The Pathfinder: March 5th, 2026
How to See our Truths
To veil or not to veil, that was our question. As we were preparing for Ash Wednesday, Emily B. and I entered a conversation about how to set up our sacred spaces. One of the gifts of the Christian tradition in its liturgical expressions is the capacity to use all of our senses to encounter the Mystery of God.
The particular sense we were debating that day was visual. How should we visually create a space that helps us enter into Lent? How to enter this time of penitence and fasting, that then allows us to more powerfully realize Easter? Or, to paraphrase Mother Rachel, “How can we minimize in this time so that we can more fully enter into the presence of God?” Given the range of visual expressions of Christ we have in our spaces, how should we visually demarcate this season?
It turns out that there are many answers to this question. In a conversation with an Orthodox iconographer many years ago, I learned that in the Orthodox tradition, icons remain as they are, unveiled, in a chapel, church, or cathedral, regardless of season. Part of the reason is that they often have many, many icons that represent a wide spectrum of the Christian faith, usually centering on an icon of the Crucifixion. And they also want those icons to continue to teach Mysteries of the Christian faith, no matter the season. The Incarnation and Resurrection remain just as true whether it is Lent or Easter or Christmas.
In the Western Church, especially in Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism, there has been a different emphasis during the season of Lent. Often in Lent, and then with a particular focus in Holy Week, we try to inhabit the season by removing adornment in our sacred spaces. Along these lines, it's the practice of some churches to entirely cover icons in this season with a kind of burlap fabric. The intent is to make us mindful of where we are paying our attention in Lent by removing from our sight an icon that points us away from the path to the Cross.
In past years at All Souls, we have framed our icons with a purple cloth, to have them visually available for prayer, with a kind of reminder about the season we are in. This year, however, our sacristans took a different approach. They found a sheer purple fabric, one that we can see through it, communicating the season, while the Mysteries in which we place our trust, the Incarnation and Resurrection, are still visually present in our space.
This year, we made one exception to our practice of veiling, however. As part of a recent series of three icons commissioned by All Souls, which meditates on the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection, on Good Friday last year, we worshipped for the first time with an icon made for us by the Rev. Dr. Paul Fromberg, an icon of the Crucifixion.
This season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Holy Week and to come again to the foot of the Cross, this icon needs no veiling. We placed it above the altar in the Nave on Ash Wednesday, where it will be until Holy Saturday. While the other icons of the of Christ’s Incarnation and Wisdom and Resurrection will remain in the space, partially veiled, this icon of the Crucifixion will remain as it is, helping us meditate on the sufferings in this world, preparing us not just for the realities of humanity, but the remarkable love of God.
Peace,
–Phil+
Deep Waters & Holy Fire: An Invitation to Baptism
At All Souls, our Easter Vigil is a night unlike any other. We use all of our senses—the crackle of the Paschal fire, the smell of incense, and the sound of our voices chanting the names of the saints—to immerse ourselves in the story of the Resurrection.
We begin outdoors beneath the stars, we process together, we burn incense and ring bells as we enter the nave to celebrate the risen life of Christ.
It is one of the most moving liturgies of our church year—a night when we draw on symbols inherited across centuries to enact a story that is deeper and larger than words.
We want to invite you to consider entering this story in a particular way: through the sacrament of Holy Baptism.
The Heart of the Sacrament
The Book of Common Prayer tells us that "Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the Church" (p. 298). Whether it happens in the arms of a parent or as a conscious choice in adulthood, baptism is the foundation of our life in Christ. It is a public "yes" to God’s grace and an indissoluble bond that marks us as Christ's own forever.
If you—or your child—have not yet been baptized, we would be honored to walk this path with you.
For Adults: We invite you into our Catechumenate class on Sunday afternoons during Lent. This is a space for deep questioning, reflection, and preparation as you get ready to make these vows for yourself.
For Parents: Bringing a child to the font is a beautiful act of hope. We ask parents to attend a preparation class to reflect on your own faith journey and to build community with other families walking the same road.
Godparents and Sponsors: Choosing a godparent (or sponsor for adults) is about finding someone who shares your faith and whose life you hope your child will emulate. Our tradition requires at least one baptized godparent or sponsor be present for the liturgy.
