INTERFAITH MEMORIAL SERVICE AT INDIANA SIKH GURDWARA
INTERFAITH MEMORIAL SERVICE AT INDIANA SIKH GURDWARA
Commemorating tragic murder of Sikhs at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Sikh Gurdwara (Temple-Acton Road) Indianapolis, Indiana USA

Indianapolis, August 8, 2013
Kanwal Prakash Singh

BENEDICTION: Kanwal Prakash Singh

IK OANKAAR, WAHEGURUJEE KEE FATEH
One Immaculate, Transcendent, Immanent, Infinite Creator; All victories belong to God.

The honored guests have testified and affirmed in music, chants, sacred reflections, and in many faith traditions about God’s mercy, assurance, and myriad blessings.

The solemn Memorial Service has reminded us that God and our faiths command us to walk in the Light; embrace a spirit of hope, faith, love, and service; dispel the darkness of prejudice, malice, indifference, and violence toward others and those that God places at our crossroads.

God’s Messengers remind us and we should faithfully acknowledge that we are “One Family, One Race, One Brotherhood” united in Him with our common Origin; God as the one Source of Divine Knowledge; and our many sacred pathways converge and offer familiar lessons.

In this new-found spirit of unity and shared spiritual heritage, we welcome you and thank you for being with us and for reminding us of this abiding temporal bond and divine connection.

Together we have asked God to lead us, guide our hands and hearts to embrace one another; rather than fear work in solidarity to find assurance in each other’s traditions and spiritual radiance.  We find strength in forgiveness and our sense of belonging in prayer and fellowship.

We stand with those who are mourning their losses in recent tragedies in America’s sacred spaces: murders in Aurora, Colorado; Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut; Sikh Temple in Oak Creek Wisconsin; and countless other public places.  We stand with our law-enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep all of us safe.

Let us go in peace with a renewed commitment to honor our civic and spiritual lessons: build a legacy of trust, mutual respect, and understanding; set the right examples for generations yet to come.  We should replace unfounded stereotyping, suspicion, issues of mistaken identity with friendship and engagement.  Our Earth should be a place of peace, prayer, and promise for all.

Let us together reflect on this providential moment; see ourselves as the beautiful tribes of humanity gathered in this blessed land to “Make a More Perfect Union;” Build upon our   amazing abundance and unimagined possibilities. Safeguard life, environment, and our blessings.

For such a dream to become reality, we must recognize our intertwined humanity and common destiny; know one another, learn from each other; together work to prevent the anguish of continuing tragedies in our sacred spaces.  End unprovoked and unconscionable assaults on human dignity and sacred rights and other destructive and devastating crimes against humanity.

We need to stand together as One God’s Family, extend common decency and unconditional compassion that transcends diverse traditions, cultures, gender or geography.  Follow the path that leads to peaceful coexistence.  This pilgrimage may be uphill but holds the greatest promise.

Throughout history, we have seen that all change of heart and renaissance of spirit begin with ordinary people pursuing extraordinary ideas and visions to transform people and civilizations across the universe.  Violence, death, violation of the sacred spirit cannot be the right answer.

Your presence tonight, your thoughtful friendship and fellowship, are a living testimony that God’s Children of many faiths, cultures, generations, and nationalities are at-work for another hopeful and transformational moment in human history.  Thank you for sharing this affirmation.

Wonderful Lord, with one voice we pray: “In your Name, by Your Grace, May there be peace and goodwill among all people, cultures, and faith communities everywhere.” Indianapolis, Indiana USA,   KPSinghDesigns.com

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AMIDST ANGUISH, A SEARCH FOR PEACE AND UNITY
INTERFAITH MEMORIAL SERVICE AT GURDWARA SAHIB
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
August 8, 2013

A Prayerful Reflection: Kanwal Prakash Singh

Interfaith Memorial Service at the Sikh Gurdwara (Temple-Acton Road in Indianapolis with beautiful messages of kindred assurance, unity, peace, and harmony from so many faith and civic leaders, and law-enforcement officers was an illuminating, moving and memorable experience.
Indianapolis Mayor and Mrs. Greg Ballard offered their loving support to the Sikh community on this solemn occasion.  CBS station, WISH TV Channel 8, broadcast the highlights of the commemoration across the State and far beyond as it posted its coverage on YouTube:

PURPOSE AND SPIRIT

The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis planned the special Interfaith Memorial Service at the Sikh Gurdwara (Acton Road) in Indianapolis to commemorate the first anniversary of the massacre of Sikhs by a neo-Nazi racist at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.  This tragedy and others in recent years have highlighted the concerns of safety and security in our sacred and public spaces.  We had gathered to commemorate another tragic event in America and pray for the victims and their families and we came away seeing and being blessed with unbound love, new friendships, and expressing solidarity for ways to prevent future tragedies.

GATHERING OF FAITH, CIVIC, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

We  felt the incredible interfaith energy, an amazing spirit of solidarity, kinship and friendship with the Sikh community welcoming so many faith leaders: Rev. Mac Hamon and Rev. Richard Hamilton  (United Methodist Church), Rev. Wyatt Watkins (First Baptist Church), Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker Smith (Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis), Rabbi Dr. Nadia Siritsky (Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation), Giani Pritam Singh (Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis); Rev. Carla Golden (Unity Church); Charlie Wiles (Center for Interfaith Cooperation); Curtis Ferrell (Indiana Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives); Jena Meyer (Nationalities Council of Indiana). 

