The Pathfinder: March 12th, 2026
Why I March
My father got the protest bug in the mid-1960’s, around the time I was taking my first steps. He was inspired by Cesar Chavez and his nascent NFWA (which became the UFW), especially the Delano Grape Strike beginning in ’65.
As a staunch Catholic, he saw poor, hard-working people struggling for very basic things: enough money to put food on the table, clothes on their backs, and a roof over their heads. And, as a brown man whose parents had migrated poor from Mexico, he felt a deep connection to them and their struggle. He was following his heart and, though he may have only confessed to this as an aside, he was following the teachings of Christ.
He and my mother raised their four kids in a reflection of the UFW movement. We boycotted non-union products, picketed stores that sold them, marched, and attended rallies in the Central Valley. Cesar Chavez, though not a physical presence, did reside in our house in spirit. Protesting societal wrongs and practicing the methods used to carry out these fights became, if not second nature, routine goings-on in the Ortega family. It felt good, natural, and right. It still does.
The fight is bigger this time, with much more at stake. And, at least for now, we don’t have a single, Cesar-like leader. Individually and collectively, we must take up the mantle of peaceful resistance, reviving the legacy of Chavez, Gandhi, and the most radical of them all, Jesus Christ.
by Martín Ortega
Why I Protest
Before I joined a population whose civil rights were not yet codified by law, I knew about the power of activism for social change. As Father Kern and my mom’s children, we heard about his trip to Montgomery and lived among poor adolescent youth of color who embodied the burgeoning hope and power of greater access to higher education. In hopes of ending the Vietnam War, we stuffed envelopes for the McGovern campaign. Still under 8, I didn’t understand the stakes, but being part of a cause left an impression.
So, when I asked my parents to join 16-year-old me at the 1982 No Nukes concert and rally in Central Park, we seamlessly flowed into the river of 750,000+ other souls, urging our government to disarm for the good of the world. I still have the t-shirt. Other formative marches in the 1980s in Washington DC for a woman’s right to choose, for LGBT rights, and for disability human rights, fueled a hope for greater human dignity and freedom. These gatherings filled my soul and carried the inevitability of a more just society.
As we marched and photographed and stuffed envelopes and voted, other, more patriarchal interests were organizing and raising money to fill courts, think tanks, and coffers. The self-described religious right may or may not have the t-shirts to show for it, but they have political results that we are currently living with.
Fast forward to 2026, when so many fundamental rights are casually violated or at risk. As a community, we are called to write letters, pray, and attend vigils; it all matters if we are to stay awake to the shifting political winds that challenge our mission of feeding the poor and welcoming the stranger.
We have an important chance on March 28 to join millions of Americans and citizens of the world. Whether we choose a small or large gathering, let’s show up, speak out, and be counted at No Kings 3. Courage is contagious, and joining in is enthralling.
Stay tuned for next week's Pathfinder for more details on contact people at various locations. For more immediate information, go to nokings.org and start planning or reach out to us.
by Jenny Kern
Wondering what to bring to No Kings?
Come make a sign on March 22 in the Jordan Court Community Room from 12-2 pm. After an abbreviated Justice & Peace meeting, we will make signs. If you don't want to make your own, you can come pick one up or get help coming up with a slogan that works for you. When in doubt, there’s justice & peace!🕊️
–Jenny Kern and Martín Ortega on behalf of the Justice & Peace Committee
Agape Meal
At All Souls, we're really good at eating together. We eat together A LOT. I don't want to say we're the best church potluck community in the diocese, but top 10 for sure. And, as stellar as our potlucks are, the Agape Meal on Maundy Thursday is in a class of its own.
This meal is no regular church potluck - it’s a full feast. The eating and fellowship is interspersed with song, chant, and prayer, creating a ritual-like atmosphere. This kid-friendly, family-style dinner grounds us in our remembering the last meal that Jesus shared with his friends, which we commemorate together right afterwards with the Maundy Thursday liturgy. The festive fellowship that we cultivate around tables and over food will stay with us, but will shift tenor as we move into the Nave for the solemn service.
There, as we listen to the story of Jesus and his disciples gathered together for the last time before his Passion, we are invited to embody the story ourselves - by doing as Jesus did and gently washing each other’s feet. Then, as we strip the altar bare at the conclusion of the liturgy and process to the Chapel, I am reminded why we begin the evening gathered around tables, sharing a meal together: This night can be hard. What it signifies is difficult. We are asked to stay, to remain with Christ through his agony in the garden, and to hold vigil with him until morning. But we do not do it alone. The Agape Meal at the start of the evening reminds us that we do this in community, with the support of one another. The food and fellowship that we enjoy as the dusk falls sustain us as we walk together toward all that the night will hold.
We invite you to take part in this sacred evening by contributing to our feast. It is a modified potluck; you’ll be assigned a dish to cook/bring (pasta salad, bread, kale salad), and we’ll provide a recipe– many hands, but a shared feast!
Please RSVP to attend the dinner here. There’s an option to indicate if you’re willing to contribute food, and if so, what you can bring. If you have questions about this event, please email Richard Lynch (rflynch@sbcglobal.net).
So come join us on this holy evening! Enjoy the meal, savor it; linger in the laughter and delight in the company you share it with. May it be the nourishment we need as we journey together through these sacred days and nights.
The Agape Meal is at 6 pm in the Parish Hall. The Maundy Thursday service (which is also live-streamed) begins at 7:30 pm in the Nave.
