The Pathfinder: February 12th, 2026
Things to Touch and Feel
It can be too easy for the Christian faith to be conflated with assent to a certain set of ideas. It’s not that ideas in and of themselves are the problem–they are some of the ways that God reveals God’s self to us. It’s that centuries of Christian practice have taught us that the life of faith is necessarily incarnate, experienced in our bodies.
Because of this, tangible, physical objects can be helpful for us to find our way. As we come close to this turn of our liturgical calendar, I’ve been thinking about three ways that we practice this at All Souls: ashes, clay crosses, and a paper map.
It begins with the centuries-old practice of marking ourselves with ashes to begin the season of Lent. It’s an unusual practice to mark ourselves with ashes. It started in at least the sixth century as a way to mark penitents at the beginning of the season of Lent. Nowadays, you can buy ashes—Christian supply companies will sell you a packet of ashes just for this day. But I prefer to do it ourselves at the close of our Mardi Gras festivities, to burn the dried palms from last year‘s Palm Sunday, then to grind and sift those ashes so that they are ready for the next morning. There’s something very real and primal about the feeling of ashes being smeared on your forehead, drifting down upon your face. In that act, the idea of death, that we will one day return to ash, becomes tangible and visceral.
And for many years now, we have made small discs of clay with crosses inscribed on them to carry with us throughout the season of Lent. It’s a practice that Jeannie Koops brought to us from another congregation. For weeks now, children, youth, and adults at All Souls have been creating these discs and inscribing them with simple and complicated crosses of all kinds. The hope is that all season long, we will have something to carry with us, something that we can put in the palm of our hand or between our fingers, to ground us in prayer. Also, it can be a small but profound gesture to offer a clay cross to someone in a challenging place in their life to remind them that they are not praying alone.
And finally, a paper map. This is our newest tangible practice at All Souls. Since wilderness is one of the metaphors for this time of penitence and prayer and fasting, we thought that a map could be a useful way to reflect on this time. Borrowing from the practice of pilgrimage, and from the ancient maps of those making pilgrimage in Spain, we’ve called this a Camino Map. Last year, I found myself tucking the map into my jacket pockets, the outside of my backpack, by my bedside, all to keep it present, available to reflect on how I was coming close to God, and when I was finding myself drawn away. There are many ways to contemplate our relationship with God during this season; I encourage you this Sunday or in the days to come to pick up a Camino Map to guide and to reflect with this Lent.
I hope that in this week to come, as you pray for how you will practice in the season ahead, that you will find tangible ways, like ash and clay and paper, to mark your path as together we make our way to the cross and empty tomb.
Peace,
–Phil+
Sign up for Camino Groups
One of the essential ways we connect is through our Lenten home groups. This year, we return to the lens of the Camino—the Spanish word for "walk," "path," or "way." We will meet weekly at various locations for five weeks beginning February 22nd.
Soup & Story: Camino Groups (Sign up HERE)
Using a "Camino Map" to visualize the journey, groups will meet in homes for a meal and conversation. Each week offers a "traveler’s check-in" where we share:
An Oasis: A moment of joy or goodness.
A Desert: A moment that felt hard or heavy.
A Traveling Mercy: A time when you gave or received grace.
The Logistics:
Sign-ups: You can sign up based on a night that works for you or by geography. More groups will be posted as more hosts become available.
The Meal: Groups share responsibilities for soup, salad, and bread. (We will coordinate around food allergies!)
The Flow: Typically, we gather for 45 minutes of reflection followed by 45 minutes of dinner.
Attendance: While you don't need to attend all five weeks to join, the experience is much richer when the whole group travels together consistently.
Next Step: If you would like to join, host, or facilitate a group, please sign up here or email Mother Rachel.
Let’s journey together this Lent.
–Mother Rachel
The Catechumenate: Examining the Roots
The Catechumenate is a foundational class designed to help us explore our spiritual roots within the Episcopal Church. Whether you are preparing for Baptism or Confirmation, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of this tradition, please join us. We will meet weekly on Sundays during Lent at 12:30 pm in the Common Room.
