The Pathfinder: June 12th, 2025
Summer Choir and Organ Extravaganza Reminder
Have you ever thought about singing or playing an instrument as part of our music program at All Souls? During the Summer, you have a special opportunity to try it out!
Singing in a choir has a lot of benefits - including some that you might not have even thought about:
Improves breathing and posture and reduces muscle tension
Helps boost your immune system
Cognitively stimulating
Improves sense of happiness and well-being
Increased sense of community and belonging
Inclusive and free of charge!
Our Summer Choir will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am to run through the music for the 10:30 am service. (No midweek rehearsals!) For those of you who can read music, or just like to know the scoop ahead of time, I will send out the hymns, psalm and choir music no later than the Wednesday before.
Another great thing about the Summer Choir - you can come for one Sunday, or a bunch of Sundays - this is truly a pick-up group. Members of our year-round choir will be there too, so everyone can feel supported.
Organ Extravaganza
Be sure to join us for the Organ Extravaganza THIS 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.
We will sing some favorite hymns together and hear some exciting organ music, with the knowledge that the improvements to the organ from this project will take us from a passable experience to an inspiring and exuberant one. The last time we put this much effort into the instrument was 1964!
– Matt Wolka
Reflections on Baptism
I don’t really know what I can say about the experience of baptism itself. I find myself just wanting to talk about how it was the culmination of a period of preparation in my life, when I didn’t really know what I was preparing for in the first place.
Well, I thought Phil might be drowning me—I was floundering a little bit. It was extremely cold, and the heavy white robe makes you feel colder, and I am prone to getting very, very cold. Word of advice: Hold the side of the tub so you don’t fall in.
One thing I learned from catechism class (I am slightly embarrassed that I didn’t know sooner) is that many churches don’t allow an unbaptized person to take Eucharist. I still struggle with this idea because I had done it whenever I was allowed, prior to baptism. But I think having gone through this preparation period that now Eucharist takes on a different meaning—where it is an affirmation of the commitment that I made during baptism.
One memory I had that stuck out to me: After the dismissal of the service, I was freezing and slightly wet—and I was struggling to put my jacket on. Someone in the row behind me reached over to help me with it. That was such a simple gesture but meant a lot to me. It was the sort of thing that I would do for my little sister. It felt familial. Suddenly, I was part of the community in a way in which I wasn’t before, and that makes the feeling of Eucharist feel more literally like a communion.
Let me back up a bit.
I had always felt like I was missing out on religion in my life: My mom is Buddhist and took me to the temple as a child in China. After immigrating to the US, though, we stopped going. I think the curiosity came back to me when I graduated college during COVID. I had been in the same house off-campus with my three close friends: biking, cooking, generally getting on each other’s nerves. And then I needed to move home to save on rent. I started to question what my next steps would be, especially given my career in public health. I felt that I needed a stronger ethical grounding to be able to continue. I turned to Christianity in hopes of finding this. I wanted to know what it would mean to be a good person. I wanted guidance on how to be good to my community and to serve others selflessly.
I searched “Church” on Google Maps and looked at the closest ones to where I was living in Boston. I tried a few, without any idea of denominational differences, but I had two criteria.
1. It shouldn’t make me feel politically uncomfortable.
2. There has to be good music.
This ended up being an Episcopal church that actually had a lot of crossover with All Souls in Berkeley.
One important event happened that drove me to move to Berkeley. As I was applying for graduate schools and deciding between living closer to my family in Boston and coming to Berkeley to be closer to Matthew (my partner and an All-Soulsian), my grandmother died suddenly. This was maybe the worst time of my life—my grandparents raised me, and I felt like I was still making up for lost time in COVID.
This also happened during Lent, so church turned out to be a good place for me to contemplate and process my grief. I don’t think church had really been the definitive place for me to think about ethics and morality, as it really gave me more questions than answers; I think I was missing some intuitive piece that hadn’t really clicked—but it turned out, it was the best place for me to grieve and think about my grandmother. That was how it clicked.
This year, around the time of the anniversary of her death, in the 30 minutes I had between classes, I walked to All Souls and asked to be let into the chapel. I went and stared at the stained-glass windows and cried and listened to the sounds of construction. I don’t know why it helped, but when my timer was up, I left and never felt quite as bad as I had before. More than ever I felt more connected to Christianity and to All Souls.
