Original Root Zen Center

Team ORZC: When we’re not running, we sit

Members of “Team ORZC,” a group of Zen Center members interested in physical fitness, participated in Racine’s 2009 Lighthouse Run. A photo and brief mention of ORZC’s team appeared on RacinePost.com. Peacekeeper Brie Somlai organized Team ORZC, which had three people run in the four-mile competitive race and 13 in the 2/4-mile fun run and walk. Our team even had official race T-shirts with the slogan, “When we’re not running, we sit.”

Team ORZC

Garden photos

Scenes from ORZC’s peace garden …

Fox/clever Zen student sitting under a picnic table near the Zen Center.

Ready to bloom …

Sitting quietly.

Womens Retreat

It’s an exciting week at ORZC. The 15th annual Women’s Retreat starts Thursday night and runs through Sunday. This ecumenical retreat for women explores what it means to be human in a woman’s body through creative practices, movement, meditation, rest and ceremony. Participants may attend parts or all of retreat. Cost: $30 per day or $55 for the entire retreat, which includes all meals and a T-shirt. A limited number of overnight accommodations are available for $50 per night. Advance registration required. Call Holly Johnson at (262) 930-1901 to attend.

The retreat is held at the Zen Center, which means there are few changes to ORZC’s regular schedule. Thursday night’s Peace Grub, Friday morning’s Peace Practice, Saturday morning practice and Sunday night class are all canceled this week. Peace Grub, Peace Practice and Saturday morning practice all return the following week to their regularly scheduled times.

May Garden Photos

June 2009 Root & Branch

The latest issue of the Root & Branch, ORZC’s monthly newsletter, is now available. You can download it here or by clicking on the front page (left). This month’s issue features articles by Master Teacher Tony Somlai, Paul Reese, Laura Hilbrand, poetry and the Zen center’s upcoming events.

Zen Cooking Class, May 17 to June 7

Why eat? We’ll explore this question and many others during this 4-week Sunday evening class. With a love heart and meticulous attention, you can help others through food and cooking. We’ll look at seasonality, harmony and balance, and economy when choosing food and recipes. Most importantly, we’ll cook together. No cooking skills required. Classes run from 7-8:30 p.m. Cost is $15 for supplies. Register by calling 262-930-1901 or e-mail ORZC@wi.rr.com. Led by Senior Rev. Teacher Holly Johnson.

May 2009 Root & Branch

The May newsletter is out (click here to download a PDF). This month’s report from ORZC includes poems from Master Teacher Linda Somlai and Abbot Mathew Somlai, a teaching essay from Master Teacher Tony Somlai, an update on the Zen Center’s new Peace Pantry, the return of our monthly recipe and a recap of the Renaissance of Rummage. There’s also our upcoming calender of events, and don’t forget to check out Dragon Mountain Press’s website and order your copy of Peace Vigil: Living Without Hesitation.

A few notes on upcoming events:

ORZC’s 15th Annual Women’s Retreat will be held Thursday, June to Sunday, June 14. Connect with women and look deeply at spiritual questions through creative practices, movement, meditation, rest and ceremony. All women are welcome to attend part or all of the retreat. For more information, call Holly at (262) 930-1901.

Also, sign-up is underway for ORZC’s four-week Zen Cooking class, 7-8:30 p.m., Sundays, May 17 to June 7. Why eat? We’ll explore this question and many others during this 4-week Sunday evening class. With a love heart and meticulous attention, you can help others through food and cooking. We’ll look at seasonality, harmony and balance, and economy when choosing food and recipes. Most importantly, we’ll cook together. No cooking skills required. Cost is $15 for supplies. Register by calling 262-930-1901 or e-mail ORZC@wi.rr.com. Led by Senior Rev. Teacher Holly Johnson.

Garden Work Retreat

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 9

It’s been a long season of winter with much cold and snow. Perhaps you’ve been indoors for far too long. Well, the wind is hanging with a hint of mildness (for us Wisconsinites that’s a temp of about 40 degrees and a breeze under 5 mph). Buds are poking, birds are nesting, trees are fuzzed with new growth. So, shake off the dust, wipe away the cobwebs, wear outdoor clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring a garden tool if you have one. Join us for Garden Retreat Day, when we welcome the awakening garden with pruning, raking and tidy-ing. Lunch is provided and daffodils will be blooming! Led by Master Teacher Linda Somlai

14th Annual Women’s Retreat – Lotus Warrior: Gratitude Heart Opens

Thursday, June 11-noon Sunday, June 14

What is woman? What is my strength? How can I connect with my intuitive and joyous self? How can I do this during times of suffering and confusion? Explore these questions and more through creative practices, movement, meditation, rest and ceremony. All women are welcome to attend part or all of the retreat. Retreat begins at 5 p.m. Thursday with opening ceremony and dinner.

For more information, call Sr. Rev. Teacher Holly Johnson at (262) 930-1901.

Original Root Zen Center opening Peace Pantry

The Peace Pantry, Racine’s newest food bank, will officially open with a blessing ceremony on Thursday, April 16 at 7 PM.  The Peace Pantry is located at the Original Root Zen Center on the DeKoven grounds in the East Building.  The entrance is on Wisconsin Avenue.

The ORZC’s Master Teachers Tony and Linda Somlai and Elder Reverend Senior Teacher Sue Jaimes will take part in the blessing of the new pantry.  While the ceremony is free and open to the public, donations of a non-perishable item would be gratefully accepted.  A shared, simple meal will be provided by the ORZC at 5:30 PM preceding the ceremony.

The Peace Pantry is available to help our Racine community not just during these troubling economic times, but whenever help is needed.  In addition to non-perishable food items we will also have a limited supply of perishable items (cheese, butter, meats for example) as well as household and personal items that will be made available to people in need of these items.

Please contact Bethany Zimpel at 262-939-7861 or email peacepantry@yahoo.com to request more details, if you plan on attending Thursday, April 16th or if you or someone you know is in need of help.