National Sikh Chaplaincy Day 1-16 November 2014 An Update Report

Transcription

1 National Sikh Chaplaincy Day 1-16 November 2014 An Update Report Our sincere thanks to all for making this a very special and successful event The UK Sikh Healthcare Chaplaincy Group organised a day of prayer during the weeks 1-16 November 2014 in UK hospitals aimed at promoting community links between the NHS and the Sikh community with the help of the Sikh Chaplains and members of the Sikh community from various Gurdwaras. The prayers in hospitals across the country were held for the well-being, recovery of those who are currently in hospital regardless of faith, race or gender and for World peace. On many occasions some Chaplains shared drinks and food denoting the tradition of Langar (free kitchen) which expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind. THE PRAYERS/ARDAS WERE SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED AT: Birmingham, City and Sandwell Hospitals Joga Singh and Parkash Kaur Sohal performed the prayer day in the presence of staff and members of the Sikh congregation. Birmingham Heart of England Revd Maclaclan and Satinder Kaur Tanque OBE, DL arranged the Prayer Day on 25 November It was held in the Seminar Room and the prayers were led by Satinder Kaur. Light refreshments were also available. Photo attached of those who were present. Birmingham Walsall Manor Hospital Smith Cathryn, Secretary of Chaplaincy reports that Sikh Day of Prayer which was held at 11:00 am on Wednesday 29 October at the Manor Hospital. Mrs

2 Parkash Sohal, Honorary Sikh Chaplain, together with representatives from the local Sikh community, along with Sharad Bhatt (Hindu Chaplain), Reverend Alison Coles (Chaplaincy Team Leader), and Linda Brown (a student on placement with Chaplaincy from Queen s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education), along with the Imam Khalid Mahmud, Muslim Chaplain and Cath Smith, Chaplaincy Secretary were present. Photo attached. Calderdale & Huddersfield Revd George Spencer and Harbinder Singh Baines arranged the Prayer Day on 14 November 2014 at 12.15pm. Coventry University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire (UCHCW) NHS Trust Rev Paul Holmes and Kuldeep Singh, Sikh Chaplain and Bereavement Support Officer arranged a Prayer Day on Saturday 20 December2014. Sangat from local Gurdwaras Guru Nanak Parkash, Harnal Lane came with Guru ka Langar, which was delivered after Sukhmani Sahib Ji s paath and Kids/ladies kirtan session. Croydon Croydon University Hospital - Nirmal Singh Khalsi arranged a Prayer Day on 15 November 2014 which went and was attended by fellow Sikhs from the local area. It was also attended by members of other faiths who are volunteers at the hospital.

3 Essex, Basildon& Thurrock University Hospitals, Revd Victor Davidson, Charanjit Kaur Ghataore, and Gian Kaur arranged a Prayer Day on 13 November Charanjit took Gurmit Kaur Mahil and Parminder Kaur Kondral to Basildon from East London. We were met by the Chaplaincy Team and two staff members who also joined us with the prayers. We recited the Mool Mantar five times, and did Waheguru s jaap. After that we reflected on the Shabad Bilawal Mohalla 5: Rog gaya prabh aap gavayea, neendh payee such sehaj ghar ayea meaning in English: The disease is gone; God Himself took it away. I sleep I peace; peaceful poise has come to my house.we finished with Chaupai Sahib and read the Ardas for the well-being of all mankind. We then shared food and drinks at the end of the day. Essex, Goodmayes Mental Health Hospital Mirabai Swingler, Lead Chaplain and Parminder Kaur Kondral arranged a Prayer Day on 6 November. Present were women from Sikh Women s Alliance - Balvinder Kaur Saund, Gurmit Kaur Mahil, Charanjit Kaur Ghataore, and Jasbeer Kaur Sumal. We were joined by the Equality and Diversity Manager at the hospital Harjit Kaur Bansal. Gurmit Kaur sang a Shabad for Guru Nanak Dev Ji s birthday with her melodious voice and Ardas was done by Charanjit Kaur asking for the well-being of all patients in hospital, here and everywhere, including World Peace. We then shared crisps, chocolates, and juice and left some for staff at the reception desk of Sunflowers Court.

4 Essex, King George Hospital Wendy Hughes, Chaplain and Parminder Kaur Kondral arranged the prayer day on 8 November 2014 at 10.30am. Those present were Ujagar Singh, Inderjit Kaur Bhatia, Satwant Kaur Marwa, Jasbeer Kaur Sumal, Satpal Kaur & Charanjit Singh Panesar gathered in the Faith Room. We recited the Japji Sahib. Ardas was conducted by Ujagar Singh for the well-being of all patients in hospital, here and everywhere, including World Peace. We then shared crisps and juice with those present and travelled to Queen s Hospital the same day. Essex, Queen s - Romford Tim Coleman, Trust Chaplain and Parminder Kaur Kondral arranged the Prayer Day on 8 November 2014 at 12.30pm. Those present were Arvinder Singh Marway, Gursharan Kaur Battu, Gurmit Kaur Mahil, Inderjit Kaur Bhatia, Satwant Kaur Marwa, Satpal Kaur Panesar and Parminder Kaur gathered in the Faith Room and read the Japji Sahib. Ardas was conducted by Arvinder Singh for the well-being of all patients in hospital, here and everywhere, including World Peace. We were joined by the Lead Chaplain, Tim Coleman and shared some thoughts on the Japji Sahib and chaplaincy services at Queens and ended sharing crisps, nuts, juice and chocolates.

