The Pathfinder: May 1st, 2025
Living Waters: Gathering to a Close
Just about three years ago, I stood in the courtyard during a service on a crisp, sunny morning to help launch the Living Waters campaign. That day, I shared this vision: Living Waters invites us to listen for God’s call to renew our church home. It calls us to imagine this sacred space made new—and to embrace the opportunity to give generously, above and beyond our regular pledges, over three years.
And what an incredible response we've seen.
This congregation has listened with care, dreamed big, and given with open hands and hearts. As we approach the three-year milestone, I’m happy to share that Living Waters is right where it needs to be—on scope, on time, and on budget.
Nearly all the major work is done, and we’ve already returned to just about the entire campus. This summer and fall, we’ll see the final big pieces come into place: our upgraded electrical service and the new elevator. Because of your generosity, and careful stewardship of your gifts, we’ll have enough to move forward with some upgrades to our Sacristy, A/V in the Common Room and Parish Hall and landscaping—projects we had to set aside initially.
Now, to finish the work on the ground, we need to finish the work of giving. From the start, we set May 31, 2025 as the conclusion of the campaign’s three-year contribution period. That date is now just around the corner.
Already, over 100 people have completed their commitments, and many others set a giving schedule that will wrap up by the end of May. We’re in a great position to meet our goal.
If you still have an open pledge, I’ll be reaching out in the next few days to encourage you to make plans to complete your gift by May 31.
We’re so close to the finish line—and it’s been a journey worth celebrating. After the final pieces are installed, we’ll gather later in the year to give thanks and mark the end of Living Waters, surrounded by the renewed space we’ve created together.
If you have any questions or want to talk more about your Living Waters gift, I’d be happy to connect.
– Richard Lynch, Living Waters Capital Campaign Chair
From Member to Neighbor: Plans after All Souls
As you may know, I am coming up to graduation from CDSP (with Micheal Drell), and with that graduation comes the end of my time as a seminarian at All Souls Parish. My final Sunday serving with you all will be May 18th.
I was drawn to All Souls after visiting your vibrant worship and learning about your strong history of training seminarians. You have a warm and robust welcome to visitors and newcomers; I both felt that welcome and recognized it as something I wanted to learn and practice. You have diverse ministries, groups, activities full of both fun fellowship and challenging spiritual growth. Two patterns of being community stand out to me from my time with All Souls: coming together every week, and the way we mark special times in the year.
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to worship regularly at both our 8am and 10:30 services and have come to love each representation of All Souls’ community and liturgy. Whether intimate and contemplative or busy and grand, I’ve seen the way so many All Soulsians are contributing to raise our voices and hearts together. We hold space for each other, fill in for each other, and point each other toward the love of Jesus in our daily life.
I’ve also come to love, even in just two short years, the ways All Souls marks liturgical seasons and annual traditions. You invited me into your homes through Advent and Lenten rituals. You invited my family to join your retreats and camping trips. You have given Willow her first tastes of Christmas and Holy week. It has been immensely joyful to witness your warm welcome of Willow as she learns the safety and support of a parish family. While I knew my time with you was limited, saying goodbye still feels too soon.
I will be moving soon, but not too far: I will be serving my curacy as the Associate Rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek, starting in June. Maybe you know St. Paul’s as the church Rev. Phil served before All Souls- I follow in good footsteps. Maybe you have friends there- please introduce me!
At St. Paul’s, some ministries I will be engaged in are: education and formation, pastoral care, and liturgical leadership. My learning and work at All Souls has been crucial in preparing me for these responsibilities. Many of you have guided me in teaching and formation planning, you have graciously welcomed me into Lay Eucharistic visits, you have taught me new and deep ways of worshiping God in community.
I’d like to give special thanks to my Lay Committee: Jennifer Ying, Tara Horton, Katie Ring, and Eric Legrand. You brought me into the community, helped me learn about this parish and reflect on my journey to ordained ministry.
Alongside learning, this parish has truly been a spiritual home for my family during the last couple years. While I look forward to ministry at St. Paul’s, saying goodbye to All Souls is one of the more difficult things to do. You will all be missed deeply, by Willow and Christipher as well as myself.
– Harlowe+
Reading Between the Lines Reinvigorated
I first came to All Souls in January 2021, at the age of 40. I had been cultivating my relationship with God for about 20 years, but was not raised with any type of religion, nor introduction to God as a concept. Circumstances in my 36th year led me to believe in Christ’s resurrection, but I had yet to find a denomination that spoke to me and supported the way I wanted to worship.
