The Pathfinder: August 28th, 2025
Welcome to the Youth Year!
Almost exactly two years ago– Homecoming Sunday, 2023– I arrived for my first Sunday at All Souls. As far as first days of work go, it was a pretty spectacular one. There was a bouncy house, a taco truck, snow cones, popcorn, and a ministry fair!
I walked right into an extravagant welcome from you, the people of All Souls, and I immediately felt at home.
I walked into something else, too: a Youth Ministry program! Before I knew the names of any of our teenagers – before I knew where the youth room was located, or if we even had one– I suddenly found myself organizing the fall kick-off event for our youth group. From my predecessors, I’d inherited some random lesson plans and Canva flyers, and this gem of wisdom: “The youth love Rainbow Donuts. Buy some for the first night, and they will come.”
They did! Fast forward two years, and I’m pleased to say that we do in fact have youth at All Souls, they do come to church, and we don’t even have to lure them with donuts (although snacks never go amiss). I’m incredibly grateful for the lay leaders who’ve helped to guide and sustain this program and worked with me to imagine where we want to go and who we want to be. Mostly, I’m grateful to the youth themselves – a hilarious, endearing, playful, endlessly curious, quirky, inspiring group of young people who teach me about faith every week. You’ve probably seen them: serving as acolytes during Sunday worship, helping out with the snow cone and popcorn machines at Homecoming, serving at our Mardi Gras dinner, and sharing their plans for college and beyond. The youth are an integral part of this parish, and getting to walk alongside them is one of my favorite parts about my job. Whether you are a newcomer or longtime parishioner– whether or not you have youth of your own– I want to take a moment to share some of the pillars of our Youth Ministry program and some highlights about the year to come.
At All Souls, our central goal is to create a space where youth feel that they belong and they’re accepted for exactly who they are. If youth leave their time at church with just one takeaway, we hope it is this: “I am a beloved child of God.”
Around that central teaching– “You are a beloved child of God”-- we structure our youth program around three key questions:
Who is God? (Theology)
How do I experience God? (Spiritual Practice)
What does God call me to do? (Ethics)
Over the course of their time in Youth Group and parish life, our youth have a chance to explore all of these areas.
We do this learning and exploring primarily through weekly Youth Group. We alternate between an all-grades gathering (6th-12th) and a high school small group (grades 9-12). The all-grades group usually includes a mixture of games, arts and crafts, hands-on learning, and discussion. In the high school group, we dive deeper into topics like friendships, relationships, justice, activism, hope, and identity (to name just a few).
Our first day of Youth Group this year is Sunday, September 7th. You can download our full Fall 2025 calendar here. Youth from outside the All Souls community are always welcome – bring a friend!
In addition to weekly Youth Group, young people get involved at All Souls by serving as acolytes. Acolytes serve during our 10:30 service as vital members of the altar party. They carry crosses or torches, lead our processions, and assist the clergy with many kinds of tasks. We will be offering an acolyte training later this fall.
Later this year, I will share more details about opportunities for travel and service. Historically, the youth of All Souls have taken part in Immersion Trips to places like Mexico and Los Angeles. The last two summers, our travel has taken the form of a spiritual retreat to the Tahoe area, where we focused on the theme of finding God’s presence in nature, among each other, and in our inner lives.
I want to especially invite youth to take part in Parish Retreat. We stay together in cabins, and the youth have their own programming that runs alongside the adult program. There’s epic pool time, outdoor games, and – you guessed it– snacks! It’s a great way to meet other youth and begin to build bonds for the year.
Finally, I’m so excited to welcome aboard our youth leader team for the 2025-26 year. Tim Hausler is returning for a third year in a row. He’ll be joined by Annie Hayes and Kelsey Byers. These people bring outstanding gifts, skillsets, and life experiences that will shape the lives of our youth.
Building and sustaining a Youth Ministry program is truly a whole-parish effort. Thank you to those who support us through volunteering your time, sharing your resources, or simply keeping us in your prayers. Here’s to another year of learning and growing together!
Peace,
– Emily B+
Stewardship in the Summer? You Betcha!
It’s easy to think of Stewardship as something we focus on only in the fall—especially during the Annual Operating Campaign (AOC). And yes, the AOC will launch in just about a month. But, the spirit of generosity at All Souls has been alive and thriving all summer long.
Coming right on the heels of the Living Waters Capital Campaign wrap-up in May, two major projects emerged —projects that will shape our community for years to come. But they needed significant financial support to get off the ground. And they are now flying!
