The Pathfinder: April 16th, 2026
Ministry Spotlight: Diane Haavik
"I want to express God in the world by doing something physical and active."
For many, church is a whirlwind of coffee hours, committee meetings, and community buzz. But for Diane Haavik, a retired clinical psychologist and lifelong seeker, the most profound spiritual moments don't happen in a boardroom—they happen in the quiet space between a paintbrush and a canvas.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Diane in January to talk about her time at All Souls and her work with the Arts at All Souls team. This article comes from that conversation.
The Hermit of Vashon Island
Diane’s journey to the Arts at All Souls team wasn’t a straight path. The daughter and granddaughter of Lutheran ministers, she spent her early years steeped in a tradition where prayer was "not an option—it was what you did."
"You got on the school bus and you prayed," she recalls. "But eventually, I rebelled. Between feminism, the Vietnam War, and the world opening up through my PhD studies, I stepped away from the church for years."
It was only when her daughter, Erin Horne, found a welcoming home in a church community that Diane found herself drawn back. She returned with a different spiritual lens, influenced by years of Buddhist meditation that invited her to explore Christianity in a new way. Over the years, Diane developed a devotion to Thomas Merton and to spiritual contemplation, specifically through centering prayer.
Years later, when Diane moved to Vashon Island in Seattle, she decided to embrace the life of a "hermit." It was a season of profound "knowing"—knowing God and knowing herself. "I stayed there for ten years, and I just did nothing except meditate, walk, pray, read, and study," Diane says. But in that stillness, something else began to stir: a dormant creative spark.
Though Diane grew up in the household of a prolific artist, her relationship with art had long been tangled with a complicated relationship with her mother. It was only after her mother's passing, and within the safety of her island solitude, that the creative block broke. "It was weird—as soon as she died, I started to be able to do more artwork," she reflects. "I separated from the conflict. I had the confidence and the freedom: if you want to make something, just do it."
Ministry Without Meetings
When Diane moved to the East Bay, she brought that contemplative spirit with her. At All Souls, she found her "on-ramp" to service through the call to create.
"I told them: I don’t want to go to meetings. I want to work on a project with my hands. I want to express God in the world by doing something physical and active."
Her first major project for Arts at All Souls was a set of 10-foot canvases depicting the Bethlehem night sky. Since then, she has crafted the Paschal candle from scratch, designed Stations of the Cross collages that reflect modern-day social issues, and continued to help lead a team that turns the sanctuary into a living piece of art for every liturgical season. For Diane, this work is an extension of her practice of contemplative prayer—a way to be present with the Divine.
An Entry Point for the Introvert
Diane is candid about the fact that "church-as-social-club" isn’t for everyone. She recognizes a specific need within the congregation for those who, like her, find energy in solitude and mystery rather than small talk.
"The Art Team is an attractive ministry for introverts," Diane says. "Our goal isn’t social; it’s about the imagination. It’s about being connected to God in the act of creation."
For Diane, service is a way to bridge the "religious" and the "spiritual." Whether it’s hanging ribbons for All Saints Day or working on a painting project, the art created for the community is an invitation for the congregation to stop, breathe, and take in the mystery of God in the here and now.
Join the Arts at All Souls Team
Arts at All Souls is looking for more than just "artists." They are looking for hands and hearts willing to help build the visual world of our worship.
No "Expertise" Required: "You don’t have to be artistic or talented," Diane insists. "You just need an imagination and a willingness to create something with the rest of us."
Low Pressure: Many projects involve gathering on a Saturday morning before a feast day to hang displays or prepare materials. Other projects can be done at home.
Upcoming Opportunities:Click here to email the Art at All Souls Team for information on upcoming art projects. If you are interested in this ministry, there is space for you to serve—no committee meeting required.
–The Rev. Rachel Dykzeul, Associate for Welcome and Kinship
Easter Lilies and The Pascal Candle
Along with crocus and roses, lilies are one of the three flowers mentioned in the bible. We are asked to consider them in all their beauty, signifying new light, new hope, and a new day. Bathed in the dawns’ glow, the petals stretch and the lily becomes the first masterpiece of the Resurrection.
