SRS Newsletter
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NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 (Magghar - Poh, Nanakshahi Samat 549) Guru Pyari Sadh Sangat Ji, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!! It is almost unbelievable that we are in the twelfth month of 2017 which means soon we will march into 2018. We will revisit what we achieved, in the next month's newsletter. On November 4th, we had a grand celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab. Sangat showed up in great numbers on the Saturday and also, on Sunday. Some of sangat members did a great job in decorating the area in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with flowers and lights in the diwan hall. On November 11th and 12th, we hosted first Mool Nanakshahi Calendar Implementation Conference at our Gurdwara Sahib. This conference was attended by representatives from many of the Midwest Gurdwaras and local cultural and sports organizations. Some, who could not attend, expressed their support to Implement Mool Nanakshahi Calendar at their Gurdwaras. The eminent speakers brought to light, for the Sikh Qaum, the need for this calendar. S. Pal Singh Purewal Ji's, many years of research, removed any doubts w.r.t. many historical dates. This calendar fixes all the relevant important Gur Itihaas (History) and Sikh itihaas dates. Several resolutions were passed during this conference. A copy of the resolutions is included at the end of this newsletter. The whole proceedings can be watched on SRS YouTube channel (youtube.com/SikhReligousSocietyChicago). Another great news is the Village of Palatine has approved our Grading and Fence Project for the Northwest side of our property. We will start working on this project in the spring of 2018. There are other projects, like installing a fountain in the flowered area by the main entrance (Round Driveway), which have been passed in the board will also be taken up as the weather permits. As you all know, five of our Trustees and one member of C.I.C. will be leaving and hence replaced by new Trustees and one C.I.C. member in April 2018. The members of Selection Process Committee are working hard to come up with recommendations that will work towards Selection and possibly avoid elections. Please keep tuned to the developments. A meeting has been scheduled for December 24th, 2017 at 12.30 PM to inform and get your input before finalizing the recommendations. Please join in and participate. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS: Our Gurdwara Sahib is STYROFOAM FREE, please do not bring styrofoam products when you hold any functions in Gurdwara Sahib, as they will not be used. We order the BIODEGRADABLE products in bulk for Gurdwara Sahib's usage and you can ask Bhai Gurmit Singh Ji about it. Any styrofoam products, brought in for usage, will not be used. Please see us in the office for any imminent issues or questions. ALSO, it is important that you check and make sure the availability of a date for Anand Karaj or any other functions, before finalizing your arrangements. Many times, a KAAR SEVAA has already been marked on certain dates and hence clashes with the dates demanded for family functions. It becomes very difficult for the management to adjust the needs of the family in such cases. December is a month of Shaheedis (Martyrdoms) in Sikh History. You will see various programs being organized to commemorate these very special occasions The BOT is truly thankful to all the volunteers who put in their valuable time in helping the Sangat of our Gurdwara Sahib. A dental seminar was organized by Dr Virk and attended by many from among us. It was very educational and we could see more of us attending and getting educated on dental health and hygiene. Physicians are also available in clinics in gurdwara sahib to help the sangat. Following a long tradition of serving the Homeless, a number of our Sangat members participated in Homeless Feeding through Salvation Army by serving the meals and presented a check of donation from their Kirt Kamaaii. It helps also in building a respect and trust with people who do not know much about us. "May Waheguru, keep you in Chardhi Kalaa". Forthcoming Events Birthday Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji: On Tuesday, December 12th Dedicated Diwan on Sunday December 17th Shaheedi Vaade Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Ji, Baba Jujhar Singh Ji and Shaheeds in battle of Chamkaur Sahib: On Thursday, December 21th Sahej Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Aarambh Sunday December 10th at 10:00 AM Sahej Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib JI Bhog on Sunday December 24th at 9:15 AM Dedicated Diwan on Sunday December 24th Special Programs to commemorate Shaheedi Vaade Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Ji, Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, Shaheeds in battle of Chamkaur Sahib, Chotte Sahibzada Baba Joraver