This year, during Lent, I took on everything I could to be more connected to All Souls—I went to young adult group hang outs, catechumenate, Friday Camino dinners, made pasta for Maundy Thursday—all of these little pockets of the church made me really feel at home and welcomed. It was like a really intense bonding experience with everyone that I had maybe seen and talked to at coffee hour but dialed up. This made the baptism experience so meaningful and profound. As I walked into the pool (still terrified of drowning), I felt so much support from everyone there. I remembered the time of grief during that celebration of Easter and everybody else’s baptisms, surrounded by new friends.
So I guess I’m still working out what Christianity is, and what my baptism meant. But I’m getting clearer on it as time goes on.
– Stacy Chen
1,300 Mile Pilgrimage in Support of Migration with Dignity
A group of 10 Episcopalians from various parts of the U.S. met in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and drove to San Antonio, Texas, stopping along the way to vigil with other Episcopalians at 5 detention centers where migrants and their families are being incarcerated.
We drove 1,300 miles in a funky van belonging to the Diocese of the Rio Grande and were housed and fed by local Episcopalians. At each stop, a Bishop or Cannon of the Bishop, priests, deacons, and lay people joined us, about 150 people over the 5 day journey.
We led a vigil outside each detention center, inviting local parishioners to join. We read scripture, prayed, sang, and renewed our baptismal vows. We held posters of children who died in detention in the United States. We read their names, calling “Presente!” for each one. Mariee Juarez, a 20 month old baby (in the photo above), died from a virus contracted in the detention center we visited in Dilley, Texas.
At the end of each vigil, we sang “We Shall Overcome.” I cried through it every time, remembering how many times we have sung this song since the 1960’s. At first, I thought, “Oh Lord, how long?” But I am reminded that this earthly journey toward justice and peace does not end, and that together we must faithfully keep walking this road all our days. I love all the stanzas of this song:
“We shall overcome.”
“We are not alone.”
“We are not afraid.”
“We shall all be free.”
“We shall overcome.”
What was the purpose of the pilgrimage?
To call for an end to incarcerating migrants in over 200 detention centers across the U.S., many of them private and for-profit, with little federal oversight.
To expose the inhumane ways in which migrants are indiscriminately arrested by ICE agents, denied due process, forced into detention, harmed by cruel conditions, separated from family, and denied adequate health care and reasonable communication with family or advocates.
To call for an end to the unlawful arrest of migrants outside courts of law as they attend scheduled hearings.
To be aware of the trauma caused by incarceration, especially for children.
To call for treating with dignity all persons related to immigration— Border Patrol and ICE agents (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)— lawyers and judges— all those working in immigration or advocating for migrants.
To inform and motivate Episcopalians and all people to respond to calls for justice and dignity for migrants and all people associated with immigration.
What did I learn?
Undocumented immigrants have rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of our Constitution, including due process and equal protection.
The present abusive system of incarceration harms everyone involved. We are all connected, and harm to one is ultimately harm to all.
The Episcopal church is in many cities—ready to learn to help.
Leadership matters—Bishops matter, priests matter, deacons matter, lay people matter, and skilled and compassionate leadership is key.
A small effort by a few people can be multiplied by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer matters and we need to keep doing it.
What can ordinary citizens do?
Attend the two Adult Formation sessions I will offer in August, highlighting the retreat “Leaving Home, Migration through the Eyes of Children” and the recent pilgrimage “Migration with Dignity.”
Read (see the very brief bibliography below).
Join local and online groups supporting migrants.
Call or write legislators. (The app “5 calls” is helpful.)
Support migrants in our neighborhoods and communities as they fear for their lives and their families.
Peacefully assemble at courthouses in Concord or San Francisco in support of migrant rights and to deter unwarranted arrests.
Accompany migrants to their court hearings.
Pray, sing, vigil—activate the practices of people of faith.
Donate resources to support border ministries.
Participate in the Quilt project to provide quilts for migrating children.
Assist migrants in finding legal support.
Shelter migrants temporarily on their way to sponsoring families.
Visit incarcerated migrants when possible.
Books worth reading:
Solito by Javier Zamora.
The riveting story of a nine year old boy who journeys from El Salvador to the U.S. with a coyote and people he has never met. Today he is 35 years old and lives and writes in San Rafael.
The Asylum Seekers by Christina Rathbone.
Life, Death, and Community at the Border.
Additional resources:
Local contact for immigration action:
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. www.im4humanintegrity.org
Deb Lee, Director
National Episcopal Contact:
Episcopal Migration Ministries. episcopalmigrationministries.org
– Kaki Logan
A Weekend to Remember
What do you get when you combine fourteen high schoolers, three leaders, paddle boards and kayaks, games, and prayer? An epic, exhausting (in a good way!), holy, and fun weekend!
