Post-latihan Zoom has been poorly attended (read no one) the past two weeks. Zoom fatigue may be a factor, or perhaps we are just ready to see each other in person. At any rate, Sunday Latihan in person carefully continues. There were 6 men and 3 women last Sunday. We are wearing masks and disinfecting surfaces before leaving.

Jim O’Halloran will be hosting the post-latihan Zoom this Sunday, May 9th. Here is the information to join in:

Since Spring Street Center is being rented as a whole-house rental, we will be needing a place to gather and visit after latihan post-COVID. For potlucks or special events we can reserve the house, but for our weekly chatting after latihan a space will be needed. The Dewan members had the idea that the corner of the men’s hall nearest the downstairs kitchen might be a good location. Do you like that idea? Do you have another one you would like to propose? Would you like to have a couch or two added for comfortable seating? If you have ideas about this, please email Bhakti (bhaktiwatts@gmail.com).

Paul Nelson, Subud Greater Seattle Local Helper (and rental agent for 9 years) has been Chair of SICA-USA since November 20, 2020 and his latest report as Chair features these developments:

SICA’s website (www.SICA-USA.org) is averaging 80 hits a day in 2021, up from 44 last year and 43 the day before that, a 55% increase. March was an average of 100 hits a day. Posts have been done for approximately 114 consecutive weeks. There are several regular bloggers and our Cultural Conversation was launched this year. A Lawrence Pevec idea, the direct link is: https://sica-usa.org/sica-usa-cultural-conversation/ SICA hopes to be engaging members in this conversation online and, when we again can meet, at workshops at Congresses. The Board feels that the conversation about culture has the potential to transform SICA AND Subud.

Website submission guidelines are being developed. Lauren Stomel has joined as Web Coordinator.

SICA has awarded grants in 2021 to Patrick Morgan, former Office Manager for Subud USA for his memoir, River of Dreams. He died in March. His memoir is available on the SICA-USA website. Emmanuel Williams was also awarded a grant for Crinolina – a Young/Adult fantasy novel.

SICA’s fund drive, the first ever in SICA-USA history, started a few weeks ago with a goal of $20,000 and 200 contributions of $100 a piece. So far we have raised $4,250. 

https://sica-usa.org/contribute/

Role Testing was done this past Friday (April 23) and the results were pretty amazing. The men’s testing was taped and a transcript being developed from that.

SICA needs a Secretary. Please refer potential candidates to:

Splabman@icloud.com

Paul woud love to see Subud Greater Seattle members support SICA-USA at this time and gives thanks to those members who have already donated.

Patrick Morgan with Maria Cantrell, circa 1987 at an early PNW camp.

Those of us who have been around for a while might remember Patrick Morgan who passed away very recently.  I was going to do a tribute to him in the newsletter but Paul Nelson has created an excellent one in the SICA news so I am posting the link below and urging all who remember Patrick to read it!  Patrick also wrote a memoir of his life which is also in the recent issue.  I remember him as a gentle, hard working soul who did a lot of work for Subud in the late eighties and early nineties.  He along with a lot of other folks performed a ‘Peace Dance’ at the Evergreen College which was attended by many and seemed well received.  I did a video of it but never got it put in a viewable state on the Internet.  I have often wondered about what happened to Patrick in later years and this article, by his friend Mandy Landa, and his memoir has satisfied my wonder!  Check it out!

https://sica-usa.org/news/patrick-morgan-a-remembrance/