Warm Greetings Dear Sangha, 
At this time we are in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, the climate is changing, and we are all experiencing the struggles from social, economic, and racial injustice.   Now more than ever, we are called to meet these times with wisdom, love, and compassion.   The Salida Sangha has been offering meditation practices that open the heart and expand our capacity for being with our own suffering so that we can have the courage and compassion to help others. Jack Kornfield states that “ you have been training for these difficulties for a long time, for your whole life--for many lifetimes--and you know what it means to listen and to care.” 
 
Like all of us, the Salida Sangha has faced challenges.  During the first seven months of this year we have been unable to meet at the Sangha house and the owner, Roberta Smith, requested the rent payment be made to support local charities who are meeting the needs of our community.  This year we donated our rent payment of $650 each month to the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse, Chaffee Cares, Chaffee County Community Foundation for Jane’s Place, the Pet Emergency Fund, the Boys & Girls Club of Chaffee County, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library through the Salida Sunrise Rotary and ElevatHER.  We are grateful for the generous heart of Roberta and our Sangha.  
 
This past year, our beloved teacher, Brian Lesage, offered a two week online retreat and a September weekend retreat addressing the pressing issues of our time with powerful remedies for our individual and collective suffering.  Brian has generously offered to continue his support and inspiration for our Sangha by offering retreats on February 5 and 6 and September 3 and 4, in 2022.  
Our Sunday evening sit offers refuge now, as it has for over 16 years and the Tuesday noon sit has been part of our tradition was well.   So there are two weekly opportunities to settle into mindful awareness, open our hearts, and connect deeply with others on the path.  We offered several classes in learning to meditate and Awakening Joy that helped to inform and enliven our practice.
Our Caring Committee offered home-cooked, nourishing meals and other non-financial support to Sangha members who are in need as a result of surgery, injury, sickness, or experiencing challenging circumstances.
 
Community Outreach.  We provided financial management support for the Mindfulness in the Jail program.  We also support the Mindful Recovery meetings helping those who struggle with substance abuse or addictive behaviors of any type.  
We hope that you will consider supporting all the programs that we offer by donating or making a pledge to the Salida Sangha. Supporting our Sangha is a way to support positive change in the world. 
Pledges make up the foundation that enables us to establish budgets and plan for programs with confidence.  Attached is a form that you can fill out and mail to PO Box 1420, Salida, CO, 81201, or email to elizabethritchie1506@gmail.com.   If you are unable to pledge, a gift of any size is deeply appreciated and will help sustain our Sangha.
 
On behalf of the Sangha Board and all the Sangha members, we extend our deep appreciation for your practice as we walk this path together finding ways to act with courage and compassion in the midst of difficult times.   May our work together bring freedom and happiness to all beings everywhere without exception.   Thank YOU ….we LOVE you… Your Sangha Board  
 
 
Pledge Form for 2022
Salida Sangha, Inc.
PO Box 1420
Salida, CO 81201
 
We are deeply grateful for your generosity in supporting the Salida Sangha by making a pledge to help pay for the Sangha’s expenses.  Your support as a caring donor will help to sustain this beautiful place of refuge.  The expenses for the Sangha are detailed in the budget adopted at our annual meeting, and those details are shared freely.
 
If, at any time, your circumstances change, you may modify your pledge 
with a simple communication.
 
There are several options for offering an ongoing pledge:  a monthly, quarterly or annual check; or go to http://www.salidasangha.org/donate.html and click the DONATE button; you may set up a recurring monthly donation by debit or credit card through PayPal.  Please contact the Sangha Board at: sangha@salidasangha.org if you have any questions. Pledge amounts are held in confidence by the Board Treasurer.
Yes, I pledge the following total annual amount _______________ to be paid in installments of _________________ each.
Method: (circle one) check or PayPal.
Frequency: (circle one) monthly, quarterly, annually (date of annual check)______________                                                                                                   Other ____________________________________________________________                       
 
