We are finally getting some cooler weather and it looks like fall is here, hopefully, to stay for a while! The leaves are changing colors and some are already falling to the ground. I see some very bushy tails on squirrels in our neighborhood and was told that
means a rainy fall and winter and with El Nino already starting to show itself in some places, we may be in for a wet few months. We can use the rain and maybe get rid of the ants in the temple!

Denise and I were the SLOBWA delegates to the BCA FBWA 48th Conference held in San Diego over the September 4th and 5th weekend. Gary was our driver and did a great job doing all the driving over 7 hours going and coming home! There were 325
registered attendees at the conference and that exceeded the expectations of the planning committee. There were great speakers, workshops and food! It was good to be reacquainted with friends from prior conferences and to make new friends. The delegates came from all over the United States from California to New York to Washington State and Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas and, even Hawaii and Canada. The San Diego weather wasn’t too cooperative as it was over 100° over the 3 days and the air-conditioning in the workshop rooms could not keep up. Even the elevators broke down and with only one in operation, it took a while for people to get to their rooms. Thankfully, our room was on the second floor and we could easily get to it. All in all, we still had a great time and enjoyed the time spent with other temple members and hearing their stories of activities at their temples.

The next BCA FBWA conference will be held in September 2028 at the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple in the central valley. I hope more people will attend the conference because you develop a different perspective when you meet people from around the country and from different temples. It can be very inspiring.

Coming up in November 8 is the Eitaikyo Service or perpetual memorial service where we honor our deceased loved ones. The donations received for this service are deposited to a special fund to be kept in perpetuity in case of any catastrophic event at the temple. At SLOBC we will have a special luncheon after the service and “Keirokai” which is a party to celebrate the church members who are 75 years and older. We honor the members who have contributed and done so much for the church in the past years. We celebrate our Keiro! 

If you have any questions, please contact me.

In Gassho,
Sandy Hongo