In January 2021 I was living in El Cerrito with my brother, who was deep in the throes of alcoholism, and I was in a pretty dark place myself. I knew I needed a church community, but I was seeking a home I’d never had!
I did some research, even took some quizzes to determine what denomination might suit me. I found Bishop Michael Curry’s book, Love is the Way, which spoke to me. I decided to explore the Episcopal faith and naturally landed quickly on All Souls. In January 2021 I attended my first service and was put in touch with Emily HC. It was the perfect time in the liturgical year to join the church! I went to the newcomer class, then the catechumenate and had to make the decision of whether or not to get baptized pretty quickly! I did get baptized on the Easter Vigil in 2021, just after my 41st birthday… Yes, I was dunked in the horse trough. It was very cold!
Of all of the inroads to joining the church community in 2021, it was bible study that helped me build lasting relationships with other parishioners. It was through bible study that I met Daniel Prechtel, who I then asked to be my sponsor in baptism. The group consisted of many church elders who had been attending that bible study for decades. These members offered profound intellectual and spiritual insights into the biblical passages we studied each week. Our discussions were always meaningful. Bible study was a wonderful blend of spiritual and historical context, discussed in a respectful and nourishing way. Yes, we had our disagreements, but we were always learning and building relationships within our community. Our bible study went defunct when we transitioned to the 8 am and 10:30 am service schedule.
It is for this reason that I am inspired to bring Reading Between the Lines (RBTL) bible study back to offer our community. The RBTL curriculum is followed by many Episcopal parishes around the world! We provide weekly packets which include the bible passages for the week, as well as additional reading material that can spark intellectual and spiritual curiosity. Currently, RBTL is offered at 7am prior to the 8am service. We will be offering an additional bible study at 7pm Monday evenings in the downstairs Common Room in a hybrid format. We will study and discuss the liturgy for the following week. If you would like to join, you can simply drop by on Monday night! Additionally, you could send me an email at emilykmcdonald5@gmail.com so I can send you the reading material prior to Monday evening… Reach out with any questions or requests you may have! Our first class will be held Monday May 12th at 7 pm.
– Emily McDonald
In Memoriam:
Kay Dreher
We are saddened to share news of the passing of Kay Dreher, a beloved member of the All Souls community, on April 14th, 2025.*
In her time at All Souls, Kay led generations of children in Christian formation. She helped found our Godly Play program and our Youth Arts Studio project. She will be remembered for her smile, her playful spirit, and her deep faith.
A memorial service for Kay will be held at All Souls on Saturday, June 14th, at 11:00 a.m. (reception with lunch to follow). We hope you will join us there.
If you have memories of Kay that you’d like us to share as part of the service, please reach out to Emily B.
*an email version of this piece mistakenly recorded Kay’s death as June 14th, not April 14th. Sincere apologies for any confusion!
– Emily B+
Doves as a Symbol of Hope in Resurrection
The hope of the resurrection warms us, inspires us, fills us, connects us, and gives us courage to face an unknown future with God’s grace, confidence, and purest joy.
So often when we think of white doves ascending to heaven, we think of Pentecost and the rising of the Holy Spirit. This Easter, the Arts at All Souls team invites you to ponder the ascension of doves as a symbol of newness and the resurrection of Jesus.
During these uncertain times in our nation, we are invited into the Easter story as a reminder that “by His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ“ (1 Peter 1:3).
Throughout this season of Easter, we invite you to observe the flock of doves which will be visiting our sanctuary thanks to the vision of Kate Stout. What might these doves carry for you which can make room in your life and your soul for new birth, growth or renewal? Let these doves soar above as a reminder to you in times of fear, that we are an Easter people who thrive in the hope that God promises to guide us, as God guides these doves in our collective path to freedom.
– Erin Horne on behalf of the Art at All Souls Team
Announcements & Events
Happening This Week
SUNDAY
7:00 AM, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, either in person in the Common Room or Click here to join by Zoom.
8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please access the Chapel through the copper doors on Cedar St.
9:15 AM, Adult Formation Class in the Parish Hall.
10:30 AM, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Sunday School in the classroom downstairs.
7:00 PM, Youth Group - All Grades Youth Group
WEDNESDAY
9:00 AM, Eucharist in the Nave. Enter through the copper doors on the corner of Cedar and Spruce streets.
Note: During construction we had been holding this weekly service in the Jordan Court Community Room. Moving forward, we will be in the Nave.
