The Road Ahead
If you are a regular reader of this space, you know that I’ve been in discernment about a call to be the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California. In the weeks since this news was first shared I have been encouraged and humbled by the prayers and other support that I have received from people of this parish and beyond. This support has been heartening for me, as this process of discernment has been intensive, demanding, and energizing––not unlike what I imagine the position itself to be.
I write you today to update you about the next steps in this communal act of discernment––those of us who have put ourselves forward for consideration, and the delegates from the 71 congregations and the clergy of the diocese who will be the electing body at the beginning of December.
All of the information about the discernment process can be found on the diocesan search website. Of particular note are the upcoming Meet and Greets, opportunities to hear from the three candidates who will be on the slate at the electing convention on Saturday, December 2nd at Grace Cathedral. There will be a Meet and Greet in each of the six deaneries of our diocese and each of the sessions will be streamed on Youtube:
Thursday, November 2nd, 7p-9p at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Friday, November 3rd, 7p-9p at Trinity, Menlo Park
Saturday, November 4th, 10a-12p at Holy Trinity/La Santisima Trinidad (en español)
Saturday, November 4th, 6p-8p at St. James, Fremont
Sunday, November 5th, 1p-3p at St. Paul’s, Walnut Creek
Sunday, November 5th, 7p-9p at Our Saviour, Mill Valley
On a more personal note, a sadness for me in the way that this discernment process has been planned is that it takes place over All Saints Sunday. As you may now, for some time now we have celebrated this day as a combined feast, the Feast of All Saints & All Souls. We’ve done this for theological reasons (recovering the New Testament understanding of saints as not just those with a red-letter day on the calendar) as well as practical ones (allowing more people to participate on a Sunday as would on a Thursday). It has grown into a Sunday that has deep resonance and meaning for many of us, including for me personally as well as acting as the rector of this parish helping to hold this sacred space.
Because of the planned events on All Saints Sunday (worship and a tour at St. Paul’s, Walnut Creek, and meet and greets in Walnut Creek and Mill Valley), I will not be able to worship with All Souls for that feast. I will, however, be praying with you all that morning and will watch the stream afterwards to see the Arts at All Souls installation for the names of the faithfully departed, and to listen for the plaintive banjo that begins “Take Me Home Lord.” I will be back in the office on Tuesday, November 7th.
As we approach the election in early December I ask that you continue to pray for all those who are in this discernment, and especially for Augusta, Austin and me as we listen for the Spirit at this time, in this diocese. I am grateful for their companionship in this process and for the support of this parish as I discern. What has come clear for me regardless of what happens on December 2nd is my love of this parish, its people, and of the many ways that God is made real here. And that, I trust, will abide.
Peace,
–Phil Brochard+
Why I Pledge
My name is Tim Sullivan. My wife, Karen Ericksen, and I have been members of All Souls for about 6 years.
When asked to speak on the topic of why I pledge to All Souls, my first thoughts were, “Why me?” “What do I have to say?” Over my short time at All Souls, I have worked on the Living Waters capital campaign, on the stewardship committee, as a Stephen Minister, and as a reader at Sunday services. In this work, I have met many who are both engaged at All Souls and very generous as well. Over my time here, I have come to realize that they are the reason I pledge.
I pledge because making a financial commitment to our life together makes me feel more a part of this community, more connected to the good people with whom I worship and volunteer. All Souls is a vibrant and welcoming community where people care for and support each other. It is rare to find a community where the spirit is so obviously present.
All Souls is not an accidental community. From the first time I raised my hand in All Souls to receive information, All Souls has both welcomed and engaged me. At the new parishioner orientations that Emily Hansen Curran leads, she said that “at All Souls we do church together.” She said that “the community will ask you to do things, and your answer should be yes.”
When Emily said this, I realized that I wanted to be a member of a church where communal engagement was the common expectation, not a sign of devotedness or sanctity. When ill from surgery or the ailments of aging, parishioners have stepped forward to help me. Our community accepts broken people with clear eyes. The community is committed to our common life, and pledging makes our common life possible.
