Dear friends,

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin and President Royce Johnson wish you the very best during the closing days of this eventful, surprising, challenging, and rewarding year. Please help Houston Zen Center / Auspicious Cloud Temple raise $35,000 to close its year end gap.

In order to extend dharma teachings to everyone in Houston, the Center provides daily zazen, sesshin, intensive practice periods, classes, brilliant visiting teachers, and more. Throughout the challenges of the pandemic, the Center has continuously maintained its rigorous programming schedule.

In the coming year, the urban center will continue its many offerings. In addition, Auspicious Cloud Retreat Center has opened, received bookings, and will welcome guests and retreatants from all over the country. Our work to repair and enhance the beautiful Auspicious Cloud Retreat Center property has continued throughout this year, with countless hours of volunteer practice on the land. All of us can be proud of what we have accomplished in the urban and rural Centers. Both locations will enable the Dharma to reach even more people during the significant years ahead.

Please help your Center reach its goal of $35,000 by the end of the year.

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 accepting the gift of the 40 acres of Margaret Austin Center. The gift transfer was formalized on July 13, 2021. The Grand Opening took place on September 24, 2022.

• 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 2022 approaching and all that this entails, you can be confident that clarity and peace will prevail at your Zen center. Our budget for 2022 was sound and we maintained our fiscal strength throughout the many months of the pandemic because of your steady generosity, and our mindful fiscal restraint and careful guardianship of those resources.  With your on-going support, we will close the gap in the 2022 year end budget of $35,000. 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.