Sangha Newsletter for May through July, 2013

In this issue:

• May Beginner's Mind Sesshin and Maezumi Roshi Memorial Service
• June 7-Day Sesshin and special events (sangha hike; potluck dinner; Gate of Sweet Nectar ceremony; bonfire)
• July 3-Day Sesshin
• Embracing Forgiveness workshops in Illinois and Wisconsin
• Council discussions at CCUU

Our next retreat is our Beginner's Mind II Sesshin, which begins Friday evening, May 17 and runs through Sunday morning, the 19th.
This will include our annual memorial service for Maezumi Roshi and a Dharma Talk to honor our founder on Saturday, 5/18.

Please register for this event by May 11.

Equipment donation sought: To manage the mowing of the grass in and around the culverts, we are hoping someone might be willing to donate (used or new) a hand-push mower. We're looking for the old-fashioned type (no motor) lightweight and sharp blades are ideal.

All members and friends are invited to a Buddha’s Birthday celebration from 3:00-4:00 pm on Sunday, April 7, at Countryside UU Church in Palatine. Children of all ages and their parents are especially encouraged to attend. The occasion will include the beautiful flower house and bathing the baby Buddha with sweet tea. Children will enjoy playing the temple instruments, and doing a short meditation. This year, we will be joined by special guest musician Lorrie Chikuin Kountz for some exciting musical activities including a sing-along. Refreshments will be served.

Our February newsletter is now available.

Please note that GPZC has moved its mailing address from the old PO box in Barrington, IL to a new one in Palatine. This will help reduce confusion, since our weekly zazen has been held in Palatine for many years. Our new address is:

If you've set up an automated dues payment, you may need to ask your bank to update the address!

Our November newsletter is now available.

Please join us on Sunday, October 21 at 7:00 pm, when Nataly Kercher, Anneliese Vandre, Lorrie Kountz and Tom Janiec will receive the Buddhist Precepts at our usual Sunday evening meeting at Countryside Church, 1025 N. Smith Rd., Palatine, IL. This is an important practice step, affirming their intention to actualize the Buddha Way in all aspects of their lives in a way that is visible to others.

Our August newsletter is now available.

Our May newsletter is now available. It contains information on our summer practice period and other upcoming events, including a new online reading/discussion course on the Six Paramitas.

Please note that our March introductory workshop in Palatine has been moved from March 24 to March 31. (The intro workshop in Wisconsin is still on March 24.) We apologize for any inconvenience.

Our February newsletter is now available. It contains details of upcoming events as well as preliminary information about summer ango.