Singh Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Mata Gujri Ji: Special Mini Rainn Sabai Kirtan Samagam on Friday December 22nd from 6:00 PM till midnight Shaheedi Chotte Sahibzada Baba Joraver Singh Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Mata Gujri Ji: On Tuesday, December 26th Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Aarambh Friday December 29th Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib JI Bhog on Sunday December 31st at 9:15 AM Dedicated Diwan on Sunday December 31th Prakash Purab Guru Gobind Singh Ji: On Friday, January 5th, 2018 Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Aarambh Friday January 5th, 2018 Dedicated Evening Diwan on Friday, January 5th, 2018 from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib JI Bhog on Sunday January 7th, 2018 at 9:15 AM Dedicated Diwan on Sunday January 7th, 2018 English New Year 2018 Evening Diwan on Sunday, December 31st, 2017 from 6:00 PM till midnight Visiting Jatha Kathavachak Bhai Harjinder Singh Ji Sabhra - December 25th, 2017 till January 2nd, 2018 Bhai Ajit Singh Ji Indiana Wale Kirtan Jatha – December 31st Bhai Desraaj Singh Ji Diwana Dhadhi Jatha - January 1st, 2018 till January 7th, 2018 Sukhmani Sahib Paath’s Santhya Every Saturday Sukhmani Sahib Paath’s is being held at Palatine Gurdwara from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. This is followed by Sukhmani Sahib Paath’s Santhya by Bhai Parminderjit Singh from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM 2 | P a g e Gurmat School No updates received. Karseva No updates received. Library No updates received. Medical Clinic Accomplishments: • Currently 7 Medical doctors, 2 Nurses, and one Dentist serving the Sangat per the assign schedule, that is now posted by the clinic. • A dental Hygiene educational session was held in SRS Gurdwara in the November 19th, 11:30 AM in the Media (A/V) room. The A/V room was full. Upcoming Activities: • Following is the schedule of the attending doctors o Dentist doctor Time: once a month Sunday from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM 10th Dec Amrit Virk, Dentist o Medical doctor Time: Every Sunday from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM 3rd Dec Dr. Vikramjit Singh Gill 10th Dec Dr Rajbir Dhillon 17th Dec Dr. Hargurmukhpal Singh 24th Dec Dr. Amarjit Singh Announcement at large: • Doctors interested in contributing their seva, one Sunday a month or Specialist (such as Gynecologist, Chiropractic, Dietician, Physical Therapies etc.) on need basis. Please contact [email protected] for the scheduling. Outreach and Media Relations SRS Chicago supports and hosts many community outreach events. Accomplishments: • Nov 3: Participated and represented at IMA community in Rolling Meadows, IL. • Nov 23: Community members visited Salvation Army in Chicago and served over 500 meals. 3 | P a g e • Nov 23: Represented Sikhs at the Chicago downtown, McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the State Street • Nov 26: Hosted 15 young kids, many of them were Sikhs from Punjab (who cannot speak English) from an organization, Heartland Alliance. Upcoming Activities: • December 3: Hosting local non-Sikh young kids, more details not available at this writing. • December 13: to commemorate the anniversary of Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, CT an Interfaith Candlelight Vigil is planned at SRS on Wednesday, 7 pm. About 150 guests are expected locally. A member of victim family of Oak Creek WI Shooting in 2012, expected to participate as well. Announcement at large: • BOT has assigned Surinder Kaur to co-ordinate all the community outreach activities. Anyone wanting to participate in the Outreach activities, please contact BOT Surinder Kaur or SRS main office. Treasurer’s Report Status SRS Bank Accounts, October 2017 4 | P a g e The detailed income report for October 2017 can be accessed from the following link or it can be obtained from SRS Office: http://www.srschicago.org/?mdocs-file=2115&mdocs-url=false Bhul Chuk Maaf Karni Pardeep Singh Gill Executive Secretary Comments and suggestions, e*mail to: [email protected] 5 | P a g e Constitution Implementation Committee Update Guru Pyari Sadh Sangat Ji, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!! We wish you a blessed holiday season and a happy, healthy and blessed 2018. CIC members are ex-officio Board Members and are expected to attend BOT meetings to assure that constitutional provisions are respected. In general, meetings were handled properly. We find that some BOT need to accept their share of responsibilities with commitment and sincerity. Some board members are not completely aware of whatever is going on and the decisions made in the Gurdwara. All BOT should be knowledgeable of the workings and the decision making in the Gurdwara. We feel proud of the Sewa being done by the Kar Sewaks, the library volunteers, IT volunteers and all those who help prepare and serve Langar/tea.