Community Life During Pandemic
Greetings All Souls family!
As we walk through these unbelievable times together, we want to continue to communicate with you. We have been keeping a close eye on local developments with COVID-19 and wanted to send an update to our plans. Unless we see a significant loosening in state and local regulations and recommendations we are planning to continue our worship services on zoom for the rest of 2020.
We feel mixed emotions about this decision and anticipate you may feel similar. We long to be together. We choose this as the best decision to contribute to the health and safety of our community.
We are looking to build more ways to connect through the rest of the year. We hope to offer:
· An online lab series
· Virtual gatherings and happy hours
· Continued Scripture Circles, Bible Studies, and Community Groups
· Small outdoors gatherings
Please remember that we are apart but we are not alone. As we continue to care for one another by keeping distance please be proactive, intentional, and creative in connecting with others in the community.
If you are in need in any way, please reach out to our leadership. Connect with Will Forsythe, Adam Bailon, Rachel Zylstra, Leah Cousin, Elders (elders@allsoulsboulder.org) or Deacons (deacons@allsoulsboulder.org).
All Souls Sunday Worship, July 19
Scripture Circle With Rabbi Noah
All Souls, in partnership with Anam Cara Ministries, is beyond honored to host a Scripture Circle lead by our guest Rabbi Noah Ullman. The event will take place on Thursday, July 23, from 5:30-8:30pm. Deb Pierce and Susan Grant will be hosting the event in their backyard. Please bring your bible and a mask. Questions? Please email Will Forsythe. You can sign up here.
All Souls Sunday Worship, July 12
Sunday Worship Materials
Prodigy Ventures
Our Deacons are thrilled to introduce Prodigy Ventures as our newest City Partner. All Souls very own Steph Frances is Prodigy’s founder and Executive Director and has led Prodigy into cultivating Beloved community in tangible and beautiful ways in Northeast Denver.
What does Prodigy do?
"Through high-caliber professional development and hands-on learning in a Prodigy enterprise, disconnected young adults develop mindsets and skills for sustainable careers, economic mobility and, most importantly, to go forth and enrich their city." They are seeing powerful impact in Denver through Prodigy Coffeehouse, "a social enterprise run by the talent of young adults from Northeast Denver who have previously been disconnected from school and/or work."
Steph will spend time with us during the service today to introduce the work they are doing. You don’t want to miss it! Be sure to check out Prodigy’s mini documentary below and read their 2019 annual report here.
We are so excited to see where this partnership takes us!
All Souls Sunday Worship, July 5
Sunday Worship Materials
Greeting Beloved Community,
It’s been a few weeks since we shared any updates on the status of our church life during this Covid-19 season. Our current plan is to continue our online Sunday morning worship gatherings through Labor Day. We are prepared to continue this practice after that time but will plan to reevaluate in late August and communicate further then. This decision has been made to care well for our community and city and eliminate unnecessary risk. We are participating in regular calls with Governor Polis who has gathered a committee of faith leaders to help him address the particular issues facing faith communities. We are looking forward to their recommendations.
In the meantime we will offer smaller group outdoor gatherings (abiding by social distancing guidelines and other recommended precautions) for those who are interested and able such as: Tuesday conversations at Chautauqua, Scripture Circles, community group gatherings, and possibly other social gatherings. One of our values for community life during this pandemic is being rooted in relationships. We encourage all of us to find creative ways to safely connect with one another, as we need each other more than ever right now. If you are feeling disconnected and want to find ways to be in community beyond Sunday morning, please email Will (will@allsoulsboulder.org).
We are grateful to be able to stay connected through technology. We know virtual gatherings are not the same as in-person gatherings but we are thankful for the chance to continue connecting and serving our city and world. Our gatherings each week have included family and friends from all over the country and it has felt meaningful to continue worshipping together during this difficult and challenging season. Please continue to show up! It is so encouraging to see each other's faces and know we are not alone. Feel free to invite family and friends to join us as well and continue to share ideas for how we can support each other.
Much Love,
All Souls Leadership
A Letter From All Souls
As followers of Jesus we are compelled to respond to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. We grieve that they are but the most recent of many Black people who have been senselessly killed. We proclaim clearly and publicly that Black lives matter.
