May 2024 Newsletterđ
Calendar
May 5 Sunday 10:00 Sunday Service
11:00 Board Meeting
May 14 Sunday 9:30 to 11:30 Social Sunday
May 19 Sunday TBA Gotan-e Shinran Birthday
Zoom Meeting from San Jose
May 21 Tuesday Birthday of Shinran Shonin
May 25 Saturday 1:00 Dungeons and Dragons
The Adventures continueâŚ
May 26 Sunday 9:30 to 11:30 Social Sunday
May 26 Sunday Memorial Day Cemetery
Visitations
(Times and location TBA)
May 27 Monday Memorial Day (Holiday)
Donations:
Joyce Dendo, Sunday Service
Joan Henretta, Sunday Service
Lee/Frances Humphrey, Sunday Service
Hugh Maenaga, Sunday Service
Alice Maxon, Sunday Service
Jim Risinger, Sunday Service
Esther Trejo, Sunday Service
James Colon, Special
Joyce Dendo, In Memory of Aiko Dendo
Jim/Yoko Furuya, In Memory of Mitsuo Taniguchi
Joan Henretta, Hanamatsuri
Lee/Frances Humphrey, Hanamatsuri
Dan Iriyama, In Memory of Ronald Iriyama
Dan Iriyama, Hanamatsuri
Hugh Maenaga, Hanamatsuri
Jeff/Jenny Maenaga, Hanamasuri
Alice Maxon, Hanamatsuri
Wataru Minami, Minami Family Memorial
Jim Risinger, Hanamatsuri
Sumi Schumacher, Hanamatsuri
Esther Trejo, In Memory Kisei Azama
Alice Utsunomiya, Special
Seiko Waki, Hanamatsuri
Hugh Maenaga, Social Sunday
Thank You All for All Your Kind Donations Financial, Materials, and
Labor. It takes us all to carry on the work of our forefathers and keep our church viable.
April 27, we had a yard sale at the Church on Saturday which was
very successful earning $821.52. I want to thank all the people that
donated items for the sale and especially those generous folks
which prepared for the Sale Friday and worked the sale Saturday.
It was a beautiful day till the winds picked up suddenly at about 2:00
sending the volunteers scrambling but the day had already been a
great success.
On April 21st we celebrated Hanamatsuri, the birth of Siddartha in
Lumbini Garden.
Thanks to the volunteers coming in on Saturday to decorate the
Hanami Do with the donated very colorful and beautiful flowers, a
suitable garden to honor the baby Budda.
After the service on Sunday we had a feast with a wide variety of
wonderfully prepared foods. The feast was enjoyed by a
particularly large attendance for the celebration. Thanks to all the
folks who brought in the wonderful foods and the folks who
tirelessly worked to make such a success.
Coming Up This Month
Tuesday, May 21st, we celebrate the birth of Shinran Shonin,
founder of Jodoshinshu. Reverend Nakano will be celebrating the
occasion on Sunday, May 19th in San Jose. Rev. Nakano will not be
at our church that day, however we are planning on showing the
Zoom presentation in the dining hall.
Social Sundays continue on Sundays that we do not have service. The
purpose of Social Sundays is to provide an opportunity for friends
to gather and talk, play games, work puzzles, or as in the last
couple meetings we watched episodes of Shogun and Marco Polo.
Reminder:
2024 Dues: New dues amount is: Individual $225.00; Family $400.00; Over 80
Years $180.00. These dues can be paid in incremental amounts
All the good acts and myriad practices,
Because they are performed with a sincere
Mind and aspiration, become, without exception,
Provisional good that will lead to birth in The Pure Land.
~Shinran Shonin, Jodo Wasan, verse 63
There is a behavioral scientist from Stanford University, who conducted
research on the impact of compliments on receivers and ourselves. One day,
the scientist popped into a post office shortly before it closed. The postal worker
was incredibly patient and went out of their way to help the scientist mail a pile
of packages, but before leaving, this scientist handed the postal worker a
âcompliment cardâ, which was designed by this scientist. On the front of the
card, the sentiment said, âyour willingness to go the extra mile never goes
unnoticedâ. Inside the card, the sentiment read, âYouâre receiving this
compliment because your awesomeness deserves a big shout outâ. The postal
worker had a big smile on its face and a happier feeling.
We have to be reminded that kind words can have a stronger power to
brighten other peopleâs day more than we might expect. We tend to forget or
underestimate the power of our words. We tend to take too lightly the positive
impact compliments have on others as well as on ourselves. The scientist says,
âThe compliment is one of these really powerful, small actions that brighten your
day and brighten someone elseâs dayâŚand it costs nothingâ.
According to a social psychologist from Cornell University says that a simple
compliment can be so powerful. It makesâ the human feel valued and respected
by others, like we belongâ. We tend to worry about what others view us, yet
given very little feedback. However, compliments give us âfeedbackâ we want to
know. It is a form of expression of admiration and provides that âsliver of hopeâ
that we are seen positively, maybe in our work or in our âstyle of fashionâ.
Compliments boost our spirit and we feel rewarded in good ways.
When we see or may be involved in a difficult situation and the situation is
defused, yet we still wonder if it could have been handled in a different manner.
Compliments reassures us that they or we were on the âright trackâ and the help
received or given had not gone unnoticed. Who does not like a compliment? Yet
compliments are not for personal gain, but shared in respect, support,
encouragement or possibly even for a job done well.
It is not easy to give compliments. We may feel âweirdâ when giving words of
praise. However, compliments are shared with respect for that person.
According to the behavioral scientist, compliments can inspire, help think about
a situation in other ways, as well as see others or ourselves in different ways. âIt
acknowledges an individualâs willingness, effort and growth mindset in
recognizing and cultivating the potential in others.â
It is difficult to accept compliments. We may blush, avert our eyes, mumble
something inaudible, be embarrassed or even belittling ourselves. However we
must also see the person giving the compliment. It makes the other person feel
good and we merely smile back with a âthank youâ. We are building our
connection with the person of compliment and it leaves both the giver and
receiver with a happier feeling.
After all is done, we share our thanks, show our gratitude and appreciation
through Nembutsu/Namu Amida Butsu. Buddha is always there for us in giving
direction, guidance, compassion and wisdom. It is Namu Amida Butsu for both
the person of the compliment and the receiver.
Gassho
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano
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