The Pathfinder: October 9th, 2025
All Souls as Oasis: A Stewardship Reflection
Hazel and I first came to All Souls for Wednesday Eucharist when she was three months old. She was mostly quiet, and I think we retained about the same amount of material. What struck me was not just the quality of the discussion—Emily+ would later explain that it was “fairly high level.” What struck me was what I didn’t feel.
“What are you doing here?” “Are you sure you’re in the right place?” There are a hundred ways—express or implied—that spaces feel or are made to feel intimidating to outsiders. I—we—felt welcomed.
That next Sunday, the first time my wife and I brought the girls to a Sunday service, Phil’s+ sermon quoted Kierkegaard: “We live our lives forward and understand them backward.” Shannon and I have come to incorporate those words into our lives so much. When we talked that night, Shannon and I talked about how Phil’s+ sermon encapsulated our feelings as parents. And Phil’s+ sermon was one drop of water in what’s become an oasis for us: a place that, week after week, feels welcoming, safe, familiar.
Earlier this year, through a Rube Goldberg series of events, our family moved from Berkeley, aiming for Spokane, Washington, and landed in Moraga. We looked at other churches on the other side of the hill. Attended some very nice services. But when we talked about getting ready for church on Sunday, my oldest, Valerie, would occasionally ask, “which church are we going to?” The word which was that classic eight-year-old’s way of not-so-subtly showing there was a right answer.
After a few months, when I finally responded, “I think we should go back to All Souls,” I got the equally strong eight-year-old’s way of indicating that I’d given the right answer: Yes. Many of us spend our days, whether as parents or professionals, fumbling to do the right thing. I am certainly included in that. During this season of giving, I’m grateful for the time I have in this place that feels like an oasis—a place that has become our right answer.
Thank you so much to all of you for being here with me.
Note: To watch the video of Adam and Hazel from last Sunday, October 5th, click here.
– Adam
Join Us for Our Ingathering Dinner
We will gather together and celebrate the generosity of the community and all we have been given on Sunday, October 26th, at 5:30 pm. This annual, all parish event and potluck dinner will take place in the newly renovated Parish Hall and Courtyard.
We will also have entertainment in the Nave to cap off the evening. Below are a few of the pictures from last year’s dinner to wet your appetite for the fun that we will have this year!
Please let us know if you and your family will join the celebration. Click here to register. There will also be a sign-up form in the Narthex. There is no cost to attend. You will be assigned a table a week before the event and will coordinate dishes then.
We look forward to sharing this wonderful occasion with you!
– Mother Rachel
Alameda Deanery and an Update from the Social Justice Task Force
At the latest meeting of the Alameda Deanery, a group of representatives from nearby Episcopal churches and leaders of our local deanery, we heard updates on upcoming nominations to leadership positions, information in preparation for the Bay Area Diocese convention on October 17th-18th, and a report from the first meeting of the Social Justice Task Force.
Our own Gretchen Donart was one of the first representatives to this Task Force, which is combining social justice efforts with other local Episcopal churches. Below is a note from Gretchen about this new effort.
A new initiative to enable Episcopal churches in Alameda Deanery (Alameda and west Contra Costa Counties) to collaborate about social justice concerns began meeting this fall to focus on faith-based action, community engagement, and systemic change.
The first meeting brought together lay leaders from All Souls, St. Paul’s, Oakland, Santiago/St James, Oakland, along with Rev. Weston Morris of Good Shepard, Berkeley, and the Rev. Canon Eric Metoyer, Canon for Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice.
Almost all the parishes in our area offer some kind of food ministry--hot meals, food pantries, sack lunches for day laborers--so that’s a natural place to start exchanging information and supporting each other’s programs. But the vision is much wider--supporting immigrants, undoing white racism, defending the environment, advocating with and for trans and disabled people, folks “on the struggle bus,” in the words of one participant.
If you’d like to join this collaborative community at our next Zoom meeting, click here to email Gretchen or text her at 206-235-8913. We’re planning for the second week in October. Stay tuned!
– Erin Horne and Gretchen Donart
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.
10:30 AM, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Sunday School in the Godly Play room.
12 N, Coffee Hour in the Courtyard, Welcome Lunch in the Common Room, and Justice and Peace Sign-making downstairs.
7 PM, Youth Group: High School Small Group in the Youth Room.
MONDAY
7:00 PM, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study, either in person in the Common Room or click here to join by Zoom.
TUESDAY
8:00 PM, Taize Service in the Chapel.
WEDNESDAY
9:00 AM, Eucharist in the Chapel.
Learn with Us
THIS SUNDAY IN ADULT FORMATION
October 12th - The Revs. Emily Boring and Phil Brochard: Soul and the Self
What is a soul? What is the self? For three weeks, the Reverend Emily Boring and the Reverend Phil Brochard will explore the notion of soul and self from several different vantage points: scripture, theology, history, science, and liturgy.
Join us for these three Sundays, let us know what a favorite piece of soul music you’d like us to start our classes with, and bring some favorite soul food to share! Class meets in the Parish Hall on the following Sundays: Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12
COMING UP IN ADULT FORMATION
RESCHEDULED: Dr. Mary E. McGann, RSCJ: Lament and Praise in an Ecologically Challenged World
Lament is often missing from our personal and liturgical prayer. Yet in this time of ecological destruction, can we reclaim lament as essential to the truthfulness of our prayer? Human praise would be greatly diminished without the witness of other-than-human creatures. Can we turn more fully toward them as our partners in praise, while remembering those whose voices have been extinguished? Stay tuned for information on the new dates.
