The Pathfinder: June 25th, 2026
A Time for Many Seasons
The past month has been as full a month as I can remember. It’s been like the third chapter of Ecclesiastes distilled into one stretch of time. There was a time to begin and a time to end, a time to hope and a time to grieve, a time to look back and a time to look forward, a time to hold onto and a time to release. All in a month.
A time to begin, a time to end
We have a noteworthy tradition in the Episcopal Church of publicly marking the beginning and ending of a priest’s time serving a congregation. This past month, I found myself in two very different congregations, one at each end of relationship, both full of heart. I was able to celebrate and pray for a good friend who was made the Rector of the Church of the Holy Nativity in Westchester, Los Angeles, and marveled at a congregation so full of hope and expectation. And then a few weeks later was present as another friend finished their career as a priest and as the Rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco. Again, it was a remarkable gathering, also full of heart, this time tinged with sadness and gratitude. And I was reminded that without endings there are no beginnings, and without beginnings there are no endings.
There was one day this past month when those beginnings and endings came to a fine point. That was Saturday, June 6th. It was the day of ordinations at Grace Cathedral, when the Reverend Emily Hansen Curran was ordained a priest. As you may have read and seen in last week’s Pathfinder, the ordination was radiant. At the same moment, I was several hundred miles to the south, mourning and marveling at the funeral of the Reverend Bruce Freeman. Bruce was my sponsoring rector, and the officiant 25 years ago when Sarah and I wed. After talking with Emily about this dilemma, I knew I needed to be present with Bruce’s family and final congregation, offering a eulogy at his service. That day, I became acutely aware of the way life folds in on itself as I remembered a beloved mentor who guided me on my path to the priesthood, while praying for Emily as she started on her own path.
A time to look back, a time to look forward
This past Saturday, we were honored to host the Juneteenth service on behalf of the Northern California Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Afro-Anglican Commission of our Diocese. As we looked back at the history of racism in this country and celebrated the spirit of resilience and faithfulness of Black folks over generations, the Spirit was palpable in our church. From the preaching of the Reverend Erika Jackson, to the singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing, and Sarita Cannon and Matt Wolka offering At the Feet of Jesus, to the feast that started at the altar and spilled out into the courtyard and our Parish Hall, there was a fullness of life and a profound sense of connectedness.
Later that afternoon, clergy and parishioners of St. Lucy’s and All Souls gathered to bless the home of Brenna, Matt, Lydia, and Michael Hall. There was chant, there was holy water, there was warmth, fellowship, and a keen sense that their lives were starting again, that we were all looking forward to newness of life with them. And then on Sunday, at our parish picnic at Tilden Park, I was again reminded of the goodness of being together. Of eating, of having time for long conversation, and yes, of trying to drop beanbags through a hole at 20 paces. Steadfast grillers were preparing the food, elders taking in the scene in the shade, and roving bands of small children offering popsicles to anyone standing still. It was all the seasons of life present on a beautiful day, together.
Among the many gifts of Christian community, a primary one is the ability to share in the fullness of life. All the seasons are at hand. We come together at times of great loss and sadness, and we come together with tremendous joy and irrational hope. We begin together, we end together. All in a month.
Peace,
-Phil+
Affirmed & Celebrated: Priscilla and Bonnie’s Story
At ages 85 and 70, respectively, this unique opportunity to share something of our lives is a blessing to both of us. May it be a blessing to you.
Priscilla: An adolescent and young adult in the 50’s and 60’s, I worked hard to 'fit in.' My childhood was not particularly happy. Being liked at school made my life bearable. I dated boys and became engaged once. But I was never serious about any boyfriend. Did I ask myself, "Why?" Not yet.
In the late 60's and early 70's, the Women’s Liberation Movement was gaining steam nationally. Being a Lesbian was rather fashionable in certain settings. For me, however, it wasn't a matter of style. Rather, I could finally be myself.
In 1974, I moved to San Francisco to attend law school. Like my adolescent years, to succeed as an attorney, I needed to fit in. I could, and did, pass for straight. In the moment, it was so much easier in so many ways to stay in the closet.
In 1993, I became the legal guardian of a 15-year-old, Aaron. Now, I was passing as both straight and as a single parent in most parts of my life. At this point, for so many reasons, I desperately needed spiritual support to finish raising Aaron and for my own sake. I started to go to St. Mark's, Berkeley.
In 2013, Bonnie came along and changed everything. We decided to attend All Souls’ Parish, where we have met so many good, healthy, embracing Christians! It took a while, but at last we were both at home, as ourselves and as a couple. It's a feeling every LGBTQ+ person should be able to have. In 2018, we married in Maui. It felt so strange, so unimaginable. Combined, we had been on earth for 139 years before being able to marry. We have some regrets that we did not marry at All Souls, but maybe that can be fixed.
