Author Archives: Oswald Norton

Results of Sunday’s Group Meeting and Testing

On Sunday, January 25th after latihan we had our group meeting which included the selection process for chair and vice chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term.  Eleven members attended this meeting.

Acknowledging our past Chair Adira Padilla

Before beginning the meeting, we thanked Adira Padilla for her time as our chair. Her monthly efforts helped us create community through sharing food and discussing the needs of our center. Without her efforts we would not be the group we are today.

Thank you Adira!!!

Meeting Details
After we had the opportunity to partake of the potluck we had a moment of quiet before starting the meeting.

Last Meeting’s Minutes
A review of printed copies of the last meeting’s minutes caused a correction to be raised that last meetings minutes should include the fact that we agreed that any decision to sell our property would be brought to the group for a vote. With that correction the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report
Sarah Stralberg handed out copies of the treasurer’s report and took us through a review of where we stood at the end of 2025. In summary, we have money in the bank to cover our current expenses. Due to our adding air conditioning to the rental unit and the bed-bug experience, expenses last year outstripped our income from rentals.

Testing for Chair
Nominations were opened and Oswald Norton, Jim O’Halloran and Marston Gregory were all nominated and agreed to be tested.

The following questions were tested:

  • (Name), show through your latihan, will you be able to perform the duties of Chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?
  • How would it be for Subud Greater Seattle if (name) were to serve as Chair for the coming term?
  • What qualities does (name) bring to the job of Chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?
  • What qualities are needed to carry out the job of Chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?
  • How would it be for the harmony of Subud Greater Seattle if (name) serves as a Chair for the coming term?

We tested all of the questions with each of the candidates before the group was satisfied with the testing. After the testing was completed, the candidates left the room and voting took place. The members chose Oswald Norton as chair.

Testing for Vice Chair
The nominations for vice chair were Jim O’Halloran and Marston Gregory. It was agreed by the candidates that only the first question would be tested.  After the testing was completed, the candidates left the room and voting took place. The members chose Jim O’Halloran.

Your New Committee

Oswald Norton, chair and Jim O’Halloran, vice chair

Hadidjah Gregory Has Passed!

by Marston Gregory

Hadidjah (Sarellen) Browdie Gregory (1943 – 2025)

It is with both sadness and joy for her, to report that after a fall, then hip surgery, Hadidjah whispered “Allah in each breath” as she left this World. She is on her way home to now be fully one with her creator. I was honored to be at her bedside.

She is survived by her brother Richard Browdie who lives in Washington D.C. Her other brother David Browdie, MD passed away last year.

Her last days were difficult with onset of memory loss and many other challenging health issues. Memory loss was very difficult for her since memory was one of her gifts.

Hers was a life of service in three key elements, Subud, AA, and her marriage, in her extraordinary life of service to others. She was a woman of many talents, from art which was her true work, plus many healthcare roles including caring for the elderly with Catholic Community Services and food service. She trained to be a Medical Technician and worked on the staff of doctors and in a hospital.

She said often that she “Was Subud” and she demonstrated that also by being a fully engaged helper. She filled roles as a local helper in San Diego, Marin, Los Angeles, Austin and finally Seattle until she became an Honorary Retired Helper. She also was a Subud USA National Helper and Subud PNW Regional Helper. A phrase she repeated often is a Bapak quote “You are Subud” and she lived that each day.

Another very important role was her work in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which she discovered after her opening in Subud, she was addicted to Alcohol which was self-medication for recovering from the loss of both parents by the time she was fourteen. She was able to turn that tragic past into a life of healing and helping others. After 60 years of sobriety, she was an inspiration to many women who she sponsored.

She had a dream that she was at the gates of heaven and was asked, “What did you do on earth?” She replied, “I fed people”. She then immediately got a job at Microsoft in their catering department and often served the young Bill Gates. I believe that was a symbol of her life of service. She prayed over every drink for Bill. She prayed that his life was to be of service to humanity and indeed that has manifested.

As her partner, friend and spouse it has been 51 years of love with this dear soul who fought and won so many challenges.

A memorial is being planned at the Seattle Subud Center at around 100 days from her passing. She passed on November 2, 2025. The ceremony will be announced at a later date.

May God in his love and mercy make her passage easy.
Her devoted Husband, Marston Gregory

Link to photos of Hadidjah from Rachman Cantrell
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WjdpYePxXtU3khg49

Resource sheet from the Kejiwaan weekend at Spring Street Center

For those of you who were unable to attend our kejiwaan event April 26th and 27th please put our annual regional retreat at the beautiful Seabeck conference center September 11-14 on your calendars.  Preregistration is coming sool.

Here’s a link to that information.

We provided a resource sheet to all who attended our April 26 & 27 event, which we’re providing to all of our members now.  It includes:

    • Regional Call-in Latihan Times and Numbers
    • Subud Library containing Bapak and Ibu Rahayu talks and books by Bapak
    • Information on Daily Bapak/Ibu Talks through Zoom provided by Subud Indonesia
    • Subud Websites and Newsletters
    • The date and location of our next regional kejiwaan event Sept. 11th to 14th.

