KUSZ Americas Director Position Opening

KUSZ Americas Director Position Opening
The Kwan Um School of Zen Americas seeks to fill the position of KUSZ Americas Director.  The current Director will be leaving at the beginning of June, and our plan is to have the new Director start in April or May to train alongside him for one or two months.   This is a challenging position that requires a wide range of administrative, organizational, and communications skills, and the ability to think on one’s feet and act independently. If you are a member of the Kwan Um School of Zen and think you have the qualifications and expereince, please review the job description below and consider applying. Although non-profit experience would be ideal, someone who has owned a small business or managed in a small organization would have the “jack of all trades” range of skills we are looking for.  The KUSZa offices are located at the Providence Zen Center in Cumberland RI.  Preference will be given to candidates who can come to the office in person a majority of the time, but arrangements that include working remotely some of the time will be considered.   
Resumes and questions should be sent to Paul Majchrzyk (psmajchr@gmail.com) and Ames Colt (director@kwanumzen.org)
Thank You,

Paul Majchrzyk, JDPSN
for the KUSZ Americas Executive Committee ******************************************

KUSZ Americas Director Job Description
February 1, 2021

POSITION SUMMARY: Serves as the executive director for the Americas region of the Kwan Um School of Zen (KUSZa) and, as such, is responsible for all administration including finances, event planning and management, precepts and other ceremonies, membership, development, and staff management. 

The KUSZa Director reports to the Executive Committee of the KUSZa Board of Trustees and supervises the KUSZa Membership and Bookkeeping staff. The Director works closely with Guiding Teachers, and with the leaders of KUSZa’s 38 Zen centers and groups, the management team of PZC, and the KUSZ International Initiative. 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: The ideal candidate would offer demonstrable or comparable skills and experience in: 

  • Managing a nonprofit, religious organization
  • Event management (3-4 sangha gatherings annually at PZC)
  • Membership services and database management
  • Financial literacy: Knowledge of payment processing systems, budget management and reconciliation, and commonly-used financial reports (balance sheet, P&L, etc.) Familiarity with basic non-profit accounting
  • Staff, payroll, and vendor management 
  • Ideally, a strong grasp of the history, teachings, and practice and ceremonial forms of the Kwan Um School of Zen.
  • Written and oral communications skills
  • Technology: Apple computers and MS Office for Mac; Member Databases (knowledge of Donorworks [CDM+] a plus); PayPal; Quickbooks; Squarespace; MailChimp; Zoom

2021 Winter Kyol Che


Please register for Winter Kyol Che HERE.   

Kyol Che practice clarifies our direction, resulting in more harmonious relationship with all aspects of life.

This is particularly true of Winter Kyol Che 2021. Because it cannot be held in-person, we will instead hold three one-week retreats via Zoom.
9:30 am, Saturday, January 23rd through 3:30 pm Friday, January 29th. Led by Terry Cronin, JDPSN
9:30 am, Saturday, February 20th through 3:30 pm Friday, February 26th. Led by Zen Master Bon Hae, Judy Roitman.
9:30 am, Saturday, March 20th through 3:30 pm Friday, March 26th. Led by Zen Master Soeng Hyang, Barbara Rhodes.   
There will be four practice sessions daily:  
6 am to 8 am; 9:30 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm; and 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm.

Each week, there will be two Dharma Talks and three Interviews.
A week-long commitment is necessary to participate in interviews.If you wish to request accommodation for a different time zone (e.g. entering late or leaving early), please contact:  director@providencezen.org.

All are welcome to attend any of the practice sessions.  Those registered for a whole week will receive interviews.

49 Day Ceremony for Colin Fay.

Colin Fay
Colin at a precepts ceremony April 3, 2016 – Providence Zen Center


Please join us on Saturday, February 6 at 11 a.m. EDT for the 49 Day Ceremony for Colin Fay, Abbot Emeritus of the Nothern Light Zen Center, who passed away on December 19th. 

He knew and studied with Zen Master Seung Sahn at the Cambridge Zen Center. His passion for our practice led him to be a founding member of this sangha in 2002. His energy and generosity led to the creation of our dharma room in the basement of his Brunswick home, and later to the purchase and renovation of our center in Topsham. He encouraged many of us in our practice. His great Bodhisattva spirit, exemplified by his smile and joking around, will long be remembered by those he leaves behind. 

The  ceremony will take place on Zoom. If you wish to attend, please send us an email at northernlightzencenter@gmail.com so that we can send you the Zoom invite. 

Colin Fay, Abbot Emeritus

It is with great sadness that we tell you of the passing of Colin Fay, Abbot Emeritus of the Nothern Light Zen Center, on Saturday, December 19th. 

He knew and studied with Zen Master Seung Sahn at the Cambridge Zen Center. His passion for our practice led him to be a founding member of this sangha in 2002. His energy and generosity led to the creation of our dharma room in the basement of his Brunswick home, and later to the purchase and renovation of our center in Topsham. He encouraged many of us in our practice. His great Bodhisattva spirit, exemplified by his smile and joking around, will long be remembered by those he leaves behind. 

His lovely wife, Stephanie, sends us this message:
” I am thankful that we could all be with Colin at the end. He died peacefully, and we all got to say our goodbyes and share our thoughts and memories with him. After he died, we sat and shared tea with him, talking and crying. I’m asking those who loved him to brew a cup of tea and drink with Colin. “

We extend our deep condolences to his wife, Stephanie Holmes, and two daughters, Myla and Corinne. Further news will be forthcoming about any ceremonies to be performed in his honor. Go drink tea!

Happy Thanksgiving.


The eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth precepts encourage us to show homage to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. This “special honor or respect shown publicly”, as homage can be defined, is of particular significance around this time of year. Each of the three jewels, taken in their broadest sense, points us towards all of creation and our relationships to it and each other. The Northern LIght Zen Center wishes you a joy-filled day with opportunities to be thankful for the Buddha in us all and in all creation. 

Join us with thanks!
— Northern Light Zen Center

Precepts Ceremony Online!

Save the Date! 

Kwan Um School of Zen Americas will hold an online Precepts Ceremony in place of our traditional Buddha’s Enlightenment Day gathering on Saturday, December 12, 4 PM EDT.

If you would like to take precepts during this ceremony, please visit here to fill out the precepts application. From the same webpage, please download the Precepts Application Handbook and read it carefully before applying. Applicants for 10 precepts should speak with their Guiding Teachers. 

Application Deadlines

Precepts applications must be submitted by Friday, November 27
Late applications may be accepted as late as Friday, December 5, but there will be a $25 late fee. No applications will be accepted after December 5. 

Questions? Please email: director@kwanumzen.org

If there are any questions regarding Precepts or any ceremony in Kwan Um, please email northernlightzencenter@gmail.com.

Kwan Um School of Zen Americas announces four Inka Ceremonies to be held online this December.


Save the Date! 

Kwan Um School of Zen Americas announces four Inka Ceremonies to be held online this December.

The first ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 5, 4 PM EDT and will include two Inka candidates.

The second ceremony will take place on Sunday, December 13, 4 PM EDT.

These ceremonies will be held online via Zoom. Additional details about will be provided in the coming weeks.

These ceremonies are in addition to a KUSZ Precepts Ceremony scheduled to take place online on Saturday, December 12, 4 PM EDT.
 

WWSF 2020 Online, Zen Blooms Everywhere!


WWSF 2020 Online, Zen Blooms Everywhere begins: 
Sunday, September 6

That’s just a few days away.

For a conference schedule and to register for the conference (required), please visit the conference and registration page here.

WWSF 2020 Online is open to the public, not just Kwan Um sangha members and friends. So please feel free to invite anyone who may be interested to our conference.

Questions? Then please contact us:

Kathy Park at kathysitzen@gmail.com in S. Korea.
Do Wa Sunim at info.wwsf2020my@gmail.com in Malaysia.
Joanna Gruchot at joanna.gruchot@gmail.com in Europe.
Ames Colt at director@kwanumzen.org in the US.

Whole World is a Single Flower Conference 2020

Mindfulness-based Compassionate Communication with Nancy Hathaway, SDT via ZOOM


A Mindfulness-based Compassionate Communicate series of four workshops offered by Nancy Hathaway, SDT, State of Maine Licensed (clinical) Pastoral Counselor, Associate Professor University of Southern Maine is open to the Kwan Um School of Zen sangha. (This is not; however, a Kwan Um sponsored event).  

The foundation of this language of compassion is based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Mindfulness  is one of the eight of the Eight-fold path, the Fourth of the Four Noble Truths. This language is based on Buddhist psychology.  It is a language of no blame, speaking from truth of experience of the human condition, before judgment, before blame, before making good and bad, or right or wrong. It is the language of wanting all sentient beings to get their basic human needs met, no matter what their situation. Conflict of needs is welcomed. 

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness as well as Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction program will be studied and referred to throughout the series as well as the work of Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent Communication/Authentic Communication and M.K. Ghandi.

Space is limited to 15 for maximum learning. The series will be held via ZOOM. Participants are to send a deposit of $25 or the total fee of $100 to the Paypal account below and an email to Nancy. A waiting list will be available. After registering and paying the full fee, two titles of books will be emailed as optional readings but suggested readings as well as the ZOOM link,

Dates: Tuesday evenings July 28, August 4, 11 & 18 ET (Host is on the coast of Maine USA)
Times: 5-7PM. ET (Host is on the coast of Maine USA)


TO REGISTER:1) Send deposit of $25 or full fee of $100 through Paypal link on Nancy’s website See link below)

Make a Payment Here via PayPal


2) Send email to Hathaway.N@gmail.com with Name and Email address and phone number, preferably TEXT number.  ZOOM Link and optional book list will be emailed to you after full fee has been paid.


Nancy Hathaway became a Senior Dharma Teacher in 1984 while living with her family at Providence Zen Center for five years; two sons born at home at Providence Zen Center. She has studied with Marshall Rosenberg and studied, interned and worked with Jon Kabat-Zinn. This work has informed her relationships with self and other finding this work invaluable and is delighted to share it with others, especially at this time, members of the Kwan Um School of Zen sangha.

“May all of us as a species use this opportunity to wake up to our shared humanity, our shared vulnerability, and to nourish compassion and tolerance, and not our fear and discrimination.” The monks and nuns of Plum Village

Nancy Hathaway, M.Ed., LpastC
207-400-0494
Center for Studying Mindfulness
PO Box 506,
Blue Hill, Maine 04614
www.NancyHathaway.com

Nancy Hathaway offers Mindfulness sessions & trainings to individuals, couples, & groups and is an associate professor of the University of Maine System and a lecturer at Colby College’s JanPlan.

June 27th Zoom Retreat at NLZC

Saturday on June 27th, Northern Light Zen Center held it’s bi-monthly retreat via zoom. We are joined by folks from the Cape Code Zen Center. Interviews and Strong Practice ensued! It was a good day. If you are interested in joining us on Wednesday nights for practice or for our next retreat, please send an email to northernlightzencenter@gmail.com. Stay well and stay healthy

June 27th Retreat