Many of us at All Souls arrive here from other Christian traditions—some of which we had to leave behind. Others return after years away, and some walk through our copper doors as their very first entry point into Christianity. No matter how you arrived, there is always more to learn.
In this class, you will explore Episcopal theology, the Book of Common Prayer, Church history, and the meaning behind our Sunday liturgy. You’ll learn from an incredible line-up of teachers—including the Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers, the Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson, the Rev. Dr. Paula Nesbitt, the Rev. Michael Lemaire, and the Revs. Phil Brochard and Emily Boring.
How to Join: If you are wrestling with the idea of "putting down roots," I invite you to join us. To sign up or ask questions, please email Mother Rachel. Classes will meet Feb 22 – April 19 at 12:30 pm in the Common Room.
–Mother Rachel
Room under the Umbrella
Welcome to the 2026 Justice & Peace Ministry! Father Phil describes the structure of this ministry as an umbrella. The good news is there’s plenty of room under the umbrella for you to join in! Through our various activities and actions, we strive to sow seeds of justice and peace; we support each other as we work to fulfill our mission to be the Gospel in action in the world.
Each week, we are dedicating a section of the Announcements section of the Pathfinder to the Justice & Peace team. There will be a calendar of events and resources that can point you to some ways to take action.
Below you will find an overview of some other ways to get involved.
Mark your calendars! Our next meeting is on Sunday, February 22, in the chapel after the 10:30 service. Please come join us as we connect, review, and plan. We will be organizing All Soulsians for the next No Kings Day protest on March 28th. We are looking for ‘point people’ to gather folks in various locations. Reach out to Jenny or Martín if you are interested.
For folks new to All Souls, some of the major projects under the J & P umbrella include:
Open Door Dinner
Every second Sunday of the month, a team of All Soulsians participates in making jambalaya to share with our neighbors. If you would like to join a team, please email Jennifer Akiyama Akiyama.jennifer@gmail.com or Patrick Tahara Patricktahara@comcast.net
If you’re interested in delivering meals to encampments or the tiny house village, please email Cathy Goshorn Ogoshca@yahoo.com
Immigration
A variety of immigration activities continue to support and show solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. Whether you are interested in letter writing, attending a vigil, or joining interfaith partners to draw attention to unjust policies, there are actions to take. If you would like to participate or have questions, please email Kaki Logan Kaki.Logan@gmail.com
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY THIS COMING SUNDAY - Feb. 15th:
Make a Sign for the Concord Courthouse Vigil!
We need to make some signs for our 4th Tuesday (February 24th) Vigil at the Concord Immigration Courthouse. If you would like to support the ASEP vigils at the courthouse but are unable to attend the vigil itself, making a sign could be a great way to contribute! Every small action makes a difference. Gretchen Donart, seasoned union organizer and sign builder, will be there with supplies and support to teach us how to make attractive, effective, long-lasting signs. These signs are unique to our mission at the courthouse to support the people coming to their scheduled meetings at immigration court. Our role is not to overtly protest or criticize. We are coming to accompany, encourage, and to be Beloved Community together.
We’ll gather in the Common Room this coming Sunday, Feb. 15th, after the Realm Session ends (around 12:45 ish). We’ll stay until you finish your sign.
Other initiatives under the J&P umbrella include:
Food Donation and Delivery
The Racial Justice Committee
The Isaiah Project
The Social and Racial Justice Lending Library
Building Interfaith Bridges
and more!
On another topic, if you like designing t-shirts, we’d love your talent! Please reach out to Jenny or Martín.
We look forward to seeing you at our Justice & Peace Committee Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 22, and to serving with you in 2026. Feel free to send any questions to Jenny Jenkernesq@gmail.com and Martin Martin-Ortega@att.net
–The Justice & Peace Committee
Seismic Retrofitting includes bracing, bolting, and reinforcing a building’s foundation, walls, roof, and chimney to resist earthquake shaking.
Seismic work began on January 6th and is moving along rapidly! The asbestos abatement (very common to have asbestos in old buildings) is completed, framers are busy adding support studs where necessary, and soon the sheets of plywood will be installed to studs, the “shearing” of the wall, to lessen any earthquake shaking of walls. A few hiccups have been identified. The best news is that the many decades of original framing in the parish hall walls is structurally sound with no water damage or rot! This is a big deal, as replacing it would be astronomical.
