Pranams to the Lord of the Universe, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba SUMMER 2017 The newsletter publication of the multi-faith service Center in Farmingdale, NJ Center Updates With the blessings of our Beloved Lord, the Sarva Dharma Service Center has been playing its role in the Divine Mission of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba with full force. We bring you here, an update on major events from February thru July 2017. Maha Shivaratri Akhanda Bhajans 2017 With Bhagavan s grace there was a joint Maha Shivaratri Akhanda Bhajans organized by all NJ Sai Centers from Friday February 24th 8PM to Saturday 25th 7:30AM. Arrangements were made in the lower level of the building to offer abhishekam for Lord Shiva and overnight stay for devotees. The program started around 7PM with Veda chanting. Rudrabishekam continued throughout the night with devotees offering Abhishekam downstairs when the Bhajans were going on in the prayer hall. We are especially thrilled as this is the first time an overnight event of this magnitude was held at SDSC. The parking lot was full and we had to use the over flow parking around the building with floodlights and volunteers directing the traffic. We were blessed with great weather and the place was filled with divine vibrations from our collective Bhajans. Many thanks to the organizers and all the devotees who are instrumental in planning, coordinating and conducting the event so meticulously. Sai Puzzle: Sai Lion I want you to be leaders to protect the world. Leaders like lions, self-reliant, courageous, majestic and just. Lion is the king of animals and I want you to be king among men. ~BABA Announcements Regular events at SDSC Service opportunities Contact information Upcoming Festivals at SDSC 5 6-7
Page 2 Rudram Chanting started Sat March 11 th 2017 A Rudram chanting group was formed with devotees from local Sathya Sai Centers to chant Rudram and other Vedas on the 2 nd Saturday of every month at SDSC. The first Rudram chanting by the group started on March 11, 2017. Since then, the chanting is being done every second Saturday. Everyone is welcome to join and enjoy the divine vibrations. Maha Shivaratri Akhanda Bhajans 2017 2017-2019 Regional Sathya Sai Center Officers Training Sathya Sai Centers across the Mid-Atlantic region held selections for officers for the 2017-2019 term. Newly selected and continuing officers attended a full day s training at the Sarva Dharma Service Center on Saturday March 11 th 2017. SDSC 2 nd Anniversary With Bhagavan s grace, the SDSC building completed 2 years since inauguration on March 29th, 2015. SDSC s 2 nd Anniversary was celebrated on Saturday April 1 st 2017, 10am 5pm, with Narayana Seva, followed by Multi-faith prayers, Interfaith Dialogue, concluding with Devotional Singing and Satang with Sheila & Ramesh Nayak. Aradhana Mahotsavam Service Project SDSC celebrated Aaradhana Day in combination with Earth Day by participating with Howell Township in Community Cleanup on Saturday April 22nd 2017. SDSC had signed up with Howell Township to the adopt a road program for community cleanup. As part of this program SDSC is required to cleanup designated Howell Township roads in 5 sessions with 2 hours per session. Several volunteers from SDSC participated in the community cleanup of West Farms Road and Yellow Brook Road on April 22nd and June 10th respectively. The volunteers worked together and picked up trash along the roadside and collected more than 26 bags (about 300 lbs)! The local residents passing by on the road stopped and thanked the volunteers. Aradhana Mahotsavam Service Project Volunteers interested in participating in the Community Cleanup activity are requested to contact service@saiservice.org. Volunteer service hours will be provided to high school students. Kar Seva by Cherry Hill Sai Center, Sat April 29th, 2017 More than 45 children and adults participated in Kar Seva project on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Devotees from Cherry Hill Sai Center participated with great zest, zeal and dynamic involvement to make it an unforgettable day hosted at the Sarva Dharma Service Center (SDSC). Volunteers participated in the sandwich preparation and interior/exterior cleanup activities at SDSC. Several pending building maintenance tasks prepared by 2
Page 3 the SDSC committee were completed by Cherry Hill Sai Center. The Interior/Exterior cleanup tasks included Power wash exterior steps, Fence mesh reinforcement, Cleanup around Ganesha Statue, Gardening Preparing flower beds, shrub replenishment, weed removal and cleanup. Juicing techniques for Healthy Living by Holmdel Sai Center Dr Rekha Rao from Holmdel Sai Center conducted a special workshop on Juicing techniques for Healthy Living from 12pm-1pm on Saturday April 29 th 2017. The workshop on juicing was a very informative session with a variety of juices prepared from fresh veggies/fruits and so well received by everyone present. Easwaramma Day Celebrations More than 200 children and adults participated in the Easwaramma Day celebrations program on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Devotees from New Jersey Sai centers participated with unity and dynamic involvement to make it an unforgettable day hosted at The Sarva Dharma Service Center (SDSC). The weather was excellent and comfortable contrary to the weather forecasts from the media reports. The theme was Selfless Service. The participants were divided into teams to perform various seva tasks inside as well as outside the SDSC building. All