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Master’s work in Kansas City: Building a Firm Foundation
"The Divine, having infinite capacity for doing good in His own creation, expects His children, made in His own Image, to do more than they think they can do. Think, after a few years, how many will walk and work in Kansas City and Los Angeles and India after Lynn and Yogananda are gone." *
*Letter from Paramahansa Yogananda to James J. Lynn, July 12, 1936, Rajarsi Janakananda, A Great Western Yogi
Spring 2017
Dear Friend,
In October 2016, the Kansas City Meditation Group established the Firm Foundation Fund to raise $250,000 in order to support three projects:
- Pay off the mortgage
- Create a beautiful, hand-crafted altar
- Replace the broken and unsightly 60-year-old parking lot
Through your prayers and generous financial support, you are helping to put KCMG on a firm foundation for generations to come. This message will update you on the significant progress made since October. We also have an exciting new development to share with you. The Encinitas Temple is in the process of replacing its altar, and they have offered their current altar to the Kansas City Meditation Group! We are overjoyed with this gift and the blessings of spiritual vibrations of over 40 years of devotional meditations that will soon permeate our chapel.
Current Encinitas Temple altar
Donations coming from as far away as 1,600 miles have amounted to $61,129 which have been applied to pay down the mortgage. The current mortgage balance is $52,653 (see chart below) with a balloon maturity due September 27, 2017. Raising the amount due by this date will save the Group $4,000 to $6,000 in refinancing costs as well as future mortgage interest.
The dilapidated 60-year-old front sidewalk has been replaced through generous donations. At the same time the original septic tank waste lines that ran underneath the sidewalk were also replaced, ensuring the new sidewalk will not need to be disturbed for many years to come.
KCMG hosted an enjoyable and successful India Night event in June, which included a silent auction that raised $965.
At the garage sale in September, devotees cleaned out their basements and donated hundreds of items for the sale. The event not only raised $1800, but was a great chance for volunteers to work together and get better acquainted.
As conservative stewards of your donations, the Group continues to look for every way to achieve cost savings, such as these recent examples:
- Researched insurance companies and changed providers saving $3,000 annually
- Eliminated the Group’s cell phone by switching to a free Google voicemail account saving $480 annually
- Switched all monthly bills to an automatic payment plan, reducing mailing costs and the treasurer’s time
- Began use of Square credit card reader for sales in our book room, which is more cost effective and efficient for the Group
- Spent virtually nothing for all of our needs surrounding the maintenance of our building, electrical, website, housekeeping, gardening, sound board operation, bookkeeping and legal services, through reliance on our dedicated volunteers who contribute their time, skills and services
In early 2017, the marble steps to the Pantheon mausoleum, where Rajarsi Janakananda is interred, received much-needed repairs to accommodate the traffic and safety of visitors. On February 20th, the date of Rajarsi’s passing, KCMG devotees placed flowers at the crypt on behalf of Sri Mrinalini Mata and SRF, a practice that has been done for many years.
We invite you to join our efforts and participate in the Firm Foundation Fund by making a tax-deductible contribution on KCMG's newly-designed website or by mailing a check. Donations received in response to this appeal will be deposited into our local bank account and will be used as outlined above. Funds received beyond what is needed to pay for these three projects will be set aside for future improvement projects, to cover large maintenance expenses associated with the Group’s property, grounds, equipment, and any potential future property purchases.
Your continued prayers, efforts and donations are deeply appreciated. With your help, and God and Guru’s blessings, the Kansas City Meditation Group will be a place of continual worship for many years to come. If you would like more information, please contact us, and share this message with those who may have an interest in fulfilling the vision that Guruji had for Kansas City.
May God and Guru bless, guide and protect each of you.
In divine friendship,
Kansas City Meditation Group
You can make a contribution by:
Check - Make your check payable to Kansas City Meditation Group of Self-Realization Fellowship and write "Firm Foundation Fund" on the memo line.
Please mail your check to:
Kansas City Meditation Group
10819 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64114-5069
Credit Card – Click for Online Donation –
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