Our 2015 Ministry newsletter focuses on our Global Sangats and Service. We have a rich, diverse body of stories to inspire, uplift and inform about our global Ministry. Please enjoy this special issue about service programs led by Sikh Dharma Ministers and others in Africa. “May your sorrows never touch your tomorrow, may your blessings be for all, may your happiness be shared, and may your smiles give hope to others.”—The Siri Singh Sahib MSS Krishna Kaur Teaches in Africa
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Monthly Archives November 2015
Service in Africa
Secretary of Religion Column (Winter 2015)
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh! The Ministry is flowering. Its roots are strong, its stem is reaching upwards and the flower is blooming. As I reflect on the articles in the last three volumes of our 2015 e-newsletter—and now this volume—I am struck by how much Ministerial work is being accomplished around the globe. We have reported about inspiring service in South America, Central America, Mexico, Western Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, Africa, as well as North America. I am amazed, uplifted, inspired, and humbled. The Siri Singh Sahib must be smiling! However, with the Ministry
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#58 Winter 2015 Newsletter
Sikh Dharma teachings and values are reaching the four corners of the globe. The year 2015 embodies the vibration of the Eighth Master, Guru Harkrishan. In 2015, we have been exploring the theme of “Service and Compassion.” We invited Sikh Dharma Ministers and others to write about the wonderful seva programs taking place in their global sangats. In this fourth and final issue of Global Ministry in Action, we received inspiring stories of service from our brothers and sisters in Africa. We hope these articles in 2015 have inspired your service to humanity. We would love to hear from Ministers around the globe about your
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World Parliament of Religions
Gratitude and joy were constant and faithful companions during my recent visit to the 2015 Parliament of World Religions that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, from October 15 – 19. The gratitude and joy that filled me was for the remembered blessing of being able to call myself a Sikh of the Guru; that as a Sikh, I was from a dharma—a way of life—where serving food to people (which the Sikhs did every day of this parliament) was as natural as breathing. I felt grateful that the truth of that resonated deep within the core of my
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Spiritual Awakening in South Africa
South Africa is now 20 years into democracy—not even a generation. The 3HO presence here started with the blessing and directive of the Siri Singh Sahib in the mid-1980s. Since then, the GINI index (universal indicator of disparity between wealthy and disadvantaged) has worsened. The infrastructure and systems of electricity and water supply are deteriorating. At the same time, social conscience and empowerment is awakening and making itself heard, as seen in the recent student revolts. From the yogic side of things, we’re doing KRI Teacher Training Levels I and II. The teaching in South Africa reaches as far as Burundi in
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NY Interfaith Walk Draws on Diversity
New York is a culturally diverse place colored with an amazing collection of very alive cultural centers and religious communities. My husband and I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where it is an odd church that has not been converted to a condominium or health club. However, in Queens, NY, you can drive through the neighborhood and feel the presence of a vast colorful diversity of religious centers and spiritual groups that serve the Queens community that have maintained their cultural values. On Sunday, October 18, 2015, SS Siri Vishnu and I were invited to share in the Flushing 7th
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Ministers Participate in Chaplaincy Programs
After helping a dear friend through the dying process, I realized that helping others in this way was my calling. I knew I needed to learn many more skills to be able to provide ministry to those I didn’t know. By the Grace of God and Guru, in January 2014, I completed my candidacy to become an ordained Sikh Dharma Minister, (a requirement of acceptance into CPE/Clinical Pastoral Education). I was accepted into a chaplaincy program at St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco, CA, where I was welcomed with open arms and began my year-long journey of becoming a chaplain,
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