Frequently Asked Questions

Interfaith at All Souls

  • All Souls Interfaith Gathering is a spiritual Center open to all. While we consider ourselves to be interfaith, all persons are welcome regardless of spiritual practice or affiliation (or not). We do not have a dogma.

  • An interfaith gathering is a spiritual community of people from many spiritual backgrounds and faith styles. All Souls is an independent nonprofit organization and is not governed by any external religious organization. We consider ourselves a spiritual center that is flexible enough to meet the needs of a diverse community.

  • The All Souls spiritual community includes people who are interfaith and interspiritual.

    Interfaith participants remain rooted in a spiritual path while seeking to learn about and work with people from other paths. For example, a Christian may incorporate Hindu kirtan practices into their life, or a Buddhist might adopt some Sufi meditation techniques. We highly value contemplation as one pathway to deeper spirituality and to ground us for action.

    Interspiritual participants engage in experiences from many traditions and sometimes incorporate practices and beliefs from multiple paths. People who participate with All Souls will have the freedom to sample and experience many approaches.

    All Souls offers programming and guest speakers to support spiritual connection and deepen understandings of different spiritual traditions. The classes and services explore common teachings that run through all faith and spiritual traditions.

  • All Souls is one of only a few dozen spiritual communities in the nation that focuses on interfaith practice, and we are the only interfaith community of this type in Vermont. Our approach provides a sanctuary to explore spirituality, with deep resources to learn from many traditions. All Souls operates from a set of core community values and community characteristics that promote deep connections among congregants and the broader community.

    Our commitment to the environment, as well as inclusive justice and equity, supports the broader community through meaningful action.

  • Our plans include:

    Providing an annual calendar of retreat and workshops that will include nationally and globally known teachers and facilitators. Each year we offer a broad range of opportunities to learn about different spiritual paths and practices through retreats, workshops, and seminars. The purpose of these learning opportunities is to foster individual spiritual growth and to advance our interfaith vision of fostering a just, peaceful, and loving world that is respectful of difference.

    While our services and meditation sessions provide a good introduction to interspiritual practice, these retreats and workshops allow you to go deeper into specific topics. They are also perfect if you’re not interested in joining a spiritual community, but want to deepen your own spirituality. Examples include the Fr. Thomas Keating Interspiritual Seminar with a wisdom council of high-quality teachers and practitioners. Other invited speakers for individual weekend retreats include teachers Mirabai Starr and Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche.

    All Souls School of Spiritual Direction - This two-year program provides students with the tools to develop their own spirituality and to serve as effective spiritual companions. The first cohort of students began in 2021 and graduated in 2023, with students coming from across New England. The School connects All Souls to interfaith wisdom from international teachers through Spiritual Directors International.

    Interfaith Minister Training - All Souls is exploring partnerships with accredited Master of Divinity programs to give students in our region easy access to high-quality preparation for interfaith ministry.

Is All Souls Right for Me?

  • Yes. It is not necessary to identify with a religion to join All Souls. We welcome all who are open to exploring spirituality or learning more about a variety of spiritual traditions. At All Souls, together we create a safe environment that is inclusive of others who may have different views than our own. We can provide tools to help explore and experience this aspect of life.

  • At All Souls, we recognize that the broader culture embraces divergent and competing beliefs about ultimate reality. We think it is important to improve our understanding of the nature of ultimate reality and the experience of spirituality. Our programs and services are designed to provide an enlarged understanding of spirituality. While you will hear religious references at All Souls, you are never expected to accept them, and you may become more aware of what makes you uncomfortable and why.

  • All Souls incorporates these elements in many ways:

    Head – Head represents the intellectual striving to understand subtle meanings of doctrine, ritual, and symbols across traditions. We provide opportunities for participants to think, understand, and synthesize spirituality. This is done through homilies at the Music and Spirit Service, through classes on various topics, in small groups that often study books or spiritual concepts, in retreats and workshops on a variety of subjects, and in educational offerings such as the School of Spiritual Direction.

    Heart – Heart represents shared experience and practice. We encourage spiritual presence with one another through the joys and sorrows of life, expressing support and care for one another and the planet. Whether people are connecting through our Music and Spirit services, meditation, small groups, or 1:1 interactions, we cultivate a heartfelt compassion for the broader community and its challenges. Some receive this 'heart' piece while in community or in dialogue with others, listening to evoca8ve music or simply si9ng in the sanctuary and drinking in the sacred space and vista, feeling connected with the greater world/universe.

    Hands – Hands represent working towards a common goal through collaboration.

    We view our time in contemplation and study as preparation to put our core community values into practice. We do this by participating in local events to highlight human need, engaging in dialogue and action to promote equality and justice, actively creating opportunities to advance the interspiritual message, and engaging in hands-on activities to benefit at-risk populations and the environment. Our commitment to the environment, as well as inclusive justice and equity, supports the broader community through meaningful action.

