The Pathfinder: August 21st, 2025
To Everything There is a Season
I have always, and always will, cherish the season we are currently in: back to school. As a kid, I was so excited to go back to school that I begged my mom to look at Trapper Keepers in July.
As a college student, I lived for that time of year when we would get new schedules and hang on the quad as much as possible before we were snowbound. As a teacher, there came some anxiety-provoking dreams and nerves, but nonetheless I found the beginning of a new school year invigorating and full of hope and possibility.
At All Souls, our Children’s Formation has experienced many different seasons and iterations. There have been years when kids and families were overflowing the classrooms and Parish Hall and years we have been literally isolated, only able to communicate across a computer screen (special shout-out to those of you who helped tell a story over Zoom so that we were all still connected during Covid!) There have been times when we have scraped together a few teachers and experimented with different curriculum materials, and times when foundation was solidly and steadfastly laid (I am thinking of Kay Dreher’s legacy here.) Even in just the nine years that my family has been a part of All Souls, I think Sunday School has met in maybe five different locations between shifts in the pandemic and construction moves (RIP Crow’s Nest!). And yet, creating a home for children and their magnificent, myriad questions remains constant.
It is wonderful to report that the All Souls Children & Family Ministry Team is in an anchored and abundant season right now. We are so excited to welcome children of all ages home this Sunday. We have enough storytellers and support people to carry the load and balance out an entire fall and winter schedule. We have a regular rhythm of Godly Play training, fellowship time for both teenagers and young families, and of course the weekly opportunity to gather together in love, no matter what kind of shape we find ourselves in that particular Sunday morning.
This Sunday, August 24th, kids aged pre-K to fifth grade and their parents are invited to the Sunday School rooms to learn more about Godly Play - the curriculum we use - as well as our hopes and intentions for Sunday School. We will also sing together! And feast. Although time away in the summer months serves such a purpose, allowing us to linger longer without rigid schedules and perhaps see faraway friends and family, there is nothing quite like the feeling of returning home to the steady, sure routine of a new school year.
Blessings to those of you starting a brand new beginning this fall, and I look forward to sharing all the seasons together as a church family.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1
– Molly Nicol
Immigration with Dignity: An Episcopal Resolution
This two-week series is intended to increase awareness of the realities facing immigrants today. 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.
During the first class, on August 31st, we will recreate a mini-retreat using activities from a four-day Episcopalian retreat called “Leaving Home, Migration through the Eyes of Children.” The intent is to experience the effects of migration on children and to be inspired to work together to support Resolution CO31 of the 81st General Convention, “Migration with Dignity.” We will reflect on migrant children’s art and writing, pray with 7 ofrendas or alters honoring 7 children who died in detention, and finish with an opportunity to draw a message of welcome on a fabric square to be included in the Welcoming Quilt Project which distributes quilts to immigrant children living in the United States or waiting across the border. A copy of a bibliography and resources for involvement will be available.
In the second class, on September 21st, we will recreate a mini-vigil such as the ones I attended on the Pilgrimage to five detention centers in New Mexico and Texas. I will offer an update on circumstances for immigrants as they have been rapidly changing since our trip. I will share some resources for action for individuals, for our parish, with Episcopalians nationally, and with people of all faiths or no faith. We will discuss options for becoming allies to our immigrant neighbors and together select one or more specific actions to commit to as a parish. A copy of a bibliography, some key readings, and copies of resources will be available.
– Kaki Logan
The Blessings of Marriage
From 2009-2015, as chair of the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, I had the unique privilege of leading the Blessings Project. Our work began with a charge to develop theological and liturgical resources for blessing same-gender relationships.
This was before the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, when laws in many states restricted marriage to straight couples.
In the Blessings Project, we listened to the stories of LGBTQ Episcopalians, their hopes and dreams as well as the challenges they faced. As people spoke of their experiences in their families, communities, and churches, we heard stories of unexpected blessings and of heartbreak.
Informed by those stories, and by scripture and theology, we explored with the meaning of marriage. Gradually, a new liturgy for blessing relationships began to take shape. One day, in a conference room at the Maritime Conference Center in Baltimore, we gathered to enact the rite, to see how it prayed. I was surprised by how anxious we were for that first “celebration.”
The 2012 General Convention authorized the new rite for blessing relationships. But we weren’t finished. The Convention directed the Commission to continue to develop the resources, probing the theology more deeply and seeking responses from throughout the Episcopal Church as well as the wider Anglican Communion and our ecumenical partners.
One surprising finding was that many gay people, though pleased to see a new rite for blessing relationships, wanted marriage from the Book of Common Prayer, not an alternative. So we developed a gender-neutral version of the Prayer Book service. We also revised the rite for blessing relationships so that it could be used for marriage by any couple, gay or straight.
When General Convention met in June 2015, it considered not only these revised services but also a revision of the Canons (laws) of the Episcopal Church to allow the marriage of same-sex couples. One morning, as legislative committees were meeting, phones began buzzing. People were quickly distracted from the task at hand. The Supreme Court had just issued its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. Marriage for all was now the law of the land. Later that morning, when the whole Convention gathered to celebrate the Eucharist, we danced in the aisles before the service began.
This work on marriage invited reflection on the meaning of marriage. It’s not a uniquely Christian practice, and it took many centuries for Christian marriage services to develop. Our theology of marriage has changed over the centuries.
On August 31 and September 7 and 21, I’ll be teaching “To Have and To Hold: Christian Understandings of Marriage” as part of our adult formation. We’ll explore the meaning and significance of marriage, especially in the Episcopal Church, and on September 21, Diocesan Chancellor Christopher Hayes will join us to discuss the legal aspects of marriage.
