SRI SATHYA SAI GLOBAL COUNCIL – ZONE1 (USA- REGION 2)

A Warm and Loving Sai Ram Dear Members,

Hope you all had a divine and wonderful week with Swami's Grace!

With the divine grace of Swami shining upon all of us, we embarked on a joyous journey during the Aradhana Day Mahothsavam last Sunday April 28th. Our guest speaker Dr. Dhurjati Mudigonda was like a shining star illuminating our hearts with his wisdom and inspiration. The musical offerings on Veena by guest speaker Dr. Dhurjati (along with Brother Babuji (on Dholak), and our own SSSE Student Satvik), and unison bhajans offered by our members were like a symphony of spiritual delight, creating a harmonious atmosphere of joy and peace.

A heartfelt thank you to Brother Dr. Dhurjati (SSSGC USA Devotional Coordinator), Br. Babuji, SSSE Student Satvik, and all the wonderful volunteers, members who contributed their time and effort to make this event a blissful offering. Let's continue to spread Swami's love and light in our Thought, Word, and Deed.

This Sunday, May 5th, we will be celebrating Mother Easwaramma Day at Hovatter Elementary School. All our SSSE Students and Gurus have been working very hard over the past several weeks to offer awe-inspiring cultural activities at Bhagawan's Lotus Feet . Our SSSE children are the torch bearers of our future. We request all members to come with family and friends to enjoy the program and encourage our SSSE children.

We eagerly look forward to seeing all of you on this SUNDAY, May 5th @ Hovatter Elementary School at 8:30 AM EST.

Please Note and mark your calendars, We have major events lined up at the Center, Regional and National during the next couple of months.

See below for important details.

Please find this week's Centre Newsletter, updates from all wings (Devotion, SSSE, Seva & YA) along with Center Calendar for May 2024 and Zonal/National and Regional updates.

Sai Ram

Please check the attached May 2024 Calendar above.            

Look for more details from Devotional and SSSE, and Seva Sessions.

Please mark your calendars so that you can attend the Center with family and friends, and enjoy the bliss of these special programs.

Subscription

Don’t forget to subscribe to SSSCL YouTube Channel:  

https://www.youtube.com/@loudounsaicenter

Sai Ram

Sri Sathya Sai Center of Loudoun

1. No Devotional Session this Sunday May 05th @ Hovatter Elementary School on occasion of Mother Easwaramma Day Celebration Offerings by our SSSE Students.

2. In Person Bhajan workshop with Br. Krishna Prayaga has been postponed to September 2024 (Date TBD) from May 12th.

3. SSSCL – Bhagawan’s 99th Birthday – 99 Bhajans offering on Sat, June 1st:

   Please mark your calendars to join in offering 99 Bhajans offerings as part of Bhagawan’s 99th Birthday celebrations on Saturday June 1st, 2024, Timings – 10AM EST @ Sister Saradha & Brother Raghavendra’s residence. See below Flyer.

   Tentative Agenda:

   09:45 AM – 10:00 AM – Silent Meditation

   10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – YA’s/Adults Assigned Bhajans

   11:30AM – 12:30PM – SSSE Assigned Bhajans

   12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch Break (Note Bhajans will continue)

   12:30PM – 2:00PM – Open Bhajans

   2:00PM – 4:10PM – Assigned (SSSE, YA’s and Adults)

   4:10PM – 4:20PM – Closing Prayers

   Please see below links for RSVP and Bhajans.

   RSVP Link (Last Day – Fri, May 17th 2024)

   https://forms.gle/xv2BLPcwCGVk2ujv7

   Bhajan Submission Link (Adults/YAs/SSSE Kids – Last Day – Mon, May 20th 2024)

   https://forms.gle/AFgrxYqUn4YqUSg39

4. Sadhana Hour – SSSGC USA – National Devotional Initiative for Bhagawan’s Centennial Birthday celebrations. Please participate by joining these sessions.  

   Sadhana hour is scheduled for Tonight Friday, May 3rd.   Rushi Thanawala will lead the session on Bhajans.  He will cover various aspects of bhajans including some practical tips on audio systems, best practices for bhajana and bhajan practices.



   Zoom Session Details:

   Join Zoom Meeting

   https://bit.ly/SSSGCUSASadhanaHour

   Meeting ID: 614 531 1483

   Passcode: sairam

Any questions please reach out to our Devotional Coordinator Sister Sai Deepa  at devotion@loudounsai.org.

Sai Ram

Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu!!!

Sri Sathya Sai Educare (SSSE) Updates   

1. SSSCL – Easwaramma Day Celebrations

   We will be celebrating Mother Easwaramma Day on Sunday May 5th, 2024 @ Hovatter Elementary School from 8:30 AM EST onwards.

   All our SSSE Students and Gurus have been working very hard over the past several weeks to offer awe-inspiring cultural activities at Bhagawan's Lotus Feet . Our SSSE children are the torch bearers of our future. We request all members to come with family and friends to enjoy the program and encourage our SSSE children.