Also present were members of the law enforcement community: Robert Jones (Special Agent, FBI); Gary Coons (Chief of Homeland Security); Valerie Washington (Department of Public Safety), David Kane (Transportation Security Administration); IMPD Officer Connelly (Commander of Southeast District).  Indianapolis Mayor and Mrs. Greg Ballard attend the Interfaith Memorial Service.  Two hundred people from many cultural and spiritual associations attended and participated in the solemn occasion.  Prayers were offered for victims and their families, all faith communities, cultures, nations, and for all humanity.

All the major participants were honored with the Sikh traditional Siropa and the Sikhs pledged to contribute several thousand dollars to the newly-formed Indy Public Safety Foundation.

MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY

 The words unity, harmony, fellowship continued to reverberate throughout the evening.  Calling the Memorial Service a meaningful event, Rev. Wyatt Watkins added:  “I look forward to future collaborations in life and faith, my friend!”  The idea of donation to the Indy Public Safety Foundation received a positive response from many: Troy Riggs wrote“... thank you for remembering our foundation and allowing me to be the public safety director;” Valerie Washington wrote: “I was able to attend [the] prayer service and it was inspirational listening to the messages of peace offered by your honored guests.  I was also pleased to hear about your congregation’s gift to the Indy Public Safety Foundation.  Please know your kindness and generosity is appreciated;” Doug Moon, Photo Journalist at WISH TV expressed an optimistic note: “After the generous donation to the Public Safety Foundation, it is wholly apparent how much your people are committed to the greater peace of Indianapolis in a very purposeful way.  Something we can all get behind, for sure.”

LEARNING, SHARING, WORDS OF WISDOM

Our spiritual, cultural, and community horizons were immeasurably enriched and expanded.
For us the highlight of the evening was the fellowship among God's Family.  Each guest brought and shared his or her beautiful spirit with all who had gathered for this solemn commemoration.  We also knew that each of were carrying the positive energy of your experience with us to our congregations, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.  We felt that we are on an amazing pilgrimage of peaceful understanding and learning about our unique and collective faiths and humanity.

Rev. Richard Hamilton, retired Pastor of North United Methodist Church, who offered the Invocation at the Interfaith Service, sent the following eloquent sentiments:

“... I’ve been thinking much about the extraordinary gathering with the Sikh community….  It was no surprise that it was so well organized and carried out… The obvious attentiveness of those assembled was truly a fitting remembrance of the Wisconsin victims, and, at the same time, a stirring affirmation of courage and hope in moving on from such tragedies toward renewed commitment to live together in peace.  Thank you!  I salute your most generous giving of your skills in calling people together, and the many hours of careful planning, contacting others, clear communication, and spiritual focus.  Your name in this city brings honor to your faith!  God's Peace and Joy in each day!  Dick H

SAFETY, PEACE, DIGNITY, AND JUSTICE

Ways to end violence, unfounded stereotyping, and pursuit of peaceful ways to ensure and safeguard the just and sacred rights and dignity of each American remained as a central focus and vision of the presentations by the distinguished guests.  We heard welcome echoes:

“I was honored to represent the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration … at the Interfaith Memorial Service commemorating the criminal acts that occurred last year at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.  The warmth and friendship I feel when visiting your Gurdwara is energizing.  Thank you and the Sikh community for supporting the mission and people of TSA and for always making me feel like your newest best friend.

[The] message of hope and harmony was powerful.  I share your commitment to make it the reality.”  -David Kane

NETWORKING, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY

The journey ahead may be paved with good intentions but the road ahead is fraught with familiar and unfamiliar dangers and uncertainties.  We must champion peace and interfaith cooperation in our midst.  We must build relationships, learn from experiences of pioneers before us, and work on humanitarian projects and worthy initiatives.  Preparing and finding advocates that articulate concerns of minority communities facing challenges, unfounded stereotyping, hostility, suspicion, and indifference.  We need to define direction and destination and earn respect and rightful place within the American cultural fabric and constitutional protection.  Illuminating voices of reason and enlightened friends have spoken.  We have to chart a course that leads to a more peaceful and productive future for all Americans.

“…God bless you and our community.  Thanks for making it a smaller place where we better understand each other.” Tim Nation, Peace Learning Center .

“In Unity we believe that there are many pathways to God, but only one God.  And we see the divine in all beings.  I pray this Prayer of Protection for you and Sikhs everywhere… - In unity & love, Carla Golden, Unity of Indianapolis

“ I wanted you and the Sikh community to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.  Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and the Jewish community cherish your presence in Indianapolis and the meaningful contributions you make to the enrichment of the life of our city.” With prayers and blessings for peace.  In friendship, Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso

"KP, by now the office may have let you know that I cannot make the evening event.  A dinner business mktg that has been in the works a long time can only occur that night.  I am sorry but hope you will convey my best wishes to all present.”  Best regards...Governor Mitch Daniels

“I regret that I am out of the state on August 8th.  In Shoulder to Shoulder in Interfaith Witness, we believe that grieving is a most significant witness to the fact that our world is fraught with darkness, but that such darkness is overcome with the light of truth and compassion.  My heart joins with those present at this memorial service in bearing witness that religious violence, no matter how frequent, can never be accepted as normal.”  Peace, David Carlson, Franklin College

“Dear Sardar ji     Sat Sri Akal and Ramadan Mubarak  Thanks for the invitation to be with Sikh community in this hour of solemn remembrance of the tragedy a year ago.  The best way to observe this is by recommitting ourselves to love, peace and prayers for others as we do for ourselves.  The worshipers gave their lives praying to God Almighty and many others got injured protecting them.  We should continue to teach our children sanctity of life and prayers for others.  We American Muslims are with our Sikh brothers and sisters.  God Bless America.”  - Shahid Athar, MD, a friend of interfaith community.    

Indianapolis, Indiana USA <> KPSinghDesigns.com © <> August 8, 2013

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