Insight Santa Cruz Newsletter
January 2018
MUGGING FOR THE CAMERA With the help of photographer Gregor Levy we are creating a new photo display at ISC so sangha members can get to know all the ISC teachers and Board members. At one of the recent photo shoots, Gregor caught a few ISC leaders being playful (mindfully, of course!). Pictured from left to right are Chris Basiletti, Dan Landry, Gee Schultz, Yasmina Porter, and Curt Coleman. Look for the new photo display at the center in the near future.
DOUBLE YOUR DANA FOR THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DRIVE
A Note from Maggie Collins, our Fundraising Chairperson:Thank you for your dana given to our community! Between volunteers and dana donors, Insight Santa Cruz manages to operate efficiently, using dana to support our facility and our teachers. No one is ever turned away.
We hope to end this pledge process by January 31, 2018. And to that purpose we have received a match challenge grant. Every dollar pledged will be matched by a dollar from our special donor. We need to raise $1,964 more in pledges to reach our goal of $79,000.
Pledge forms are available at Insight Santa Cruz or you may make a pledge by following this link:On-Line Pledge Form If you are planning to continue your current monthly dana contribution for the coming year, it’s important to please let us know by submitting a pledge form for 2018.
FEATURED ARTICLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE The Moral Tide of Our Age by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi: Many scientists say that climate change is the central issue of our time and one of the greatest challenges ever faced by the human species. In this short article, the well-known Theravada monk and author Bhikkhu Bodhi discusses the climate crisis through the lens of Buddhist practice.
On June 18, 2015 Pope Francis issued a papal encyclical pointing to climate change as the overriding moral issue of our time. The encyclical boldly proclaims that humanity’s capacity to alter the climate charges us with the gravest moral responsibility we have ever had to bear.
Climate change affects everyone.The disruptions to the biosphere occurring today bind all peoples everywhere into a single human family, our fates inseparably intertwined. No one can escape the impact, no matter how remotely they may live from the bustling centers of industry and commerce.
The responsibility for preserving the planet falls on everyone. The future of human life on Earth hangs in a delicate balance, and the window for effective action is rapidly closing. Tipping points and feedback loops threaten us as ominously as nuclear warheads.
What heightens the danger is our proclivity to apathy and denial. For this reason, we must begin tackling the crisis with an act of truth, by acknowledging that climate change is real and stems from human activity. On this, the science is clear, the consensus among climate scientists almost universal. The time for denial, skepticism, and delay is over.To finish reading, click HERE.
THANKS TO SHERRY EISENDORF FOR HER GENEROISTYLongtime sangha member Sherry Eisendorf recently moved to Dominican Oaks. In order to downsize, Sherry held an estate sale and donated the more than $1,000 the sale generated to ISC. Many thanks to all the ISC volunteers who helped out with the weekend-long estate sale and special thanks to Carol Morgan who organized the effort.
DIGITAL DANA A reminder that you may now use your credit card to make a dana contribution after sits and events at the center—simply ask the teacher or sit leader for assistance.
FILE CABINET NEEDED We are looking for a four-drawer locking file cabinet for the office, preferably in oak to match the existing furniture. If you can help, please contact Curt Coleman 831-234-9734
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SERVE DINNER FOR THE HOMELESS From February 11 through February 17, ISC sangha member Alice Tarail isorganizing teams to help serve the evening meal at the Salvation Army facility, located at Laurel and Blackburn, near downtown Santa Cruz. We need teams of four to six people each night from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Please contact Alice f you would like to help any of these evenings. Thanks!
VOLUNTEERINGOur Sangha depends completely on volunteers to run our center. There are many ways to help. In particular, we invite anyone who is interested to help with opening/closing events (we will provide a brief training for you). Please click on the button below to view current volunteering opportunities.
VOICES FROM THE SANGHAWe always welcome your thoughts, suggestions, concerns, compliments, and ideas for Insight Santa Cruz. You can let us know through the online “Comment Box” found on our website’s homepage or the physical Comment Box in the entry area. Comment forms are available in both English and Spanish. For English click here and for Spanish click here.
HELP ISC WHILE BUYING OR SELLING A HOMEISC member Alice Tarail is a longtime local real estate broker with 20 years of experience in Santa Cruz County. If she helps you to either purchase or sell a home, she will donate 10 percent of any commission she earns to ISC. Alice can also refer you to a conscientious and highly qualified realtor anywhere in the U.S. In that case, Alice will serve as your consultant at no charge throughout the buying or selling process. Contact Alice Tarail at r 831-334-3328.