Events and Programs

  • All Souls' primary purpose is to serve as a space where all are welcome to come and connect with Spirit, in whatever form spirit takes for an individual. All Souls is also available to host or sponsor events that advance our mission and vision.

  • Yes! The general public is welcome to our events. There may be some that are specific to congregant only and those events will be clearly indicated as such. Please see below for more specifics.

    Weekly Services – Every week we hold a Sunday Morning Meditation, Sunday Music & Spirit Service, and a Tuesday Meditation. These are all open to the public and no admission is charged. Every service involves paid staff and many volunteer hours, so donations are encouraged.

    Groups – Several small groups meet regularly at All Souls, including the semi-monthly Life's Questions Group that explores human meaning from a variety of perspectives; the weekly Men’s Group that considers what it means as a male to grow spiritually; the semi-monthly Grieving the Loss of a Loved One Group that is a friendly, caring group that walks with you through your most difficult experiences; the monthly Order of the Sacred Earth that strengthens commitment to Earth-care; and the monthly Joyful Connections Group that gathers to experience enjoyable activities together. All Souls is actively seeking to add additional affinity groups to our schedule. The general public is welcome at all of these donation-based groups.

    Retreats, Workshops, and Seminars – We maintain a calendar of retreats and workshops that are typically held on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year. Scheduled retreats and workshops for this year include an introduction to Sufism, a workshop on diversity and inclusion, Zen and the creative arts, introduction to sound healing, yoga, qigong, and an interspiritual dialog. All of these events require a registration fee; some limited scholarships are available. The general public is welcome at most events; see retreat or workshop listings for details.

  • All Souls has a growing commitment to environmental activism and social justice at local, regional, national, and global levels. We hold space for personal growth, as well as, are committed to amplifying our collective impact in the broader community. Below are the ways that you could be involved. Please click here to contact us if you’d like to participate and/ or if you have ideas on expanding these efforts.

    Facilities – The All Souls building and grounds were renovated in 2008 to minimize our carbon footprint and to responsibly handle surface water flow, avoiding contamination of Lake Champlain.

    We regularly monitor our facilities and systems to minimize our carbon footprint as much as possible. We fully comply with all Vermont laws and guidance regarding composting and water discharge.

    Order of the Sacred Earth – The Champlain Order of the Sacred Earth at All Souls is affiliated with the international Order of the Sacred Earth, an interspiritual organization committed to loving and defending the Earth. Monthly pod meetings provide congregants an opportunity to refresh and renew spiritually and to engage in hands-on projects.

    Committee on Temporary Shelter – All Souls is a supporter of the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS), serving those experiencing homelessness. We engage through donations, food preparation, and public education by sponsoring a team each year for the COTS walk.

    Vermont Interfaith Action – Congregants of All Souls Interfaith Gathering are working with Vermont Interfaith Action and other congregations to effect systemic change around issues of social justice.

    Vermont Interfaith Power and Light – All Souls supports Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental protection. In addition to monetary support, we engage in public information and legislative calls to action.

Services and Holidays

  • We believe that it is a portal through which we may experience ultimate reality. Just as we respect and share many spiritual teachings at All Souls, we also aim to provide a wide range of musical experience. During the course of our services and programs, we strive to provide music that evokes shared interfaith themes: contemplation, motivation, gratitude, transformation, compassion, and dedication. Our music includes acoustic folk, Hindu kirtan, piano and organ, choral anthems, classical harp and chamber music, and indigenous music. Just as we understand that there are many spiritual paths that lead to meaning, we also understand that there are many musical routes to spiritual experience.

  • Holidays are an important part of living a meaningful life and we love to celebrate them at All Souls. We celebrate common truths that are found on different spiritual paths in our observances. For example, in December we hold a celebration of light in the darkness, drawing from the observances of Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. In the springtime, we celebrate the coming of new life with themes from Passover, Easter, and indigenous spirituality.

  • You’ll be received with a warm personal welcome. Whether you’re attending a meditation session, a Music and Spirit Service, or a class, you’ll notice that we’re individuals with diverse tastes. Feel free to wear what makes you comfortable.

    We understand that being a visitor in a new spiritual community can feel overwhelming. We will not single you out or ask you to introduce yourself. You’ll simply be welcomed to our community as we explore finding deeper meaning. If you wish, you can sign up to receive our email newsletter to receive information about upcoming services and programs.

    At All Souls, we focus on the perennial wisdom found in the teachings of the world’s faiths. Our spirituality and practice is based on our personal experiences and shared values instead of dogma or creeds.

    We welcome donations from our visitors in keeping with their financial ability and the value they experience. We seek to make All Souls financially accessible to those who wish to participate, while being able to support our operation.

Families and Congregants

  • Benefits of being a congregant include:

    • Knowing that you are helping to advance an interfaith and interspiritual message of inclusion, respect, and justice for all people and the planet.

    • Free admission to the Annual Congregant Retreat, a three-day session filled with spiritual practices, guest teachers, and good food. Non-congregants may attend for a $200 registration.