the teams worked together selflessly with tremendous enthusiasm, camaraderie and love. Some of the groups sang devotional songs while performing the service. The Easwaramma Day program commenced at 9:30 am with Multi-faith prayers, Bhajans, Svaami's message followed by welcome and introduction of the activities for the day in the main hall. The key note guest speakers were 1) Mrs. Isabella Lewis who has been coordinating the on-going Book Drive service program for the children in the Caribbean Islands, 2) Mr Ravi Jasti who is passionate and an active supporter of Environment by living the values of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The morning session of the service activities started at about 10:30 am. Children were directed to different service stations based on their age and group. This was followed by lunch at about 12:30 pm and the afternoon session of service activities from 1:30 to 4 pm. Service activities were divided into 2 categories Interior (indoors) and Exterior (outdoors). The Interior Service Activities held inside the SDSC building with adult supervision were: Arts & Crafts Make cards, bookmarks (forwarded to Syrian Refugee children in Lebanon) Beads Making bead bracelets or glue them on a canvas to make mother Easwaramma s picture Book Drive Sorting the books collected, packing them into boxes and labelling for eventual shipping to Caribbean Islands General Cleanup Cleanup, reorganize electrical and utility rooms, office and stairways Hygiene Kits Sorted and assembled toiletry items into kits for distribution to the needy Window Cleaning cleanup of windows and sills Painting Light painting of indoors railings and steps Sandwich Service Making sandwiches and sorting Food Supplies for Howell Food Pantry Sewing Seva Making hats and scarves for shelters/relief centers/the Blanket Depot Shoe Drive Matching, sorting the shoes by sizes and packing them into boxes for distribution at various shelters. 3
Page 4 The Exterior Service Activities conducted outside the SDSC building by the adults and Group 3 and 4 children under adult supervision were: Easwaramma Day Celebrations Driveway Fill driveway and concrete cracks using sealants Fence Reinforcing the mesh Fixup General fixing of traffic signs, tightening bolts of light pole base covers in parking lot and so on Gardening Plant, replace flower plants, shrubs replenishment and cleanup General Cleanup Removal of litter, twigs etc. Lawn Sprinkler Fix heads of the lawn sprinklers Painting Light painting of outside ramp railings and entrance steps Power Wash Clean and power wash the roof and sides of the building Storm Drain Cleanup storm water catch basin Windows Clean and wipe windows SDSC members and participants provided tools, materials, help and guidance for the wonderful service projects. Sai devotees brought all other items to accomplish the diverse projects. It was truly a remarkable blessed day when most of the seva tasks were completed with pure love and dedication in an atmosphere of harmony and joy. Many folks left feeling very happy and requesting for more of such community service opportunities. Please click (or copy and paste) on the following link to view the Easwaramma Day pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0b2- rlpgcxipbqmo5mzhoy1npujq We express our heartfelt gratitude to Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for His divine blessings to make it a very productive, enjoyable and memorable seva day with Satsang. United States Flag Hoisting Ceremony More than 50 adults participated in the United States Flag Hoisting Ceremony at SDSC on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. By Svaami's grace, we were blessed with a perfect day and the flag hoisting ceremony went flawlessly. Our heartfelt gratitude to the Veterans who made this a memorable day in the history of Sarva Dharma Service Center. Special thanks to Mike Torres from VFW 4
Page 5 who prepared and guided us at every step of the process. We were very excited to meet the Boy Scouts and their leader Michael Bost from Troop 150 who volunteered to help the Center with some projects going forward. We look forward to partnering with this wonderful group of individuals to help the community. Here is the link to the photos. Enjoy! https://goo.gl/photos/82mw7s1me6fv52p78 World Peace Day at Buddhist Vihar Members of Sarva Dharma Service Center participated in unison singing for the World Peace Day celebration on May 20th, 2017 at Buddhist Vihar, Princeton, NJ. International Yoga Day, Sat June 24th, 2017 About 50 adults and children from local neighborhood participated in the International Yoga Day Celebration at SDSC on Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Two one hour sessions on Yoga for Success, aimed to bring well-being to everyone through yoga and meditation was conducted by Isha Foundation. Healthy refreshments were provided to all the participants. The Yoga day program was very well received. We look forward to partnering with the Isha Foundation to frequently offer special yoga sessions. Guru Poornima Celebrations Guru Poornima day was celebrated at SDSC on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Devotees from East Brunswick Sai Center and Sarva Dharma Service Center participated in the Celebration. The program started with Narayana Seva, followed by Veda Chanting, Multifaith Prayers, Special Bhajans and talk by Guest Speaker. The key note guest speaker was Sri C. Rommel, an accomplished diplomat with 25 years of service in various Indian missions in all continents and an ardent devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba with 4 decades of volunteer service in Sathya Sai Seva Organizations. Mr Rommel, a true Sai Sevak and messenger inspired everyone present to get involved in Sai service activities in centers and outside to spread the message of Sai. Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/ucbvadamyomqfy9x6 United States Flag Hoisting 5