2026 Baptismal Dates
If your heart is nudging you toward baptism, please save these baptismal dates. To begin the process, we ask that you fill out our online registration form by clicking here.
The Great Vigil of Easter & Easter (April 4 & 5th): The most traditional setting, symbolizing the transition from death to life.
The Day of Pentecost (May 24): Celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.
All Saints’ Sunday (November 1): A reminder that we are part of a "great cloud of witnesses" spanning all of time.
Have questions?
Whether you are certain or just curious, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to Mother Rachel at rachel@allsoulsparish.org to discuss what this step might look like for you or your family. You can also find our registration form here: Click Here.
–Mother Rachel
Stations of the Cross: A Lenten Series for Kids and Youth
Why did Jesus suffer?
What do we learn when we look closely at the steps of Jesus’ life and his death?
How can we respond to suffering with a view of hope and faith?
These are just some of the questions that Christians of all ages ask as we move toward Lent and approach Holy Week. This year, the children and youth of All Souls will engage these themes with a special multi-week project on the Stations of the Cross.
This series is led by Molly Nicol and Brenna Hall, and inspired by the book Station to Station: An Ignatian Journey through the Stations of the Cross.
Throughout Lent, older children (grades 3-8, late elementary to middle school) are invited to engage in a journey of imaginative prayer and art. We’ll gather together March 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd in the Youth Room during Sunday School time in the 10:30 service. (Come downstairs following the wooden cross). Kids will learn about the history of the Stations of the Cross, practice Ignatian imaginative prayer, keep a journal and create a response–either through visual art or writing.
If you missed the first session last week, it’s not too late. Kids are welcome to join for the weeks that they can.
We hope to see 3rd-8th graders downstairs this week! Thanks to Molly and Brenna for their time and creativity.
Peace,
–Emily+
Friends of All Souls
Generations of All Soulsians have shaped the church we know today. From gifts that helped build the Nave in the 1950s to Ann Jordan’s bequest in 2011, the people of our parish have been supporting the future of All Souls for nearly a century.
Friends of All Souls (FOAS), our effort to encourage legacy and planned giving, is beginning its second year with an informal conversation on Sunday, March 22, in the Chapel after the 10:30 service. This gathering is for anyone who would like to learn more about legacy giving at All Souls. We’ll share a few stories about past gifts and the people who gave us such a rich legacy.
We’ll also talk about how the church receives and stewards legacy gifts and outline several ways people can include All Souls in their estate plans while also meeting their own financial goals.
If you’re interested in thinking about how a future gift to All Souls might fit into your plans, please join FOAS in the Chapel around 12:15 on March 22. All are welcome. If possible, please RSVP here so we can plan the space and light refreshments. We will have a paper sign-up sheet in the Narthex as well.
We are also planning the second annual FOAS reception to celebrate those who have included All Souls in their estate planning. We expect to gather in May; the date and location are still to be determined.
If you have any questions about Friends of All Souls or legacy giving, please click here to contact Richard Lynch.
–Richard Lynch
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 and Open Door Dinner in the Common Room
12:30 pm, Catechumenate Class in the Chapel (note: this is a different location than last week)
7 pm, Youth Group (Middle School Group)
Tuesday
8 pm, Taize Service in the Chapel
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
We are counting down (23 days!) until the next No Kings protests, marches, and rallies. Stay tuned for more detailed information in the upcoming Pathfinder. Let’s show up and be counted.
Event: Stand Up for Science National Day of Action
Location: 355 McAllister St. City Hall, San Francisco
Date and Time: Saturday, March 7, 1-3 pm
Event: Make Polluters Pay
Location: Register to get Zoom link
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 10, 5:30-6:30 pm (these events are monthly)
https://indivisibleeb.org/calendar/
Event: Letter writing on behalf of people in detention
Location: ASEP Common Room in the undercroft
Date and time: Stay tuned for the next date
Contact person: Pam Maffei pamelamaffei@icloud.com or 510-928-1056
Event: Justice & Peace Ministry Meeting and No Kings Day Protest Sign Making
Location: Stay tuned
Date and Time: March 22, 12:15 pm
Contact persons: Martín Ortega martín-ortega@att.net or Jenkernesq@gmail.com
Event: Concord Immigration Court Vigil
Location:1855 Gateway Blvd., Concord
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 24, 7:30-9:30 am
contact person: Kaki Logan kaki.logan@gmail.com 510-367-9416
Event: Weekly Interfaith 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. Stay tuned for details about location and contact people.