We acknowledge that systemic violence against Black people and all people of color has long been part of the story of our country and the Christian church. As followers of Christ we reject the normalizing or justifying of this pattern of violent oppression throughout our shared history as well as our current context.
As a mostly white congregation we recognize our own personal and communal participation in systemic racism and white supremacy. We have sinned and we repent from that complicity.
We grieve that we have wounded the image of God inherent in Black people by our willingness to trade Black dignity and well-being for our own comfort, privilege and wealth. We have sinned and we repent from that violence.
We recognize that young black men are 21 times more likely to be killed by police than their white counterparts and we call that what it is: Anti-Black racism. As disciples of God's radical justice embodied in Christ, we commit to proclaim in word and deed that black lives matter.
We are more than sorry — we are committed to actively rejecting the poison of racism in our own lives and in our community. We stand in solidarity with Black people and other people of color and we reaffirm our commitment to embrace, develop and sustain anti-oppression practices within All Souls and in Boulder County. To support this goal we are currently taking these actions:
Exploring where our financial giving can be most effectively used to support Black people.
Gathering with local white faith leaders to listen to faith leaders of color and build infrastructure to mobilize white churches in support of affected people.
Coordinating to offer learning groups around racism and white supremacy.
Engaging and growing our new partnership with Together Colorado: Faith in Action.
Exploring avenues of external accountability and internal assessment.
As we make our way imperfectly forward we commit to continued listening, learning and taking meaningful action in anti-racism work.
If you are interested in learning groups on anti-racism please fill out this form HERE.
Please explore this list of resources for action, learning and donating.
Anti-Racism Resources for Kids and Family
For Parents
Podcasts:
Articles:
Four Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before Talking To Your Kids About Racism
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America (book)
Resource Compilations
Instagram Accounts:
@theconsciouskid
@teaching_tolerance
Online Course:
For Kids
Books:
All Souls Sunday Worship, May 31
Sunday Worship Materials
***
Greetings Beloved Community,
It’s been a few weeks since we shared any updates on the status of our church life during this Covid-19 season. Currently, there are no logistical changes, though, as you know, things are constantly changing. For now, we will continue to gather virtually via Zoom and practice physical distancing. Behind the scenes we are working on plans for various stages of “open” so that as things evolve we can move forward safely and with concern for the most vulnerable at our center. We are participating in regular calls with Governor Polis who has gathered a committee of faith leaders to help him address the particular issues facing faith communities. We are looking forward to their recommendations.
As each phase changes we will share guidelines for gatherings of official All Souls events. We will communicate regularly with you all as we learn of changing regulations, best practices and have developed plans.
We know that many of us are already experiencing the challenge of making constant decisions about who to gather with and how much vigilance is required in each situation. These tensions will certainly arise within our church community as well. As they do we ask that we each extend deep grace to one another and continue to hold our unity as a high value.
As we prepare for changes around what we can do, we want to share some values that will help guide how we will move forward together. These adopted values are helping our leadership shape our decisions together and we ask that you as part of this community please spend some time with these values and consider how you might adopt them as well.
Values for Community Life during Pandemic
Adapted from Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey
Guided by the Spirit
We will engage in discernment and prayer, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom, and listening deeply to one another.
Focused on safety, especially for the most vulnerable
We will abide by all public health recommendations, mandates, and guidelines. Remembering the words of 1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek their own good, but the good of their neighbor.”
Inspired by our Mission Statement
We will seek to embody our highest shared intentions, which have been expressed in our church’s mission statement to Cultivate Beloved Community for the good of all.
Committed to Excellence… and mindful of limitations
We will recognize and honor that while we are all “in the same storm”, we are not in the same boats. Every member of our community (church members and staff, young and old) is experiencing varying degrees of distress, uncertainty, trauma, and disappointment. We will absolutely do our best to serve this congregation with energy, creativity, and faithfulness - and we will give one another grace when our “pandemic best” is not equivalent to what we are capable of doing in normal times.
Rooted in relationships
We will seek to show up for one another. While a ministry of embodied presence remains largely out of our grasp, we will pour our energies into making genuine personal connections with our community. We will employ all available technologies and, when possible and permissible, physically distanced in-person visits.
