Here is a brief event report of the involvement and
participation by the Sikh community and The Sikh Satsang
of Indianapolis in the 2005 Spirit & Place Festival
and major Interfaith events in Central Indiana recently.
Photographs courtesy of Harpreet Sandhu, President,
The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis.
SIKH COMMUNITY ACTIVELY INTERFACING WITH OTHER FAITHS
The Sikh community under the leadership of Harpreet
Sandhu (President, The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis),
Maninder Walia (Trustee, The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis),
and Giani Pritam Singh (Spiritual leader, The Sikh
Satsang of Indianapolis) participated in several exciting
interfaith, multicultural, and community events in
November.......Continue below
Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh
Mr Bhola & Walia
Maninder and Guests
On November 12, The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis
hosted a creative and educational program, "At
Home through Learning and Sharing," as a part
of the annual Spirit & Place Festival, at the
Gurdwara Sahib (The Sikh Temple) located at 10950
Southeastern Avenue in Indianapolis. Acton United
Methodist Church (AUMC) located near the Sikh Temple
was our wonderful program partner this year. It was
a special joy to work with the AUMC coordinator, Rev.
Anne Meyer and participating Church members. Sonia
Gill served as the Mistress of Ceremony and entire
Satsang supported the program with their many talents
and enthusiastic spirit.
Indianapolis Spirit & Place Festival is one of
the largest Festivals of this kind in the nation,
and through carefully selected and approved nearly
100 programs encourages and inspires "a civic
collaboration of the arts, humanities, and religion."
The rich and colorful program elements reflected
the Tenth Anniversary 2005 Festival theme of "Moving
& Staying." The composite celebration by
the Sikh community and Methodist Congregation included
sacred Sikh hymn, "Chatur Disha Kino Balu Apna"
by Giani Pritam Singh with Gurjit Singh on the Tabla,
special prayers by Rev. Anne Meyer and Rev. Cummings.
There was presentation of the DVD "The Sikh Next
Door" produced by Tami Yeager, followed by a
Panel Discussion by the youth, supported by adults.
Other highlights included the vigorous and colorful
Punjabi folkdance, Bhangra, by the Sikh Americans
and AUMC youth; songs by AUMC choir, Turban-Tying
and Mehndi-Painting demonstration; and the sharing
of Hoosier foods and North Indian lunch which provided
further opportunity to learn, for fellowship, making
new friends, and expand the spirit of "being
at home" with fellow Hoosiers and all Americans.
SIKHS AT THE ANNUAL INTERFAITH PEACE-PRAYER SERVICE
Under the leadership of Giani Pritam Singh, the Sikh
Satsang of Indianapolis participated in the 14th Annual
Interfaith Peace Prayer Service at the Carmelite Monastery
in Indianapolis. Besides the Sikh, Jewish, Muslim,
Hindu, Jain, Catholic, Baptist, American Indian, Buddhist
(Taiwanese) faith traditions were represented. Marian
College Chamber ensamble provided excellent renditions
of Let it begin with me" and "God Bless
America." The moving candlelight service emphasized
and beautifully demonstrated "Staying at the
Heart of Belief, Moving Toward One Another in Openness."
As a part of the Peace-Prayer Service, KP Singh, architectural
artist, author, and Satsang volunteer, offered "A
Special Prayer for Victims of Recent Disasters"
(attached).
UNITY AS A MAJOR FOCUS AT INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING
SERVICE
The Catholic, Methodist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist
(Tibetan), Sikh religious tradition and representatives
participated in the Sixth Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving
service at the SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.
The International Children's Choir provided the beautiful
music and renditions of "God Bless America"
that reverberated throughout the magnificent sacred
space of the Cathedral Sanctuary. A special effort
was made by the Program Planning Committee to make
the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service truly interactive
and highlight a spirit of unity amidst the diverse
and unique faith traditions that enrich the spiritual
landscape of Central Indiana. To this end, following
the Service all attending guests (nearly 600) were
invited for a brief reception in the Rectory for refreshments
brought by various faith groups and to have the opportunity
for fellowship.
Besides Giani Pritam Singh, Maninder Walia, Gurjit
Singh, Nachhatar Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Narvinder
Singh, and KP Singh participated in the Sikh presentation
at the Service.
For additional information:
Harpreet Sandhu - email: hdsandhu@sbcglobal.net
Maninder Walia - email: CMLighthouse@aol.com
Event Report prepared by KP Singh for The Sikh Satsang
of Indianapolis, Indiana USA