   See EDay Video Teaser YouTube Link and Flyer Attached below.

   YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-oTitwWjiH8

2. Regional Retreat Memorial Day weekend, May 24th – May 27th: If anyone is interested in joining Regional Retreat, please register and reach out to Sister. Sai Neeraja @ sse@loudounsai.org

Upcoming Events and Dates:

Easwaramma Day: May 5th Sunday @ Hovatter Elem School.

Regional Retreat Memorial Day Weekend : May 24th – May 27th, 2024.

Graduation Day : Sunday, June 2nd, 2024.

Any questions on SSSE related activities please reach out to our SSSE coordinator Sister Sai Vajra Neeraja @ sse@loudounsai.org

Sai Ram

SEVA UPDATES

Month of May 2024 Seva Activities

1. *SSSCL – Mother Easwaramma Day Celebrations, SSSE  (May 5th)**

   SSSCL will be celebrating Mother Easwaramma Day on Sunday May 5th @ Hovatter Elementary School and Food signup link is attached for reference.

   Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-49242689-easwaramma#/

2. *Narayana Seva: Dinner at Reston Shelter (May 18)**

   Desc: Prepare and serve dinner at Reston Shelter located at: 11975 Bowman Towne Dr, Reston, VA 20190 on Saturday, May 18th, 2024.

   Signup link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-49484721-may18th#/

3. *Narayana Seva: Breakfast at Leesburg Shelter (May 25)**

   Desc: Prepare and serve breakfast at Leesburg Shelter located at:19520 Meadowview Ct, Leesburg, VA 20175 on Saturday, May 25th, 2024.

   Signup link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-49484720-may25th#/

For any Seva related questions, please reach out to Seva Coordinator, Brother Vijay @ seva@loudounsai.org        

Sai Ram

Young Adults Updates

YA Re-registration Form: Please look for information from YA reps to re-confirm as active YA of the center by registering using the link below.
YA Re-Registration Form

1. Sri Sathya Sai Global Young Adults Conference will be held at the Divine Abode – Prasanthi Nilayam from 12th to 14th July 2024 with the theme is “Reconnect, Recharge, Rejoice in SAI Love”. 

   Website Link:  https://www.sssgyac.com/ 

   The link contains information about the program, the registration link and other relevant details. Additional information is contained in the attached flyer and video. 

If you have any questions and (or) looking for more YA updates, please reach out to our Female YA Rep Varsha Rao @ yafrep@loudounsai.org and Male YA Rep Arjun Sundaram @ yamrep@loudounsai.org

Sai Ram

SSSGC's  Regional, National and Zonal Updates

Updates from DMV & Region 2 Centers: Easwaramma Day Celebrations

SSSGC – Sri Sathya Sai Center of Baltimore – EDay Celebrations on Saturday May 4th from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM (See below Flyer)

SSSGC Centers of New Jersey area (Edison, East Brunswick, Bridgewater & Jersey City centers) are celebrating joint EDay on Sunday May 5th from 10 AM to 3 PM (See Below Flyer)

SSSGC (USA) – Region 2 Updates:

1. We are pleased to announce that our Registration for Annual Memorial Day Retreat – Final Deadline is 17th May 2024.

   Please use this link to register.

   https://region2.sssgc-usa.org/retreat/retreat-2024/

   Please note that in the accommodation section, there is one discounted Hotel available for those who would like to stay off site. 

   The theme of the retreat is : “Be always Happy”

   Details of the Retreat:

   Time and Dates: 5 PM 24th May (Friday) to 12 PM 27th May 2024 (Monday).

   Location: Camp Green Lane (249 Camp Green Lane Rd, Green Lane, PA 18054).

   See Below last year Retreat Memories video

2. Sadhana Initiatives for all devotees/centers in our region 2 as a collective/individual offering to our beloved Bhagawan on his 99th Birthday and Centenary celebrations. Our Region 2 Devotional Coordinator Krishna Prayaga in collaboration with Our SSSGC Region 2 Center Devotional Coordinators formulated the following.

   Individual/Family Sadhana:
   – Chant “Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu” at least 9 times a day.
   – Chant any or all of these Mantras at least 9 times a day
     “Om Sri Sai Ram”, “Gayatri Mantra”, “Sai Gayatri” or “Mrutyunjaya Mantra”.
   – Read Tapovanam once a month (Read the whole book in a day/week or a chapter a week, according to convenience/preference).
   – Likhita Japa – Write “Om Sri Sairam '' at least for 9 minutes a day. ( The books will be collected and sent to Parthi to be used for Vibhuti Packaging.)
   – Learn 9 New Bhajans before November 2024
   – At Least for 9 minutes a day Read Swami’s Literature, Listen to Swami’s Speeches or devotees experiences about Swami