deciding how to live into God's love — and how to sustain that work. A common purse, tax revenue, land grants, vast endowments, the renting of pews: every era finds its own answer. All Souls relies on the voluntary pledge. Each year, we choose what we will use to support our parish and ministries.
Last Sunday we gathered in the Parish Hall for the annual Kickoff Brunch to open the annual operating campaign for the 2027 season. Phil+ and Senior Warden John Gearen joined me to share the financial picture and speak about leadership's hope to continue knitting together a community that follows Jesus. The name for this year's campaign — Setting Our Path — is meant literally. The pledges beginning Ingathering Sunday, October 25th, will shape what All Souls can do in 2027. You can watch the full Kickoff presentation by clicking the image below.
An extraordinary season of generosity
Since 2022, this congregation has given $4.8 million to the capital campaign and $3.65 million in annual operating support. That generosity has carried All Souls to this moment of renewal. Parishioner Cindy Townsend spoke movingly about how All Souls sustained her through years of family hardship and why she gives: "I've been given an abundance of blessings. I give out of the abundance that's been given to me."
What's ahead
Phil+ framed the paths available in 2027 simply. He reminded everyone that the church is not the building; it's the people who live through it. Our physical infrastructure has been renewed; the work now turns inward. We are called to welcome newcomers, build small groups, re-engage those in our outer orbit, and deepen our partnership with the Isaiah Project. The 2027 budget is still taking shape. We are building toward expenses of approximately $1,020,000, and our pledge goal will depend in part on whether we secure a tenant for the preschool space — a question we expect to resolve soon. We will keep the parish posted as that picture comes into clearer focus.
A new practice: Discernment Week
Rather than asking people to think about their pledge for the first time sitting in a pew on Ingathering Sunday, we are setting aside the week of October 18th for prayerful, unhurried consideration. Each household will receive materials that week — including your giving history and an invitation to consider a specific pledge amount tailored to you.
Ingathering Sunday is October 25th, with pledge cards at the 8 am and 10:30 am services and an all-parish potluck at 5:30 pm.
Questions? Contact me at rflynch@sbcglobal.net.
-Richard Lynch, Stewardship Chair
Lasagna Night on Friday!
Join us for feasting and fun in the Parish Hall and Courtyard from 6-8 pm on Friday, October 2nd. The menu will feature homemade lasagna, bread, salad, and treats. All are welcome, so bring a neighbor, a relative, or a friend.
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 this evening 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.
For further information or if you’d like to help set up or clean up, contact Deirdre Nurre at deirdre.nurre@gmail.com or Cathy Goshorn at ogoshca@yahoo.com.
Peace,
-Cathy Goshorn and Deirdre Nurre
Taize Tuesday
These past few weeks of Taize services have been wonderful, with some familiar faces and several new ones. We'd love to welcome even more of you! For folks that haven’t been yet, Taize is a contemplative, community-led service that weaves together singing chants, reading poetry and prayers, and meditative silence.
Our Fall session will run until November 17th. We gather from 8-8:30 pm in the Chapel. Come join us to sit in the stillness and sing in community.
Peace,
-– Ryan Greene-Roesel and Kris Starr-Witort
Is Your Child a Budding Gardener?
If so, we would love to have your daughters and sons on the Zone 2 Garden Team! There are many fun ways for children to get involved! A few examples include keeping the Living Waters stream sculpture “flowing”. Small hands can be really good at “fishing” leaves from the stream.
They could also help keep the handicapped parking area safe by clearing away the fallen Oak leaves. If they like to pull weeds, they can work under the Coffeeberry plants along the playground edge. All the while, they could watch the changes in the garden each month as the seasons progress. And while we are on the topic of seasons, during spring and summer, they would be able to spy the caterpillars growing in the milkweed in Zone 4 by the chapel. If lucky, they may even be able to watch one turn into a Monarch Butterfly!
Who knows? With a parent to help supervise, we might “plant the seeds” for a lifelong interest in nurturing outdoor spaces.
Of course, we have a few spaces left for some adult gardeners, too. We could use your energy! If interested, please contact Kaki in person or text at 510-367-9416.
Happy Gardening!
-Kaki Logan
Announcements & Events
Thursday (TONIGHT)
5 pm, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room.
Friday
6 pm, Lasagna Night in the Parish Hall and Courtyard.
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 in the Parish Hall.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here.
12 noon, Blessing of the Animals and Living Waters Recognition reception in the Parish Hall.
5 pm, Faithful Families Dinner in the Courtyard and Being With Group Meeting in the Common Room.
7 pm, Youth Group - Middle School Group in the Youth Room.
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.
In Memoriam
We are sad to share that Phil+'s mother, Barbara, passed away early this Monday morning, September 28th. Phil has been able to be with his family in San Diego. Knowing how much this congregation will want to surround him with love and support, we asked Phil if he had any requests for us -- he requested only that we pray for his family. And that if any of us wishes to add a note of condolence, that we send a card or note to All Souls. We know that over time Phil will share with this community any aspects of this grief that are ready to be shared; meanwhile, we trust we will give him space for the aspects of this grief that are private to him and his family.
-John Gearen and Molly Nicol, Wardens of the Vestry
Worship With Us
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 before the Living Waters Recognition Reception in the Parish Hall. 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.
WEDNESDAY MORNING EUCHARIST
Join us every Wednesday at 9 am in the Chapel for a small, discussion-based service. All are welcome!
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).
Gather With Us
FIRST EVER LASAGNA NIGHT - October 2nd
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. See article above for more 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.
SECOND THURSDAY LUNCH - October 8th
Join the women of All Souls at noon in the Parish Hall for an afternoon potluck and fellowship.
INGATHERING SUNDAY - October 25th
Come with your pledge cards to the 8 am and 10:30 am services and we will celebrate that evening with an all-parish potluck at 5:30 pm.
BEER GARDEN MEET-UP AT HEADLANDS IN BERKELEY- October 29th
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.
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
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 explore the history, symbolism, and visual language of icons while spending time with four contemporary icons created for All Souls. E
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).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!
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.
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
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.