Pledging to All Souls, in addition to increasing my connection to others, also makes me happy. In my view, it is the easiest thing that the community asks – much easier than preparing a shared meal or hosting a meeting. I am happy to pledge.
This year, I am again serving on the Stewardship Committee. A goal of our committee is to make sure that everyone is invited to pledge. Another of our hopes is that you will see the request to pledge as an invitation to join our joyful work together and see it as another step in your journey with this community. In Emily Boring’s sermon on October 8, she suggested that we ask ourselves: “What would it mean to give not because you think you ought to, but because you genuinely want to? What kind of giving would balance sacrifice and joy?” I do not have an answer to these questions, but I am sure they are the right ones to consider as you pledge.
Finally, don’t forget that our in-gathering and our stewardship celebration dinner are on Sunday October 29th. As Emily Hansen Curran said in her sermon on Sunday, October 15th, “that night will be at its best when we are all dressed up and partying.” I hope to see you there.
–Tim Sullivan
October Vestry Highlights (Part 2)
The war in the Middle East was weighing on all our hearts as we began the October 18th Vestry meeting. We took a moment to breathe, pray, and consider how we as individuals can contribute to a more peaceful future.
I was buoyed up when we began discussing the progress of the Isaiah project. Wendy Calimag reported on how the Isaiah team is beginning to define the process and criteria for awarding the grants. Some of the preliminary criteria include organizational size (we’d like to focus on smaller organizations to maximize our impact); whether the organization uses a racial justice lens; and whether their organizational leadership reflects the local community.
Deirdre Nurre described the patient and persistent efforts of the Stewardship team and preparations for the grand stewardship dinner on Sunday October 29th. Don’t miss it! We learned that while All Souls has experienced an overall decline in pledging since the Covid pandemic, the church ranks in the top six percent of Episcopal churches nationally for church attendance.
Emily Boring showed us a Venn diagram illustrating her thoughtful approach to youth programs. Youth will engage with three questions: (1) Who is God? (2) How do I experience God?, and (3) What does God call me to do? In the center of the diagram is her top goal for All Souls Youth – to know that they are beloved children of God. Given that young people are suffering from rising rates of depression and anxiety, I couldn’t have agreed more with Emily that this goal should be at the program’s core.
As you close out your week, I hope you can keep the deep knowledge of your belovedness in your own core as well.
–Ryan Greene-Roesel
Reflections on Stewardship
“The visit to Grace was like a PBS tour of a great Cathedral in England.” Jill Churchman
On Thursday, October 12, a small group of parishioners (from the Art Committee and the Sacristans) traveled to Grace Cathedral to attend a two-hour tour of the Cathedral, with focus on the vestments and Sacristy, led by Michael Hendron, the Principal Verger, and Michael Lampen, the Cathedral’s Archivist.
Our tour included the Nave, several Chapels, the Vestry, Sacristy (including a silver vault) and a secret closet, located behind the altar in one Chapel, which contained banners, candles, and Crucifixes for processionals. Michael Hendron had very generously hung banners, dressed altars, and opened closets in the Vestry, and cabinets in the Sacristy, to share with us some of the gorgeous and unique items that are a part of the history and beauty of the Cathedral. Being able to view these items up close, with time to hear some of their stories from Michael Lampen and Michael Hendron, was both interesting and deeply moving. Thinking about the tour, what we saw, the stories we heard, and even some items we were able to touch, allowed us to form many cherished memories.
Our tour started in the Nave, where we first viewed several murals, including a depiction of the fire which followed the 1906 earthquake. In one mural two Chalices, a Paten and an ewer (to pour water for baptism) which were from the 19th century, were illustrated as being carried to safety by the Rector during the fire. These pieces are presently in the Cathedral’s Sacristy and we were able to view them up close later during the tour. The frontal in the Nave, a riot of bright colors, was made by a group of children.
There was chatter among the art committee about how we could adapt the idea at All Souls.