– The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers
All Soups and Such Cookbook
Get your soup/stew/chili recipes in now for the All Soups and Such Cookbook.
“Hunger is not an issue of charity, it is an issue of justice.” Jacques Diof
You can click here to submit your recipe, or if it is easier, please send your recipes to either Kieran King by clicking here or Cathy Goshorn by clicking here. The deadline has been extended to Friday, August 29.
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.
Many thanks,
– Cathy and Kieran
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.
10:30 AM, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Sunday School in the Godly Play room in the Undercroft.
12 Noon, Blessing of the Backpacks and Homecoming Sunday in the 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 Chapel
Learn with Us
ADULT FORMATION
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 or click here to join by Zoom 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 21.
To see the full 2025-26 Adult Formation Calendar, click here.
Gather with Us
Homecoming Sunday - August 24th
This Sunday, we will celebrate our third annual Homecoming festival following our 10:30 am service! We’ll have a bouncy castle, popcorn, sno-cone stations, and a taco truck. (The taco truck offers standard taco truck fare and accepts credit cards and Applepay). There will also be opportunities to learn more about what’s happening at All Souls Parish and how you might feel called to get involved. We’ll have a ministry fair: tables set up around the courtyard with representatives from our various teams and groups: Children and Family, Youth, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, Ale Souls, and more! You’ll have a chance to ask questions, join mailing lists, or sign up to take part. We hope you will join us!
Call for Volunteers: We would love your help setting up and cleaning up from Homecoming. Show up between the two church services to help set up, and stay afterward (~2pm) to help clean up. Thank you in advance!
All Parish Retreat - September 12-14th - Registration is OPEN!
All are welcome to join us for our annual all-parish retreat up in Healdsburg at The Bishop’s Ranch. It is a beautiful intergenerational weekend set in a spectacular setting.
Friday, September 12th, 5 pm to Sunday, September 14th, 1:30 pm
The Bishop's Ranch, 5297 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Alongside our experiences of food, fellowship, and play, we take intentional time together on Saturday morning and split into parallel programs-- kids, youth, and adults-- for a time of learning and spiritual reflection. This year, our theme is Action and Contemplation: how our spiritual life can inform how we show up in the world and confront injustice, division, and issues of othering. We'll focus primarily on texts and practices of Christian mystics, historical and present, whose faith lives offered radical alternatives to existing power structures. Together, we'll explore: What practices, individual and collective, nourish and sustain us in turbulent times? How can we balance inner practice and outward action? Our time will include a mixture of teaching, small-group discussions, storytelling, and prayer. We hope that you will join us!
Pricing Options: (Financial assistance is available)
Double Room (2 people) - $320
Dorm Occupancy (5-8 people) - $253
Standard Family Occupancy (3-5 people) - $264
Youth (6-12th Grade) - $176
Children (Pre-K to 5th Grade) - $102
Campsite or RV (Adult or Youth) - $176
Camping Child $66
Saturday Day Trip (Adult/Youth) - $82
Saturday Day Trip Child - $33
Please note: Registration closes September 7th
Questions regarding the retreat, or if you are interested in volunteering at the retreat? Contact Mother Rachel, rachel@allsousparish.org
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 Starts THIS SUNDAY, August 24th!
Join us for the first day of our new teaching year this Sunday, 8/24, during the 10:30 am 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!
After church, we’ll have a festival with a bouncy house, popcorn, tacos, face paint, and more as we kick off our program year.
Sunday School is held weekly during our 10:30 service.
Bring Your Backpacks THIS SUNDAY, August 24th!
Students of all ages are welcome to bring their backpacks this Sunday, 8/24. We’ll have a Blessing of the Backpacks at our Homecoming Festival in the courtyard after church.
Save the Date! Kids & Youth Pajama + Pizza + Movie Night, October 5th.
Join us on Sunday, Oct. 5th for a screening of King of Kings (2025), a new animated movie about the life of Jesus. Families with kids of all ages are welcome.
6:00 Pizza dinner
6:30 Movie
This will be a joint event with our older youth, too. Pajamas encouraged!
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, September 7th, for the first meeting of our youth program year! Come meet the new leaders and connect with other youth (plus, games, snacks, tie-dye, and more). 6th - 12th graders are welcome.
Call for Volunteers: We still need help on Homecoming Sunday! Traditionally, the youth help to staff our snow cone stand, popcorn machine, and more. Contact Emily B if your middle/high schooler wants to help sometime between (~11a to 2pm on Sunday, the 24th).
Youth Group happens on Sundays from 7 pm-8:30pm during the school year. We alternate between a high school small group and an all-grades (6-12th) youth group. See the Fall 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, 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) makes a warm jambalaya meal for anyone who is hungry every second Sunday of the month. If you are interested in joining the ODD team, click here to email Jennifer A.
Please note: Our next Open Door Dinner is Sunday, September 14th. Many folks will be away that weekend at our Parish Retreat. If you plan to stay in town – or if you just join the retreat for the day on Saturday – please consider helping out with ODD! If you’re able to help cook/serve, click here to email Terry Nicol.
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.
Looking for ways to be politically engaged from a faith perspective?
Learn more on the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations site. You can find out about timely action alerts, service opportunities, and ways to be involved on local and national levels.
In particular, consider joining their weekly network call via Zoom, which the Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers mentioned in her recent sermon. Register here.
You can also receive action alerts from the Episcopal Public Policy network here.
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
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.