Learn with Us
ADULT FORMATION
Love Thy Neighborhood: Allyship and Faith in Action
The Racial Justice Committee invites you to this workshop which will explore the critical role of allyship in working for racial justice. Grounded in Christian teachings and our baptismal covenant, we will discuss practical ways to be allies in our communities and examine how faith informs our actions. Classes meet at 9:15 in the Parish Hall on the following Sundays: April 27, May 4, 11
New Member Class
Wondering how to learn more about All Souls and connect with this community? Join Emily+ and Phil+ to learn more. Classes will meet in the Common Room at 9:15AM on the following Sundays: May 11, 18, 25, June 1.
Monday Night Bible Study Starts May 12th
We will be offering an additional Reading Between the Lines bible study at 7pm on Monday evenings in the Common Room (also via zoom). We will study and discuss the liturgy for the following week. If you would like to join, simply drop by on Monday night! If you have questions, email Emily M. (emilykmcdonald5@gmail.com). All are welcome!
Summer Reading Groups Are Coming- Order your books now!
Adult Formation is sponsoring three reading groups this summer. More details will follow but we wanted to give you a heads up so that you can order books or get them at the library!
Ruth Meyers and Bonnie Bishop will lead a discussion on Bishop Budde's book How We Learn to be Brave on June 15, 22, 29
Jack Shoemaker will lead a discussion of Elaine Pagels Revelations: Visions, Prophecies, and Politics in the Book of Revelations and the group will also read the biblical book. on July 13, 20, 27
Jane Vandenburgh and Mark Richardson will lead a discussion of Patrick Bringley's book on August 3, 10 and 17
Gather with Us
Young Adults Summer BBQ is Monday, May 12th
Join us next Monday, May 12th, from 6:30-8:30 at the Belgum's house for BBQ and tasty treats! Please bring something to share and e-mail Tommy Belgum (tommylbelgum@gmail.com) to RSVP. Folks in their 20s and 30s are welcome!
Save the Date! The Parish Picnic is Sunday, June 1st!
We hope you will join us at the Padre picnic grounds in Tilden Park. More details to follow.
Worship with Us
CHILDREN & FAMILY
Sunday School (for kids pre-K through 5th grade) happens every week during the 10:30 service. Starting March 16th, we’re trying out a new way to begin our time together! Children will begin the service in the nave with their families (rather than going straight down to the classroom before the service). They’ll stay through the opening hymn and procession. Then, during the “Song of Praise” (about 5 min into the service), the kids will see a teacher holding a big wooden cross coming down the aisle. They’ll “follow the leader” as a group downstairs to the classroom. We hope that this change will help kids feel more involved with the congregation at the start of the service, and it will create an intentional transition into the start of class. Children will still return to church at the “Peace.”
Come join other All Soulsian families and kids in the courtyard after church. Please be mindful of fencing around the perimeter.
To sign up for our Children and Family newsletter, please email Emily B.
YOUTH PROGRAM
Youth Group (for grades 6-12) happens on Sundays from 7-8:30pm. Generally, we alternate between an all-grades gathering, and a high school small group (~once a month).
This Sunday (May 4th) there will be an All Grades Youth Group
Coming up!
May 11th - No Youth Group (Mother’s Day)
May 18th - High School small group
We’re excited to share the calendar for the rest of our program year. Download our April/May/June calendar here.
Serve with Us
FOOD BANK collection is active. 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, e-mail Cathy G. (ogoshca@yahoo.com).
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, email Sarah (sarahoneto@gmail.com).
OPEN DOOR DINNER (ODD) will be happening NEXT SUNDAY, May 11th. ODD consists of a group of All Soulsians and friends that make a warm jambalaya meal for anyone who is hungry on the second Sunday of the month. This is a meaningful way to connect with other volunteers while serving the community. If you are interested in joining this team, email Jennifer A. (akiyama.jennifer@gmail.com)
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. With the colder weather, they are especially seeking donations of the following items:
General hygiene products (toothbrushes/toothpaste, deodorant, soap, etc.)
Clothes/cold weather gear
Bottled water
Please bring these donations to the red bin in the Narthex. Email Beth Christensen (beth.christensen) for donation and other direct volunteer opportunities with USMO.
Last but definitely not Least
2024 Contribution Statements: They are already prepared and ready for download on Realm. You'll see a blue button that says "2024 Contribution Statement" on your Home Profile Page, and also on your Giving Page. If you aren't registered yet on Realm, or if you have trouble, just email, text or call Maggie Cooke, Giving Secretary, and she will have an email out to you (or a hard copy mailed if required) within an hour or so. Don't hesitate to ask... but it's a great feature of Realm to see your Giving at any time.
Maggie Cooke, Giving Secretary
– The All Souls Staff
