The Pathfinder: July 2nd, 2026
A Great Experiment
One of the gifts of being alive during a significant anniversary, be it 50, 100, 250, or 2,000 years, is the opportunity to examine the origin story of that marriage, of that congregation, of that nation, or of that faith.
We find ourselves at such a moment, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the declaration of the independence of what would become the United States of America from the British Empire. We also find ourselves in a moment when a strand of ideology, that of White Christian Nationalism, has once again become ascendant.
One of the tenets of this ideology is that America was founded specifically as a Christian nation. In addition to having profoundly destructive effects in our present day, especially when coupled with leaders and structures that act over and against other faith traditions because of this worldview, this notion that the U.S. was founded to be a Christian nation is historically erroneous.
Once again, context is critical. Those who disagreed about and debated and created the founding documents of our country were acutely aware of the division and destruction that religious conflict had created in the centuries leading up to the American Revolution. In western Europe, much of that deadly conflict was between Christian denominations, and those same divisive forces infected the early colonies. Puritans drove out Baptists in New England, Roman Catholics drove out Protestants in Maryland, and Anglicans subjugated other Christian denominations in Virginia.
It was abundantly clear to George Washington, to James Madison, and other early leaders that if the United States were to be successful in its great experiment, no one religious expression could be dominant. Unlike many of the nations in Europe and other parts of the world, it was for this reason that no particular religion was given official sanction, Christian or otherwise.
There are some who say that this stance was simply about the toleration of a multiplicity of Christian expressions. While there is clear evidence that those who shaped the structures and the culture of this new nation were particularly concerned about intra-Christian conflict, there is also clear evidence that our early leaders, particularly George Washington, saw this as a nation where those of any belief would find refuge and be free.
As Washington wrote to a group of Baptists in Virginia, who were concerned about the lack of assurances for religious freedom in the new Constitution, “I have often expressed my sentiments, that every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience.” And, to a Jewish congregation in Rhode Island, he also wrote this, “It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”
As a Christian leader, I am profoundly disturbed by the rhetoric and actions of fellow followers of Christ as they attempt to manipulate the origin story of our nation towards their exclusivist ends. One of the greatest experiments in the founding of our nation was that of religious acceptance. The practice of faith was expected and often seen as essential for those who would be Americans. But the official sanction of any one tradition or expression, Christian or otherwise, was not.
As Christians and as Americans, as we come to the 250th anniversary of colonies in America declaring their independence from the British Empire, we have a responsibility to remember how and why this nation began, and to carry the initial belief in religious liberation, acceptance, and expansiveness to our own day.
Peace,
-Phil+
Landscaping: Our Final Frontier
It’s a three-month mission to remove unruly weeds and tired dirt; to amend the soil with new compost and soil; to secure our buildings from fire with rock and gravel mulch; to plant native and Mediterranean varieties throughout; to install drip irrigation; to attract pollinators to the rich environment, to live and worship together on this land;
to sustainably share it with all the people and creatures who naturally belong and are welcome; to boldly return to a more natural state, this beautiful land at the corner of Cedar and Spruce.
Throughout the summer, we will offer updates on the progress of landscaping work. This week we highlight the Handicapped Parking area.
Making the Handicapped Parking area more accessible is a priority for the Landscape Committee. The Landscape Contractor suggested some alternatives to the decomposed granite we had specified for that area. Under his direction, the crew removed by hand the remains of the old uneven asphalt partially covering that area, taking care not to disturb the roots of the oak. They replaced the soil with Class 2 permeable rock base, which is used as a base for roads and highways. This rock, when compacted, maintains a more level surface over time than decomposed granite. The crew also installed the framework for planting beds at the edges of the parking area.
