Thank You

Image: Amaury Gutierrez via Unsplash

From Our Outgoing Executive Director, Renkyo Heather Fehst

Sangha!

I wanted to thank you all one last time for the honor of allowing me to steward Clouds in my tenure as ED. The lovely send-off on Sunday was so touching and it meant a lot to me. 

I’m thrilled with all we have been able to accomplish together and excited for all that is to come as new happenings unfold. My greatest wish is that this sangha is a refuge for all as so much darkness continues to unfold around us. Let us be the ship that carries folks to the other shore. 

Thank you for your support and willingness to be curious and have adventures with me - the Sit-A-Thon, Sound baths, Bridge Group, and so much more. I would be remiss if I didn’t add a huge extra thanks to my partner-in-crime, Jūken, who has been so supportive to me in this role and has done SO much behind the scenes. The husbands of executive directors everywhere can likely attest to this labor of love. And, of course, Sosan and Andrea. Thank you both for being on the journey with me. I hope to see all my dharma siblings around after a break this summer - or at People’s Pride or one of Rin and Max’s softball games! (Go Team Pitch Please - ha!)

May the merit of this penetrate 

Into each and every thing and all places

So that we and the world together

May realize the Buddha Way

Deepest of bows and much love,

Ren

Here with fellow Clouds members at an Interfaith Action meeting! Engaged Buddhists! Yes!

Renkyo Heather Fehst (she/her) is an author, writing coach, social worker and teacher of many things. Ren works with writers on integrating mindfulness into their writing practice, process, and life. She is a Trained Mindfulness Facilitator through UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center and holds a certificate in Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness. She is also the program director of Rebecca Dykes Writers in collaboration with the Highlights Foundation, where she works with writers who tell stories about trauma for young readers. In her Zen practice, creative work, and service, Ren believes in being a lighthouse for those who are awakening to the gift and challenges of being human on this particular planet, at this particular time. Find out more about Ren and her work at heatherdemetrios.com.