Peace,
–Annie Hayes
Taste and See: Making Communion Bread
Have you ever wondered where the bread we use for Communion comes from? These loaves are traditionally crafted by parishioners, and these days our excellent bakers are Liz Lynch and Marilyn Flood. Last Sunday, Liz visited Youth Group to lead us in a bread-baking workshop.
The youth took turns mixing, rolling, kneading, scoring, and baking bread. At the end of the night, we got to taste it hot out of the oven (it’s excellent with butter and jam!)
As we baked the bread, we talked about the concept of Communion. We covered many questions, ranging from the theologically serious to the slightly absurd.
Do the bread and wine actually become Jesus’ body and blood? (That’s complicated; we believe in Real Presence).
Could we use bagels for Communion? (Yes, we could – and we did on last year’s Immersion Trip!)
Is the bread holy in and of itself, or only after the priest says the words? (The bread is simply bread until we participate in the communal ritual of Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving”)
What happens to leftover Communion bread? (We consume it, keep it in the ambry, or return it to the Earth)
(We stopped short of debating whether Doritos should be used in the Eucharist at All Souls. Thankfully, at that point, it was time to take our bread out of the oven.)
In the coming weeks, during Communion, the bread that you eat was likely baked by the youth. We invite you to savor it and imagine the learning, creativity, and care with which it was made.
Thank you to Liz Lynch for her excellent teaching, Richard Lynch for his support, and all of the youth who participated!
Peace,
–Emily+
Lenten Fish Fry
For those of you who have spent time in the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin, you might know that Friday night fish frys during Lent are a meaningful tradition. They’re a chance to gather, share good food, and enjoy even better company. We thought it was time to share a bit of that spirit here at All Souls!
Mark your calendars! On the evening of Friday, March 27th, All Souls will host a Lenten Fish Fry in the church basement. We hope you will join us. We will be serving fried fish, with more details about the menu, timing, and cost coming soon. The evening will be open to the wider community, so feel free to invite friends and neighbors.
We will need volunteers to help make it happen, including cooking, serving, setup, and cleanup. If you are willing to lend a hand, please email Isaac Webb at isaacbwebb@gmail.com.
More information will be shared in the coming weeks. For now, please mark your calendar and plan to bring the whole family! We plan to spend some time together over a delicious meal and with good company during this Lenten season.
–Isaac Webb
Detainee Letter Writing Support
IM4HI (Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity) is the interfaith group that organizes many of the immigration-related activities that All Souls participates in. They have asked All Souls and Temple Beth El for help updating their list of detainees so more letters can be written to more people.
We will sort returned letters, verify detention status, and update the mailing lists. Many All Soulsians have written letters to people in ICE detention, together with our friends from Temple Beth El (Temple Beth El is hosting this event). If we have enough volunteers, one and a half hours should do the trick!
When: 4 pm - 5:30 pm, Saturday, March 21st
Where: Temple Beth El on Spruce Street (details for those responding)
Bring a laptop or iPad if you have one; however, there will be tasks for those without a laptop. Tea and snacks will be served, and there will be a brief Havdalah ceremony afterward. Please text or call Kaki Logan (510-367-9416) for more information.
–Kaki Logan
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 Realm Help in the Undercroft
12:30 pm, Catechumenate Class in the Common Room
5 pm, Faithful Families Dinner
7 pm, Youth Group (High School Small 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 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: 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: Jordan Court Community Room
Date and Time: March 22, 12 noon-2 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 locations and contacts.
Location: Bay Area and National
Contact: https://nokings.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. This week’s final class meets 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. 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.
Prayer Vigil - 9 pm-9 am (Chapel)
On Maundy Thursday, we hold an all-night prayer vigil in the Chapel, just as the disciples were instructed to do when Jesus went into the garden to pray. We take turns in hour-long shifts, from 9 pm to 9 am (April 2nd-3rd). To sign up for a shift, add your name to the spreadsheet here, sign up in person in the narthex, or contact one of our Vestry chaplains: Jesse Kadjo, Sarah Bakker Kellogg, or Lia Deihr.
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
MorningService - 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
Help Us Fill Easter Eggs!
It’s almost that time of year again! On Easter Sunday, we have an egg hunt for children between our 9 am and 11:15 am services. Please help us fill these eggs with goodies! Three easy steps:
1. Starting this Sunday (3/15), pick up some empty eggs in the narthex after church.
2. Take them home and fill them with candy, stickers, toys, etc.
3. Drop off the filled eggs in the narthex any Sunday, or during Holy Week.
(Bonus: Return any empty eggs you might have kept from last year!)
Contact Emily+ with questions. Thank you!
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 am 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.
Faithful Families Dinner on 3/15
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
5th Annual Pilgrimage to Grace Cathedral on Sunday, April 26th
You are invited to join All Soulsians and people from across DioCal as we travel by train, foot, and ferry to Grace Cathedral. We'll depart All Souls at 1pm, take Bart to Oakland, cross the Bay on a ferry, and walk up the hill for dinner and evensong (6pm) at the Cathedral. We will return to All Souls by around 7:30pm. Sign up here by April 19th, or email Emily B.
This event is especially geared toward middle and high school youth, but all ages are welcome to join in! (Total walking is about 3-4 miles, including hills).
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 15th: High School Small Group
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
LENTEN FISH FRY - 3/37
Join us on Friday, March 27th, when we will host a Lenten Fish Fry in the church basement. See the Pathfinder article above. More details coming soon!
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!
Open Door Dinner makes a warm jambalaya meal on the second Sunday of every month for anyone who is hungry. Teams of All Soulsians and friends take turns cooking and delivering. Email Jennifer A. (akiyama.jennifer@gmail.com) if you’d like to help!
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.