The handicapped parking area is also the “home” of our oak tree, a keystone species. As such, this area needs to remain permeable to protect the roots of the oak tree in that space. A keystone species is an organism that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem compared to its population size. Like the wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that holds the whole structure together, removing a keystone species causes the entire local ecosystem to collapse or fundamentally change. Oaks support more life forms than any other North American tree genus. They host hundreds of species of caterpillars, which serve as the foundational food source for countless birds and their young. Their acorns provide high-fat, protein-rich nourishment for dozens of mammals and birds during critical winter months. As long-lived trees, oaks convert large quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide into wood. Their large canopies shade the ground, lowering surface temperatures and cooling nearby buildings. An individual mature oak tree can keep over 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and absorb up to 10 pounds of other air pollutants per year. Mature oaks drop hundreds of thousands of leaves each year. As this leaf litter decomposes, it returns essential nutrients to the ground, improving soil fertility, aiding water retention, and supporting healthy microbial activity.”
The next time you are at church, check out the handicapped parking area and say hello to our dear oak tree. Parishioners now have a completely level surface from the handicapped parking area onto the concrete. And the oak tree’s health should improve as the area below its canopy is now more permeable for its thirsty roots.
–Kaki Logan
An Experience in My Soul: Juneteenth Celebration at All Souls
I am relatively new to the All Souls community. I say relatively because my mother, Martha Thomas Cooke, attended All Souls for more than 20 years…and, as mothers do, she convinced me to attend many a service over the years. One of my favorites was always the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi and the Blessing of the Animals.
Recently, I've found myself drawn back to All Souls…to deepen my spiritual foundation and to engage in the wonderfully rich offerings listed in the blue-sheet bulletin. Who could resist Movie Night, Culturally Diverse Women’s theological perspectives, Theology presentations, or the Summer Book Club? But one event caught my eye more than any other: All Souls' first time hosting the Diocesan Juneteenth Celebration.
I was all in.
The opportunity to both experience and share my cultural heritage within a welcoming faith community was an exciting prospect indeed. I've attended many Juneteenth celebrations over the years, mostly in my own neighborhood near Ashby BART. Celebrating Juneteenth in a predominantly Black and Brown community feels easy, familiar, and joyful. I've always looked forward to it as a celebration of Black joy…musical performances, perhaps a marching band, a fashion show, vendors selling Afrocentric jewelry, art, and handmade shea butter soaps, and, of course, soul food galore.
Yet alongside my excitement was a bit of trepidation. I wondered what it would be like to celebrate Juneteenth outside the familiar cultural context of the African American community. What would a Juneteenth liturgy feel like? Many predominantly Black churches have long celebrated Juneteenth in worship, although I had never experienced one myself. I was eager for the opportunity.
As I sat in the pew reading the description of the upcoming celebration in the bulletin, something felt different…perhaps even a little off, if I'm being truthful. At first I couldn't quite name it. On one hand, I was deeply moved by the beauty of blending faith and freedom. The connection between those two is so foundational to African American spiritual traditions that I could hardly believe I had never experienced such a service before.
On the other hand, the bulletin spoke of the need for members of All Souls to acknowledge privilege gained through racial injustice and to make amends.
The words "we have all benefited from it" appeared in describing the Juneteenth celebration. I deeply understood the intention behind those words…to invite an honest examination of how slavery and systemic racism have created enduring advantages and inequities within our society. I was encouraged by this expression of cultural humility and genuinely excited to be part of a community willing to engage such difficult truths.
At the same time, the phrase "we all" unintentionally overlooked that not everyone in the congregation is part of the "we" who benefited. Although most of the congregation is White, some of us are descendants of those who bore the cost of that injustice rather than its advantages. In that moment, I felt just a little dropped. I found myself wondering, Can I be part of the "we" at All Souls?
There was really only one way forward for me. I felt I needed to write to Father Phil and Mother Rachel. I trusted them with my feelings, but I was still nervous. I had only recently begun attending regularly. I’m not even a member yet. It all felt a bit scary.
Yet I also knew that if I didn't feel I could speak honestly about something like this…even something that might seem small…I couldn't truly show up as my full self. So I took a chance. I wrote to the clergy.