Grounded in hopeful realism
We recognize with sorrow that some ministries - even cherished ones - cannot be recreated in this context. We will not give into despair, but neither will we dabble in empty idealism. Rather, we will proceed with intentional openness, exploring new models of ministry. We will hold plans for the future lightly, trusting God’s promise to the exiled Israelites: “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “Plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
We continue to be so very thankful for you all. You are showing that this church has always been a community of people and not a building. Thank you for your grace for us and each other. Thank you for caring for one another and for our city. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our staff.
All Souls Sunday Worship, May 17
Scripture Reflection & Discussion
Thank You to All Kids Ministry Volunteers!
A huge and heartfelt thank you to all of you who volunteered in Kids Ministry this year (2019-2020). The way you showed up ready to be present with the kids was amazing. Our Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry could not happen without YOU! You showed up for kids ages Birth through High School and with so much love. There are so many moments that are highlights - calming crying kiddos, whole-body song motions, games of all kinds, water paints, the limbo and so many more. Thank you.
All Souls Sunday Worship, May 10
Scripture Reflection & Discussion
Resources for Kids
Today Shari is talking to us about John 14:1-14.. In this Scripture passage Jesus talks to his friends about when he is going to take them to his Father’s home. Jesus also tells them that they already know how to get there. What?! I wonder if the reason that Jesus says that they’ll know how to get there is because they have been there before. Maybe they have had the feeling of being at home with Jesus many times before. I wonder if Jesus has already shown us how to get to his home, how to feel at home with Him..being in a place where we feel safe, known, and comforted. Maybe we are familiar with the paths to get there. Perhaps, this is a physical place or maybe it’s more like a feeling we get when we feel safe and at peace. We can remember that Jesus promises us that being with Him is a place of comfort and love and belonging.
Activity ideas:
Draw a picture of what you think God’s home looks like! What kind of things would you like in the best house ever?
Create a safe space in your home where you can put things that comfort you.
All Souls Sunday Worship, May 3
Scripture Reflection & Discussion
Tara Owens will be our guest teacher this morning! Tara is the founder and executive director of Anam Cara Ministries, where she has been accompanying others in their journeys with God for more than 14 years. Her deep longing is to see others move toward wholeness with themselves, with God, with their communities, and with the world. Tara is familiar to the All Souls community through leading monthly scripture circles. You can sign up for the next scripture circle on May 14th by clicking HERE!
Resources for Kids
Today Laken is talking to us about Psalm 23. This Scripture passage talks about a shepherd who rescues his sad, lonely, scared sheep from dark valleys, gives them big hugs and tells them they are not alone. It tells us that the shepherd brings them to sunny places with delicious food and water and more good things than sheep could ever imagine. The Psalm tells us that our God takes even better care of us than the shepherd takes care of the sheep. And that we are not alone even when things are scary or sad. God is always with us to hold our hand, to comfort us, to take care of us, to make us brave and give us everything we need. Isn't that amazing?
Activity ideas:
Collect some of the things that you find comforting when you are sad, scared or lonely, and use them to make a cozy, happy space in your house. Talk to God. God loves to hear from us even when we're feeling afraid or sad or lonely.
Listen to this version of Psalm 23
Share God's comfort and care to others: make a card, bake some cookies, play/sing a song or create some sidewalk art.
All Souls Sunday Worship, April 26
Scripture Reflection & Discussion
Resources for Kids
Today we are talking about Luke 24:13-53 - The Road To Emmaus. It’s about two of Jesus’ followers walking along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were very sad. They thought that they had lost Jesus forever. They thought that all hope was lost. Even though they couldn’t recognize Jesus, he was still with them. Jesus is with us today and he is at work in our lives, even if we can’t see him or if things seem bad. Jesus gave us ways to remember him by, one of which is the breaking of bread. Jesus is waiting for us to invite him into every area of our lives. As we live closely with him and talk to him regularly, He teaches us about himself and gives us hope!
Activity ideas:
Build a road with stones, legos, blocks
Take a walk outside. Imagine Jesus walking with you. What would you want to talk to him about?
Draw a path with sidewalk chalk. Invite a parent or sibling to walk your path. Draw things for them to notice along the way.