We also viewed the hand-stitched cushions in the choir area, one from each of the many parishes in our Northern California Diocese. Father Phil helped us spot the cushion decorated with fish from the Bay, including the words “All Souls” and “Berkeley”.
We went to a large Chapel where the Verger, Michael Hendron, had dressed one altar with a gold frontal decorated with antique French embroidery. The hand embroidery was rich and detailed, and we were later able to view up close of that same style embroidery decorating a magnificent gold Cope, which he placed on Renae when we visited the Vestry (see photo above).
In the Chapel we were able to enjoy some of the appliqued banners along with two frontals, and a carved altarpiece of the Crucifixion from 15th century France. Michael Lampen, the Cathedral Archivist, pointed out that there were 9 white horses carved in the piece, each in a different position and angle.
In niches high above the floor were many guttered candles, to light the Chapel for the wedding of the daughter of one of the Bishops. At present, electric lighting is used, but the candles lent the Chapel an antique look.
Following our time in the Chapel, we were led to a closet area, behind the altar. Due to its position in the Cathedral the area stays cool and is used to store candles, banners, and a rack of Crucifixes used for Processionals. Michael Hendron (the Principal Verger) told us some stories about the different Crucifixes, and how he planned to use a simple carved wooden cross during Lent. We also viewed a number of banners used for particular Feast Days.
Next, we went to the Sacristy, a large room that contained a silver vault and lots of countertop space for busy Sacristans to help prepare (and later clean) Eucharist vessels. Once again, Michael Hendron had prepared the room for us to view many special items. He had set out the two Chalices, Paten and ewer, all from the 19th century, that were rescued from the 1906 fire. He pointed out to us that in the stem of each Chalice was a wedding ring, one from the husband and one from the wife, who were donors of the Chalices. We were able to study the fine engraving and metalwork of each beautiful vessel. We also viewed dozens more in the open silver vault. There were hand-made ceramic Chalices and Patens for less formal services, and for Lent.
Finally, we went to the Vestry area, a large room that included a number of closets, individual dressing areas, and large drawers for Frontals, Chasubles and Stoles. Several Copes were hung around the room for the different liturgical seasons. There Michael Hendron showed us a closet full of Copes, including the gold-embroidered one that matched the Frontal in the Chapel, which he draped on Renae. He showed us one set (Chasuble and Stole) for Lent made from raw silk, which at a distance looked like burlap, but was soft to the touch.
The tour was complete, and we walked back through part of the Cathedral to the Chapel of the Nativity with its breathtaking painting (and the reserve Sacrament), then back out into busy, metropolitan San Francisco. It’s difficult to put into words how thrilling and intimate it was to learn about these items at Grace Cathedral, their history, and the care with which they are used and preserved for future generations. We were all grateful to both the Principal Verger, Michael Hendron, and the Cathedral Archivist, Michael Lampen, for sharing their time and stories with us.
In closing I want to share the following reflection, “It is like this was a dusty formal distant building and now it is our very own cathedral.”
Special Thank you to Diane Haavik for organizing this amazing experience.
If any one would like to see additional photographs of the hand embroidered cushions click here.
–Kathleen Summerland and Renae Breitenstein
A Poem for the Parable of the Harvesters
Tess Taylor sent along this new poem of hers after our seminarian, Michael Drell, preached on the 17th Sunday after Pentecost on the parable of the harvesters. You can listen to his fantastic sermon here. It was such an apt poem for that parable, and so good, that we thought we pass it along to you all. Thanks Tess!
SONG WITH PARABLE AND FIG
Too many figs! Anya emailed our listserv.
Her porch piled with weathering bags.
Inside, stars: Ripe puckers, O.
These pears need eating today
Carl would say at the farm-stand
stuffing more tawny globes in my sack.