A New Chapter for Our Organ
As you likely have heard, we had an unanticipated opportunity to restore and add a swell division to our organ. All Soulsians leapt into action, and thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of several dozen donors, we raised $132,000 to expand and upgrade our organ. The new swell division is already in progress and will significantly enrich the soundscape of our worship each week. Look for a special concert next spring to dedicate the new organ.
Seismic Upgrades for Long-Term Impact
Renting out the preschool space is an important goal for us. It extends our interaction with the broader community, and it can make a big difference in our budget. It became apparent late this spring that if we are going to rent out the space, we need to make some major seismic upgrades. A structural review found this work involves four major components:
Reinforcing the Parish Hall floor (already completed as part of the Living Waters work!)
Strengthening the roof with plywood sheathing
Adding plywood sheathing to the walls of the Parish Hall
Securing the roof structure to the Nave’s concrete columns with steel brackets
The estimated cost of the work outside of Living Waters is at least $800,000. Thanks to an extraordinary act of generosity, a single donor has stepped forward to fully fund the seismic work. The roofing work wraps up this week with the reinstallation of the solar panels, and the property committee is in the process of selecting a contractor for the remaining projects. While construction on the Parish Hall walls may temporarily affect how we use the space, this investment opens the door for significant rental opportunities in the future.
Stewardship is more than a season
Stewardship is everything we do with everything we have, all year long. Outside the confines of the fall pledge campaign, the stewardship, the generosity, of our, ahem, “organ donors” and our seismic sponsor is already shaping the future of All Souls—and will bless everyone who walks through our doors for years to come.
And as we look ahead, stewardship will take its traditional fall spotlight once again with the launch of the Annual Operating Campaign on September 28. After the 10:30 service, the Stewardship team will present a slide show outlining one path for All Souls in 2026, the campaign that will support it, and the important role thoughtful stewardship plays for our community. And, don’t worry, the presentation will have graphs, numbers and charts. Mark your calendar for September 28th!
Stay tuned—and thank you for being part of this vibrant, generous community.
– Richard Lynch, Chair of the Stewardship Committee
Wednesday Night Choir Rehearsals Resume
September 3rd
After a well deserved summer vacation (the first ever according to some choristers!), the All Souls Parish Choir resumes Wednesday night rehearsals next week on September 3rd at 7 pm in the church.
Wednesday night choir rehearsals are more than just learning new music or reviewing more familiar music for the upcoming Sundays (usually at least 3 weeks in advance and sometimes up to 6 weeks ahead): it is a time for the choir to find its “voice.” Warming up our voices together and then singing in unison and in harmony creates that magical blend that no one voice can create. Naturally, there is a fun social component to our rehearsals as well with plenty of laughter, timely conversations and even prayer.
The choir also holds a focused rehearsal on Sunday mornings from 9:30 am - 10:15 am. At this rehearsal, we run through all the music for that particular Sunday so that the choir can lead the congregation in song - especially the psalm and any unfamiliar hymns. If we have a little extra time, we might look ahead at a piece of music that we are finding more challenging.
One thing I really enjoy about our choir: we move to the pews for the sermon, so you can get the full worship experience.
Thinking about joining the choir? We would love to have you join us! Come to a rehearsal or talk with Matt anytime.
– Matt Wolka, Associate for Music
Berkeley Pride 2025
On Saturday, August 16, a dozen All Soulsians gathered together with our partners, children and friends to represent our parish at Berkeley’s first annual Pride street festival. Across a table festooned with colorful signs, stickers, homemade cookies and games, we connected with each other and with members of our Berkeley community.
Folks shared their stories of coming out, of faith lost and hope gained, and of overcoming bigotry and adversity. Kids, young and old, had their faces painted and danced through the torrent of bubbles emitted by a very exuberant bubble machine. Though there were first-time hiccups to the event, they were overshadowed by many pure expressions of queer joy. Through it all, I believe All Souls’ message was heard loud and clear – that every single one of us, whatever our sexual orientation or gender identity, is a precious and beloved child of God.
– Kelsey Byers
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 in the Parish Hall and Common Room.
10:30 AM, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Sunday School in the Godly Play room in the Undercroft.
Coffee hour following 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
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 21.
To see the full 2025-26 Adult Formation Calendar, click here.
Gather with Us
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 is Back!
Sunday School happens every week during the 10:30 service. Kids pre-K through 5th grade are welcome. Children begin the service in the nave with their families. About 5 min into the service, they process down to the classroom together - look for the leader with a wooden cross! We follow the Godly Play curriculum: a mixture of storytelling, wondering, and creative work time. Children return to church at the “Peace.”
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.
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
All Soups and Such Cookbook is still accepting your beloved recipes. 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.
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.