Bonnie: I have always been a Lesbian. At the earliest stage of puberty, my crushes were on girls—the girl next door, my eighth grade English teacher, and Audrey Hepburn. While these were crushes of attachment, I knew immediately what these feelings meant. For fear of being institutionalized, I could tell no one. This was 1968, Tulsa, OK. The loneliness began.
In high school, I had no romantic interest in boys, but I really wanted to be popular, to be included, to be seen as someone of value. If a boy had asked me to go to a school dance, most likely, I would have said yes. No one ever asked. Plans with a girlfriend were always cancelled if her boyfriend called. I was always the cancellation, never the boy. The loneliness deepened.
In four years of college, 1973-1977, I knew one gay person, Jon. Between 1977 and 1981, while a graduate student at Berkeley, I knew, generally, that a few other people were gay. One professor, Lynn, was a Lesbian. Because she sought tenure, she was in the closet. I looked for different pursuits away from campus to make friends. The loneliness continued.
By law school, I was bolder. I was in a relationship and felt less vulnerable. I was also 30+, way too old to lie about myself. In my third year, when I was interviewing for my first position with a law firm, I shocked my fellow students when I decided to be 'out' in the interview process. I had to be hired as myself, or not at all! Yes, I did get the job that I hoped to secure. Courage was a balm for the loneliness, at least in part.
Fast forward decades, through many twists and turns, good and not so good, Priscilla came into my life. As attorneys, we had known each other tangentially, but this was an entirely new thing. In the grand demographic scheme, few Lesbians attend church, especially in Berkeley. For us, Church is at the center of our shared lives. Our marriage is stronger because of Church. As seniors, our lives are safer, more secure, and far less lonely. Our shared faith in Christ is much deeper. This is our Beloved Community, and we would be lost without You!
Blessings to All,
–Priscilla and Bonnie
Organ Update
You may have noticed that there has been significant progress on the organ in the past few weeks. Hiding behind the existing pipes, a new swell box has been added with shutters that open and close to allow the organist to make the sound coming from the pipes inside louder and softer. This is a new capacity that our previous organ did not have.
The console (keyboards) is also taking shape: constructed with repurposed wood from unused All Souls pews. Our previous organ console had only two manuals - our newly custom-built console has three manuals, drawknob controls for the many new pipes we are adding, a swell pedal to open and close the swell shutters, a crescendo pedal to quickly add or subtract a large number of sounding pipes, and couplers so that sounds from any group of pipes can be played on any manual. This alone is a huge project, and kudos to Daniel and his team for the planning and construction that went into building it.
New windlines from the blowers in the sacristy to the reservoirs below the pipes have also taken shape - soon, all the pipes and windchests will be in place, and the voice of the organ will speak for the first time in its new configuration.
Keep tuned for more updates!
–—Matt Wolka, Associate for Music
Big Sur All-Parish Camping Trip: July 17–19, 2026
Join the All Souls community for a relaxed weekend of fellowship, fun, and nature! Whether you are new to the parish or a longtime member, this annual trip is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, build deep community, and make lasting connections and friendships.
Our destination is the Santa Lucia Chapel and Campground (a mission of All Saints Parish in Carmel). This beautiful, private group campsite sits right on the Big Sur River, right next door to the Big Sur River Inn. It features a private swimming hole, a family-friendly beach with a jumping rock, and a perfect spot to float down the river. It’s the ultimate weekend to relax, explore nearby beaches like Julia Pfeiffer Burns and Andrew Molera, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors together. (Register Here)
The Details
When: 11 am Friday, July 17 to 11 am Sunday, July 19. (Note: Limited space is available for early arrival after 2 pm on Thursday, July 16. Contact Mother Rachel at rachel@allsoulsparish.org if interested).
Amenities: Running water, flushing toilets (no showers), picnic tables, a group barbecue area, and a large campfire circle.
Food: We will organize communal potluck dinners for Friday and Saturday nights; all other meals are on your own.
Cost: $55 per adult for the weekend ($150 max per family). Children under 5 are free! Young adult and youth pricing are also available.
Accommodations: Please note that this is a tent camping trip, so all campers will need to bring their own tent and gear.
Volunteers: Interested in helping organize the community meals, gear log, hikes, or an art project? Are you interested in leading morning or evening prayer? We will need about 5 volunteers. Contact Mother Rachel to help.
Scholarships Available: Financial constraints shouldn't keep you from joining us. If the cost is prohibitive, please reach out to Mother Rachel for confidential scholarship information.
How to Register
To reserve your spot, you must sign up and pay in full no later than July 16th.
Online:Click here to register via Realm. (If you need help logging into Realm, please contact Mother Rachel).
In-Person: Sign up on the physical sheet located in the narthex.
Directions and a final packing list will be emailed to all registered campers one week before the trip.
-Mother Rachel
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 Common Room.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist in the Nave. Join us via livestream here.
12 noon, Coffee Hour in the Courtyard.
Wednesday
9 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
Special Request from our Justice and Peace Ministry Team:
Please add your name to this petition to strengthen our work at the immigration Court in Concord, where building security illegally prohibits us from talking with the immigrants coming for their hearings. Our goal is 5,000 signatures by next week. Please forward the link to 10 people and ask them to forward it.