At the close of my shift at the farmer’s market
I also gave the ripe peaches away,
already sticky, a day shy
of rot. Practically begging
for someone to take them, for free—
I’d explain all the uses I know
for bruised fruit. Just like that,
Anya thanked me for coming, as if
receiving her gift was the favor,
so that walking home
I remembered the story
where the kingdom of heaven
is a vineyard owner, hiring all day,
dawn, noon, and dusk, and also then paying
each worker for a full day’s labor—
Illogical bounty, but sometimes we glimpse her
god the abundant
god the scrambler of human economies,
god the perishable flesh in cold water—
profligate god, god the juice dripping
as we stand at the sink and eat and eat.
–Tess Taylor
Announcements & Events
Children & Family
Nursery The downstairs nursery is open and available to you for your use whenever you’re at All Souls. This is not a staffed nursery, so an adult must be there with your child, but if you need a quiet place to take a time out, change a diaper, let your child play or take a rest, the nursery is open for you to do all of those things. If there is a service going on that’s being livestreamed, you will be able to watch the livestream on the computer in the nursery as well.
Children’s Ministry - Sunday School continues each week during the 10:30 a.m. service. Children head downstairs at the start of the service, then return after the “Peace.” See an usher if you need directions.
Children pre-K to 1st grade: Godly Play (in the Godly Play 1 classroom)
Children 2nd-5th grade: Faith Explorers (in the Fiery Furnace room)
Youth Program - Regular Youth Group meets on Sundays from 7-8:30 pm in the Parish Hall. But not this coming Sunday evening due to the Stewardship Celebration Dinner. This Sunday, Oct 29th, 5:30-7:30p, join with the rest of the parish for our annual Stewardship Celebration Dinner. Reach out to Emily B to RSVP.
If you are not receiving weekly Youth Program updates but would like to, please reach out to Emily B to be added to our mailing list.
Questions about Children, Family, and Youth ministry? Contact Rev. Emily B. (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org)!
Adult Formation
12 Greek Words Every Christian Should Know (taught by L. Deihr and the Rev. Phil Brochard) The cultures that produced the Christian testament are significantly different from 21st century American life. By contextualizing 12 seminal Greek words found throughout the New Testament, we will grapple with the impossibility of translation, consider textual traditions and editions, try to enter into the cultural imagination of the Greek-speaking Mediterranean of the 1st century, and find out what difference that makes for us as Christians right now, today. (October 22, 29 November 12, 19). Happening during the 9:15 teaching hour in the Parish Hall and on Zoom (click here).
Click here to see the new Adult Formation Calendar for 2023-24.
Justice & Peace
Racial Justice Movie Night Join the Racial Justice team for the last of this year’s movie night! This time we’ll watch Summer of Soul, a film documenting the Harlem Cultural Festival, a lesser known music festival happening at the same time, but 100 miles south of Woodstock in the summer of 1969. All are welcome. Bring some food or snacks to share. Gathering starts at 6:30p, movie starts at 7p in the Parish Hall on November 3rd.
Ways to help with the Israel-Hamas War, from Episcopal Relief & Development Since the start of the current Israel-Hamas war, Episcopal Relief & Development has been supporting long-time partners in the Holy Land including Al Ahli Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, to provide emergency medical support in Gaza. Despite being hit by two explosions that damaged buildings and claimed hundreds of lives, the hospital is still serving those who are in need of care. Episcopal Relief & Development stands with the brave staff of Al Ahli Hospital as they risk their lives to help others.
Please pray for peace in the Holy Land and consider making a contribution to the Episcopal Relief & Development Middle East Fund to help meet the growing needs of all people in the region.
Stay informed about the Episcopal Relief & Development response at episcopalrelief.org.
Recent immigrant from Ukraine Looking for Housing Julie & Eric Legrand know of someone who has recently immigrated from Ukraine who is looking for some temporary housing. He was recently scammed on a sublet and so is in need of a temporary place until he can build back up the money he will need to rent a new spot. If anyone has a studio, converted garage, extra room, cottage who would be interested and willing to house him, he would greatly appreciate it. Please get in touch with Julie or Eric Legrand for more information.