If you peek into the parish hall, you will see a large white plastic sheet box in the center of the room. Hidden inside are the piano and the four large cabinets that will be reattached to the walls.
Shear walls will be installed on the east, west, and south walls, as well as the north (kitchen door) wall in the parish hall. The kitchen will remain accessible through the foyer door, and there will be no disruption in the use of the elevator or foyer.
The work in the Crow’s Nest had a surprise in that the wall they were planning to reinforce didn’t go all the way up to the roof! Obviously, this will now be dealt with. In the preschool space in the undercroft was our other surprise, no tiedown to the foundation. Trenching will be done to enable the installation of concrete pillars, so everything will be rock solid. This is especially important as this wall goes up to the kitchen wall that we are working on as well. Thankfully, this only pertains to about 10 feet of interior wall. Surprises aside, it will be beneficial to be as sturdy as possible!
The entire project should take around six months and will include those areas mentioned, as well as some overdue decorative roof work and painting of the exterior. We have been promised the parish hall will be completed by April 1, in time for our Holy Week and Easter activities. Once completed, we will meet a high level of seismic standards and will be able to market the preschool space once again.
As always, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we embark on this last major construction project. (Landscaping will start very soon!) You can email me with any questions (annclairemyers@gmail.com).
–Ann Myers, Seismic Lead
Announcements & Events
Sunday
7 am, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room or click here to join by Zoom.
8 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
9:15 am, Adult Formation in the Common Room.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here. Sunday School in the Godly Play room.
12 noon, Coffee Hour in the Courtyard & Realm Help Session in the Common Room.
12:45 ish, Sign-making session for the upcoming Courthouse Vigil in the Common Room.
Tuesday
5:30 pm, Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday dinner (Undercroft).
No Taize service this week. We will be back the following week on Tuesday, Feb. 24th.
Thursday
5:30 pm, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room.
Justice & Peace Events and Resources
Each week, the Justice & Peace Team will share events and resources for All Soulsians to learn more and get involved. Please send prospective calendar items to Jenny Kern Jenkernesq@gmail.com and Martin Ortega martin–ortega@att.net
EVENTS
Event: Sign-Making Session
Date and Time: February 15, 12:45 ish
Location: Common Room
Contact person: Kaki Logan kaki.logan@gmail.com 510-367-9416
Event: Justice & Peace Ministry Meeting
Date and Time: February 22, 12:15 pm
Location: Chapel
Contact persons: Martín Ortega martín-ortega@att.net or Jenny Kern Jenkernesq@gmail.com
Event: Concord Immigration Court Vigil
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 24, 7:30-9:30 am
Location:1855 Gateway Blvd., Concord
Contact person: Kaki Logan kaki.logan@gmail.com 510-367-9416
If you are interested in attending a vigil, but the time above doesn’t work for you, the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (IM4HI) hosts vigils multiple times a week. click on the link below to register/rsvp.
Event: Weekly Interfaith Vigils Court Vigils
Stand in solidarity with detained immigrants and their families. RSVP here
Vigils take place at San Francisco immigration courts, 100 Montgomery St. and 630 Sansome St., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 8 to 10 a.m. or 11:45 to 2 p.m.
Vigils take place at Concord immigration court, 1855 Gateway Blvd., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. or 12 to 2 p.m.
Event: No Kings Day Protests
Date and Time: March 28; various times tbd
Location: Bay Area and National
Contact: https://indivisibleeb.org
The following events are from the newsletter Together We Will Albany-Berkeley (TWWAB).
Overpass Visibility Dance Party I-80: Every Friday, 6-8 pm on the University Ave. pedestrian/bike bridge. More info here. Check out the video from last week!
TWWAB Berkeley Rush Hour Resistance: University Ave. bike/pedestrian overpass on I-80. More info here.
Face Down Fascism: Every Friday, 4–5 pm at the corner of Gilman and Santa Fe. Bring signs and noisemakers!
College and Ashby Protests: Every Friday, 4:15–5:15 pm with Indivisible Elmwood. More info here.
