Dear friends and members,

Houston Zen Center is an oasis of peace. The teachings of Zen offer a path to wisdom and compassion, for all beings, and we are pledged to continue this way of peace and wisdom for all time. Abbot Gaelyn Godwin and President Royce Johnson wish you the very best during the closing days of this eventful year. We ask that you consider helping Houston Zen Center / Auspicious Cloud Temple with its projects, and with closing its year end gap of $22,000.

The Trees:

If you would like to help with the costs of caring for the trees on the Houston Zen Center land, and/or on the Auspicious Cloud Retreat Center land, please donate generously. Our care for the trees is continuous, amounting to $12,000 this year.

Path Lights:

We have provided new path lighting at Auspicious Cloud Retreat Center. The low lights provide just enough light to move from building to building, while preserving the dark night sky. Please consider helping to defray the costs of the lighting.

Closing the Gap:

The Center’s Board of Directors and Finance Committee are serious in holding to our annual budget. Yet expenses have increased, partly due to surging costs in the world, and partly due to maintenance and repair expenses on our beautiful properties. Please consider a gift to close the gap.

Simply Giving:

Please consider giving a gift just to acknowledge the work of your Zen Center, its members, residents, teachers, and all the many visitors who come to offer their own wisdom and compassion.

May the New Year bring peace and well-being to you, and to all living beings.

Sincerely,

President Royce Johnson and Abbot Gaelyn Godwin

• The Board of Directors, Practice Committee, Finance Committee, and Safety Committee guided HZC throughout the year.

• The practice leadership created and maintained a steady calendar of visiting teachers, classes, sesshin, and practice periods.

• The Finance Committee led us through the process of applying for and receiving a grant to develop a Master Plan for our properties.

• In addition to retreats for and by Houston Zen Center teachers, other retreats, led by compatible leaders from various traditions, have been scheduled for 2022.

Houston Zen Center is a refuge of peace and clarity, and we exist to maintain and extend that to all persons. With the end of 2023 approaching and all that this entails, you can be confident that clarity and peace will prevail at your Zen center. Our budget for 2023 was sound and we managed our responsibilities and our properties mindfully. Our Board and Finance Committee practice fiscal restraint and careful guardianship of the Center’s resources.  With your on-going support, we will close the gap in the 2023 year end budget of $22,000. The Center provides a steady foundation upon which the Dharma can be brought forth in Houston and beyond. We are deeply grateful for all you do to support and maintain the vibrancy and warmth of the Zen Center.