Category Archives: News

Position Changes

Peter Pfaelzer has performed the ordinary yet extraordinary task of tending to the BZC laundry these past two and a half years. While not quite a rags-to-riches story, we are very grateful for his keeping us well stocked with clean rags, dish towels, and reception table cloths. This laundry position has been reincorporated into the Kitchen Keeper’s role currently held by Teri Jo Tinus, where it was originally conceived decades ago. Thanks to both of you.

BZC T-Shirt

The Development Committee has created a 50th Anniversary T-shirt, very limited edition. These shirts will be available for $20 each beginning in July (on sale after the Saturday program). All profits will be donated to the Let’s Party Fund, in support of our upcoming anniversary party in September. The shirt front has the BZC logo with “Berkeley Zen Center, Fifty Years.” The back reads: “Accomplishing nothing since 1967.”

Reminiscences of BZC

As part of BZC’s 50th Anniversary celebration, we are working on a 50-years-of-memories book and would appreciate participation of as many people as possible. Do you have a story or some reflections to share about the various aspects of practice at BZC during any of those years? If you’ve been thinking about writing something but haven’t quite gotten around to it, perhaps you’d prefer to have a conversation instead? If so, shoot an email to Andrea Thach at andrea.thach@gmail.com or give her a call and she’ll arrange something for you.

The theme of our 50th Anniversary is “Lighting Up Our World.” So we’d also like to hear how your practice at BZC has lit up, or is lighting up, the path of your life. Please send a few lines or paragraphs to share as a part of the celebration to Andrea (see email above) or to Mary Duryee (maduryee@earthlink.net).

Nominations for the BZC Board

Every year the sangha elects three of six members-at-large to terms of two years to the BZC Board. There is a two-term limit. Elections take place in October and the new term starts in January 2018. The Board will present its three nominees at the all-sangha meeting on Tuesday evening, September 12. Other nominations can be made by sangha members at that time from the floor. Two current members-at-large who are currently serving their first term, Katy Guimond and Mary Beth Lamb, have agreed to be Board nominees for a second term. Laurie Senauke, another current member-at-large, has been appointed by the Board and Sojun to be the BZC treasurer, so her seat is open. The Board will thus be considering whom to nominate to fill the one vacant member-at-large position. We would like to receive suggestions from BZC members. Among the skills which a nominee might add to the Board are: oral and written communication, organization, information technology, money management, fundraising, engineering, building maintenance, and non-profit law. Board members attend monthly Sunday morning meetings and an all-day retreat in January, and they serve on at least one working Board committee: finance, buildings, development, electronic communication, and recruitment/nomination for elections. If you have a suggested candidate or are yourself interested in being nominated, please contact the Broad Recruitment and Elections Committee chair, Stan Dewey, at standewey@comcast.net by July 12. Please include any relevant information about why you think the person you mention would be a good BZC Board member.

BZC + Berkeley Men’s Shelter x 20 Years

Over the years, many BZC folks have lent their hands to the twice-monthly offering of dinner at the Men’s Shelter on the 2nd and 4th Fridays from 5:00-8:00 p.m. We don’t just bring the guys food, we bring them a message — that people care about them, that they matter, that we want to support them as they navigate their life’s path. This work does not preclude anything else we might do to address the conditions that contribute to homelessness (which is increasing rapidly on the West Coast due to housing shortages, among other causes).
We have a few people who come regularly, and we need a few more. Now don’t everyone read this and immediately sign up for the next offering! Head cooks Lance Shows (lanceshows@pacbell.net) and Laurie Senauke (lauriesenauke@kushiki.org) keep a short list of willing helpers; email us to add your name to that list. We usually check in with folks starting the Monday before the dinner to find out who is able to come. If we get more than we need, we can let some of the regulars off early. It’s also fine to use the sign-up sheet on the back porch of the community room.
This is love in action, active hope, medicine for despair. Please join us!

Position Changes

With the turning of the year comes the proverbial turning of practice positions. It is no small thing to assume these roles and responsibilities, and to your no-gaining mind we thank all of you for saying YES!

  Peter Overton will assume the co-sesshin director role from Gary Artim, sharing this responsibility with Ken Powelson.

  Mark Copithorne will become our new co-zendo manager for well-being and memorial services. He will share the ZM position with Bruce Coughran, who will be responsible for ceremonies, taking over from Sue Oehser.

  Jed Appelman will tend to the Dokusan Hut, receiving the feather duster from Judy Fleischman, who has helped to maintain that space for our one-on-one talks with Sojun Roshi.

  With Jed’s stepping down as Head Dishwasher, John Lake has stepped up to lead the dishwashing after our oryoki meals.

  John Lake is also taking over the Work Leader position (for sesshins and work days) from Paul Ridgway.

  Troy DuFrene will be assuming Tenzo duties while Kiká Hellein is at Tassajara for the winter practice period.

BZC President Notes Board Transitions

As we begin the New Year, on behalf of the BZC Board I’m pleased to welcome recently elected Jed Appelman to the Board of Directors. Stepping down after serving one term is Troy DuFrene. Troy has been the implementer of BZC’s electronic voting system, which has greatly streamlined the election process, and he is also a member of the party planning committee for our upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration. We thank Troy for his valuable work on the board.

Celebrating 50 Years of Berkeley Zen Center!

We need your help. As part of the 50th Anniversary celebration we are taking a long look back at BZC’s history to remember and share its remarkable journey from its beginnings on Dwight Way to its subsequent decades on Russell Street, with its unique blend of lay and priest sangha, residents and home-dwellers.

We plan to create a 50-years-of-memories book, and we would appreciate participation of as many people as possible. Do you have a story, photos, or reflections to share about the various aspects of practice at BZC over all these years? If you have digital versions of photos, that would be ideal, but we also can arrange to scan hard copies.

Please send texts or photos to Mary Duryee (maduryee@earthlink.net) or Andrea Thach (andrea.thach@gmail.com) or by snail mail to them at BZC.

Thank you, and see you at the party on September 30, 2017!

Have a Cup of Tea with Ross Blum

Ross will conduct an orientation to the World of Tea as he inherited it from the teachers at Peet’s during his 25 year tenure. Along with the oral presentation and a Q&A, we’ll taste a range of teas whereby you will leave appreciating the myriad subtleties of this centuries old beverage—the most popular one on the planet second only to water.

Donation: $30 per person

Sign up on the bulletin board or by emailing Mary Beth Lamb. mbethlamb@gmail.com

Consider Making a Bequest to BZC

As we say every Saturday after lecture, Berkeley Zen Center is solely supported by our dues and donations. One of the significant ways sangha members and friends have donated is by leaving a monetary gift in their will or their trust.
A gift in your will or revocable living trust, called a bequest, is a wonderful way to donate for people who love the sangha but who may not wish to part with their resources today. Remembering BZC in your estate plan helps ensure the ongoing health and well-being of our teachers, the physical structures at BZC, our sangha, and our practice.
The Board of BZC would like you to know that a number of its members, past and present, have named BZC in their wills or trusts. To ensure a legacy for BZC, the Board invites all members and friends to follow this example and consider making such a bequest. For more information about including BZC in your planned giving, contact Development Committee chair Laurie Senauke at lauriesenauke@sonic.net. You can also contact Laurie if you would like to let us know that you have already provided for BZC in your estate plan.