Contact UsSun, Aug 12 – National Moment of Reflection for the Victims of the Wisconsin Shooting
Dear Friends, Colleagues, Neighbors, and Community Leaders,
We are humbled by the outpouring of national support for the congregation in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and the Sikh American community. Your support reminds us that we are all part of a common American fabric.
On Sunday, August 12, we ask you and your congregation and community to join us in a National Moment of Reflection as we honor the memory of the victims.
At the end of every Sikh service, the congregation makes a request of the Divine in a prayer called ardas. This last request is for “sarbat da bhalla“, “May everyone in the world be blessed and may good come to all”. We hope that this National Moment of Reflection at churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, gurdwaras, and community centers across America will send the message of blessings for all, and that we stand united against hate and intolerance and as part of a common humanity.
While the official time of the shootings was at 10:20am CST, we encourage you to choose a time and reflection that will have the most meaning in your community, such as a moment of silence or a prayer during a worship service.
Please share this message with your friends, family, and other communities and congregations. And let us know that your congregation will be participating by leaving your organization’s name and location at this website or send an email to info@saldef.org. Individuals can also sign up to participate on Facebook.
Thank you,
The Sikh American Community
You can download a copy to print and share with your neighbors here.
Organizations standing in solidarity with the Sikh American community include (this list will be updated)
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
The Baha’i House of Worship for North America
Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Grace Communion International
Hindu American Foundation
The Interfaith Alliance
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Japanese American Citizen’s League (JACL)
Metropolitan Community Churches
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)
OCA
The Orthodox Church in America
South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
Temple Emanuel, Pueblo, CO
Zen Buddhist Congregation, Chicago, IL
Congregation Sha’are Shalom, Leesburg, VA
All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), Sterling, VA
Olympia Zen Center (A Soto Zen Buddhist Community), Olympia, WA
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Selma, CA
Bodhi Spiritual Center, Chicago, IL
Temple Solel, Paradise Valley, AZ
Treeleaf Zendo (A Soto Zen Sangha)
Christ Church, Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians, Kailua, HI
St Edmund’s Episcopal Church, Pacifica, CA
St Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral
St Paul”s Episcopal Church, Bellingham, WA
Church of the Holy Communion, Hawthorne, FL
Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Micanopy, FL
Holy Trinity Episcopal
Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area
Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC
St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church, Raleigh, NC
Mount Equity Zendo, Pennsdale, PA
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Paramus, NJ
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, Falls Village, CT
21 Responses to “Sun, Aug 12 – National Moment of Reflection for the Victims of the Wisconsin Shooting”
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It is with tears in my eyes and a shattered grief that I write to your Community…. I am so sorry for the pain inflicted upon your bodies and your Hearts by this insane ignorance. All Americans must root out the causes of ignorance, and take a stand for the True American Values of Understanding and Unity among all Faiths.
The Time Has Long Past for Americans to stop accepting violence as a part of life — it is not. It is the denial of Life. Every American has a responsibility to work ceaselessly until every American is Safe, in their Schools, in their Homes, in their Communities, in their Places of Worship and Meditation.
The evil that was done, was done to all of us — and those who do not see that will pay the price in the Future; the American Dream must belong to all — or it belongs to no one.
I pray for the Families and for the Community. I ask for Your Forgiveness for the Ignorant among us — and I ask for their Enlightenment to Come Soon. May all the Causes of Suffering be Removed — and May Peace Enter Every Heart, as is the Urgent Will of God. May we be Instruments of that Will.
We will ask everyone to Pray with You in a National Moment of Reflection on Sunday, August 12th…………. May Good Come to ALL
In Love and Absolute Solidarity,
JC
Please add Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa, CA to the list of those participating in the moment of remembrance. Thank you.
Rev. Dr. Sarah Halverson
http://hinduamericanseva.blogspot.com/2012/08/hindu-and-dharmic-americans-condemn.html
We totally support you. Anju Bhargava
Dear Jhana Chinamasta and Sarah Halverson:
We appriciate and thank you for your expression of sympathy upon the tragic death of six Sikhs and those the enjured ones. Let us all pray to Almighty God who is all-powerful creator, the Cause of causes, Treasure of mercy, Giver of peace. He himself creates, and HE himself sustains; and takes away all beings. You are mother, father and friend, O Lord and Master all merceful.Thank you and your community as a whole. God bless.
Dr. Piara Singh
The Sikh Society of Kentucky will hold Candle Light Vigil on August 10 from 7 p.m.- 9: 00 p.m. Before the Vigil, there will be Gurbani recitations and ardaas from 6:00 p.m.- 7: 00 p.m.
