May 11, 2014
Jubilee Sunday
Since we have recently completed the Easter Season, and as we move on towards Pentecost, I feel it a good time to send you this message. You will see by looking at our Community Calendar that many dates this year align with Sundays (the 12th day of Christmas on January 5th; February 2nd, the Birth of the Sun of Righteousness, which also was a Jubilee Sunday; the birth of The Child, Jamil, on March 16th; and the birthday of The Man – today – on May 11th, another Jubilee Sunday). As prophesied, 2014 is a very auspicious year, one that represents an important 52-year cycle which we have emphasized several times before.
You may know that some weeks ago, I journeyed to Mexico, the land of my birth, to contemplate and celebrate the birth of The Child, Jamil. The trip was divided into three parts. First, to meet with Consociates in northern Mexico who are in the process of translating our Cosolargy material into Spanish. The purpose of the meeting was to insure the continuation of those translations but also to work on establishing a legal structure for our Community in Latin America. In addition, a goal was set for the establishment of a satellite Community and retreat center somewhere near Puerto Vallarta. Having been born in Mexico and working with our Community members in that nation, there are several advantages we have, especially that of being able to own coastal property. Second, I went to the Yucatan, where my father and The Child lived for a period of time. I visited various Mayan sites and pyramids, including Chichen-Itza and Tulum, which I had not been to before. The city of Merida is beautiful and is referred to as the “Paris” of Mexico. (I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to visit that part of Mesoamerica). The third portion of the trip was on the Carribean and had more of a personal nature, which included contemplating how to better grow our Community, and provided some much-needed rest.
Before leaving to Mexico, I called a meeting of our Community family here in Reno. The purpose of the meeting was to reiterate the importance of this year, 2014, and to explain certain circumstances which The Community faces. It was a candid conversation unprecedented in our 55-year history. The first part of the meeting had to do with our financial situation as affected by the continued economic situation worldwide. I explained that the success of the Church has been due to (1) the paying off of debt incurred before the economic decline, (2) good management of finances, and (3) the ongoing support of dedicated Community members. However, in order to grow and continue, we must also take into consideration these factors: (1) continually enrolling new students in The Academy, (2) expanding various business ventures through the Community Guilds structure, and (3) people remembering The Community in their wills and trusts and also bequeathing or otherwise endowing The Community.
A report can be found at the Community Communique website which will give you more details about the meeting. I made a comparison between the Church’s financial position and that of the City of Reno. Fifteen years ago, in 1999, Reno’s debt was approximately $60 million. Today it is more than $560 million. Fifteen years ago, the Church’s debt was over $1 million. Today it is at about $400,000. So as Reno has increased its debt by over 400{1fa2ef75e2e78439128d99df03acfe1d8ee3047374abe3d4676fe3470ff8b909}, The Community has reduced its by 65{1fa2ef75e2e78439128d99df03acfe1d8ee3047374abe3d4676fe3470ff8b909}. In addition, operating expenses have decreased in the last two years by $50,000. This is something we should be proud of! We have many resources upon which to build: (1) real property holdings, (2) water, (3) intellectual property, and (4) most importantly, the creativity and knowledge of our people. We must be enterprising and use these assets to our advantage. We have made great strides in the past few years: accomplishments at the Sanctuary with regards to securing our water rights and the building of a new residence; the continued healing work at Steamboat Hot Springs, which is increasing its public image; the thriving of the Community in Japan; the possibility of a new Community Center in Mexico; our Project X seminars and tours, one of which will be held in Peru later this year; the possibility of a seminar/conference later this year in Australia and/or New Zealand. We are making progress. Let’s ensure that the trend continues!
One of the other topics I brought up at our Community family meeting had to do with our ongoing struggle for property tax exemption at the Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary. You may recall that in the early 1980’s, when we purchased the Sanctuary, we were initially granted property tax exemption. Unfortunately, that was later revoked, and the Church sued Washoe County in district court. We were successful. However, the County appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court and the decision was reversed in 1990. So over the past 35 years, we have paid in excess of $400,000 in local property taxes and assessments. Perhaps this is not too much money for General Motors, but for us it is. So the good news is that a lobbying/law firm has taken interest in our case. They believe they can propose an amendment to the law that would grant us property tax exemption on the Sanctuary. This does not involve a lawsuit or the courts. It is simply talking to the powers that be and gaining their support. Two weeks ago, this firm, on our behalf, spoke with representatives of Washoe County advising them of our intent, i.e., to seek an amendment to the law which would grant our Sanctuary a tax exemption. The representatives of the county were supportive and said they would not oppose us making a change to the law. This is a major step forward! Our friends at the firm visited the Sanctuary for the first time earlier this week and were extremely impressed. They will now be making appointments to speak with legislators and the Governor’s office for the change to the law, which will be presented in the state legislature before the end of the year. But, of course, they do require some compensation. They have made us a bare-bones offer: $2500 per month for four months to set the stage – $10,000 all together. So I must ask you for your support, please! This is extremely important and an opportunity we have been awaiting for many decades. If we are able to secure an exemption for our Sanctuary, it will be a vindication of our long struggle for religious equality under the law.
Tomorrow, May 12, I journey with Companions of The Way to Japan. This is my annual sojourn to the Land of the Rising Sun. We will be visiting Hokkaido in the north, the place where the ancient Ainu people live – people who once were in contact with ancient Peru and who also have roots in ancient Israel. Among other things, I will be discussing with our bishop in Japan, Yukinori, the possibility of holding the Spiritual State of the World Conference in that nation next year in 2015. I believe we will be able to attract a large group from not only Japan but Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand as well.
Otherwise, my dear friend in the Light, things continue. We progress day-to-day, not only in this world but in our spiritual work. I know that you have not only communed with the Light but that you have been transported beyond the physical to the Divine. Our minds may sometimes not be able to comprehend, but that does not mean it isn’t so. Our work is unending, never ceasing. We continue with new outreach using the tools of social media. Soon, it will become evident as new people come to us. We will be publishing our material online, in e-books and other formats. We have started an important project for the older people in our Community – a place owned by the Church where our members may retire in peace and tranquility without losing their spiritual base. The enclosed form offers you the opportunity to be part of this wonderful project, the concept of which has already put many people’s minds at ease.
Finally, I remind you to keep The Community in your thoughts and prayers as you reflect each day. Remember to endow The Church in your wills and trusts. Upon my return from Japan, I will send another report to you. I am very excited about where we are going, what we have accomplished together these many years, and what the future holds for us. My personal blessing is with you.
In the name of The Child, I am always your servant in The Light,
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
If you realize the importance of obtaining property tax exemption for our Sanctuary and would like to donate towards this cause, contact the Church Charisticary and pledge your contribution. (Remember, all contributions to the Red Rock Sanctuary fund are 100{1fa2ef75e2e78439128d99df03acfe1d8ee3047374abe3d4676fe3470ff8b909} tax deductible.)
If you would like to know more about The Community’s retirement home, or if you are interested in bequeathing and/or endowing The Community in your Will or Living Trust, contact someone on the Chancellery staff and let them know that you would like further information.