5 Herfordshire - Watford General Hospital - Revd Doug Loveridge, Spiritual and Pastoral Care Manager with Mr & Mrs Avtar Singh arranged the Prayer Day on 25 November. Rev Loveridge had invited other chaplains and volunteers and Avtar Singh & Kiran Kaur felt very privileged to be able to share prayers and thoughts from the Sikh perspective. Over the years Rev Loveridge has come to appreciate the spirituality of other faiths, and just being present for such a time of prayer feels valuable. He hopes that we can keep this tradition going in future years, as prayerful concern for people of all beliefs is central to our religion and our humanity. He wished every blessing to both Avtar Singh and Kiran Kaur. Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Revd George Spencer and Harbinder Singh Baines arranged the Prayer Day on 14 November 2014 at 12.15pm. Leicester, General Hospital Sulakhan Singh Dhard, Sikh Chaplain held the Prayers and Ardas on 12 November 2014 for the well-being of patients with the Sangat and Hospital Staff and some patients were also present during this event. London - Ealing Hospital - Maggie Davidge-Smith from the Chaplaincy Department, Harjeet Singh and Atma Kaur Sohal arranged a Prayer Day on 10 November from pm and were accompanied by the regular weekly visitors from Sikh Chaplaincy representing 3 Gurdwaras in Southall and colleagues and friends.

6 London, Guys Hospital and St Thomas Hospital Abdul Chowdhury, Multi-Faith Chaplain and Satpal Kaur Panesar arranged a Prayer Day on 19 November 2014 at about 2.30pm. The Hospital was also holding an Inter-faith event on that day from to 3.00pm in the Bird song corridor. Satpal and her husband, Charanjit Singh Panesar attended the Inter-faith event. There were also some books for sale. The idea was to make passers-by aware of the different religions the Chaplain Office catered for and, also, if there was anyone interested in a certain religion they could get more information. Around 2.30 they went to the little prayer room. Japji Sahib paath and Ardas was recited. Rosemary was also present. Satpal Kaur met with Ruth Lambert and Mia Holborn, Head of Spiritual Health Care and Chaplaincy Team Leader. London, Leytonstone - Whipps Cross Hospital - Rev Tristan Alexander-Watts, Ujagar Singh Bhandal and Parminder Kaur Kondral arranged the Prayer Day on 5 November at Whipps Cross. We were accompanied by Pupinder Singh, Gurmit Kaur, Charanjit Kaur, and Gian Kaur in the Faith Room, where Balvinder Kaur Saund and the Lead Chaplain, Revd Tristan Alexander-Watts were already waiting for us. We started our prayers with the first 5 Pauris of Japji Sahib, followed by Chaupai Sahib and Naam Simran. Benji Gurmit and Benji Gian Kaur sang a Shabad each with their melodious voices. Ardas was done by Ujagar Singh asking for the well-being of all patients in hospital, here and everywhere, including World Peace. We were joined by Roopinder Kaur Kholi during Ardas. We shared crisps, chocolates, homemade Besan (by Gurmit Benji) and juice with all those present. London, Newham University Hospital Yunus Dudhwala, Head of Chaplaincy & Bereavement Services and Parminder Kaur Kondral arranged a Prayer Day on 5 November We were accompanied by Ujagar Singh Bhandal, Pupinder Singh Rana, Jagmohan Singh Bhakar, Ravinder Kaur Virdee, Satpal Kaur Panesar, Charanjit Kaur Ghataore, Gian Kaur, and Gurmit Kaur Mahil in the Faith Room at the hospital. We started our prayers with the first 5 Pauris of Japji Sahib, followed by Chaupai Sahib and Naam Simran. Gurmit Benji sang a Shabad. Ardas was conducted by Pupinder Singh for the well-being of all patients in hospital, here and everywhere, and for World Peace. We then shared biscuits, homemade Besan (by Gurmit Benji) and Coffee from the café. After that we started our journey to the next hospital on the same day Whipps Cross.