Please note that the Salida Sangha believes in the principle that dana is freely given, that membership does not depend on pledging, and that there are many ways to be a part of this community including yogi jobs to maintain the house and yard. 
Name _____________________________________________________________
Email _____________________________________________________________
Phone_____________________________________________________________
Address  __________________________________________________________
Salida Sangha, Inc. is a  501c(3) non-profit organization.  Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  No substantial goods or services were provided for this donation. The Salida Sangha, Inc. tax ID is 47-2096018.  You will receive a statement of your donation for the year with a notice that will be sent to you by the end of January. 
A gift of any size is deeply appreciated and will help sustain us during these challenging times. Your kindness and generosity has a lasting impact on our community and in the world. 
 ​

Sangha Annual Meeting 
December 5th at 5:00 pm, Online
Election of board members, approval of 2022 budget, this year in review and upcoming events will be covered at the annual meeting.  We also will welcome any input from our members at that time.  In view of keeping everyone safe and healthy we will be hosting the meeting on Zoom.  Please enter your full name on the screen so that we can keep track of who is in attendance. 
The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695
The budget for next year is consistent with past years except that because the sangha house in good shape we have designated some of our reserve funds for landscaping and a meditation and memorial garden.  If you wish to review the budget in detail please reply to this email.  And thank you all for your ongoing generosity which makes all of this possible.
We hope you can join us on Sunday!
Upcoming Retreats
Embodying Simplicity: In Our Meditation Practice & In Our Lives
with Brian Lesage
A 2-day Online Insight Meditation Retreat
February 5 & 6, 2022
Saturday - 9am to 4pm   Sunday - 9am to 3:30pm
Registration Opening Soon

Fall Non-Residential Retreat with Brian Lesage
Brian will be leading our Fall Retreat on September 3-4, 2022. Please save the date. Registration will open in the summer.
Weekly Sits
It is with great sadness that due to the spike in Covid cases in our community we have decided that beginning December 1st all of our sits and meetings will be held online.  It has been really wonderful to see some of you in person and we truly hope this a temporary situation.
Tuesday Noon Sits and Sunday 5-6 pm Sits will begin being held online starting December 1, 2021. Here is our link for both sits:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695

 
New Year's Eve
We will be hosting and an online meditation and conversation beginning at 5 pm on December 31st.  Zoon in here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695

Caring Committee
Kym Mellsop, Chair of our Caring Committee wants you to know that "we are still here and would like to help anyone in our Sangha community who needs temporary help with meals, household tasks, shopping, driving to appointments, etc." Kym can be reached at 719-207-3077.
 
With our blessings to all for a happy, healthy, enlightened holiday season,
Your Salida Sangha Board

Click here to Save These Dates
Brian Lesage will be leading two retreats for us in 2022.  The dates are February 5-6 and September 3-4.  Registration information for the February retreat will be sent to you next month.
 
Sangha Annual Meeting December 5th at 5:00 pm
Election of board members, approval of 2022 budget, this year in review and upcoming events will be covered at the annual meeting.  We also will welcome any input from our members at that time.  In view of keeping everyone safe and healthy we will be hosting the meeting on Zoom.  The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695
Please join us!
 
Compassion In Action
Thank you all who attended the fundraising talk on the Mindfulness in the Jail Program. And for those of who couldn't come, here is a recording of the talk. 
 
Fundraising Talk: https://vimeo.com/645063860
Donation link: http://coloradogives.org/mindfulnessinthejail
 
If you decide to donate and you schedule your giving for the actual Colorado Gives Day, some funds will be matched (just click on the green link on the page)! If you would rather donate directly, please send checks to Mindfulness in the Jail P.O. 1610 Salida, CO 81201. 
MIJ facilitators and all program participants offer our gratitude.
 
Tuesday Noon Sits are now both in-person and online!  If you are joining online, here is our new link, please add to your weekly calendar:
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695 
 
Sunday 5-6 pm Sits are being held at the sangha house with masks and safe distancing required.

