2026 is rapidly ending and as we look back at this past year, we can say that 2026 was a good year. All our major fundraisers were successful, we continue to attract new people to our services, dharma seekers are interested in receiving our newsletter and viewing Rev. Nakano’s dharma messages, and our feral cats are doing fine. We were faced with uncertainty when our insurer for many years refused to renew our policies, and our broker had to scramble to find re-placements. As a result, our property insurance premiums will increase 5 times the previous amount and we will have to close our facilities to retreats.

That said, we must move on and look forward to a prosperous new year, continuing to grow our sangha and increase our temple membership. We will be holding monthly planning meetings for our 100 Year Anniversary celebration scheduled for February 7, 2027. Since this will be a “once in a lifetime event” we hope to turn it into an affair we will all remember. In anticipation of the projected costs, we will be seeking sponsors to help defray our expenses. Hopefully, our roof replacement also will be done this coming year.

As I mentioned in our October newsletter, the success of this past year is due to all our volunteers but I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the following: the Directors of our SLOBC Board, Rev. Nakano for her spiritual leadership, the Hana Toban crew who decorate our onaijin weekly with beautiful flowers, and the otoki participants who prepare our “refreshment” for our after service socializing. Others that I would like to acknowledge is the grounds maintenance crew of Loren, Garrett and Madeliene; Barry for recording Rev. Nakano’s dharma messages; John for maintaining our facilities; Denise for restarting our Dharma School; Julie for her beautiful decorations for our special events; Nisa for leading our Meditation and QiGong sessions; and the leaders of our fundraisers - Brian and Janis (Crab Feed), Alan (Golf Tournament), Tet and Sandy (Obon), and Sylvia (Rummage Sale).

Please join us for our New Year’s Eve Service (Joya-e) as we close out 2026. Mahalo.

Gassho,
Gary Hongo