On Sunday, August 12, there will be regular prayers from 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 From 12:00- 1:00 there will be short speeches in the memory of six people killed at Oak Creek Gurudwara. From 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Guru Ka Langar will be served.
Mr. Suhas Kulakarni will be the representative from Mayor’s Office. Local media, members of various faiths, and several officers from the law and order agencies will be in attendance.
the Bodhi Spiritual Center, Chicago stands with you in love and solidarity. We are FOR peace, FOR oneness, FOR inclusion, For honoring all paths. We give you all our love and support.
WaheGuruJiKaKhalsaWaheGuruJiKiFatahe
InGodWeDwellAndInHisNameWeWriteThesesLinesToYou.
SatNamJi.
There has never been in the history of Sikh Dharma a shortage of our willingness and ability for sacrifice. Not only for our own religious beliefs, but even for those of others. The 5 Beloved Ones who willingly gave their heads to our beloved TenthGuru, The Forty Liberated Ones who first turned their backs on the Guru but went back led by Mai Bago only to be martyred, the 4 Sons of our TenthGuru, ZorowarSingh and FataheSingh only 9 and 11 years old, The older son said to the younger who was shorter, “You are blessed because you will meet with WaheGuru before
me” as they were bricked alive. GuruTegBahdur,our beloved NinthGuru who was beheaded and his devotees who were sawed in half, boiled alive and cut joint by joint not in defense of Sikh Dharma but to defend the Hindu Religion, which was the first time in the history of any Religion that a Religious Leader gave His or Her Life for another Religion. It is with this spirit and willingness to sacrifice that has blessed us to become what we are today: Sons and daughters of GuruGobindSinghJi, our Heavenly father and MataSahibKaur our Heavenly Mother.
Let us now also remember along with all of the beloved martyrs of Sikh Dharma, those who were liberated forever from the cycle of birth and death and taken from us in this life and who gave their lives this past Sunday ,”So that we who live now might live free lives.” “Many speak of courage, but speaking can not give it. It’s in the face of death that we must live it. When things are down and darkest, that’s when we stand tallest. Until the last star falls we won’t give an inch at all. Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone, and give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone. GuruArjan gave his life to stand for what was right. He was burned and tortured for five long days and nights. He could have stopped it at any time just by giving in, his strength, a solid wall, He never gave an inch at all. Sons of the Khalsa, remember those who died, who stood their ground until their last breath so we who live now might live free lives. A princess is not royal by her birth or blood inside, but if her family’s home is AnandPurSahib, She’ll walk with such a grace and strength, the world will bow in awe, until the last star falls She’ll never give an inch at all. Daughters of the Khalsa, in your strength our future lies, give our children fearless lives to see the world through the Guru’s Eyes. Bhaisakhi Day we were thousands but only Five had the courage for dying, then one brave man, one flashing sword, turned us all to lions, and now we live His Legacy to die before we fall,and like the Five who answered his call, we won’t give an inch at all. Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel steady as stone, and give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone. The Tenth Guru gave even His sons to give the Khalsa Life and His words stand like mountains against the winds of time that Khalsa will rule the world, ALL WILL BE SAFE IN IT’S FOLD, but if the Khalsa falls, there won’t be a world at all. Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone, and give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone. Many speak of courage but speaking can not give it, it’s in the face of death that we might live it, when things are down and darkest, that’s when we stand tallest, untill the last star falls, we won’t give an inch at all.
Sons of the Khalsa, remember those who died, who stood their ground until their last breath so we who live now, might live free lives. Daughters of the Khalsa, in your strength our future lies, give our children fearless minds to see the world, through the Guru’s Eyes,Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone, and give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone, MIND AND SOUL, ARE HIS ALONE. (Song of the Khalsa in its’ entirety, written and composed by MukhiaSinghSahibLivtarSinghKhalsa)
We join in prayerful support and solidarity with the Sikh American Community with a ceremony on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. PDT to honor the memory of the victims.
Olympia Zen Center (A Soto Zen Buddhist Community)
Olympia, Washington
On Sun Aug 12, 2012 during ADAMS 5th Annual National Interfaith Ramadan Iftar(Breaking of Fast & Dinner), We will have reflections and thoughts in solidarity with the Sikh American Community after the horrific tragedy in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and with the Joplin, Missouri Muslim Community after the burning down of their Mosque.
