Happy Holidays! We are in the thick of the holiday season! We stuffed ourselves at Thanksgiving, including at the Eitaikyo service and luncheon. Thank you to Rev. Naomi for working so hard to make the Eitaikyo celebration very special to all our members. She plans, invites, cooks and even helps to clean up! Thank you to John and Leslie Hayashi for the delicious smoked turkeys and all the BWA ladies who provided the sides, salads and desserts! It truly was delicious and we really did stuff ourselves!

The annual general membership meeting is being held on Sunday, Dec. 9. There will be a potluck luncheon following the service that starts at 11:00 a.m. Please pull out your favorite recipes and make something to share at the luncheon. We hope to see all of you there!

I am still looking for ladies to help me plan the New Year and Keiro Kai party in January. Please contact me if you can help. I would like one person in charge of each of the following areas: 1) entertainment; 2) decorations; 3) games; 4) gift bags; 5) other?

In gassho,
Sandy Hongo

I hope everyone had a nice Turkey Day. My family had a wonderful one; just too much food to eat. Like always, I need to go on another diet before Christmas. That way I can eat more for the Holidays. Ha Ha Ha!

WOW! This year has flown by so fast; it's almost a new year—2019. Just one more month to go but it’s going to be a very, very busy month for all. Get your flu shot, take your vitamins and get plenty of rest. We are going to need it. Just thinking about it wears me out!

On Saturday, December 8th, we will be having Temple Clean-up and Omigaki (cleaning all the Onaijin or alter pieces). Annually in December we clean the old dust and smoke and begin the new year on a clean slate. If you’ve never experienced this labor of love in Jodo Shinshu, this is a great opportunity to practice patience and acquaint yourself with fellow sangha members.

On Sunday, December 9th, we are having our Annual Potluck Luncheon and General Membership Meeting. Very soon, all members will receive invitations and notifications on what items of food to share on that day. Look for it in your mailbox.

Please come to our next service and pickup your 2019 BCA Calendar. They will be in an envelope with your name on it located in a box in the temple foyer. Thank you.


In Gassho,
Donna Sato