Sangha Dinner, Saturday, September 22
The last Sangha dinner (July 14) was a big success, with more 17 people attending, including families and children. In other words, all are welcome and it’s a great way to connect with Sangha. If you want to help with the dinner preparations (and learn how to make homemade chutneys!) show up in the main kitchen at 5:00 p.m. Otherwise, come to dinner around 6:00. Volunteers for cleanup are always welcome.
Flu Clinic Reminder
As we wrote last week, our annual flu clinic is set for this Saturday, September 22, from 9:00 am to 11:00. Get the shot to protect yourself and to protect others! Here’s the flyer, with details and a list of accepted insurance plans.
Finding Your Seat
We have one other thing going on this Saturday besides the flu clinic and the Sangha dinner, and that’s the Finding Your Seat program that runs from 11:00 to noon. It’s been a while since we’ve mentioned it in an email. These sessions run on a series of Saturdays between introductory workshops and offer a chance for conversation about practice and a short round of informal sitting. Just come on by if you’d like to join us.
Sitting Informally at the Center
One of the myriad things we tell new members is that “the zendo is open 24/7, 365 days a year.” For many members, it’s difficult to make it to formal sittings, and it feels a bit intimidating to come at other times. Please don’t let that stand in your way! It’s gratifying to those of us here at the Center to know that others are taking advantage of the stillness and energy that have been building up in that room for the past 50 years.
If you’re a regular member, you really can come any time, whether it’s in the dead of night or during the work day. If you want to come outside usual hours and you’ve forgotten the code to the back door, just get in touch with John or Trueman and they’ll remind you. During the work day, you can just ring the bell.
Jackie Hager in Concert with the RPO
Jonathan Hager’s daughter Jackie will be performing in October, and he’s written us with the details:
Jackie will be playing as a guest soloist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in a series of three free concerts the RPO performs called “Around the Town.” She will be playing the second movement of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. (Here’s a link to the flyer).
Concerts are:
- Thursday, October 11, 7:30 pm at Churchville Chili High School
- Friday, October 12, 7:30 pm at Fairport High School
- Saturday, October 13, 7:30 pm at Greece Baptist Church
As always, thank you for your support of Jackie over the years, and we look forward to seeing some of you there.
An Invitation from the Blooming Lilac Sangha
Janet Chaize is extending this invitation:
Zen Center members are welcome to join Blooming Lilac Sangha (affiliated with Thich Nhat Hanh) to add to the ZC’s work in looking deeply at how we might create safe spaces for diverse communities. We are reading and discussing Larry Yang’s groundbreaking work, Awakening Together: the Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community, on the third Thursday evening of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Location: 375 Westminster Road 14607. Please just walk in. The zendo is on the left.
We start with 15 minutes of silent meditation. Then we read the book aloud, passing it around for about 15 or 20 minutes. We then have an opportunity for people to share insights and experiences. Our effort is to use our collective insight of the Dharma to reduce the suffering of separation. You are welcome to join us.