JANUARY 4 - 11

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THE WELCOME CORNER

"In the Middle"

In ancient Hebrew villages, wealthy landowners would open their fields to the people of the village after the crops were gathered. The entire community would walk the fields together, collecting the grains spilled or overlooked by harvesters. These grains collected in the second harvest were known as "gleanings." For the villagers who scoured the fields with persistence and patience, enough gleanings were gathered to sustain them for the coming winter.

Every year, January transitions us between the past and the future. Reflecting on the completed year—gleaning wisdom for the new year—provides the physical, emotional, spiritual, and communal sustenance needed for the coming year. 2025 lies behind us, tilled and frozen, strewn with the spillage of labor, loss, blessings, and imperfections. 2026 stretches out before us, full of promise, unblemished by our errors, not yet diminished by disappointments. Like a field of fresh-fallen snow, it lies perfect in its anticipation. Take the time to review the past, intent on discovery rather than judgment, to prepare the new year for greater yield.

All Souls has accomplished so much in 2025. You have faced loss. You have celebrated accomplishments. You have struggled with change, responded to needs, shared labor, and fully engaged with Rev. Kathleen and me. Together, we transitioned All Souls out of your historic ministry with Rev. Galen. Now you are ready to create your vision for the future. I am in awe of all you have managed and achieved. You have worked intentionally to arrive at this New Year, prepared to build your future.

As we move deeper into 2026, may our gleanings from the past inspire our eyes and strengthen our feet for mindful, forward motion. May our work and worship be informed by the past, fresh for the future, and open to new possibilities. May 2026 find All Souls stronger, more confident and compassionate, more capable of renewing hope and sustaining faith.

Happy New Year,

Rev. Elaine

THIS SUNDAY: JANUARY 4

Sunday at All Souls | 11:15 AM

"Dead Reckoning" with Rev. Elaine Peresluha

Adult Religious Education: Word of the Year | 10 AM | Forrest Church Gallery



Choose a word to guide your spiritual journey in 2026! This practice helps you reflect on where you are and envision where you're heading. Many find this more meaningful than traditional New Year's resolutions. Join Rev. Jessica for guided exercises to discover your word for 2026.

Community Meditation | 10:30 AM | Minot Simons Room

Join us for a 30-minute meditation session before Sunday service. Whether you're new to meditation or have an established practice, this session offers a welcoming space to pause and breathe.

Religious Education Programs for Children & Youth

Nursery & Preschool Care (Ages 6-months to 5 years) | 11:00 AM | The Chapel

Religious Education for Children & Youth 11:15 AM

• Pathfinders (Grades K-6) | Mary-Ella Holst Room
• Youth Group (Grades 7-12) | Forrest Church Gallery

All Souls in 20 Minutes | 12:15 PM | The Sanctuary

Join us for our newcomer welcome!

What's On Your Mind Listening Sessions

1 PM | The Ware Room

Rev. Elaine and the Transition Team want to hear what's on your mind! Share your thoughts and help shape our interim planning. Each session includes open sharing time and a paired conversation - all using the Appreciative Inquiry model.

On January 4th, we encourage families to participate in this special session! Childcare will be provided and children ages 10 and up are encouraged to attend with their adults to have their voices heard!

Winter Food Drive

To benefit the NY Common Pantry, sponsored by the Souls in Service Committee

Wish List: Winter Drive Suggested Donations 

• Oat/Almond “milk”

• Shelf-stable milk

• Rice, Barkley, Quinoa

• Peanut butter (plastic jars only)

• Canned soups

• Beans

• Canned fish or chicken

• Hot and cold cereal

Please drop off your donation in the box located right side of the vestibule (ramp side). No glass containers. Thank you! Contact soulsinservice@allsoulsnyc.org with any questions.

Save the date for the memorial service of beloved All Souls member George Dorsey. The service will be at All Souls Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11 AM.

MONDAY: January 5

Community Meditation | 8:30 AM | Zoom

Meditation and Discussion | 10 AM | Zoom

TUESDAY: January 6

Community Meditation | 8:30 AM | Zoom

Community Choir | 6:30 PM | The Sanctuary

WEDNESDAY: January 7

Community Meditation | 8:30 AM | Zoom

Stories with Soul | 6:45 PM | Zoom

THURSDAY: January 8

Community Meditation | 8:30 AM | Zoom

Transforming Our Suffering | 10 AM | Zoom

Realm Drop-In Session | 1 PM | Zoom

FRIDAY: January 9

Community Meditation | 8:30 AM | Zoom

SATURDAY: January 10

Community Meditation | 8:30 AM | Zoom

Memorial for George Dorsey | 11 AM | The Sanctuary

SUNDAY: January 11

Adult Religious Education Town Hall | 10 AM | Forrest Church Gallery

Morning Meditation | 10:30 AM | Minot Simons Room

Nursery & Preschool Care (Ages 6-months to 5 years) |11:00 AM | The Chapel

Religious Education for Children & Youth | 11:15 AM 

Pathfinders (Grades K-6) | Mary-Ella Holst Room

Youth Group (Grades 7-12) | Forrest Church Gallery

Sunday Worship with Rev. Elaine Peresluha | 11:15 AM | The Sanctuary & Livestream