Tradition claims that lilies bloomed where His feet touched the ground in the garden and near the cross.
The Pascal Candle is a sacred and enduring element in the church year, and is the universal symbol of the risen Christ. Each year at All Souls, we create our own candle from the used beeswax candles around the altar. It always includes the cross, the present year, and the alpha and omega.
This year we include lilies. Lilies were once described as “white-robed apostles of hope”. As you ponder their meaning on the back wall of the nave, as well as the Pascal Candle, may we let them announce the Resurrection and the hope of eternal life.
–Diane Haavik
Stations of the Cross for Kids
I don’t think anyone has ever thought that being a middle schooler was easy, but it is hard to convey just how fraught it is for a tween in 2026. Having taught middle and high school since 2005, I can tell you there has been a distinct and significant impact on children who have lived their formative developing years through Covid/Trump/ICE.
Photo: The Sixth Station - Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
Station 14: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
Spiritually, it has taken its toll on everyone but imagine for a second asking yourself life’s important questions for the first time from the middle of a global pandemic or amidst the rolling back of human rights.
So, on the one hand, while Jesus’ suffering during the last days before the Resurrection sounds fairly dark for upper elementary and middle school kids to chew on, practicing Ignatian imaginative prayer during Lent - putting ourselves in the scenes of real life Jesus and contemplating what it might have felt like to be there with him - was a meaningful exercise. I came across the book Station to Station: An Ignatian Journey Through the Stations of the Cross and got the idea to adapt it for upper elementary/middle school students who are often ready for a deeper conversation in Sunday School.
We started by talking about what we already knew about the stations of the cross and practicing imaginative prayer with the first station together. Then, kids took a journal around to the remaining stations to try and envision themselves - conjuring the sights, sounds, smells and emotions - at the site. From there, they focused on one station and created a response to it using any materials they could find in the Youth Room.
I’m so appreciative of the support and participation of Brenna Hall, Emily+. and all the children who went on this Ignatian journey together. It is a wonder to be witness to one another’s spiritual formation.
Photos: The Seventh Station - Jesus Bears the Cross (Left); The Second Station - Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested (Middle); The Tenth Station - Jesus is Crucified (Right)
–Molly Nicol
Let’s Learn Together to Resist
We are in a moment of Authoritarian Breakthrough—a short window in which a would-be authoritarian regime attempts to rapidly consolidate power, eliminate checks on their power, and operate with impunity.
In the adult formation class this coming Sunday, taught by two trainers from IM4HI, we will learn various ways to employ non-cooperative resistance to stop the slide of Democracy in our country.
Cooperative Civil Resistance is key to securing democracy. 35 cases of attempted authoritarian rule between 1991 and 2021 demonstrate that without resistance, we have a 7% chance of overcoming authoritarianism. With noncooperative resistance, we have a 51% chance of overcoming it.
How do we understand it? What are social, economic and visionary actions of non-cooperation that individuals and faith communities can take to resist? Join us THIS Sunday at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall to learn how we as a community can learn more about how we could make a difference.
If we act, there is HOPE! Over the last 30 years, over 50 percent of democratic breakdown cases resulted in pivots to become more democratic than they were previously. Together we can prevail.
“By themselves, rulers cannot collect taxes, enforce repressive laws andregulations, keep trains running on time, prepare national budgets, direct traffic, manage ports, print money, repair roads, train the police and army, issue postage stamps or even milk a cow.”
— Gene Sharp in Dictatorship to Democracy
–Kaki Logan
Summer 2026: Faith, Fellowship, and Fresh Air
Summer is almost here, so no time like the present to solidify your summer plans. I have compiled a list of sleep over summer camps that are offered by the Episcopal camps affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of California. But first things first, mark your calendar for our very own intergenerational annual parish camping trip!
