A Letter from the AZG Board

Please see below for a letter from our AZG Board marking the end of 2025. If you prefer, a pdf can be found here.

Dear Sangha friends,

      In these difficult times I am grateful for the support of our Sangha. Much has been accomplished in 2025: excellent Dharma talks by our Head Teacher, Gene Bush,and other visiting teachers, an active zazen schedule including several sesshins, study classes, Way Seeking Mind talks, jukai and hikes and potlucks. These were all opportunities to receive the Dharma and to develop kalyannamitta, spiritual friendship.

     This year the Board continues to handle the maintenance of the wonderful legacy of zendo, house and garden left by Maylie Scott and to oversee the AZG endowments , another legacy of two past members, Gale Hodgkins and Bill Devall.

     The major work of putting in a new electric line to the zendo was just one of the tasks that the sangha did to support this heritage.

      2026 will be a significant year for AZG. Gene Bush is sadly retiring and the sangha is in the process of looking for a new Head Teacher. It is through our endowment that we have been able to financially support a teacher these past 12 years and can continue into the future with the ongoing support of members’  pledges. Unfortunately the endowment isn’t sufficient to realize Gene’s vision of making the zendo a truly ADA compliant structure.

     Many of our members and friends have given generously with pledges and contributions of time and labor and the whole sangha is appreciative of these gifts. At the end of the year we ask that you consider an additional contribution or an increase in your annual pledge as it comes time to renew your membership. Donations could also be earmarked for a building fund to create a more accessible zendo.

     We also ask that you consider adding AZG to your will. The advantages are many: tax benefits and the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to ensure the legacy of Maylie Scott and to sustain the practice of Soto Zen Buddhism in Humboldt.

     Please send your donations to AZG, 740 Park Ave, Arcata,  through the Donate button on our website, arcatazengroup.org. or by simply increasing your pledge amount on the member and friends renewal form. With your support we can continue to offer Dharma teachings to our community.

With deep gratitude,

Lynda McDevitt, AZG Board President