As the year draws to a close, I wanted to share some reflections on what we've accomplished in 2023, the challenges we've faced, and what lies ahead for us in 2024.

This year was marked by significant groundwork and exploration for the SF Contemplarium. We successfully obtained fiscal sponsorship and secured initial funding, and while we have not yet utilized the funds this year, they will be key to jumpstarting our work in 2024. Having secured dedicated time toward the SF Contemplarium, we also successfully ran key experiments, notably the Reflection Stand Pop-Ups and a pilot Reflection Jam. Finally, we fostered valuable connections here in San Francisco and laid the groundwork for promising collaborations.

2023 wasn't without its challenges. One of our primary hurdles was limits to the time that could be dedicated to the SF Contemplarium — but luckily, in 2024, Seanan will be moving to a full-time role developing the initiative. We also faced challenges with communicating the vision and intention of the initiative under the previous name "SF Public Chapel", which led to our current name as the "SF Contemplarium." This identity has positioned us to move forward with greater clarity and conviction.

In 2023, we have definitely learned that while there is an enormous general interest in reweaving the social fabric of our neighborhoods in the post-pandemic era, there is a gap in bringing a spiritual and contemplative element to these efforts. As we turn our gaze to 2024, we're excited to capitalize on our own momentum at the SF Contemplarium to fill this gap as we collaborate with other neighborhood-reweaving organizations and initiatives. As we do this, we will also be paying special attention in 2024 to figuring out how to define what success means in this work, and how we can build a sustainable model to carry it forward.

In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support and engagement throughout this journey. Your contributions mean so much to our efforts to build a new civic institution tending to the hearts and spirits of San Franciscans. The progress we've made this year and our plans for the future wouldn't be possible without you.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous new year!

Warm regards,

Seanan Fong

Founder, SF Contemplarium