Dear Assisi Family,
One day, St. Francis was so filled with God’s love that he went through the streets of Assisi singing and inviting everybody to sing along with him. Then he came upon an almond tree and he said to it, “Brother Almond, speak to me of God’s love.” At that very moment, the tree blossomed. We, the Assisi family, are like the almond tree: though very small and ordinary, we are nonetheless called to be God’s silent, blossoming love in our noisy world.
I wish it were possible to share with you the stories people have told me – stories of spiritual awakenings, prayers answered, mystical stirrings, healings, forgiveness, reconciliations, and transformations. The gurus do indeed continue to work for the deliverance of the world! Here at The Assisi Institute we create a sacred portal for encounter with the gurus through our silence, meditation, community, love, and generous financial support.
As always, we have much to celebrate. Last fall’s Kriya Yoga Conference ended with a moving initiation ceremony for 30 new kiryabans and planted the seeds for this year’s Path Home event on Sept. 14 – 16, where all will be welcomed home to The Assisi Institute for a weekend of fellowship in community, inspiration, and personal renewal. This coming school year, students in the city of Rochester and Waterloo will learn mindfulness, meditation, and Hatha Yoga through our Hearing Silence program. Our newly remodeled yoga studio hosts many enthusiastic yogis throughout each week. Clearly, we continue to blossom in ways we could only have imagined just a few years ago!
Many of you have been most generous in giving of your time, talent, and treasure to our God-inspired mission. Thank you! In the service of Yogananda and the spirit of Francis, I am humbly asking you to continue your generous support by once again making a monthly pledge to The Assisi Institute, and if possible to increase your pledge amount.
At this point in our growth, only about half of those who regularly attend our services pledge continuing financial support on a monthy basis. Did you know that our current monthly pledges comprise slightly less than 30% of our total budget? If we reach our goal of 75 pledging households, the demands of fundraising will greatly diminish for our board and staff. There is so much more good we can do!
By pledging a specific amount each month, the consistency of your planned support helps us to budget much more confidently. If you are presently pledging, we look forward to your continued support. If not, I ask that you prayerfully consider pledging this year.
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Please fill out the enclosed pledge form and place it in the box at The Assisi Institute lobby desk
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Preferred payment is monthly by an electronic check payment from your bank
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We gladly accept paper checks, preferably on a monthly basis (or if you prefer, on a weekly basis) which can be placed in the basket after Thursday services
If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me. Once again, thank you for your support. Please keep me in your prayers, and I promise to pray for all of you!
Peace and every good,
Isha Das