Click here for the  Subud Member Resource Sheet 2025

Those attending also received two talks by Bapak from 1977.  To access all of Bapak’s Ibu Rahayu’s talks, please see the information on the resource sheet on how to access the library.  Please note the Subud Library and the talks therein are only for Subud members.

Memories from Rosalyn Neel’s Celebration Of Life

A Memorial for Rosalyn was held
Sunday April 6, 2025
at the Croatian Cultural Center
in Anacortes, Washington

 Serena and Michael DuBois, along with the former members of the Subud Bellingham/Skagit Valley Group held a celebration of life for Rosalyn Neel, Serena’s sister, at the Croatian Cultural Center last Sunday. Those in attendance were asked to share with everyone when they met Rosalyn. As a part of that sharing many spoke lovingly about how Rosalyn touched their lives and was there for them during their time of need.

This event was attended by friends and family from Skagit valley, Portland and Mexico.

Here’s a link to the photo montage of her life. The music and the song “The Reason We Fall” was composed and is sung by Rosalyn’s grandnephew Azure Larkwood.

Upcoming kejiwaan retreat at Spring Street Center

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Our hope is that those of you attending will bring something to share for our lunches, which we plan to be pot luck.

Here is an outline of the schedule for each day:
Saturday Schedule
–   10 am pastries & gathering
–   10:15-10:30 quiet followed by latihan and finishing quiet at 11:15am
–   12:15-1PM Some testing before lunch
–   1:00-1:45 pm lunch – Potluck
–   1:45 to 4 pm small groups, testing
–   4 closing circle for those who wish to stay.

Sunday Schedule
–   10 – 10:30 pastries and connecting
–   10:30-11:30 Opening Circle
–   11:30-12:30 Quiet and latihan
–   12:30- 1:30 lunch – Potluck
–   1:30 to 4 Start with large group testing, then break into Small Group testing
–   4 closing circle for those who wish to stay.

Those who completed our survey were interested in awareness and personal testing and a Bapak talk. We will have a signup sheet for personal testing. During our opening circle we will also find out how many are interested in awareness testing and listening to a talk.

We look forward to this time together.

With Love,
Athena Solbeck Robel
Daniella Gleeson
Liza Ramey Wolfgang
Rayma Norton
David Lynch
Oswald Norton
Samuel Czuba

Regional Kejiwaan Day Planned for April 26-27 in Seattle – All Are Welcome

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Subud Pacific Northwest,

The PNW regional helpers and Seattle local helpers are organizing a kejiwaan gathering on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27.  All interested members are invited, and we especially hope those members in and near the greater Seattle area will be able to attend.

Saturday afternoon is envisioned specifically for helpers (local, regional, any other), and will be enriched by experiences of those attending the Helper Development weekend in February in San Jose.

Sunday all members are invited.  We hope to share latihan, testing, a meal, and whatever else emerges as we plan the agenda.

We hope to work with Subud Greater Seattle helpers to develop and refine an agenda for the gathering, beginning in February with those at the San Jose weekend.  We would like to hear suggestions from any members about what they would like to have included in our time together.  Our goal is to publish the agenda in early April.

With Love:
Athena Solbeck Robel
Daniella Gleeson
Liza Ramey Wolfgang
Rayma Norton
David Lynch
Oswald Norton
Samuel Czuba

 

Rosalyn Neel Informal Memorial Celebration

INFORMAL
MEMORIAL POTLUCK

In Memory of ROSALYN NEEL
Sharing her favorite foods or yours!

Serena and Michael DuBois and Marius Hibbard invite you to a
fall potluck memorial for Serena’s sister, Rosalyn.

Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Marius’s house,
1501 Seventh Street, Anacortes, WA
Potluck begins at 1 PM.

Michael will bring his baked chicken, and I’m making the fall Cranberry-
Pomegranate salad, both of which were among Rosalyn’s favorites. We
welcome any dishes others might want to bring, particularly those you
might remember her liking. It can be a time to chat, reminisce and
share memories of her.

RSVP to bluebear@wavecable.com or 360-724-3405.

A more structured event is being planned for some time in April of
2025 coinciding with the Tulip Festival, one of Rosalyn’s favorite times
of the year. It will be at the Croatian Cultural Center NW in Anacortes
and further info will be provided after plans are firmed up.

Robert Knill Memorial Service Information

Marius Hibbard, Robert Knill and Elisha Gullixson.

The Celebration of Life for Robert Knill will be held at the Stone Chapel in Poulsbo on Saturday, June 8, beginning at 12 noon.  Lunch will be served from 12:30 – 1:30 followed by a time for sharing and live music ending at 4pm.

Please RSVP to Marlena

marlenaknill@gmail.com

to let her know if you plan to attend and if you would like to share something about your friendship with Robert.

Ferry Connection From Seattle
Please note that you would need to arrive at least 30 mins. early to catch the 10:40 Bainbridge Ferry to get to the Stone Chapel by noon. It is about a 20 or 25 minute drive from the ferry.

Seattle to Bainbridge ferry Schedule

The Stone Chapel is at 22272 Foss Rd NE in Poulsbo, WA. For directions go to https://www.lewischapel.com/ and scroll down to the Stone Chapel in Poulsbo.