When Food Makes Space
Some of my favorite memories of being a kid in church are the ones when we were let loose to run around or play while our parents forgot about us for a little while. I have distinct memories of sneaking food from the church kitchen, or rough-housing in the music room, just tearing up and down the halls of the church red-faced and sweaty. After a while someone would get hurt and so we’d have to employ the help of an adult, and instinctually, we’d just run to the foyer, to coffee hour. I have such clear memories of my parents laughing with other adults.
And while I don’t imagine it was intentional at the time––they were just trying to see their friends and enjoy the company of other adults when they could––they were modeling for me a way to be: to value time spent with other people in the give and take of conversation, and to value having fun.
And I imagine it is this feeling of community and fun that is one of the factors that has kept me in church all these years.
One of the things I have come to love about All Souls in my eight years here is the deep appreciation for good food and drink. I think of Martin Ortega, a few years ago, when he brought a full grill to the All Souls/All Saints potluck to make a recipe in honor of his dad, or of Pat Jones’ hilarious lamb cake at Easter, or Margaret Sparks deviled eggs, or most recently of the Cake Team and the cake they made for Jill & Ugo’s wedding celebration. We eat well here at All Souls.
But one of the bits of All Souls life that has fallen away in recent years is our Hospitality team and our coffee hour. In the place of a Hospitality team, Scott Garriott, our Sexton, has graciously been providing store-bought goods; Renae Breitenstein and Jill Churchman have been making sure that we have what we need for Christmas and Easter; and of course we have these folks (like those listed above) who regularly bring these epic dishes to our larger gatherings and feasts. We’ve made it work, but I think it’s time that we approach this bit of our life together with more intentionality.
So, I’d like to turn our collective attention to Hospitality, according to Webster, the “friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers”
We won’t make a team of it, as we have done in the past (or at least not yet), but we’ve got several ways to create this generous sort of reception of another. Here they are:
First, we’re circulating a sign-up sheet for folks to sign-up to bring snacks and dishes for our regular Sunday coffee hour (the one that happens just after the 10:30a service), with the hope that there is food to share, to gather around, and even for the kids to sneak before we all make our way out to the courtyard. Consider signing up weekly, monthly, or quarterly and contributing something sweet, savory, healthy, or not.
Second, we’ve got a new thing going on, which is a cake team. It started at Jill and Ugo’s wedding celebration a few months ago, and it was so fun (and so good) that they have decided to keep it up! It’s a group of four All Soulsians and they pick a cake to make, then they all make that same cake, and bring it to church to share. If you like to bake cakes, and this sounds fun, reach out and I’ll get you connected. You can also just come this Sunday to the potluck and appreciate their work (they’re making a tres leches cake for Sunday!).
Third, the Ale Souls beer brewing group is gathering to plan for a Christmas Ale. If you like to brew beer or are interested in learning how, feel free to join us at Fieldwork Brewing this coming Monday evening (11/6) at 7:30p to taste some beer and plan for Christmas. Fieldwork also has fantastic non-alcoholic drinks and food, for those looking for something other than beer.
And finally, this coming Sunday is our next Continuing the Feast church potluck and is our Feast of Title, All Souls/All Saints Day. Unlike other church potluck days (which we call Continuing the Feast) this particular potluck has a theme. We’re asking that you bring a dish that reminds you of someone you have loved but see no longer––perhaps your grandmother’s chocolate cake or your dad’s pot of beans. When you come to church on Sunday, feel free to leave whatever you bring in the kitchen (just label your dish). Please provide a list of the ingredients to accompany your dish so that folks with food allergies know what is safe for them to eat. Additionally, something else that you may want to bring is a note and photograph about the recipe and the person it honors. We’d love to read and hear the stories of these people we all hold so dear. The potluck will happen in the courtyard and Parish Hall just after the 10:30a service.
I don’t know if you have noticed, but we currently have more new folks coming on Sundays and more new families checking out what it means to be an All Soulsian than we have since Covid hit. My hope is that these folks experience a generous reception from all of us, opening our hearts and lives, into the depth of this community through food, the give and take of conversation, and abundant joy: a generous reception, indeed.
–Emily Hansen Curran
Church Matters
!Presente!
All Souls was present in our full complement at the Convention at Grace Cathedral last Saturday: Ruth Meyers sponsored a resolution on immigration, Richard Page sang in the Chancel Choir; Toni Martinez-Borgfeldt served on the Elections Committee; Paula Nesbitt, Kirk Miller and Cathy Thompson, and Emily Boring walked from BART up the hill to the Cathedral in the chilly morning air; Phil shepherded the group. Liz Tichenor and her delegates sat next to us. It was an inspiring day, and I’m so grateful to have been a delegate to the Convention.
