The Pathfinder: August 7, 2025
Introducing Our Organbuilder and Upcoming Organ Rebuild
We are pleased to introduce Daniel Gonzalez, a local organbuilder who will be leading the upcoming expansion and renovation of our pipe organ.
This exciting project brings together the best of our existing instrument constructed in 1964 by the Casavant Freres firm in Montreal, with new elements from a former residence organ originally built by Bill Visscher and Michael McNeil.
Daniel brings over a decade of experience in organ design, restoration, and maintenance, having completed his first organ while still in high school. In addition to running the Bay Area’s newest organ building and technical service company, he is also the Director of Music at St. John's Episcopal Church, San Francisco, where he just completed a lengthy organ restoration project after fire damage (photos are below).
Daniel holds degrees in Musicology, Organ Performance, and Data Science from Stanford University and the SF Conservatory, and is a continuing student at City College of SF studying fabrication, math, and engineering.
The expanded instrument will include a new expressive division, which will allow the organist greater control over the volume of the instrument, will more than double the number of pipes, and will feature an upgraded console with a third keyboard. All of these features are designed to enhance the musical capabilities of worship and music at All Souls. Much of the project will make use of high-quality recycled and restored components, valuing both sustainability and musical craftsmanship.
As work takes place over the coming months, Daniel will make every effort to have at least part of the organ playable throughout the process. We are grateful for your support and look forward to sharing more as the project unfolds.
– Matt Wolka, Associate for Music
All Soups and Such Cookbook
There are TWO WEEKS REMAINING to send in your soup/stew/chili recipes to be included in the All Soups and Such Cookbook.
You can click on this link to submit your recipe, or if it is easier, you can email your recipes to either Kieran King or Cathy Goshorn. We are grateful to those who have joined this ministry and look forward to receiving more recipes. All proceeds from the sales of the cookbook will go directly to the Berkeley Food Pantry.
“Hunger is not an issue of charity, it is an issue of justice.” -Jacques Diof
– Cathy Goshorn and Kieran King
Seeing Is Believing!
Several months ago, I had the opportunity to be among the crowd of people who were attending the court hearing of a young immigrant. He had been ordered to appear before the court to find out what the judge had to say about his progress in his effort to legally remain in the United States.
While the judge sounded positive in his approach to the case, there was still no decision made, and the immigrant was given another date to return to court. We went away feeling that we had been effective in our support, that some good would come from our actions, but, of course, no assurances.
Fast forward to last Thursday evening. I accepted an invitation from Kaki Logan to join her for a letter-writing opportunity. Planned by the Rev. Deborah Lee, Interfaith Movement for Human Dignity, this event was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. About eight tables were placed around the room, with at least five to six people at each table. At our table were a man and his wife from the Covenant Church in Oakland, and another gentleman who is Unitarian. While I did not have the opportunity to meet those from other tables, I was assured that many faiths in the Bay Area were represented!
And the letters….to whom and for what?
We wrote letters to inmates in detention centers who had been picked up and hauled off by ICE. The letters were intended to be full of hope and encouragement. Others wrote letters (on their computers) to the Governor asking for clemency or to judges expressing support for detainees’ upcoming hearings.
Was this activity helpful to these immigrants?
Also in attendance were at least three immigrants, who had been incarcerated, but for one reason or another, were released from detention for an intermediate period (which can be years…). One immigrant from Laos had fled when his village was blown up. He is in the process of learning a trade, but his training will be interrupted because he has to report to ICE and expects to be deported. Another immigrant is a Cambodian refugee. He was detained at a detention center near Bakersfield. He was also seeking a pardon from the Governor. Each of these young men spoke with passion of the importance of receiving such a letter…even from a stranger. They also assured us that these letters to the Governor and to the judges make a difference.
It is one thing to hear of the number of immigrants snatched by ICE and hauled off to a detention center. It is quite another to see, hear, and talk with one of these guys! The experience has given me an intense desire to do as much as I can to make a difference in these immigrants’ lives. I look forward to learning more about how to be supportive during Kaki’s upcoming Adult Formation Class on August 31st, and September 7th.
– Margaret Sparks
Big Sur 2025 Photo Roundup
We had so much fun and sweet communion camping together this year in Big Sur. Please enjoy all these photos!