El Cerrito Due Process Protests: Every Friday, 3–4 pm in front of DAISO at El Cerrito Plaza. Sign up here.
Stand Up for Immigrants Protests: Every Saturday, Grocery Outlet, San Pablo, 11 am–12 pm. Sign up here.
RESOURCES
5calls.org - 5 Calls is the easiest and most effective way to make a political impact. Find information on issues that are important to you, as well as phone numbers to elected officials, so you can have your voice heard.
Stand with Minnesota - Across Minnesota, ICE continues to stop, harass, and detain people regardless of their citizenship status. Normal life in Minnesota has been interrupted, as schools have been forced to close or go virtual, as people live in fear of leaving their homes or going to work. Minnesotans are organized and activated to respond to this violence. This website has compiled a directory of places to donate/help.
Important Reminder & Rapid Response Hotlines: If you see immigration enforcement, don’t engage—document what you can safely, and call your county’s Rapid Response hotline.
Stay Informed and Take Action with the Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations represents the church’s priorities to the US government in Washington, DC, and offers several ways to connect to their work:
Weekly network calls, Thursdays 10-10:30 am Pacific time, provide information about current events, policy developments, and legislation coming before Congress. Register here.
Weekly immigration update, Tuesdays, 10-10:30 am Pacific time. Register here.
Weekly prayers, released every Friday, prayed aloud on Mondays at 8:45 am Pacific time, name concerns, offer prayer for those who are vulnerable, and seek God’s guidance as we respond. More information here.
Global Partnership monthly calls, 1st Wednesday of the month, 10-11 am Pacific time, consider how the church can address human needs, engage in peacebuilding, and build healthy, mutual relationships. Register here.
Take action by writing to your legislators and other government officials, with Action Alerts. Learn more and sign up here.
Learn With Us
ADULT FORMATION
Dante’s Inferno - Feb. 1st, 8th, 15th
Not only one of the most famous poems in history, Dante’s Inferno (Part I of the Divine Comedy) is also one of the greatest pieces of Christian art ever accomplished. Join Jack Shoemaker as he leads us through this three-week series. Together, we will read our way through the poem, taking turns reading from different translations, and discovering the inspired wisdom of this remarkable work. A few of us may have read this before; many of us may never have, but always intended to. This is our chance! The first two classes will meet in the Chapel at 9:15 am. The final class in this series will meet in the Common Room.
The Book of Judges - Feb. 22nd, March 8th, 15th
This is not the book of Judgement! Judges was a term for the early leaders of Israel before the period of the Kings that began with Saul and David. This book is full of great old stories and offers a window into early Israel, its self-understanding, its understanding of God, and some of its worship practices. We will look at Deborah, an early female leader of Israel, as well as Gideon and Samson. Each class will focus on one story, so there is no need to attend all to enjoy one. Classes meet in the Common Room at 9:15 am.
Adult Formation Advisory Panel seeks your input!
The Adult Formation Advisory Panel will meet in early March to begin selecting books for our Summer Book Groups and classes for the 2026-2027 year. Now is the time for your input! Please send ideas for books and any ideas/suggestions for classes to Anne Yardley at ayardley@drew.edu, preferably by Feb. 28th. We welcome your thoughts and ideas!
Worship With Us
ASH WEDNESDAY - Feb 18th
Join us on February 18th for one of our three Ash Wednesday services. Times and locations below:
7:00 am (Chapel)
12 noon (Nave)
7:30 pm (Nave) This service will be livestreamed
TAIZE TUESDAYS
There will be no Taize service on Tuesday, Feb. 17th. Please join us in the Chapel next Tuesday, February 24th at 8 pm.
Each Tuesday we hold a community-led, half-hour program of silent meditation, prayer, and chants from the Taize tradition. This spring series will run through Tuesday, May 19th.
BIBLE STUDY GROUPS
All Souls hosts two weekly Bible Study Classes each week. In addition to our Sunday morning group (meets from 7-8 am), we are now offering another group on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 pm. Both groups meet in our Common Room and use the Reading Between the Lines curriculum. Join us! Drop-ins are always welcome, too!
