The Pathfinder: May 29th, 2025
A New Organ! An Organ Extravaganza!
All Souls has a rare and exciting opportunity to renew and expand our church organ—at a fraction of the usual cost. Thanks to a unique combination of timing, generosity, and talent, we're able to take on a meaningful upgrade that will enrich our worship and musical life for years to come.
We have the chance to add a new swell division—an enclosed set of pipes that will bring a much fuller and more expressive sound—replace some of the more nasal or whiny stops, boost the power in the pedals, and completely rebuild the organ console. Opportunities like this are rare, but we happened to be in the right place at the right time. We’ve acquired an affordable set of high-quality pipes, the materials needed to assemble them, and the skilled hands of a young and enthusiastic organ builder who is ready to do the work. Once completed, the instrument will sound and function like a brand-new organ, offering rich, colorful tones and much greater versatility—without the new-organ price tag.
When this project is complete, Matt will be able to accompany the choir with greater sensitivity and power—supporting without overwhelming. Congregational singing will be bolstered by a richer variety of sounds, including solo voices like violins or clarinets. The enhanced organ will be able to faithfully reproduce a much broader range of organ literature. Beyond worship, it will also serve as an excellent teaching instrument and a draw for visiting organists who wish to present concerts.
To bring this vision to life, we’re launching a $165,000 capital mini-campaign called The Next Note. This campaign will fund the purchase and installation of the swell division pipes, a full console overhaul, and upgrades to the organ’s inner workings. It’s a rare and deeply meaningful investment in the future of music at All Souls.
We’re grateful to share that The Next Note is already off to a strong start. An anonymous donor has generously contributed $25,000 to purchase the pipes, which are now safely stored in the preschool space. Another donor has offered up to $15,000 to match all first-time capital gifts. In addition, we’ve begun reaching out to key donors to build early momentum through lead gifts.
With continued support from the community, this goal is absolutely within reach.
To celebrate this exciting endeavor, we invite everyone to join us for an Organ Extravaganza on Sunday, June 15th after the 10:30 service. This casual gathering will feature music, a brief history of our organ, a look at what the upgrades will make possible, time for questions and requests, and a chance to make a pledge if you feel inspired to do so.
Whether you’re ready to pledge your support or are just beginning to explore how you might take part, we invite you to join us. Every gift—no matter the size—brings us one step closer to a renewed and expanded musical future at All Souls. You can use this link, Next Note Pledge, to make a pledge now
And whether or not you plan to pledge, we hope you’ll come celebrate with us at the Organ Extravaganza!
– Matt Wolka, Associate for Music and Richard Lynch, Stewardship
Senior Spotlight: Eloise de Valpine
As the school year comes to a close, we’ll be sharing notes about our graduating seniors – the youth from the class of 2025 who are headed out into the world. Look out for more voices in the weeks to come!
Name: Eloise de Valpine
“My favorite memory from All Souls is the high school Tahoe trip last summer, specifically cooking pancakes for everybody.
After high school, I am taking a gap year before attending Wesleyan University. During my gap year, I plan to spend time with my family as they live in France this fall for my dad’s job, do an internship in Barcelona, and be an Au Pair in Italy or Spain in the spring.”
Best wishes, Eloise!
– Emily+
Adult Formation Continues With Summer Book Groups
How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith by the Very Reverend Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde will be the first of the three summer book groups. The discussion will look at ways that people of faith can understand and navigate the major decisions that confront each of us at one point or another.
How We Learn to be Brave was published in 2023, before Bishop Budde became an Episcopal celebrity. Following her own advice from the book, and with the advantage of a national stage, this past January, she urged the President of the United States to “Have mercy.” In that instant, Bishop Budde took a singular opportunity to express to the most powerful man in the world a message of compassion for many of the most vulnerable people in the world.
Most of us do not command a national stage. Nevertheless, we all make pivotal life decisions at one point or another. We leave familiarity in order to go toward challenge. We stay the course in choppy waters, rather than cut and run. We achieve an important goal, then face the inevitable let down. We endure. We persevere. Drawing on personal experience, the experiences of colleagues and historical examples, Bishop Budde walks the reader through definable steps that can enable a person to be brave, not to lose faith, and to be aware of one’s own process of decision making.
Together, the Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers and Bonnie K. Bishop will lead this book discussion. The first meeting on June 15 will cover the Introduction through chapter 3. The second meeting will cover chapters 4 and 5. The final meeting will include chapters 6 and 7 as well as the epilogue. A slender volume of 185 pages, the book lends itself to reflecting on our own lives and the times we live in.
– Bonnie Bishop
What’s Up in the World of Vestry?
At the May 21st meeting of the Vestry, one of our chaplains, Jesse Kadjo, led a reflection on the poem “Speech to the Young” by Gwendolyn Brooks. Then Michael Lewis, our Senior Warden, led us through the regular approval of documents in the Consent Agenda, crossing t’s and dotting i’s.