– Mother Rachel
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, Summer Book Group Discussion in the Common Room or click here to join by Zoom.
10:30 AM, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Coffee hour after the service.
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 Chapel
Learn with Us
ADULT FORMATION
Summer Reading Group THIS SUNDAY
Patrick Bringley's All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me. Please join Jane Vandenburgh and the Rev. Mark Richardson to discuss this gorgeously written memoir of the ten years the author spent as a museum guard at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each week, we will read and discuss the following chapters:
Week 1 - August 3rd: Chapters 1-5
Week 2 - August 10th: Chapters 6-9
Week 3 - August 17th: Chapters 10-13
To view the art that is referenced in the book, please click on this link patrickbringley.com/art. Once you are there, click on the name of the work to see the photograph of it.
This group will meet in the Common Room at 9:15 am or click here to join by Zoom on the following Sundays in August: 3rd, 10th, 17th.
Coming Up August 31st!
The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers and Christopher Hayes: To Have and to Hold: Christian Understandings of Marriage
Although marriages are celebrated in the church, marriage is not a uniquely Christian practice, and unlike other Christian rites, in the United States, marriage also involves the state. In this course, we’ll explore the meaning and significance of marriage, especially in the Episcopal Church. Week one will focus on marriage in scripture, and week two will consider teaching and practices in the Episcopal Church today. In the final week, Diocesan Chancellor Christopher Hayes will join us for a discussion of the involvement of the state and legal foundations for marriage. Class meets in the Parish Hall on the following Sundays: August 31, Sept. 7, Sept. 21
Kaki Logan: “Immigration with Dignity” - An Episcopal Resolution
Join us for this two-week series intended to increase awareness of the realities facing immigrants today. The first session offers an overview of the Episcopal conference “Leaving Home, Migration Through the Eyes of Children” and introduces the Welcoming Quilt Project. The second session gives the upshot of the Episcopal Pilgrimage to 5 detention centers in New Mexico and Texas in early June. Both sessions will offer ideas about why immigration has increased and changed in recent years, and suggest how we might support immigrants in this present and rapidly changing environment. Class meets at 9:15 am in the Common Room on the following Sundays: August 31, September 7.
Gather with Us
Berkeley Pride - August 16th
On August 16th, All Souls will take part in Berkeley Pride 2025: an event celebrating queer joy and community. We are looking for volunteers to help staff our table from 11 am to 5 pm. The event is on the corner of Oxford and Addison streets. Please contact Kelsey Byers (ktbyers@gmail.com) if you are interested in helping out for part or all of the event.
Homecoming Sunday - August 24th
You are invited to Homecoming! Whether you’ve been coming for a while and are returning from summer, or you’ve been away for a very long time and hoping to reconnect, or if it’s your first time: welcome home. Come celebrate the start of the new year with us. This fun event is also open to all our neighbors. More details coming soon!
Kids of All Ages - Sing With Us! On Homecoming Sunday, we will perform a song together! Join us for rehearsals during the 10:30 service in August. Kids of all ages and abilities are welcome. Start in the nave at the beginning of the service; a teacher will lead you out when it’s time to rehearse.
All Parish Retreat - September 12-14th
All are welcome to join us for our annual all-parish retreat up in Healdsburg at The Bishop’s Ranch. Each year we work through a theme for the weekend, from pilgrimage, to heaven, to reparations & repair. We do this by age-specific programming on Saturday afternoon and spend the rest of our time up at the Ranch having fun and relaxing by the pool or in Adirondack chairs on the lawn. It is a beautiful intergenerational weekend set in a spectacular setting. Registration is coming soon!
Pray with Us
Stephen Ministers are standing by!
With the addition of three new Stephen Ministers to our team there are plenty of compassionate skilled people available to support you in a time of need. Stephen Ministers are trained lay persons who walk with you in a confidential one to one relationship to provide a listening ear, supportive dialogue, and prayer for all times of difficulty, stress, transition, loss and uncertainty. If you are interested in meeting with a Stephen Minister please click here to email the Rev. Emily or click here to email coordinator Marilyn Flood.
Worship with Us
WEDNESDAY EUCHARIST
The 9am Eucharist will be in the Chapel of the Nativity for the months of July and August. Come join us for a reflection on the Saint of the day and sustenance for the rest of the week.