7 London, St Joseph s Hospice, Hackney Jackie Aziz and Jagmohan Singh Bhakar held a Prayer Day on 24 November Jagmohan Singh, with the Sangat of Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, 1a Campbell Road enjoyed the visit and all were warmly welcomed by Sister Hillary & Jackie Aziz of St Joseph s Hospice. London Royal Brompton Hospital Rev Robert Thompson & Pupinder Singh Rana arranged a Prayer Day on 4 November Pupinder Singh was pleased to say that the Sikh Prayers at Royal Brampton Hospital went as planned. A solid discussion on Sikhism and its values followed by Chaupai Sahib Path and Ardas were conducted by Pupinder Singh. This was his first prayer day and hopes to develop from the experience. He hopes that with combined efforts of staff and chaplains, and good communication will give good feedback. May our prayers bring good health and unite us across the spectrum for better future. London University College Hospital (UCL) Aman Kaur Ubhi, Hira Singh and the Students of UCL arranged a Prayer Day on 11 November. The Prayer Day was very successful and the students also performed Kirtan. We had around 50 students attend from several of the London universities, which was a significant increase from previous years. We served Langar afterwards on campus at UCL. Photos from UCL Kirtan Darbar, at UCH Chaplaincy.

8 Middlesborough - South Tees NHS Trust, James Cook University Hospital Marie Edwards, Lead Chaplain and three members of the Sikh faith came and there was myself and a colleague in the chapel with them. We were not able to advertise the service as much as we would have liked but I look forward to seeing someone next year and hopefully we can have more people present then. Many thanks for this year. Middlesex, The Vicarage Farm Care Home [private nursing home] by Manjit Kaur Kharay reported that Since 2013, when they first held a Prayer Day at the nursing home, the residents and visitors have every month kept the momentum of Prayers and Ardas. This brings peace and tranquillity to all present and is hoping to add Kirtan as well. Milton Keynes Willen Hospice Revd Steve Barnes & Ravjot Kaur with her husband held a Prayer Day on 14 November Ravjot is also a Committee member of the Gurdwara, and has kindly offered to be the contact point for the future. Northampton Berrywood Hospital Rev Stephen Wills & Ravjot Kaur with her husband held a Prayer Day on 14 November North Shields, North Tyneside General Hospital and Wansbeck General Hospital Revd Max Shepherd & Sukha Singh. Chaupai sahib was recited and enclosed a picture with the hospital chaplain Kathy Jones. Nottinghamshire Kings Mill Hospital, Sutton in Ashfield - Revd Edith Dawson & Mr Kuldeep Singh held prayers on 12 November Nottingham Queen s Medical Centre - Mrs Musarrat Tariq, Multi-Faith Support Officer, and Mr Parmjit Singh Thiara arranged the Prayer Day on 10 November 2014 at 11.00am. Norwich, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital - Ujjal Singh Kular, arranged the prayers in a different context this year on 16 November Previously they had arranged to have Shabad Kirtan and a gathering to remember a deceased family member; the Kirtan was performed as arranged. This year they combined the prayers for the sick and infirm and also read the Sangrand verses. The whole programme was performed by Giani Ji whom we had been invited. Most of the local community was present including Sikh and Hindus. The Hospital Chaplin was contacted but was unable to attend. The day ended with Langar being served. Oxford, Banbury Horton Hospital Davinder Singh Gill held a Prayer Day on 19 December Five Bania and Ardas were recited for the Patient, the Doctors, Nurses, the Admin staff and everyone else too. Davinder Singh met with Reverend Philip Sutton and others. It was a good day praying at the J. R. Hospital today. Peterborough Peterborough Hospital Trust Revd Helen Fyall and Major Singh Uppal held the Prayer Day on 10 November 2014.

9 Stafford, Katherine House Hospital Revd Penny Graysmith & Narinder Singh Mahil of Nanaksar Gurdwara arranged a Prayer Day on 20 November and performed this efficiently with the Giani Ji. Southampton - Southampton General Hospital Revd Janice Cowburn. The annual prayer has been schedule on 12 January 2015 and will be conducted by Giani Ravinder Singh of Gurdwara Nanaksar. Wolverhampton, New Cross Hospital Shyam Singh. The annual prayer was done in November. We do paath and sarbat de bhaley dee Ardas every week at New Cross Hospital Chapel on Thursday at 1:00 pm. Worcestershire Royal Hospital request received from Revd G Hewlett Prayers have been scheduled for 29 January 2015 by Parkash Kaur Sohal. Revd Hewlett said, that they had a wonderful visit and prayer time at the Worcestershire Royal and thanked for everyone s assistance. ********************************** PRAYERS to be performed at the following Hospitals/Institutions next year: Cheshire, Leighton Hospital, Crewe Revd Liz Robinson; Dorset, Poole St Anne s Revd Michael Oates; Exeter, Devon Revd Simon; Ipswich Hospital Trust Tony Brookes; Kent, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Nicola Mitra, Chaplain; London, Denmark Hill Kings College Hospital - Rev Ben Rhodes; London, West Middlesex Hospital Revd M Sserunkuma; Shropshire, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital & Princess Royal Hospital - Revd Petro Hryziuk; & Sunderland Royal Hospital - Revd P Webb Compiled by Surinder Kaur & Parminder Kaur December For UK Sikh Healthcare Chaplaincy Group,