1. All Souls Parish Camping Trip
July 17th–19th: All Souls Parish Camping Trip (REGISTER HERE)
From July 17th to the 19th, we’re heading to the Santa Lucia Campground in Big Sur for a weekend together. It’s a quiet, private spot right on the river, tucked away behind the Big Sur River Inn. It’s a sweet place to spend a few days—there’s a gentle stretch of river to float down, a swimming hole for the kids, and plenty of space to just sit and talk under the stars.
We’d love for you to join our All Souls community for this time away. All are welcome, whether you are brand new to the parish or a long-time All Soulsian. Please mark your calendars and register at the link below to let us know you’re coming; it’s always a special time together.
Volunteer With Us: If you have a bit of extra time or a helping hand to offer, we are looking for volunteers to help make the weekend run smoothly. Whether it’s helping the campfire or organizing an art project or small activity, your help is truly appreciated. You can contact Mother Rachel at rachel@allsoulsparish.org to volunteer.
2. The Bishop’s Ranch (Healdsburg, CA)
Nestled among farms and vineyards with stunning views of Mt. St. Helena, The Bishop’s Ranch provides a classic camp experience rooted in community and spirituality. Click here for more information.
BREAD Camp
BREAD Camp is the flagship youth program, divided by grade level to ensure age-appropriate activities and discussions.
BREAD Explorers: Entering grades 10 through recent high school graduates (June 21st–26th, 2026) - The Rev. Emily Boring serving as chaplain
BREAD Discoverers: Entering grades 4–6 (July 19th–24th, 2026)
BREAD Adventurers: Entering grades 7–9 (July 19th–24th, 2026)
The Experience: Mornings are dedicated to "Spirituality" (conversations and small group exploration), while afternoons feature swimming, hiking, and arts and crafts.
Generations Family Camp (Intergenerational)
June 28th – July 3rd, 2026
Designed for "families of all shapes and sizes," this camp allows parents, grandparents, and children to experience camp together. It includes shared worship, games, and social activities.
3. St. Dorothy’s Rest (Camp Meeker, CA)
Located in the heart of the redwoods, St. Dorothy’s is the oldest camp in the Diocese and is known for its "open-hearted" hospitality. Click here for more information.
Standard Youth Camps
Traditional residential weeks filled with campfire songs, hiking through the redwoods, and building lifelong friendships.
Russian River I: Ages 8–12 (June 21–26, 2026) - The Rev. Rachel Dykzeul serving as Chaplain
Teen Adventure Week I: Ages 13–15 (June 28–July 3, 2026)
Ankle Biter: Ages 5–8 (July 9–11, 2026) - (Parent and camper)
Teen Adventure Week II: Ages 13–15 (July 13–18, 2026)
Russian River II: Ages 8–12 (July 27–August 1, 2026)
Counselor-in-training (CIT) Program: Ages 15+ (July 27–August 1, 2026)
Mini Camp: Ages 5–8 (July 29–August 1, 2026)
4. Galilee Episcopal Camp (Lake Tahoe)
While technically shared and often associated with the Diocese of Northern California and Nevada, Galilee is a beloved destination for many DioCal families due to its stunning Lake Tahoe waterfront. Click here for more information.
Adventure Groups: Campers are placed in "Adventure Groups" where they spend the week kayaking on Lake Tahoe, rock climbing, and camping under the stars.
2026 Theme: "Sacred Rest, Sacred Belonging," focusing on the rhythms of self, community, and the earth.
Family Camps: Galilee offers four family camp sessions throughout the summer for those who want to experience Tahoe's beauty as a household.
I hope you find this useful!
–Mother Rachel
Second Annual Friends of All Souls Celebration - Saturday, May 9th
All Souls has long been sustained by the generosity of its members—not only through annual giving, but through legacy gifts that have shaped the parish in lasting ways. Ann Jordan’s bequest of nearly $1 million in 2011 helped expand parish staff, fund the Living Waters capital campaign, and support much more.