This 174th Convention of our Diocese was Bishop Marc’s last as he is retiring this year. And we are not the only ones to notice this significant event. Nancy Pelosi also noticed.
I have a sweatshirt that says, “Don’t mess with Nancy.” I bought it after I saw a young journalist ask Speaker Nancy Pelosi—a devout Catholic—something like, “Do you hate Donald Trump?” When She replied in the negative and that she prayed for Donald Trump every day, the journalist essentially called her a liar. Needless to say, given Nancy’s emphatic and indignant response, the young journalist was very sorry he had ever tangled with Nancy Pelosi, underestimating her and misunderstanding her faith.
Nancy Pelosi appeared at lunchtime to present Bishop Marc with a resolution only two days after Congress finally began doing business again after a 45-day hiatus. She had entered into the Congressional record a recognition of Bishop Marc’s contribution on the world stage for his presence as a person of faith and for his efforts on our behalf in forwarding the issue of climate change. Nancy Pelosi came in person to honor and to thank him and his wife Sheila for their 17 years of service.
Another powerful woman also gave a very moving speech during the convention. This time it was a parishioner, an immigrant from Guatemala. She was speaking in favor of a resolution written and shepherded by Ruth Meyers titled “Immigration with Dignity.” She said that when she read the resolution, she felt it was telling the story of her life. The resolution passed by a very large margin.
Another resolution that passed with overwhelming support was one submitted by some youths from St. Paul’s Church, Oakland. Some delegates wanted to widen the scope of the resolution to include an amendment to ban the use of assault weapons, but ultimately the resolution passed just as the youths had written it. The delegation wanted to affirm the important involvement of youths.
Other resolutions passed, bishop Mark delivered a moving sermon, a rabbi from a temple in San Francisco and many parishioners spoke with energy and commitment. I was inspired and proud.
Our business that day demonstrated that we are connected to many other parishes and dioceses throughout the nation and the world. It is good to see first-hand these connections. I left thinking that—Convention matters. Faith matters. Church matters. We belong to a large and energetic and faithful Episcopal family. We did acknowledge the indigenous people on whose former homeland we met; we did acknowledge our past complicity in the suffering of others. Yet there we were—together—yearning and striving to become the Beloved Community we are called to be.
–Kaki Logan
When Serious Met Silly: Stewardship Ingathering
So much fun and fellowship overflowed at Sunday’s Ingathering dinner and celebration. All Soulsians gathered for a delicious meal at tables decorated with lights, flowers and candles. Those seated outside enjoyed one of those epic warm California twilight hours. Friends and family, kids and teens, old-timers and newcomers celebrated, and every seat was full. Entertainment followed with a round of “Taskmaster”, a British television concept, wherein our All Souls staff performed some unlikely tasks and argued for points with our skeptical Taskmaster Tim Ereneta.
Viewers may never forget the Rev. Emily Boring arising from the baptismal font like the Creature from the Black Lagoon (click here to watch this clip plus all of the tasks the staff did). The evening closed in song and prayer. Thanks to all who helped with setup, cleanup, cooking, and merry-making.
Pledges received at Ingathering gave us still more to celebrate. Eighty-eight generous All Soulsians pledged a total of $384,774. We are so grateful for the generosity of this community.
How are we doing so far with stewardship? The number of pledges is just about the same as last year after Ingathering, but we already have 15 new pledgers compared to a total of 9 new pledgers for the whole campaign last year. The total raised on the first day ($385,774) is lower than last year and behind the pace we need to keep to meet this year’s goal of $655,000. So, we would like to encourage those who have not yet pledged to pledge generously and as soon as they are able. We are so grateful for the generosity of this community.
A 2024 pledge card has been mailed and emailed to our parish list. To pledge online, this link (click here) can connect you to an online form. Whether you use paper or electrons, we ask you to prayerfully consider how you can support All Souls’ work in 2024 and make a pledge today.
–Deirdre Nurre
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.
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
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.
New Form for Pathfinder Publishing Starting next week, we’re migrating the publishing of this newsletter from Mailchimp to Squarespace, the host of this website. We’re hoping that this will streamline the process of publishing this newsletter and be easier on the staff. If you subscribe to this newsletter and don’t get it in your inbox next Thursday, please reach out to Emily Hansen Curran (emily@allsoulsparish.org) and we’ll get it squared away.
Hospitality at All Souls Sign-up here (click here) to contribute to Sunday coffee hour food!