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is working with attorneys and vigil volunteers to prepare for a meeting with building management. We need the strong support of the community to take with us.
Thank you very much from the All Souls Concord Vigil participants and those who must appear at the courts there. Please contact Kaki Logan with questions.
Gather With Us
ALL SOULS PARISH ANNUAL CAMPING TRIP - July 17th–19th
See the full article with all the details above.
Registration is now open! Join us for a weekend of togetherness at our private spot on the river behind the Big Sur River Inn. Whether you want to float downstream, let the kids splash in the swimming hole, or chat under the stars, it’s a sweet time for all.
Where? Santa Lucia Campground, Big Sur
Everyone is welcome: Invite a friend and get your tent ready!
Early Bird Option: Limited spots are available to arrive one day early (July 16th).
Sign Up: Click here to register on REALM or on the sheet in the narthex.
ALL SOULS PARISH RETREAT - September 18th–20th
Please mark your calendars and save the date for the annual All Souls Parish retreat! Every September, our parish community heads to The Bishop’s Ranch—a lovely retreat center located in Healdsburg—to relax, connect, and engage in meaningful fellowship.
The Bishop’s Ranch offers something for everyone. You can join the traditional group bike ride, relax by the pool, hang out on the lawn, or get creative in the well-stocked art casita. Whatever your pace, you are sure to find renewal in this beautiful space.
Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for registration to officially open!
BEING WITH GROUPS
Note: There will be no meetings held on Sundays, June 21st and June 28th. We will resume on Sunday, July 5th.
Being With is for anyone who’s curious about faith or wondering if Christianity has something meaningful to offer them. In this 10-week small group, we seek out the sacred simply by paying attention to our lives — and the lives of those around us.
What happens during Being With?
Every 90-minute group, we listen to a brief teaching and move on to a group conversation. Participants are encouraged to listen to and openly receive what each person shares. Together, we’ll come to see how our stories are interconnected.
Our pilot Being With group began on May 17th, 2026. Groups are kept to 12 people. The class meets at 5 pm in the Common Room. Questions? Click here to email Mother Rachel.
Learn With Us
ADULT FORMATION
June Book Group - June 14, 21 & 28
Join Jack Shoemaker this Sunday in the Common Room at 9:15 am as he leads the final discussion of Elaine Pagels’ book Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus. As the description of her book says, Pagels “sets out to discover how a poor young Jewish man inspired a religion that shaped the world.” She explores her most ambitious subject, the life of Jesus himself. The book is a historical mystery with each chapter addressing a fascinating question. Why a virgin birth? What did it mean for him to rise from the dead? Did miracles really happen?
June 28: Chapters 5-7 and Conclusion
COMING UP IN ADULT FORMATION
July 12, 19, and 26
Heart of a Stranger by Angela Buchdahl
Join the Rev. Mark Richardson and Anne Yardley in the Common Room at 9:15 am to discuss this fascinating memoir by the first Asian American Rabbi, Angela Buchdahl. Angela Buchdahl is the child of a Jewish American father and a Buddhist, Korean-born mother.
July 12th: Chapters 1-8, covering Angela’s early years through high school.
July 19th: Chapters 9-17, taking her through her early jobs.
July 26th: Remaining chapters of the book, detailing her time as the Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City.
Feel free to join us even if you haven’t finished the reading!
August 2, 9, and 16
Jane Vandenburgh and Jenny Kern will lead a discussion of Glenn Jordan and Pádraig Ó Tuama's book Borders and Belonging: The Book of Ruth: A Story for our Times. “A leading poet and a theologian reflect on the Old Testament story of Ruth, a tale that resonates deeply in today's world with its themes of migration, the stranger, mixed cultures and religions, law and leadership, women in public life, kindness, generosity and fear.”
Any questions, please contact Anne Yardley at 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!
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.
Worship With Us
TAIZE TUESDAYS
These services will be on hiatus during the summer months. Check back in the Fall for information on a potential new series of services.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Sunday School (for kids pre-K through 5th grade) is currently on hiatus for the summer. Typically, we gather weekly during the 10:30 am 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.” Check back in the Fall for futher information or email Emily B+ with any questions.
To join our Children and Family mailing list, email Emily B+ (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
YOUTH
We are currently on a summer hiatus. Check back in the Fall for a new schedule.
Youth Group (for grades 6-12) generally happens each Sunday from 7-8:30 pm during the school year. All youth are welcome to join us for games, art, reflection, and prayer. We alternate between a middle and high school group with some all-grades events.
To join the weekly youth mailing list, email Emily B+ (emilyb@allsoulsparish.org).
LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
GREAT NEWS!
This Sunday, Annika Halverson and Isaac Webb will be getting married in Colorado. Please keep Annika, Isaac, and their families and friends in your prayers as their love is witnessed, celebrated, and blessed. Congratulations, Annika and Isaac!
