Love and Light - December 2021


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December 2021

National President's Welcome

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

Welcome to December’s edition of Love & Light. What a beautiful month of November we have all just had, with many activities from Akhand Bhajans (face-to-face for many of us), Ladies’ Day celebrations and, of course, celebrating our dearest Lord’s 96^th year of His advent.

December gives us many opportunities to spend face-to-face or online for Christmas celebrations. Fond memories of times in Prasanthi with our dearest Lord come to mind, listening to His divine words, beautiful carols by the children and the adult choirs, Swami’s student band and the children’s nativity plays.

Let us all this month take part in activities whether they are in-person or from the comfort of our homes and let us pray to our dearest Lord that we always live in His presence, with Hope and Light.

Loving Sai Ram

Ketan Gokani

National Christmas Celebrations

Can you believe it is already December? But that also means it is nearly time for our next national event, which will be the National Christmas Celebrations broadcasting on Saturday 18 December from 4pm. Please join us for an uplifting afternoon containing the Bal Vikas (SSE) procession, Christmas Service with Carols and Readings, Christmas Sermon and the Bal Vikas (SSE) Play.

Summer Showers 1990 Revisited: 19 January - 27 April 2022

During the 1990 Brindavan summer course, Bhagawan covered the topics of the body, the senses, the mind, the intellect and the Atma, through 16 divine discourses. This treasure trove of knowledge is going to be covered in a series of fortnightly Zoom satsangs, starting in January. You have to register for this if you wish to join – you cannot simply turn up on the day. Registration is required by New Year’s Eve: please go to https://srisathyasai.org.uk/ss1990revisited.

UK Gratitude Book offered at Bhagawan's Feet

We wanted to give all our devotees an opportunity to offer something to Bhagawan for His 96th Birthday and felt a gratitude book was something that would make Him happy. We received over 260 offerings from all across the United Kingdom, of which 83 were from our Bal Vikas children, the youngest aged just 4 years old.

The editing team were very moved reading all the heartfelt prayers, messages and seeing the beautiful artwork, and we are certain Bhagawan was equally moved.

The Gratitude Book was offered on 23rd November - the auspicious occasion of the 96th year of His advent. This was purely a result of His grace!

On behalf of the gratitude book team, thank you!

Baba’s Birthday Bake Off – winner announced!

Many thanks go to all those who sent in pictures of cakes they baked for Bhagawan’s Birthday. We had many fantastic entries from all over the UK, which made judging very difficult. It was clear that a lot of time and effort had gone into making all of the beautiful baking entries.

Nevertheless, we had to select a winner…and the winner is Marine Aufranc from Region 4!

Pictures of the winning entry as well as a selection of other entries are shown here.

November Photo Gallery

It is fair to say that November is the busiest month in the Sai calendar. This year was extra special because so many centres and groups, as well as regions, decided to hold live events for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

A mere selection of photos is shown here, providing a glimpse of some of those joyous gatherings.

Service

Following tremendous service offerings by devotees for Bhagawan’s 96th birthday to various organisations such as the RSPCA, food banks, and homeless charities, below is a summary of service offerings leading up to Christmas:

Donation of 96 woollen scarves to “Crisis” for homeless people
Donating £200 to “Kids Inspire” Christmas appeal to give children a better Christmas
Donating £200 to “Sanctus”, a centre for the homeless centre to help towards Christmas meals
Providing food boxes for the Salvation Army and homeless people
Christmas gifts for people in care homes who do not have family visitors
150 family food parcels each comprising approx. 9kg of provisions to be sent to Moldova
Supporting the Sankar Eye Foundation, a charity performing eye surgery for people in need
Christmas toys appeal in conjunction with Thurrock Council, who will distribute them to over 400 families in need
Christmas hampers for over 100 families in need
Christmas gifts for centre devotees
Soup runs for the homeless
Distributing sleeping bags, gloves, hats, scarves, toiletry bags and some food items
Supporting the homeless through local food banks and curry projects
Other presents for the homeless
Beach cleaning
Gifts for children in hospital
Continuing to support local food banks with the focus on bedding, linen, toiletries, festive items and treats for children, as well as the usual food items

Email Service wing

Bal Vikas (SSE)

Firstly, a warm welcome to Swindon Sai Group, in Region 7, who have started holding Bal Vikas classes. This means we now have classes happening in all eight regions of the UK!