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.
The Bay Area Chapter of Indivisible has vast listings of events and other ways to take action.
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.
The Multicultural Institute works with immigrant populations around employment issues. Consider this as a resource about donations, volunteer opportunities, and ways to hire immigrants.
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
The Book of Judges - Feb. 22nd, March 1st, 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.
CATECHUMENATE CLASSES
Interested in getting baptized, Confirmed, or Received into the Episcopal Church? Consider taking this six-week class during Lent. Even if you missed our first class (Feb. 22nd), you are still welcome to join. We'll introduce Episcopal theology, liturgy, the Book of Common Prayer, and more. Join us in the Common Room* at 12:30 and bring lunch. *NOTE: On Sunday, March 8th, we will meet in the Chapel due to Open Door Dinner’s use of the Common Room. Questions? Email Mother Rachel (rachel@allsoulsparish.org).
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!
Worship With Us
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Maundy Thursday: April 2nd
Agape Meal - 6 pm
Solemn liturgy - 7:30 pm
Service includes washing of feet, stripping of the Altar, and Procession to the Altar of Repose.
Good Friday Contemplative Service: April 3rd
Three-hour service - 12 noon-3 pm
Holy Week for Children: April 3rd
Godly Play story - 4-5 pm
Good Friday: April 3rd
The Solemn Liturgy - 7:30 pm
Holy Saturday Service: April 4th
Morning Service - 9:30 am
The Great Vigil of Easter: April 4th
The First Eucharist of the Resurrection - 8 pm
EASTER SUNDAY: April 5th
Sung Eucharist - 9 am and 11:15 am
An Easter egg hunt for children (5th grade and younger) will follow the 9 am service in the courtyard.
TAIZE TUESDAYS
Each Tuesday, from 8-8:30 pm, we hold a community-led program of silent meditation, prayer, and chants from the Taize tradition. The spring series will run through Tuesday, May 19th.
HEALING PRAYER
Sometimes our hearts are weighed down with emotions for ourselves, someone we love or our hurting world. There is a sacred space in the back of the nave on the courtyard side where you can bring your concerns and prayers. Every Sunday during Holy Communion, two members of All Souls are available to offer prayers for healing and the optional anointing of oil. We can help to carry these burdens with you. Especially during this time of Lent, as we face into our brokenness, you are held in prayer on the journey.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Stations of the Cross through Imaginative Prayer and Art!
As a way to sink deeper into the themes of Lent and Easter, we are excited to offer a special art series for older kids and middle schoolers (grades 3-8). Inspired by the book Station to Station: An Ignatian Journey through the Stations of the Cross and led by Molly Nicol and Brenna Hall, older kids are invited to engage in a journey of imaginative prayer and response to the Stations of the Cross throughout Lent.
We will gather together March 1, 8, 15 and 22 in the Youth Room during the 10:30 service. (Come downstairs when the Sunday School kids follow the wooden cross). Together, we'll learn about the history of the Stations of the Cross, practice Ignatian imaginative prayer, keep a journal and create a response - either through visual art or writing. No RSVP needed; come when you can!
Feel free to email molly.joan.nicol@gmail.com with questions.
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 RSVP here by March 13th 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:
March 8th: All grades bread-baking workshop (rescheduled!). Come learn to make communion bread for the whole parish!
March 15th: High School Small Group + Middle School Hangout (Altieri’s house)
March 22nd: Middle School Youth Group
March 29th: High School Small Group
To join the weekly youth mailing list, email Emily (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
Gather With Us
BEER GARDEN MEET UP - 3/26
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!
March location: Cellarmaker, 940 Parker Street, Berkeley
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:
Waterproof tarps (NEW request)
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.
