July 2019 News & Views
Look for News & Views in your inbox every month to see what's happening at Seabeck
A Message from the Director
Vendi, Vidi, Velcro…I saw that Latin phrase on a promotional piece from the Fellowship of Reconciliation today. They say it means: I came, I saw, I stuck around. I think I will adopt that as my new Latin motto as I enter my 30th summer here at Seabeck. By the way, my old Latin motto was Felix Culpa, which roughly translated means from many small mistakes comes a great result. I used that during my year as Rotary President.

The Pines campaign has crossed the $1.4 million-mark from individuals and groups. We anticipate at least $800,000 from foundations so far. That puts us (unofficially) around $2.2 million. We can get there! Last week was a great week of fundraising. Many people extended or doubled their pledge and three rooms were named. I doubled my pledge by extending it three more years. It seemed to me to be a painless way to let Seabeck know I am going to continue my giving over the next few years and get it counted towards the new Pines. Now I have to come up with 5 more Cougar bricks. I don’t think we’ve had anyone order a UW brick yet. Just saying…

The Rhododendron complex (the portables) are almost ready. We will use it for the first-time during July Eliot. The ramp looks good and is very functional. The bathrooms are roomy and accessible. I think these buildings will not only replace the Pines Meeting Room during construction but will be an asset for a few years afterwards. I hope to replace them with some new buildings in five to ten years. I showed that commitment by not using Trex on the deck. It hopefully won’t have to last that long.

Thanks for all who have given to Seabeck through the years. Please consider how you might support Seabeck over the next five years and send in a pledge. We can count that towards Pines and get these flying pigs off the ground!

Have a Happy and Safe 4 th of July!
Chuck
I was late for a noon meeting with our Wi-Fi installers. My excuse? Sorry, I was in a parade that ran long. Who has the best job?

Thanks for inviting me Camp Seabeck!
The Flowers at Seabeck
Our gardener, Shannon Rose, has done an incredible job with the planters and flower gardens on the grounds. Not sure if she sings, reads, or just talks to them, but they seem to grow inches overnight.

Thanks, Shannon, for the beauty you are creating at Seabeck.

The Seabeck Cemetery
The Seabeck Cemetery was maintained by Fred Just (pictured above) for many years. Here is an article the Kitsap Sun published in 2006.

Since his death late last year, groups that come to Seabeck have volunteered to help with the trimming and cleanup of the cemetery. Fred would be proud.

Have you ever wondered about the people that were buried there? We have had a few inquiries lately, asking about the people that are buried at the cemetery. Here are a couple links with information about the graves, along with the names and dates.

Groups at Seabeck When You're Not Here
"The most vital issue of the age is whether the future progress of humanity is to be governed by the modern economic and materialistic mind of the West or by a nobler pragmatism guided, uplifted and enlightened by spiritual culture and knowledge...." Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo's unique contribution to human potential and growth developed through his integration of Western and Eastern cultures. He brought the energy and vision of the West, with its focus on the perfection of the physical, material and mental areas of human life together with the spiritual development and philosophical directions developed over thousands of years in the East.

Sri Aurobindo honors the contribution of each of these divergent streams of human activity. His writings help us reconcile the apparent conflicts of two diverse societies and at the same time develop a new, wider, embracing viewpoint which vibrates with spiritual force, mental clarity and a heart of love and compassion for the efforts of humanity.

Sri Aurobindo has been considered one of the foremost philosophers of the 20th Century, but he was far more than just a philosopher. He was a political activist, a mystic, a spiritual leader, and a poet, a yogi and a teacher. Sri Aurobindo experienced the range of human activity and used that experience to communicate his insight in a way that we can appreciate and understand.

The Sri Aurobindo group held their first retreat at Seabeck in June, and have booked their date for 2020. They all really enjoyed the environment here and can't wait to return.

The Pines Capital Campaign

 We have a desire to continue to offer our services for many years to come. Seabeck Conference Center is happy to serve people like you, and we invite you to be a part of our legacy. Your donation will help us build a new Pines (ready by Spring 2020) that will be a place for future generations to gather.

Donation Information below was updated July 1, 2019.
All gifts are welcome. Seabeck Conference Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your contribution may be tax deductible. If you have any questions, please contact our Executive Director, Chuck Kraining at (360) 830-5010 or email him at  chuck@seabeck.org .

Seabeck Conference Center
13395 Lagoon Dr NW
Seabeck, Washington 98380
360.830.5010 Email |  Website