In the years since, All Souls has received five additional legacy gifts, ranging from $10,000 to $150,000, from members of this parish. Some came from All Soulsians who had moved away; others from those still active in our life together. Each reflects a meaningful connection to this community and a commitment to help its work to continue. Together, these gifts have made possible work that would otherwise have been beyond our reach.
All Souls welcomes and encourages legacy and planned gifts that strengthen the parish's mission over time — in particular, naming All Souls in your estate plan through a will, trust, or retirement account. You don't need to be wealthy to participate, and gifts of any size are meaningful and welcome.
Friends of All Souls was established in 2025 to recognize parishioners who have made this kind of commitment — and to encourage others who may wish to do the same. Since Friends of All Souls launched last year, 20 households have shared that they have named All Souls as a beneficiary in their estate plans.
The second annual Friends of All Souls reception and luncheon will be on on Saturday, May 9, from 11:30 am-1:30 pm at All Souls. This gathering is for parishioners who have made this commitment—a chance to be celebrate what your gifts make possible, share a meal, and connect with our community of legacy givers. If you have made All Souls part of your legacy giving and haven’t yet been in touch, we would be glad to hear from you
To RSVP or for more information, please contact Sarah Kern.
–FOAS Team: Bonnie Bishop, The Rev. Phil Brochard, Marilyn Flood, Sarah Kern, and Richard Lynch
Announcements & Events
Thursday (TONIGHT)
5:30 pm, Reading Between the Lines Bible Study in the Common Room.
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 classes 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.
12 noon, Realm Help Session in the Undercroft & Coffee Hour in the Courtyard
12:30 pm, Welcome Team Meeting in the Common Room.
7 pm, Youth Group (Middle School Small Group at the Nicol’s home)
Tuesday
Taize Service at 8 pm in the Chapel. These Spring services will run until May 19th.
Wednesday
9 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
Worship With Us
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.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
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 - 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:
April 19th: Middle School Hangout at the Nicol’s Home
April 26 - 12:30-7:30 pm Pilgrimage to Grace Cathedral! All grades welcome!
May 3 - High School Small Group
To join the weekly youth mailing list, email Emily (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
Diocesan Confirmations & Receptions - May 2nd
Are you interested in being Confirmed and/or Received into the Episcopal Church? DioCal is offering a service at Grace Cathedral on Saturday, May 2nd at 10:00 a.m. Several All Soulsians are taking part, and we would love to help you discern whether this feels like the next step on your journey of faith. Email Emily+ for more information and to register (deadline is April 25th).
Gather With Us
BUILDING INTERFAITH BRIDGES: RITUALS OF SACRED MEALS - April 26th
In this season of spring festivals and sacred meals, members of All Souls Episcopal Parish, Congregation Beth El, and St Paul AME Church will again come together to break bread, build and deepen the connections among us, and learn about some of one another’s rituals of sacred meals. We’ll learn from the senior clergy of each community about the Eucharist, Communion, challah, and the Passover Seder, and we’ll share our own experiences of meaning in connection with these rituals. Please RSVP here!
11:45-12:45 Potluck Lunch
12:45-2:15 Program
Please RSVP by clicking here.
BEER GARDEN MEET UP - April 30th
One Thursday a month, All Soulsians meet up at a different beer garden to connect - for a drink, a bite, a chat, a game, etc. Beer gardens are ideal because they have plenty of family-friendly, outdoor space and are casual enough that anyone can drop by for a spell as they are able. This is an all-ages, intergenerational event—we would love to see everyone there!
April Location: Headlands Brewery, 1280 Gilman St, North Berkeley
Learn With Us
REALM HELP - April 19th
Bring your Realm questions to the Undercroft THIS Sunday morning after the 10:30 am service. Friendly volunteers will be available to answer any questions you may have and/or show you how to use it. Realm is our online tool where you can access the church directory, sign up for events, and even check your giving statements.
ADULT FORMATION
Immigration: A Faithful Response - Parish Hall
Note: Please see update below for this coming Sunday and April 26th since classes have been switched since our first announcement!