Immigration While we are waiting for the judge to issue his ruling on Erkhembat's asylum petition, we have an opportunity to join others in supporting refugees and immigrants in our community. Please support the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity's benefit concert November 13th at the Freight! All Souls is a sponsoring congregation and we hope to see many of you there. Use the QR code on the poster below to get tickets. Also, here are some photos from last weekend where Elena and Gretchen helped kick off the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity Pilgrimage to Heal Our Communities––an interfaith, spiritual pilgrimage to visit the six remaining immigrant detention centers in Bakersfield, Adelanto, Calexico, and San Diego as part of a multi-year effort to end detention in California. Elena Ramirez and Gretchen Donart had fun Saturday in Richmond working with kids and adults to prepare the banners and flags for the events.
Events & Everything Else
Stewardship Celebration Dinner All are welcome to join us for our annual Stewardship Celebration Dinner on October 29th from 5:30p-7:30p. Please RSVP by clicking here. We’ll have dinner together first, and then move into the Nave for another round of Taskmaster where the staff will be challenged to a series of tasks and then roasted by the one and only Tim Ereneta. Don’t miss it!
All Souls/All Saints Day: Join us for our Feast of Title and church potluck following the 10:30a service! Feel free to bring a dish that reminds you of someone who has gone on before you (and include the ingredients so that folks with food allergies can eat safely). In addition to our Feast, if you would like to add a name to the list of those who have died for All Saints & All Souls Day, please add their name by clicking here.
Stephen Ministry Wish you had someone outside your family/friend circle to support your journey through a difficult or unfamiliar situation? A Stephen Minister is a possibility. Stephen ministers are trained fellow parishioners who offer confidential care, prayer and listening hearts. Contact Madeline Feeley madelinefeeley@gmail.com or Rev. Emily B for more information or to connect with a Stephen Minister.
Taize Retreat in San Francisco: November 3-5 Spend time encountering other young adults in a weekend retreat in San Francisco, full of song, silence, sharing, and contemplative prayer. Led by Br. Emile from the Taizé community in France with the international Verbum Dei sisters and support from St Agnes parish Young Adult Community. Accommodation and meals provided. The retreat is open to young adults ages 21 - 40 with a suggested contribution of $60 - $120 (financial help is available). Our retreat location, the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity home, is located in the Mission of San Francisco, one of the oldest settlements in the city. The neighborhood is home to a diverse immigrant population, a unique mixture of faith, popular religiosity, and politics, and is a microcosm of some of the extreme inequalities and pressing social justice issues facing the Bay Area, which the retreat will reflect upon. Questions and Registration: taizesf2023@gmail.com.
Spiritual Autobiography Drop-In Writing Workshop The Greeks of Homer's time called it nostos: that age-old story in which the epic hero can return home only after decades of trials, a voyage out beyond the Pillars of Hercules, the sailing on into the River Sea encircling The Known World. Odysseus descends into Hell and is raised from the dead. He returns to his wife and son in Ithaca only after losing all his ships and men.
Nostos, homecoming. How do we find ourselves at home here at All Souls Episcopal Parish in what's quickly becoming the Year of Our Lord 2024.
A group of intrepid souls has embarked upon this passage one Sunday a month after the coffee hour following the 10:30 service. Our next meeting is Sunday, November 12th at 12:30 in the Common Room. Any and all are welcome, please join us.
Hospice, Palliative Care, Assisted Dying: Adding Clarity, Choice, and Well-Being to End-of-Life Care We are invited to join in on an event at Congregation Beth El on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 7-8:30p.
Stephanie Marquet, MD will host a conversation on:
• When is an appropriate time to start thinking about end of life?
• How is Palliative Care different from Hospice Care?
• What are the benefits of each of these services?
• What is Assisted Dying and who is eligible in California?
Hear Dr. Stephanie Marquet answer questions about these important services, when they might be indicated, and how each service can contribute to bringing choice and well-being, even during terminal or disabling illnesses.