Page 6 World Peace Day at Buddhist Vihar International Day of Yoga Guru Poornima Celebrations 6
Page 7 The Center is also being used by several Sai devotees for their private events when the Center is available. Among some of private events held so far at the Center include: wedding ceremony, birthdays, anniversaries, events in memory of loved ones, annual meetings of voluntary organizations (Multi-faith, Music Academy etc.) "Please email reservations@saiservice.org if you like to reserve the building for your event. 7
Page 8 REGULAR DEVOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AT SDSC Bhajans (Devotional Singing) Devotional Singing encompassing all faiths is held every Thursday Evening. Every Thursday 8:00PM 8:45PM REGULAR SERVICE ACTIVITIES AT SDSC Free Yoga (Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation) Classes Promote wellness, focus, balance, stress relief, strength, and peace. Workout for mind, body and soul. Participants interested in attending the free Yoga are requested to call (732) 378 9724 or email service@saiservice.org to sign-up. Every Saturday 8:00AM 9:20AM Brunch Bites Prepare take-home lunch bags for distribution in the local community to under privileged families. Volunteers interested in providing the supplies or assembling the bags are requested to call (732) 378 9724 or email service@saiservice.org to sign-up. Volunteer hours will be provided to Middle & High school students Every Saturday 9:30AM 11:00AM Tutoring High School Children in India / Homework Help This activity involves, homework help and tutoring in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology for underprivileged High school students in India. Volunteers interested in this service activity are requested to call (732) 378 9724 or email service@saiservice.org to sign-up. Volunteering hours will be provided to High School students. Every Saturday 8:00AM 10:00AM Book Collection Drive Sarva Dharma Service Center is collecting books for underprivileged and at-risk children. Members can drop off the following types of books at SDSC : - Fiction books - Non-fiction books, Biographies etc... - Only books appropriate for children through high school. No Textbooks, magazines, and test-prep books, please. These can be dropped off at SDSC (144 West Farms Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727) on Saturdays between 8:00AM and 12:00PM. Elijah s Promise Soup Kitchen Service Prepare and serve hot meals to the needy in local soup kitchens. Volunteers interested in this service are requested to call (732) 378 9724 or email service@saiservice.org to sign-up. 3rd Saturday of Every Month 10:00AM-1:30PM Food Collection Drive Sarva Dharma Service Center is collecting non-perishable foods daily and distributing to to underprivileged families in the local area. Please find list of supplies usually donated monthly to Howell Food Pantry in this link: http://saiservice.org/index.php/seva-activities Knit for Service Knitting hats, scarves, and blankets for needy children. No prior knitting experience. 2 nd Saturday of Every Month 10:00AM-12:00PM Helping Special Needs Child to Give Social Exposure Looking for students or individuals - who might be interested in volunteering this summer by spending 30 min - 1 hour once a week or howsoever your schedules workout weekdays/weekends doing Art & crafts, Yoga, telling stories, and playing with a special need child with Autism at his home.volunteers interested in this service activity are requested to call (732) 378 9724 or email service@saiservice.org to sign-up. Volunteer hours will be provided to High school students. Tacloban Fire Disaster Relief Effort SDSC and its members made a contribution for the fire disaster relief efforts in Tacloban, Phillipines. 8
Page 9 Follow us on Facebook! The Facebook page for SDSC is published and open for people to visit. You can reach it at https://www.facebook.com/saiservice/ All members of SDSC are requested to visit and like the Sarva Dharma facebook page so they can avail of the information being broadcasted regularly. We also encourage you to share the page with your friends who are interested in service and spiritual activities. UPCOMING EVENTS at SDSC 25 th Annual General Body Meeting Saturday September 23 rd 2017 1:00PM-5:00PM Howell Community Cleanup More Details To Follow www.facebook.com/ saiservice Sarva Dharma Service Center 144 West Farms Road Farmingdale, NJ 07727 Coordinating Committee President Mahesh Vellanki (732) 485-4770 Secretary Mahesh Dontamsetty (732) 378-9724 Fiscal Coordinator Shawn Srishan (201) 446-4477 The SDSC building project and its many service activities are wonderful Seva opportunities. Those who are motivated to participate in any manner may contact any of the CC Members listed. How to reach us? www.saiservice.org info@saiservice.org Mailing Address P.O. Box 801 Howell, NJ 07731 Be a part of the expansion of Bhagavaan Sri Sathya Sai Baba s mission on Earth, the expression of Love as Service! Please feel free to reach out to us on all questions, suggestions, and issues relating to the Sarva Dharma Service Center by any of the means convenient to you. JAI SAI RAM! 9