    • Complimentary pastoral counseling or spiritual direction from our Lead Pastor

    • Wedding ceremonies for congregants or their immediate family. Wedding ceremonies only; no receptions on site for non-congregants.

    • Complimentary ministerial support for memorial services; discounted memorial rates.

    • Discounted rates on some sponsored retreats, seminars, and workshops (restrictions apply)

    • Inclusion in and access to our congregational directory.

  • All Souls currently has 144 Congregants and Affiliate Congregants.

  • There is no set fee to become a congregant at All Souls. All Souls congregants are asked to make a pledge of any amount each year. We ask congregants to make a pledge in keeping with their financial ability and commitment to maintain the services they value.

    We seek to make All Souls financially accessible to those who wish to belong, while being able to support our operation.

  • Process to become a congregant:

    • Attend weekly services, groups, or classes for two months

    • Sign a “New Congregant” form acknowledging our purpose

    • Attend one Pastor’s “New Congregant Orientation” Class lasting 1.5 hours

    • Make a financial pledge of any amount for the coming year

    • Volunteer to assist with All Souls services, events, or outreach efforts (optional for Affiliate Congregants)

  • All Souls welcomes families and is committed to making kid-friendly interspiritual & interfaith opportunities available to our community.

    Music and Spirit Services - Your children are welcome to stay with you throughout the Music and Spirit Services held on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. We love having little ones with us during the service. Feel free to ask a greeter for coloring sheets or a Buddha board to entertain your children during service.

    Coming of Age Capstone Program – The All Souls Coming of Age Capstone Program is geared for youth ages 11 to 14. The year-long curriculum introduces them to teachings from the world’s spiritual traditions, concepts of ethics, leadership, and justice. Each student completes a community service project, works with a mentor, and participates in a Music and Spirit Service. There are no fees for this program; donations are gladly accepted.

    Program for Young Children – All Souls is in the early stages of planning a program for young children. We welcome your participation in shaping this program. There are no fees for this program; donations will be gladly accepted.

    Maris’ Tree House – All Souls congregant, Maris Rose, operates the Tree House program in our Earth Space Building. This preschool is for children ages 3 to 5 and meets during the weekday mornings. Maris also offers a Fairy Camp during the summer months. One parent said, “My daughter has attended Maris’ program…for two years now. It has consistently been her favorite activity. Maris is wonderful and nurturing with each child.” This is a tuition based program.

Visiting

  • You are welcome to visit the grounds during the daylight hours. We invite you to enjoy walking the labyrinth, exploring our Nature Path, or meditating in the Sacred Earth Wheel. Please note that dogs are not permitted on All Souls grounds and we ask that you help preserve our peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.

  • Our Library is open from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Donations and Volunteering

  • At this time we are not accepting tree donations due to the Memorial Garden reaching its capacity to accept new trees.

  • Even if you are not a congregant, you can volunteer to help with operations at All Souls and/or help on projects that support the broader community.

    All Souls Operations:

    • Give people rides to All Souls services and events

    • Make posts on Front Porch Forum

    • Shelve and catalog books in the library

    • Greet people at meditation or Music and Spirit Services

    • Assist with grounds maintenance and beautification

    • Provide refreshments after services

    • Provide altar flowers

    • Administer Zoom meetings

    • Run sound systems for services

    We’re incredibly open to your suggestions! Please click here to email us if you have an idea for a way to volunteer with us.

    Community Projects:

    • Committee on Temporary Shelter Food Preparation – All Souls congregants gather twice a month (the 1st & 3rd Thursday) to prepare sandwiches for distribution to those experiencing homelessness.

    • Committee on Temporary Shelter Walk – Each year All Souls enters a team in the walk to raise awareness and raise funds for COTS.

    • Janet S. Munt Family Room – All Souls raises funds each year to support holiday gifts and needed supplies for the Family Room.

    • Food Drives for Shelburne Food Shelf – All Souls conducts two food drives, one during the Thanksgiving season and another coinciding with the Super Bowl, to benefit the Shelburne Food Shelf.

    • SCHIPs – All Souls provides representatives to the board of the Shelburne Charlotte Hinesburg Interfaith Project and congregants donate to and volunteer in the Treasure Resale Shop, raising funds for community grants.

    • Many projects involving environmental activism and social justice.

    Past projects have included planting over 100 trees at Meach Cove Tree, hosting yoga classes to benefit the Audubon Society, and participating in United Way drives to benefit the Girl Scouts of America.

    Volunteering is as easy as calling our office at 802.985.3819 or clicking here to send us an email.

  • Thank you! You may donate here. There are also many other ways to donate:

    • Attend a meditation or Music and Spirit Service and place your donation in the basket or offering plate.

    • Mail a check to All Souls at P.O. Box 1124, Shelburne, VT 05482

    • Make a pledge to All Souls for a weekly, monthly, or quarterly gift.

    • Plan to share part of your estate with All Souls.