Caring Committee
Kym Mellsop, chair of our caring committee wants you to know that "we are still here and would like to help anyone in our Sangha community who needs temporary help with meals, household tasks, shopping, driving to appointments etc."  Kym can be reached at 719-207-3077. 
Sangha Donations
Sensitive to the homeless situation in our community, the sangha made a donation to the Salida Winter Shelter for the unhomed.  We also made a year end donation to Brian Lesage in gratitude for his continued teachings.
Sangha House Inspection
In preparing our budget for next year the board was concerned about any repairs or updates that may be required at the house.  Bob Spencer, retired contractor, graciously performed a thorough pro bono inspection of the house and declared it in very good condition for it's age.  The few things that needed attention have been taken care of by the awesome Phil Sasso.

With our blessings to all for a happy, healthy, enlightened holiday season,
Your Salida Sangha Boardedit.

Special Event: Compassion in Action, a Fundraiser for the Mindfulness in the Jail program
 
Denise Ackert, coordinator for the Mindfulness in the Jail Program (MIJ), will be offering a talk, Compassion in Action, which explores the value of offering mindfulness and meditation tools to those incarcerated in our communities. The MIJ program provides a Mindfulness-Based Emotional Intelligence approach to rehabilitation and transformation for inmates at Chaffee County Detention Facility to help inmates develop self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness and compassion. This year, we are reaching out to the larger community to ask for your support of this important program.  
 
Please join us for this fundraiser and to hear about our work.
 
Tuesday, 12-1pm, November 9th in person at 248 D Street Salida, CO or via Zoom at 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695
 
If you would simply like to donate to the program and not attend the event, please feel free to do so here through Colorado Gives:
https://www.coloradogives.org/mindfulnessinthejail?step=step1
This event will be recorded for those who can't attend and a link to the recording will be sent out in our next newsletter.
HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW!

Special Event: Compassion in Action, a Fundraiser for the Mindfulness in the Jail program
 
Denise Ackert, coordinator for the Mindfulness in the Jail Program (MIJ), will be offering a talk, Compassion in Action, which explores the value of offering mindfulness and meditation tools to those incarcerated in our communities. The MIJ program provides a Mindfulness-Based Emotional Intelligence approach to rehabilitation and transformation for inmates at Chaffee County Detention Facility to help inmates develop self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness and compassion. This year, we are reaching out to the larger community to ask for your support of this important program.  
 
Please join us for this fundraiser and to hear about our work.
 
Tuesday, 12-1pm, November 9th in person at 248 D Street Salida, CO or via Zoom at 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695
 
If you would simply like to donate to the program and not attend the event, please feel free to do so here through Colorado Gives:
https://www.coloradogives.org/mindfulnessinthejail?step=step1
This event will be recorded for those who can't attend and a link to the recording will be sent out in our next newsletter.
 
Tuesday Noon Sits are now both in-person and online!  If you are joining online, here is our new link, please add to your weekly calendar:
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4871693695 
 
Sunday 5-6 pm Sits are being held at the sangha house with masks and safe distancing required.
The Sangha Library has been reorganized to include lots of new books thanks to Deb Tannenbaum.  Since the house is usually locked we recommend that attending a sit is a great time to peruse the library.  Or you can contact Deb at
tannenba8@aol.com
 
Our beautiful Facebook Page has lots of wonderful inspirational messages and photos.  If you have anything you would like to post there please contact Carla at cjsmiles03@gmail.com
Check out the page here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=salida%20sangha

elevateHER received our last rent donation.  elevateHER is a nonprofit organization based in Chaffee County, Colorado, that uses a holistic approach to outdoor adventure programming that nurtures each girl’s mind, body, and soul.

Wishing you emotional, physical and spiritual wellness,
And hoping to see you soon,
You Salida Sangha Board
 
248 D Street
​PO Box 1420
​Salida, CO 81201
sangha@salidasangha.org