I imagine most of you, especially those who have been members for many years, would not be surprised by their response. Although I wasn't surprised either, my relief was profound. It wasn't simply that they responded warmly. They responded with genuine empathy. Each of them expressed that they understood what I was saying and shared my perspective. It was more than a kind response; it was a deeply human response, full of understanding, welcome, and connection.
I did not anticipate that celebrating Juneteenth in a culturally diverse setting would feel so complex. Of course, those who are not of African descent would naturally seek to show up as allies and be mindful of privilege. Experiencing Juneteenth in this way was simply new for me, and I wasn't sure what to expect.
At the same time, I was genuinely excited to participate and to help All Souls make a wonderful showing for its very first Juneteenth celebration. Admittedly, I may have gone a little overboard. I made black-eyed peas, collard greens, and sweet potato pie. I dragged my 14-year-old nephew Adeyemi along, and insisted he wear his African finest.
From the moment the clergy processed into the church…regal in both their vestments and the beautiful expressions of cultural diversity…I felt my heart opening with joy.
Then we began singing Lift Every Voice and Sing, and this was a liturgy I did not know I so badly needed.
The Confession of Sin was beautifully crafted for all of us. The opportunity to speak those words together in community was nothing short of healing. The readings carried us even further, preparing our hearts for what was to come. By the time we were invited to respond during the Prayers of the People…interwoven with the lyrics of Lift Every Voice and Sing…I'd just about lost it. Tears flowed freely. And this was even before we heard the powerful sermon by the Rev. Erika Jackson.
I cannot remember all the names of the visiting clergy from the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Afro-Anglican Commission of the Diocese of California. Although I had never met any of them before, I knew them. I saw myself in them. Just as I caught a glimpse of myself in Mother Rachel's warm welcome this past Mother's Day, I saw that there was a place for me here.
I can be part of this community because this community is truly open to all souls.
Since my mother's memorial was held here this past April, and my family was so lovingly cared for by the clergy of All Souls, I've continued to come around. When we were at our most vulnerable at Kaiser, Father Michael held us through it all. In the space between the hospital and the church, Father Phil held us. And now I find myself being held by what feels like a bridge to a future where I can truly see myself as part of this community, through the warmth of Mother Rachel and her beautiful family.
I've also been held by the many hugs from members of this congregation…those who knew and loved my mother, and those who never met her but nevertheless welcomed me into the embrace of All Souls.
I did not yet know Mother Rachel when she volunteered All Souls to host this year's Juneteenth celebration. But now I do know this: this precious community made itself proud. The hospitality, welcome, and love shown by everyone who made this celebration possible created something far greater than an event.
It created a place where I experienced both my faith and my heritage, fully embraced.
And that is something my soul will not soon forget.
–Veronique Thompson
Parish Picnic 2026
We hope you will enjoy a few pictures from our picnic at Tilden Park!
-The Staff
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.
10:30 am, Sung Eucharist and Blessing of a Marriage of Lani Good and Tyree Jackson in the Nave. Join us via livestream here.
12 noon, Reception for Lani Good and Tyree Jackson in the Parish Hall and Courtyard.
5 pm, Being With Group in the Common Room.
Wednesday
9 am, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Please enter through the copper doors downstairs on Cedar Street.
Gather With Us
GOOD/JACKSON WEDDING THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, July 5th, Lani Good and Tyree Jackson will be getting married at All Souls during the 10:30 am service! Please keep Lani and Tyree, and their families and friends, in your prayers as their love is witnessed, celebrated, and blessed.
ALL SOULS PARISH ANNUAL CAMPING TRIP - July 17th–19th
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
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).
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. If you need help logging into Realm, please contact Mother Rachel.
Everything else you need to know:
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. 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.
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.
Directions and a final packing list will be emailed to all registered campers one week before the trip.
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
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
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.
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. 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.
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…
On June 24, two earthquakes hit north-central Venezuela in rapid succession. Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact with local partners as they provide critical relief today and assess their community needs. The International Disaster Fund is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. Click here to make a gift today or visit episcopalrelief.org to get more information on the work of Episcopal Relief & Development.
