We Did It! First Goal Is Reached. Now – We Begin Our Capital Campaign!

Artist’s rendering of new KTC building by architect Keith Spruce

Gratitude is overflowing at Columbus KTC, as we’ve reached our first goal – completing our $108,000 emergency fundraiser.

In seven months we raised $114,000 – enough to cover most of the losses from our damaging fire that weren’t covered by insurance. It’s a good feeling to know that folks saw our need and stepped up; we can’t thank you enough.

Now we’re working toward the next goal – a “nest egg” of cash to lay the foundation for our new home.

We’re in the process of asking the City of Columbus to allow the Columbus KTC to rebuild on our Grubb Street property. It’s a complex process involving many steps – two Neighborhood Zoning Review Board approvals and two City of Columbus Building and Zoning approvals.

Our first two “concept” reviews (with the Neighborhood and City) went well, and now we are working with our attorney, architect and engineer to prepare for final review meetings in mid-January. We’ve already started interviewing contractors, so if the Neighborhood and City approve, we can quickly move on to the next phase – taking bids from contractors and launching a Capital Campaign to raise funds for the actual construction.

At this point, we don’t know how much the final building cost will be, but you can be sure that you’ll be hearing more about this in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, we want to say “thank you” for helping us reach this first goal.

We will be “retiring” this emergency fundraising GoFundMe page, but we invite you to join us on our other platforms to follow our Capital Campaign fundraising effort.

If you’d like to read more about the rebuilding effort, you can check out our “Rebuilding KTC” page on our website.

There will be regular updates printed there, and you can learn more about ways to participate in the effort.

Or you can keep tabs on us through our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusKTC/

Or sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Creating sacred spaces and sacred objects for this generation and the generation to come is a worthy endeavor; your donations – past and future – will produce a ripple effect that will bring more teachings of awakening to Columbus.

Thank you – and may all beings benefit!

Special White Tara for Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and Our Teachers

We’re excited to announce that Columbus KTC will conduct a special White Tara mantra chanting practice at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday Jan. 8 at Congregation Tifereth Israel on Broad Street.

Usually White Tara sadhana (connected with the blessing of long life and good health) is recited on the First Sunday of the month at KTC; this month, because of the New Year’s holiday on Jan. 1, we’ll recite it on Jan. 8 instead.

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche recently experienced a bout of pneumonia. Although he’s springing back from the illness very well, Khenpo Karma Tenkyong asked His Holiness Karmapa what the best prayers would be for Khenpo Rinpoche’s health. His Holiness instantly replied that the longer “longevity” mantra of White Tara would be excellent. It’s now being recited at KTD several times a day.

We want to do our part, so we will dedicate our monthly White Tara sadhana to the long life and excellent health of His Holiness Karmapa, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and all our gurus.

The next White Tara sadhana practices will be at 8:30 a.m. Sunday:

Feb. 5
March 5
April 2

Holiday Programming at The Thurber Center

For the last six years, Columbus KTC has been providing
a warm and welcoming environment for the holiday season at KTC. We hope you can join us this year at the Thurber Center 91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215!

Christmas Day
On the morning of December 25th, please join us for practice and fellowship. In addition to a sadhana practice and Dharma talk, we’ll have a Breakfast Potluck — so, bring your favorite vegetarian dish to share!

8:00 am: Chenrezig Puja
9:30 am: Community Breakfast Potluck
11:00 am: Dharma Talk with Lama Kathy

New Year’s Day
On January 1st, begin the new year with the First Light Ceremony for World Peace. We invite you to stay for breakfast and special Dharma Talk.

7:00 am: First Light prayers and Chenrezig Puja
8:30 am: Light breakfast of bagels, juice, tea and coffee
9:30 am: New Year’s Day Dharma Talk with Lama Kathy Wesley


Holiday Elves Needed

Our Christmas morning program and First Light Ceremony will both be held at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215) this year. Holiday elves are needed to help with decorations and transporting cushions! If you have items to donate or you can help with putting up decorating on Saturday, December 24th, please reach out to Kim at director@columbusktc.org.

Columbus KTC: Announcement of Regular (Annual) Election

j0384726Dear Sangha Members:

In accordance with KTC elections policy, we have opened nominations for the offices of Columbus KTC Director, Secretary, and Member-at-Large. Any KTC member in good standing may be nominated for the position, but it is wise to check with the person first before nominating them. Nominees must receive two nominations from members in good standing to become eligible candidates for the office.

Nominations will be received by Rich Butchko at butchko1@columbus.rr.com, or in writing to Rich Butchko, c/o Columbus KTC, PO Box 14946, Columbus, Ohio 43214. You may also call Columbus KTC at (614) 228-6546 to nominate someone by phone.

All nominations–whether by email, phone, or postal mail–must be received by 11:59pm on Thursday, December 29, 2016.

We also invite people who are considering membership in Columbus KTC to take this opportunity to become members and join us in this process; we welcome your input. To become a member, please visit our pledge page and/or contact Steve Phallen at treasurer@columbusktc.org.

For more details on the election policy, please see the attached document.

Columbus KTC Board and Elections Policy 14.1-1.

Best wishes in Dharma,

The Columbus KTC Board

Director: Kim Miracle
Assistant Director: Tanya Bissig Schroeder
Treasurer: Steve Phallen
Secretary: Justin Fitch
Member at Large: Eric Weinberg
Resident Adviser: Lama Kathy Wesley