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Rev. and Mrs. Futaba spent 14 years serving both Guadalupe and San Luis Obispo Buddhist Churches while living in Guadalupe. Each Sunday, the family had to make that long drive to SLO to conduct a dharma service. Both served SLOBC well with Mrs. Futaba also publishing the church’s newsletter. Rev. Futaba was appointed Rinban of Sacramento Buddhist Church and Betsuin and with his departure, was succeeded by Rev. Yasufumi Sato for 5 months then Rev. Shiro Nishii for a year. Both churches were without a minister from 1984 to 1986 although Rev. Tomonori Kaneyasu of Santa Barbara served as supervising minister. Operation of the church continued, including weekly Dharma School, special services, Monthly Memorial Services and the annual Obon.

Rev. Jim Yanagihara was assigned as resident minister of SLOBC in September 1986 and temple services, activities and social life returned to normal. It was during his tenure that a Retreat Facility was planned for the church’s property with support from the Buddhist Churches of America. The project began in January 1976 with contractor Richard Shimamoto spearheading the effort. The facility, now commonly known as the Shimamoto House, was dedicated on December 19, 1976. Following the completion of the Shimamoto House, 4 retreat cabins and a bathroom/shower facility were built behind and below the “house” with funds donated by a few temple members. These cabins were completed in 1990. Also, during this period, a new minister’s residence was built on the property under the leadership of Ralph Blanton and Mits Fukuhara. Many members donated their time in completing the construction.

At around this time, the SLOBC’s Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA), aka fujinkai was approached to participate in a community service project. Leaders of the People’s Kitchen in San Luis Obispo asked the BWA to prepare and serve meals for the homeless once per month. Patsy Yanagihara, Margaret Eto, Shizuko Kumabe, and Kazuko Kumabe were among the first members of the cadre that served the first meal on February 5, 1988. SLOBC’s participation in the People’s Kitchen continues today, serving over 100 meals on its designated day. Although the volunteers and menus have changed along the way, the effort of serving the homeless motivates all who are involved. Members of SLOBWA tirelessly continue to support the temple by preparing meals for special services and activities throughout the year.