Save the Date! November 2nd - Kaki Logan: “Immigration with Dignity”
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, and November 2nd.
2025-26 Adult Formation Calendar
Click here to see the calendar for the entire year.
LECTOR/INTERCESSOR, CHALICE, LAY LITURGICAL ASSISTANT TRAINING - October 19th
There are many ways to be involved with worship on Sundays such as serving as a chalice bearer, a healing minister, a lector or intercessor, or a Lay Liturgical Assistant (people who assist the altar party). Join Phil+ and Rachel+ for a training on 10/19 just after the 10:30 am service to learn more about all of these roles. Once you know more, we can help you discern the best fit for you.
Gather with Us
WELCOME LUNCH - OCTOBER 12th
We are so glad you found us and would love to welcome you. Join us for lunch on Sunday, 10/12, at 12 noon in the Common Room to meet our clergy, enjoy a meal, and learn more about getting connected at All Souls. Please RSVP by signing up online via Realm at this link.
BEER GARDEN MEET UP - OCTOBER 23rd
All are welcome to come for a drink, a bite, a chat, or a game. Beer gardens have plenty of family-friendly, outdoor space and are casual enough that anyone can drop by for a spell as they are able. All ages are invited to join us at Cellarmaker Brewing Co., 940 Parker St, Berkeley. Email Sarah (sbakkerkellogg@gmail.com) for more info.
INGATHERING SUNDAY - OCTOBER 26th
Sunday morning, 10/26, we’ll gather our pledges of financial support to All Souls. Then, Sunday evening at 5:30 pm, we’ll all meet in the Parish Hall and Courtyard to eat and celebrate together. All are welcome to join us for this very fun and celebratory event. For more details, see the Pathfinder article from Mother Rachel above. To register, click here or use the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Worship with Us
TAIZE TUESDAY
Join us on Tuesday evenings this Fall for a community-led Taize service. These weekly services will be held from 8 pm-8:30 pm until November 18th. All are welcome to join us in the Chapel for a simple program of silent meditation and Taize chants.
WEDNESDAY EUCHARIST
The 9 am Eucharist will remain in the Chapel of the Nativity. Come join us for a reflection on the Saint of the day and sustenance for the rest of the week.
CHILDREN & FAMILY
Sunday School
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 five minutes 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.”
To sign up for our Children and Family e-newsletter, please email Emily+.
YOUTH PROGRAM
Youth Group
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.
Coming Up:
Oct. 12th - High School Small Group, 7-8:30 pm in the Youth Room
Oct. 19th - All Grades Youth Group, 7-8:30 pm in the Youth Room
Oct. 26th - No Youth Group - join us for the Ingathering Dinner in the Parish Hall at 5:30 pm.
Download our full Fall Youth Program 2025 calendar here.
To sign up for our Youth e-newsletter, please email Emily+.
Serve with Us
Coffee hour isn’t just about coffee and cookies—it’s about community. After worship, we gather not only to enjoy a bite to eat but also to welcome newcomers, catch up with friends, and strengthen the bonds that make our parish family so special. To keep this ministry thriving, we invite everyone to take part, as they are able.
Each week we ask a few parishioners to bring refreshments—homemade treats, fruit, or simple snacks—to share. Your contributions help make our hospitality warm and abundant. Please click the Coffee Hour Sign-Up link to support this ministry. We ask for someone to lend a hand (literally) as “host” in support of Scott, and folks to provide some treats (enough to feed 10-15).
Your help will make coffee hour a joyful expression of Christian community and welcome!
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 be making a warm jambalaya meal TODAY for anyone who is hungry. 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:
Bottled water, or water filtration devices
Clothing, particularly large shoes, socks, and jackets/sweaters
Hygiene supplies and toiletries, particularly wet wipes, toothbrushes, soap
Menstrual pads and diapers
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
FROM THE EPISCOPAL IMPACT FUND
Night of Light Silent Auction is now live!
Click here to explore unique experiences, fine wines, getaways, and more, all while supporting programs that uplift Bay Area families and communities. Start bidding now!
Each bid sparks real change—breaking cycles of poverty and opening doors of opportunity for our neighbors. Your generosity supports Episcopal congregations, like ours, in funding vital programs that strengthen Bay Area communities. From unforgettable getaways to local treasures, every winning bid helps uplift lives and our wider Episcopal family.
Auction closes on Friday, October 24th at 12:00 PM*. Don’t wait—place your bids today and make a difference!
*The online auction closes on Friday, but winners are finalized at the in-person event. Secure your favorite with “Buy Now.”
FROM ARTS AT ALL SOULS
We’d love to make a FINAL call to invite you to LAST WEST— an innovative and moving play about the life of Dorothea Lange, written by our own Tess Taylor. The run is almost entirely sold out! A final batch has just been released to the public, so All Soulsians need to act fast if they want to come. Right now, there are only 20 tickets left to the entire run of LAST WEST, and they are on Saturday, December 6, for the 1 pm show. Please get a ticket now. Https://svma.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/23416
To arrange carpooling, please email Michelle Barger barger1965@gmail.com.
