A big thank you to all who were able to join our third Subud California virtual event, the 2021 Regional Congress. With attendees from all areas of our state, plus members from other regions, we were truly “together inwardly, from wherever we are.”
Please note: if an item below is bolded, it means there are linked attachments.
On Friday evening, Bapak’s talk and testing (81 YVR 3) was shared (Note: Bapak talks are available for download by Subud members from the Subud Library. Go to https://subudlibrary.net/)
Following latihan and group testing Saturday morning, the annual general meeting opened with words from Bapak: “Make an effort and try to strengthen your faith now at the time when the world is experiencing a crisis. Strengthen your faith by way of worship. That is the one and only good way for all of you, which can deflect away from you dangers and catastrophes which would overtake you. Do not put aside the power of God, which is within each one of you. For God, who truly loves each of his creatures, will always guide and lead each one of you.”
The regional helpers provided prayers and a report, followed by Luqman Katz’s regional chair report. The meeting quorum was established.
Next, each center reported on how they handled the pandemic, and their reopening plans. Rohana LoSchiavo shared from members not connected to centers.
After lunch, our regional leadership and standing committees gave reports:
- Executive Director, Henrietta Haines
- Treasurer, Hasan MacNeil
- Subud California-owned property overviews, Christian Stepien
- Congress Development Committee (CDC), Dennis Oliver
- Community Resources Committee,(CRC) Elizabeth Trudell
2022 Regional Congress Chair Elections: following nominations, Rifka Several was elected. She noted that there is a standing group of support personnel, and invites other congress team members, especially one or more who would like to work with her to learn congress management. A video recording of the latter part of this section of the meeting, including the vote, is available HERE.
International and national reports followed:
- Zone 7, Uraidah Hassani, (US Zone representative)
- Mhd. Subuh Foundation, Mauricio Castillo (chair)
- Subud USA national helpers, Sofia Nicoletti and Michal Brownell
- Subud USA national committee, Philip Lindstrom (vice chair)
Subud affiliates, termed “wings,” have been established to take the blessings and understanding we receive in latihan out into the world:
- Humanitarian projects: Susila Dharma USA (SD USA), Jane Katz (director)
- Culture: Subud International Cultural Association (SICA), Sanderson Morgan (director)
- Enterprises: Subud Enterprise Services (SES), Hanafi Fraval (USA chair)
Photos of regional members who have passed since our last meeting were accompanied by cello music from Hamilton Cheifetz.
The meeting closed with a video about the 2024 Subud World Congress to be held in Kalimantan. A Zoom recording of the afternoon meeting running from the Zone 7 report through the SES report is available HERE.
Saturday evening’s entertainment, “Once Upon a Time…” hosted by Harlan Gleeson and produced by Halimah Collingwood, provided a range of storytellers and music.
On Sunday, three testing groups followed latihan on these questions:
- How do we prepare in our centers and region for the future growth of Subud?
- Awareness testing
- How do we face old age as a Subud member?
The 2021 Subud CA regional congress closed with a sharing circle: “How have you experienced the pandemic during closure and re-opening?” and continued with a free-form “Chill and Chat” session.
Thank you to the planning team who made our event such a success: Haryanti and Luke Jones, Elizabeth Trudell and Dennis Oliver, Henry Couden, Luqman Katz, Christian Stepien, Halimah, Collingwood, our regional helpers, especially the congress liaisons: Helena Mertens and Harlan Gleeson, and all the folks who made presentations and supported us during the planning process.
See you next year in Santa Barbara for the 2022 Regional Congress! There will be virtual options for participation in many parts of the program and we welcome your program ideas.