The Rev. Deborah Lee and other staff members of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (https://www.im4humanintegrity.org/) will be with us to share their expertise and experience. IM4HI is a group that the Justice and Peace committee has supported for many years. Their core beliefs are: Welcome the stranger. Treat the stranger as your own. Compassion knows no borders. Love has no walls. They work at the intersection of spirituality and social movements. In this series, we will also celebrate the work that All Soulsians have done around immigration and look at the current opportunities for action.
Sunday, April 19, we will learn various ways to employ non-cooperative resistance to stop the slide of Democracy in our country.
Sunday April 26, we will host Nadia Tavera Medina of IM4HI. She will share information about their Nueva Esperanza Accompaniment Teams (NEAT) Program which provides six months of commitment to a newcomer family or individual.
Imaginative Prayer in the Ignatian Tradition - Common Room
In the class on Imaginative Prayer in the Ignatian Tradition, Annie Hayes will lead an exploration of this great practice. Using our imaginations to dig deeper into scripture allows God to communicate with us in a personal, evocative way. Each week, we’ll dive into a different Gospel story and spend an extended amount of time prayerfully immersing ourselves in the scene. The last 15-20 minutes of each class will offer time for individual and group reflection on the prayer experience we just had. So whether your experience of Holy Week and Easter is leading you towards social action or deeper contemplation, we hope you will join us for one of these classes. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Anne Yardley (ayardley@drew.edu).
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!
Justice & Peace Events and Resources
The Justice & Peace Ministry is highlighting several events this week. For more information, email Jenny Kern at Jenkernesq@gmail.com.
Please send prospective calendar items to Jenny Kern Jenkernesq@gmail.com and Martin Ortega martin–ortega@att.net
EVENTS
ISAIAH PROJECT
Event:Center for Art Esteem Exhibition and Sale
Location: Studio One Art Center
Date and time: Saturday, April 18 from 1-4 pm
Contact person: Wendywendy@innerheartsongcoaching.com
IMMIGRATION
Event:Letter writing on behalf of people in detention
Location: ASEP Common Room in the undercroft
Date and time: Saturday, April 18th from 2-4 pm
Contact person: Pam Maffei pamelamaffei@icloud.com or 510-928-1056
Event: Concord Immigration Court Vigil
Location:1855 Gateway Blvd., Concord
Date and time: Fourth Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9:30 am
Contact person: Kaki Logan kaki.logan@gmail.com 510-367-9416
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Come celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day by helping to plant trees with assistance from City of Berkeley staff. See below for event details. All are welcome. Registration required.
Event: Arbor Day tree planting at the Berkeley Waterfront
Location: Shorebird Nature Center, 160 University Avenue
Date and time: Saturday, April 25th from 9:30 am–1 pm
Contact person: Lewis Maldonado lewiscm@mac.com
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.
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 for the Good Shepherd Food Pantry. 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
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.
Everything Else
Volunteer with Episcopal Impact Fund - April 23rd
Episcopal Impact Fund is proud to partner with Christ Episcopal Church Alameda in supporting their weekly overnight shelter for unhoused neighbors. This vital ministry offers more than a safe place to sleep—it creates dignity, connection, and care while building meaningful relationships in our community.
You're invited to come together in this shared work by helping provide a warm, nourishing meal for 30+ guests. Join us in preparing a simple, hearty menu of chili, cornbread, salad, and dessert. Cook at home, drop it off, or coordinate a pick-up—however you participate, you’re making a real impact.
Thursday, April 23 | 6:00 PM | Christ Episcopal Church, Alameda
Together, we can show up for our neighbors—with warmth, dignity, and love.
WOODS TO WAVES- MAY 2nd
To learn more about this fundraiser for St. Dorothy’s Rest, click here to see the flyer. All funds raised during Woods to Waves go to support St. Dorothy's Hospital Camp. Hospital Camp is offered each summer in partnership with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital to youth who have undergone transplant surgery.
