Good afternoon dear friends
We are moving into the green and fruitful time of summer! How nourishing it can be to feel the warmth of the sun and to breathe the fresh air in our cool dark forests. During this time of transition, the Caretaking Council of Waves and Water Sangha asks that you read this message with an open heart.
Over the last six months we have experienced some changes in our consistent, core community of 10-13 practitioners. Causes and conditions arise from Sangha members’ family, education and work lives, as well as experiences of ill health, aging and death. These have led to smaller numbers attending both Thursday evenings and Days of Mindfulness. As a result our resources have been taxed. At the same time, our community practice has maintained its loving and joyful, nourishing and deep, nature.
SERVICE RESOURCES: There are currently four of us who provide consistent service in organizing and presenting the every week activities of the Sangha. We would be very happy to have others join us! And we are also very happy to continue….
FINANCIAL RESOURCES: We are not currently receiving sufficient Dana (financial contributions) to meet our rent commitment to Mountain Rain Zen Community. We need to receive $4,000 a year for our expenses. Without a change in our donations we will not be able to continue in our current form. We could meet our expenses in different ways:
8-16 practitioners offering dana every week ($5-10 each)
10 practitioners offering vancity or e-transfers every month ($35 each)
20 practitioners offering an annual or one-time donation ($200 each)
Of course, what is most realistic is a combination of these! We realize not everyone who would like to support the continuation of Waves and Water Sangha can attend regularly. Please know there are several ways to support us:
- In-person: Donations placed in the Dana basket in the Zendo.
- VanCity transfers: From your VanCity account to ours (Waves and Water # 2711689)
- E-Transfers: wwsangha@gmail.com
(Let us know the answer to your security question) - Cheque to Waves and Water Sangha : #30 – 234 East 15 Avenue Vancouver V5T 2P9
Unfortunately we cannot offer income tax donation receipts.
These changes our Sangha are experiencing are not only individual or familial. They arise also from social conditions such as the cost of housing that requires many to live at a farther distance, or to move elsewhere. Our transit system does not provide easy access to the meditation hall. For financial and ecological reasons fewer of us have vehicles to offer rides. Our increasing need to engage in social justice activism, concerning not only the environment, but also the impact of poverty, racism, and gender diversity, takes time and energies. Some also find their primary refuge in retreats with monastics, informal and close-to-home meditation groups and/or a more secular mindfulness that takes place in ever increasing locations.
We would very much like to continue holding the space at our nourishing Zendo and we welcome any amount of financial generosity that may help us do that.
In gratitude, the Caretaking Council:
Bethan Lloyd Susu Myint Alda Ngo Louise St. Pierre