In the Name of God, The Compassionate, The Merciful
All Dulles Area Muslim Society
46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling, VA 20164
http://www.adamscenter.org
5th Annual National Interfaith Ramadan Iftar(Breaking of Fast & Dinner)
Eagle Court of Honor, & American, Virginia, & ADAMS Flagpole Inauguration
Sun Aug 12th 5:30pm-9:30pm
All Dulles Area Muslim Society(ADAMS) MAIN CENTER
46903 Sugarland Road, Sterling, VA
Special Event Highlights:
Eagle Scout Court of Honor for the New Eagle Scout, Azraf Ullah. For his Eagle Project he managed the building of 3 Flagpoles at ADAMS.
We will inaugurate and raise the American Flag, Virginia Flag, & ADAMS Flag.
We will have Interfaith Leaders, Government Officials, & Law Enforcement Officials Speaking.
We will have reflections and thoughts in solidarity with the Sikh American Community after the horrific tragedy in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
and with the Joplin, Missouri Muslim Community after the burning down of their Mosque.
http://www.adamscenter.org/pressreleases/8–6–2012__-__Press__Release
Please donate to help both communities
http://www.indiegogo.com/Milwaukee-Sikh?c=home
http://www.indiegogo.com/joplinmosqueofficial
Please Reply to Confirm If you can attend and how many will be coming with you.
RSVP To: Rizwan Jaka http://www.adamscenter.org
The Ramadan fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments.
Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the “five pillars” of Islam. Because Ramadan
is a lunar month, it begins about eleven days earlier each year. The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called “Eid ul-Fitr,” or
Feast of the Fast-Breaking, on August 19, 2012. Muslims look forward to Ramadan as a period of spiritual reflection, renewal, and community service.
The ADAMS Cub, Boy, Venture, and Girl Scouts is made up of over 300 Scouts Scouts learn and participate in
activities, community service, make new friends,
and learn more about themselves all while having the time of their lives!
Boy Scout Oath:
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
The Girl Scout Promise:
On my honor, I will try
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
PEACE, SHALOM, SALAAM
Christ Church Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians will be sharing in a moment of silent prayer during worship this Sunday. We also lift prayers for healing and comfort for the victims, the families and the community.
Violence perpetuates an emptiness of soul. Our shared happiness fills the void and promotes healing. May it be positive life that goes on.
Our Zen Buddhist Sangha members around the world will be sitting silently with you on Sunday.
Peace to you and yours, and may peace be born from this terrible tragedy.
Each person who is baptized into the Episcopal Church commits to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being. In that spirit, St Edmund’s Episcopal Church in Pacifica, CA, will offer a moment of remembrance on Sunday morning at both of our worship services. May you each and all feel the love and deep peace of God as you struggle with this senseless loss.
At the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Micanopy, FL, before the final blessing of our service, I will share the Ardas “May everyone in the world be blessed and may good come to all”.
I live in a county where a Christian minister of a small independent church chooses to burn Qur’ans, images of Muhammad, and does other things that I regard as utterly tasteless and my Muslim friends view as blasphemous. I gladly drove two hour Friday to be present at the Tampa Gurdwara as they memorialized the Oak Creek tragedy.
Also at Church of the Holy Communion, Hawthorne (can’t we all use some holy communion now?) before the final blessing, I will share the Ardas \May everyone in the world be blessed and may good come to all.\
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham, Washington will participate in the moment of remembrance this coming Sunday at our three worship services. We also encourage people to attend the open house offered by our neighbors from the local Sikh Temple.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral will participate in the Moment of Remembrance during service Sunday August 12.
The Sikh Gurdwara of NC in Durham NC, had a prayer vigil on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, over 500 attended. On Friday, August 10, 2012 a Akhand Paath was started in memory of those who lost their lives and the injured. Bhog will take place on Sunday, keertan guest speakers from different communities will participate and address the congregation. A moment of reflection will take place and Langar will be served to all. All are welcome to attend. The Sikh Gurdwara is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from the community. We thank various Faith organizations for their sympathy and messages of condolence.
Please add St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church to those participating in the Moment of Remembrance during service Sunday August 12.
Please include St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Paramus, NJ with those participating in the Moment of Remembrance on August 12
Good Evening Friend’s How are you on this tuesday I know you will feel the pain and hurt for a long time and my heart goes out to you all this killing is awful for no reason we’re suppost to love each other and help one another not kill each other and I’ve wore the turban since 09 and I’m wanting to move to india next year if I can get thing’s here to work out right and you have my permission to post and publish this if you want so the sikhs and everyone else can see how much I care have a blessed day talk to you soon. Love Alway’s