All Souls in 20 Minutes | 12:15 PM | The Sanctuary

Coffee Hour | 12:15 PM | Reidy Friendship Hall

Friendship Circle for People Who Have Lost a Partner or Spouse | 12:30 PM | The Ware Room

Young Adult Small Group Ministry | 12:45 PM | Minot Simons Room

Board Candidate Forum | 1 PM | Reidy Friendship Hall & Zoom

What’s On Your Mind Listening Session | 2 PM | Rooms TBD

Ministerial Transition Dialogue with the Board | 7 PM | Zoom

Transforming Our Suffering

Thursdays, 10 AM | Zoom

Join us weekly for Transforming Our Suffering, led by Rev. Pamela Patton on first Thursdays and our wonderful Community Meditation Leaders other Thursdays.

Starting January 8, we're reading a new book, "Creating a Life of Integrity: In Conversation with Joseph Goldstein" by Gail Andersen Stark. Each session includes a short meditation, chapter summary, reflections, and group discussion with optional breakout rooms. All are welcome whether or not you've done the reading. Sessions are standalone, so drop in anytime.

Adult Religious Education Town Hall | Sunday, January 11 | 10 AM | Forrest Church Gallery

Come chat with the Adult Religious Education Committee about what we are offering and what you hope to see this Spring in the program!

Ministerial Transition Dialogues with the Board | Sunday, January 11 | 7pm |Zoom

Many congregants have been asking questions about our Ministerial Transition, such as:

·      “What’s the next steps for our ministry?”

·      “When should we (the membership) form a search committee?”

·      “What are the different types of ministries?”

In January, the Board of Trustees is pleased to host a series of Ministerial Transition – What’s Next? Dialogues. The purpose of these Dialogues is to answer your questions about the Ministerial Transition Process and gather your feedback.

We plan to host the following meetings on Zoom and in person:

·      January 11^th, 7pm – 8pm (zoom)

·      January 13^th, 7pm – 8pm (zoom)

·      January 25^th, 10am – 11am (Forrest Church Gallery)

Board Candidate Forum | Sunday, January 11 | 1 PM | Reidy Friendship Hall & Zoom

Hear from the nominees for the All Souls Board of Trustees in advance of our Annual Meeting and vote on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Realm Q&A Drop-in Session | Thursdays, 1 PM | Zoom

Get connected with All Souls' essential connection tool where you can:

• Access our member directory
• View important reports and documents
• Make donations
• & more!

Drop in to our staff-led Zoom sessions. Whether you need help setting up your login or want to learn more about Realm's features, we're here to help!

To better help each person, we allow attendees in one by one. If you're in the waiting room, someone else in on the line. Thank you for your patience!

Questions? Contact Gretchen Gabrielson, Spiritual Care and Membership Manager, at gretchen@allsoulsnyc.org

Coffee Hour, Ushering, Garden Committee, Religious Education & so much more!

Find out what volunteer opportunities are currently available at the link below!

Group Leaders: Seeking volunteers? Let All Souls staff know and we will feature your announcement!

Want to work with our partner food programs? Check out their websites for more detail.

Monday Night Hospitality Mondays | Volunteer hours: Multiple shifts between 1:30 PM - 8:30 PM.

Gotham Food Pantry

Mondays at All Souls with MNH - additional volunteer opportunities available.

Friday Soup Kitchen

Fridays | Volunteer hours: Multiple shifts between

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

All Souls publishes two general email newsletters: The All Souls Weekly, the Friday email which announces upcoming events for the next week; and Today at All Souls, which arrives at 8 am every morning and includes the Zoom information for events that day. We also produce a weekly Mindfulness | Meditation | Buddhism newsletter and a weekly Lifespan Faith Formation newsletter.

To subscribe, email Communications Assistant, Taylor at Taylor@allsoulsnyc.org and specify which newsletter(s) you would like to receive.

If your group would like something added to our public congregation calendar and shared in our Friday email, please submit to our Communications Manager, Taylor: Taylor@allsoulsnyc.org



Submissions for the Friday email must be received by the previous Sunday at 4 pm (at least 5 days before the email it is intended for).

Printable Calendar: Submissions or changes in regularly scheduled programming must be submitted by the 15th of the month prior (i.e. March 15th for the April calendar).

If you need to reserve a room or a table at Coffee Hour for an in-person event or meeting at All Souls, please contact Rudy Girón, Rentals and Events Coordinator, to reserve a room or book an event: Rudy@allsoulsnyc.org

A community for spiritual growth, justice and service