We spent the next part of the meeting hearing from Phil+ with an update on the Associate for Welcome and Kinship search. It is exciting to welcome the Rev. Rachel Dykzeul into this position, which will be a 50% time position. Rev. Rachel begins June 3rd; her first Sunday with us is June 8th. Phil+ outlined the key points in Rachel’s Letter of Agreement and answered questions on how this position will support our Welcome ministry and Kinship team. As per usual with clergy, we also reviewed and approved Rachel’s housing allowance.
At every meeting of the Vestry, we also hear an update on the hard work of those on the Property Committee and updates on the Living Waters campaign. There are still many moving parts to our capital campaign, including the giant moving parts in the courtyard which will be put together to form our elevator. The Vestry has been discussing a seismic update needed for the church buildings, inclusing the Parish Hall and preschool area underneath it. Evaluations have been made and a unanimous vote approved a proposal from BASE Design to provide structural drawings for seismic work. We are grateful that donors are coming forth to fund this project as we continue to determine future tenants for our preschool space.
These are exciting times at All Souls. On June 15th, Matt Wolka will lead an “organ extravaganza” concert after the 10:30 service to raise awareness and funds for the organ expansion. In addition, members of our beautiful choir, as well as other All Soulsians, are also raising funds. Cathy Goshorn and Joe Garrett provided an update about the Welcome ministry, which is thriving. No Vestry meeting is complete without a report from Phil+, and this month included even more good news. We heard an update on the Isaiah Project, the generosity of design and construction of a new altar in the Chapel by Caitlin Lempres Brostrom and Dean Williamson, and the launch of Friends of All Souls, which is a new stewardship initiative that encourages people to remember All Souls in their wills and legacy plans.
– Erin Horne
Glare: a strong and dazzling light.
Dazzling light is a wonderful thing, until it isn’t! Movies, dinners, and lectures in the parish hall have had dazzling light for a couple years now, a difficult work around. However, that has all changed because there are now curtains and shades! The tall windows have a lovely set of curtains and the small windows have both blackout and regular shades, very fancy. These improvements will certainly make meeting in the parish hall more enjoyable. Wander on in and check them out!
WCI has paused in their onsite work, they have done what they can without additional power. There are other projects being done by outside vendors, so we will still have a busy time. Stay tuned for updates on work as it progresses!
As spaces become available for use, please remember that work and organization are still in progress! If you have questions, comments or concerns about what you see, please contact Ann Myers @ annclairemyers@gmail.com for clarification.
Thanks,
– Ann Myers
Announcements & Events
Happening This Week
SUNDAY
7 AM, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, either in person in the Common Room or Click here to join by Zoom.
8 AM, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please access the Chapel through the copper doors on Cedar St.
9:15 AM, Adult Formation Classes in the Common Room.
10:30 AM, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Coffee hour after the service.
12 N, Parish Picnic Potluck in Tilden Park.
7 PM, Youth Group Bonfire in the All Souls courtyard.
MONDAY
7:00 PM, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, either in person in the Common Room or Click here to join by Zoom.
WEDNESDAY
9:00 AM, Eucharist in the Nave.
Learn with Us
ADULT FORMATION
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
We are offering an additional Reading Between the Lines bible study at 7pm on Monday evenings in the Common Room (click here to join 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 All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me on August 3, 10 and 17
Gather with Us
The Parish Picnic Potluck is this coming Sunday, June 1st!
We hope you will join us on Sunday at the Padre picnic grounds in Tilden Park after the 10:30 service. We will provide burgers of all kinds. Bring drinks and sides and we will take care of the rest.
Stephen Minister Graduation on June 12th
All are invited to attend a special graduation and commissioning service for our new Stephen Minister cohort. Join us on Thursday, June 12th at 7pm in the Chapel for a Eucharistic service celebrating these new ministers.
Organ Extravaganza is June 15th!
Join us after the 10:30 am worship service on June 15th for a mini-recital of organ music favorites and a by-request hymn sing-along. Learn fun facts about the history of organs, how organs work, our plans to expand our organ's capabilities and how you can become an All Souls' "Organ Donor"!
Big Sur Parish Camping Trip - July 18-20
Save the dates to join us in Big Sur for a fabulous intergenerational weekend full of food, fun, floating down the river, prayers, silence, retreat, and frisbee at the beach. We arrive on Friday evening and conclude on Sunday morning with a worship service held at the outdoor chapel on the campground. Join us!
Worship with Us
CHILDREN & FAMILY
Our Sunday School program has wrapped up for the year. We’ll pick up with weekly Godly Play during the 10:30 service beginning August 24th. Over the summer, we hope you will take advantage of the soft spaces at the back of the church and in the side chapel, where you’ll find snacks, books, and toys. Kids are also welcome to use the playground with adult supervision.
You are also invited to join our Parish Camping Trip in Big Sur, July 18th-20th. This is a very kid and family friendly event including swimming, games, campfires, outdoor church, and more. Sign-ups forthcoming!
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 evening, June 1st - Final All Grades Youth Group: Bonfire! Incoming 6th graders welcome. Join us at 7pm in the All Souls courtyard.
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) 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.