CHILDREN & FAMILY
Sunday School Starting August 24th!
Join us for the first day of our new teaching year on August 24th during the 10:30 service. We’ll have an open house to meet teachers and learn about our curriculum; parents and children pre-K to 5th grade are welcome! Sunday School is held weekly during our 10:30 service.
Sing With Us!
On Homecoming Sunday, August 24th, we will perform a song together! Join us for rehearsals during the 10:30 service in August. Kids of all ages and abilities are welcome. Start in the nave at the beginning of the service; a teacher will lead you out when it’s time to rehearse.
Bring Your Backpacks on August 24th!
Students of all ages are welcome to bring their backpacks on 8/24. We’ll have a Blessing of the Backpacks at our Homecoming Festival in the courtyard after church.
To sign up for our Children and Family newsletter, please email Emily B.
YOUTH PROGRAM
Youth Group Kick-Off is September 7th!
Join us from 7 pm-8:30 pm on Sunday, 9/7, for the first meeting of our youth program year! Come meet the new leaders and connect with other youth (plus, games, snacks, and art!). 6th - 12th graders are welcome. Look for more information about the fall calendar soon.
Serve with Us
All Soups and Such Cookbook
We’re creating an All Souls Community Cookbook filled with delicious, heartfelt recipes. Whether it’s your grandma’s secret soup or a go-to weeknight dinner, we’d love to include it. This isn’t just about good food—it’s about doing good. All proceeds from cookbook sales will go directly to the Berkeley Food Bank, supporting local families with access to healthy, nourishing meals.
Please send in your recipes by August 25, 2025, and feel free to include a short note about why the dish is meaningful to you.
Thank you for sharing your table and your heart with our community. If you have questions, please click here to contact Cathy Goshorn. See the article above for instructions on how to share your recipe.
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, click here to e-mail Cathy G.
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, click here to email Sarah O.
Open Door Dinner (ODD) will make a warm jambalaya meal for anyone who is hungry this coming Sunday, 8/10. Note: The ODD teams need a few people willing to drive these meals to various locations in Berkeley. If you can help, please click here to email Cathy G. If you are interested in joining the ODD team, click here to email Jennifer A.
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. They are especially seeking donations of the following items:
General hygiene products (toothbrushes/toothpaste, deodorant, soap, etc.)
Clothing
Bottled water
Please bring these donations to the red bin in the Narthex. Click here to email Beth Christensen for donation and other direct volunteer opportunities with USMO.
Ways to respond to the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Education: Learn and educate yourself on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dating back to the late 19th Century.
Partnership: Consider partnering with these organizations: Episcopal Relief and Development (episcopalreleif.org), Episcopal Peace Fellowship (episcopalpeacefellowship.net), and the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (www.im4humanintegrity.org).
Advocacy: Our baptismal covenant calls us to "...strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being."
Last but not Least
Job Opening for Parish Administrator
St. John's Episcopal Church in Oakland is looking for a new Parish Administrator. For details, click here. To apply, email adminsearch@stjohnsoakland.org.
An Invitation to the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed
You are invited to another ecumenical talk on the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed. This is a joint project of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church and St. Mark's. This is the second part of a two-part series, and it will take place at St. Mark's on August 16th. Click here to see the flyer.
International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31st
USMO, along with the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA), is inviting All Souls to an event at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 31st, or International Overdose Awareness Day. The event is focused on community education, overdose rescue training, and a memorial to honor those we’ve lost to overdose. Click here to see the flyer.
Guatemala Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion - February 2026
The Very Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith and John McCray-Goldsmith are pleased to share a language and cultural immersion pilgrimage to beautiful Antigua, Guatemala. There is room for you to join the February 2026 group composed of (primarily but not exclusively) Episcopal lay and clergy leaders, in visiting this historic city. Language instruction and local excursions are provided by CSA, a Guatemalan language school with more than 30 years of experience teaching personalized on-site classes at their Antigua academy. The immersion includes nine half days of intensive one-on-one Spanish instruction, with afternoons free for guided tours or individual excursions.
Is God calling you to grow your language and cultural capacity in the company of good friends and experienced bilingual hosts? The deadline to register is rapidly approaching. Click here to email the Very Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith, or you can reach her by cell phone at (415) 225-9351 with questions. Click here to download the brochure or register online.