The youth of All Souls traveled to Tahoe last weekend for our annual mountain retreat. The theme for this year was “Presence”: being present to our inner lives, to each other, and to the world around us, and looking for the presence of God among it all.
The activities of the weekend ranged from playful (lake time, morning polar plunges, games, cooking together) to more serious (morning and evening prayer, team-building activities, an affirmation circle). The leaders and I were so impressed by the youth’s willingness to go all-in and engage with the activities. It’s not every day that you find fourteen high schoolers sitting in silence for ten whole minutes, sharing an experience of Centering Prayer! It was inspiring to witness the youth push themselves beyond their comfort zones, work together, and build new friendships. We ended the trip with a beachside Eucharist on the shores of Donner Lake.
Below, you’ll find some pictures of highlights from the trip. Special thanks to Lizzie and Tommy Belgum, our fearless leaders; Jill Churchman and Richard Lynch, our volunteer drivers; and all of the All Soulsians who have supported the youth program this year.
Our youth program is taking a break for the summer, but incoming 6th through 12th graders are welcome to join us when we pick up again in September.
– Emily B.+
Compassionate, Full of Faith, Skilled, and Trustworthy
Compassion, faith, skill, and trustworthiness are the core qualities of a Stephen Minister. We learned about and practiced these qualities in this year’s Stephen Ministry training class, meeting weekly in the Common Room from mid-February through June.
Our brand new Stephen Ministers are now ready to be commissioned on Sunday, June 15, at the 10:30 service.
Stephen Ministers are lay members of All Souls trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation. Some of the skills taught and practiced in Stephen Ministry training include listening closely, talking about feelings, holding confidentiality, and maintaining boundaries. Our Stephen Ministry trainees worked hard over two-hour sessions on Thursday nights all spring, as well as two full-day Saturday sessions, to learn and practice these skills - especially practice, as Stephen Ministry training involves role playing, and more role playing, and more……..
It has been deeply rewarding to see our Stephen Ministry trainees grow in confidence, knowledge, and skill over time, practicing patience, vulnerability, and adaptability during our training.
As All Souls commissions George McLaughlin, Caroline Smith and Beth Wang during the 10:30 service this Sunday, please join us in welcoming them to the team of active Stephen Ministers. It has been our joy to journey with them as they embrace their call to be Christ to one another in this way.
If you are interested in learning more about Stephen Ministry and/or wish to work with a Stephen Minister, please see Rev. Emily Boring or one of the Stephen Leaders below.
All are welcome to attend a Stephen Minister graduation and Eucharist service tonight, Thursday the 12th, in the Chapel of the Nativity.
– Stephen Leaders Marilyn Flood, Kaki Logan, Nancy Pryer, and Carol Terry
Announcements & Events
Happening This Week
THURSDAY, June 12th
7 PM, Stephen Minister graduation and Eucharist in the Chapel.
SATURDAY, June 14th
11 AM, Kay Dreher’s Memorial Service in the Nave. Reception immediately following in the Parish Hall.
SUNDAY, June 15th
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, Summer Book Group Discussion on How We Learn to be Brave in the Common Room.
10:30 AM, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Coffee hour after the service.
12:15 PM, Organ Extravaganza in the Nave.
MONDAY, June 16th
7:00 PM, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, either in person in the Common Room or Click here to join by Zoom.
WEDNESDAY, June 18th
9:00 AM, Eucharist in the Nave.
Learn with Us
ADULT FORMATION
The First Summer Reading Group Starts THIS SUNDAY, June 15th
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. The first discussion will cover the Introduction through chapter 3. The discussion on June 22nd will cover chapters 4 and 5. The final discussion will include chapters 6 and 7 as well as the epilogue. Join us in the Common Room at 9:15 am!
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
Realm Help Rescheduling
Due to the Organ Extravaganza event after this Sunday's service (6/15), our monthly Realm Help session has been rescheduled for next week, June 22nd. Join us next Sunday in the Common Room after the 10:30 service. If you need help in the meantime, you are welcome to email Dan Hardy (danwhardy@gmail.com).
Gather with Us
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).
Serve with Us
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. Please pray for peace in the Holy Land and consider contributing 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.
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 making a warm jambalaya meal for anyone who is hungry this coming Sunday. Note: The ODD teams need a few people willing to drive meals to various locations in Berkeley. If you can help, please email Cathy G. (ogoshca@yahoo.com). If you are interested in joining the ODD 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.
From the Episcopal Bishops in California
Click here to read the full letter from the Episcopal Bishops in California addressing the immigration protests in Los Angeles.
From Bishop Austin
Click here to read the full letter from Bishop Austin addressing the immigration protests in Los Angeles.