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Next Faithful Families Dinner on 3/15. Mark your Calendars!
We are excited to bring back Faithful Families dinners! Join us for a time of intergenerational fellowship and learning. We will start with a shared meal. Then, there will be time for shared prayer practices, activities for kids, and a space for parents to connect and discuss important questions of faith. Families with children of all ages (kids, teens, young adults) are welcome to attend. Sundays: March 15th, and May 3rd, 5-6:30 pm. Please click here to email Emily if you would like to attend.
Sunday School (for kids pre-K through 5th grade) happens every week during the 10:30 service. We follow Godly Play, an approach to spiritual formation that features storytelling, hands-on learning, and wondering. Shortly after the service starts, children follow a teacher, carrying a cross, downstairs to the classroom and return to church at the “Peace.”
To join our Children and Family mailing list, email Emily (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
YOUTH
Youth Group (for grades 6-12) generally happens each Sunday from 7-8:30 pm.
Join us on Sunday evenings from 7-8:30 pm for games, art, reflection, and prayer. We alternate between a middle and high school group with some all-grades events.
COMING UP:
Feb. 15th: No Youth Group (President’s Day)
Feb. 22nd: Middle School Group
To join the weekly youth mailing list, email Emily (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
CENTERING PRAYER IN BERKELEY
All Soulsians are invited to an ongoing prayer group which meets every Thursday morning for an hour beginning at 10 am at Newman Hall Parish. The address is 2700 Dwight Way. We meet upstairs in the Patio Room (behind the red door). There is a free parking lot directly across the street on Dwight.
We open with about 20-30 minutes of silent, Centering Prayer, and close with Lectio Divina. The group has been meeting for many years, and new people are always welcome. You don’t need an invitation, but if you have questions, talk to Diane Haavik at dhaavik@yahoo.com.
Gather With Us
Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Dinner - 2/17
This year‘s Mardi Gras will be a house party in the undercroft. We will be cooking pancakes in the kitchen, and like last year, asking some All Soulsians to bring jambalaya to the feast. To eat the feast, we will be setting up rooms in the undercroft – the Common Room, the Chapel, the Godly Play room, the Youth Room, and one of our meeting rooms. While the spaces may be different than what we are used to, we believe that all of the connection and celebration will remain the same. And who knows? Maybe we’ll want to do it again.
Here are some other details about the night:
We’ll gather at 5:30 pm on February 17th. Jambalaya will be provided by your fellow All Soulsians. We’ll provide salad and drinks, and the youth will cook everyone pancakes! (There will be gluten-free options). Food will be served in the downstairs hallway outside of the Common Room. You can enter through the courtyard doors or the doors down by the Chapel.
After dinner, around 6:45, we’ll gather in the courtyard for a bonfire, where we’ll fire our homemade clay crosses to use in spiritual practice throughout the year. If you’ve taken some home to decorate, please bring them back on Tuesday night.
Some practical ways you can help:
Sign up here to bring jambalaya.
Come early (~4:00) to decorate and set up
Stay late (~8:30) to clean up!
Finally, our Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday dinner is also our annual Youth Program fundraiser. If you’re able, please consider a donation of $5-10 for kids 12 and under, $10-15 for adults, $35 for families (cash, checks, credit cards, and online donations are all welcome). If you’re cooking jambalaya, feel free to consider the cost of materials as your donation for the evening! And if cost is a barrier, please join us anyway. You can donate in advance (or anytime throughout the year!) here.
The funds we raise this year will go directly to our Youth Program as a whole: Youth Group, acolyte program, deanery-wide activities, immersion trips and retreats, and more. You can read more about the tenets and goals of our Youth Program here.
So– we hope that you will join us on Tuesday, Feb. 17th, bringing All Soulsians of all ages and friends from outside of our community, too. The event is family-friendly and intended to be welcoming for all.
BEER GARDEN MEET UP - 2/26
Join us on the last Thursday of every month between 6-8 pm when All Soulsians meet up at a different beer garden to connect - for a drink, a bite, a chat, a game, etc. This is an all-ages, intergenerational event — we would love to see everyone there!
February location: Los Moles, 6120 Potrero Ave, El Cerrito
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.
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.