Also, we are pleased to announce that Colchester Sai Centre in Region 3 have officially inaugurated their Bal Vikas Wing, with classes due to start early next year.

We are grateful to Bhagawan for growing His mission and for allowing us all to be a part of it.

Email Bal Vikas (SSE) wing

December events near you

As we approach the festive season, we have decided to focus the remainder of this issue on highlighting at least some of the events planned for later this month. All information is correct at the time of drafting this issue, so please contact the relevant Regional President via the email address indicated to confirm the timing of a particular item, or simply to obtain further information, including about any events not listed here.

IMPORTANT: If you wish to attend any events that are being held in-person, please ensure you enquire in advance about any safety precautions that are being put in place, to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and potential disappointment.

Region 1 (London South East & South West)

Bromley Sai Centre - online

Friday 17^th
New Year’s Eve, midnight

Kingston Sai Centre - online

Sunday 12^th, 9am
Sunday 2^nd January, 9am

Merton Sai Centre – in-person

Christmas Day, 3pm
New Year’s Eve, 11pm
New Year’s Day, 1pm

Tooting Sai Centre - in-person

Sunday 19^th

Wandsworth Sai Group - in-person

Thursday 16^th

Wimbledon Sai Centre - online via Zoom

Sunday 19^th, 9.20am
New Year’s Day, 10am

Email Region 1

Region 2 (London West/North West & nearby Home Counties)

Harrow West Sai Centre

Sunday 19^th, 4pm, at Oxhey Wood Primary School, Oxhey Drive, WD19 7SL

Email Region 2

Region 3 (London North/East/Central & nearby Home Counties)

Bedford Sai Centre - online

Christmas Day, 9.30-10.30am

Cambridge Sai Centre - online via Zoom

Christmas Day, 10-11am

Central London Sai Centre - online

Boxing Day, 3.45-5.30pm

Chelmsford Sai Centre - online via Zoom

Sunday 19^th, 6pm

Colchester Sai Centre - online

Saturday 11^th, 6pm

Edmonton Sai Centre - in-person

Sunday 19^th, 11am-1pm

Hatfield Sai Centre - online

Saturday 18^th, 6-7pm

Ilford Sai Centre - online via Zoom

Sunday 12^th, 10.30am

Luton Sai Centre - in-person

Saturday 18^th, 6pm

Manor Park Sai Centre - in-person

Saturday 18^th, 7-8.30pm

Mill Hill Sai Centre - in-person

Sunday 19^th, 8.20am

Milton Keynes Sai Centre - online

Sunday 19^th, 9-10am

Thurrock Sai Centre - online

Sunday 12^th, 10.45am-12.30pm

Email Region 3

Region 4 (Midlands)

No events announced at the time of drafting - please contact Regional President via the link below for latest information

Email Region 4

Region 5 (North England and Northern Ireland)

No events announced at the time of drafting - please contact Regional President via the link below for latest information

Email Region 5

Region 6 (South East England)

Basingstoke Sai Group - online

Christmas Day, 3.30pm
New Year’s Day, 3.30pm

Rochester Sai Centre - online

Sunday 19^th, 6pm

Email Region 6

Region 7 (West/South West England & Wales)

No events announced at the time of drafting - please contact Regional President via the link below for latest information

Email Region 7

Region 8 (Scotland)

No events announced at the time of drafting - please contact Regional President via the link below for latest information

Email Region 8

Sri Sathya Sai Organisation United Kingdom

Love All Serve All | Help Ever Hurt Never

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