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 2014. 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

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.

Essex, Basildon& Thurrock University Hospitals, Revd Victor Davidson, Charanjit Kaur

Ghataore, and Gian Kaur arranged a Prayer Day on 13 November 2014. 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.

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.

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 3-4.00pm and were accompanied

by the regular weekly visitors from Sikh Chaplaincy representing 3 Gurdwaras in Southall and colleagues

and friends.

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 12.00 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 2014. 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.

London, St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney Jackie Aziz and Jagmohan Singh Bhakar held a Prayer Day

on 24 November 2014. 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 2014. 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.

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 2014. 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 2014.

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 2014.

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 2014. 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 2014.

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.

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.

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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 -For UK Sikh Healthcare Chaplaincy Group,

December 2014