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

A Warm and Loving Sai Ram Dear Members,

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

With Swami's grace, we hope everyone had a wonderful week. A very Happy New Year to those of you who celebrated Ugadi festival (also known by other names) this week and a very Happy Eid-Ul-Fitr for those of you who celebrated Ramadan this week!

We will be having our Ugadi/Tamil New Year/Vishu/ Eid-Ul-Fitr celebrations as part of devotional activities & SSSE classes this Sunday April 14th @ Hovatter Elementary School and there are a lot of exciting announcements and updates to be shared. We eagerly look forward to seeing all of you at the Center!

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 April 2024 and Zonal/National and Regional updates.

Sai Ram

Please check the attached April 2024 Calendar above.               

Quick Highlights:

This Sunday, April 14th, as part of Devotional Activities we will be celebrating Ugadi/Tamil New Year/ Vishu/Eid & SSSE Classes @ Hovatter.

Look for more details from Devotional and SSSE 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. Ugadi/Tamil New Year/Vishu/ Eid celebrations and Bhajans from 9:45 AM. (Address above).

   Tentative Agenda: 

   09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Setup (Please join if available)

   09:45 AM – 11:00 AM: 21 OMs, Chanting 21 times “Samastha Lokah”, Swami Darshan Video, Ugadi (Krodhi Nama Samvatsaram) /Tamil New Year/Vishu and Eid Celebrations and Practice  Unison Bhajans, Shivopasana & Hanuman Chalisa.

   11:00 AM – 11:35 AM: Bhajans and Closing Prayers.

2. SSSCL – Festival Hosting: Sri Rama Navami 2024 Celebrations: With Swami’s grace Sri Rama Navami celebrations will be at Nistala’s residence on Saturday, April 20th 2024 from 4:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST.

SSSCL – Aradhana Mahothsavam celebrations on Sunday April 28th @ Hovatter Elementary school from 9:00 AM EST onwards (see Flyer below)

Tentative Agenda:

1. *Sadhana Hour – SSSGC USA – National Devotional Initiative for Bhagawan’s Centennial Birthday celebrations.

   Please participate by joining these sessions.  

   Tonight's session of “Sadhana Hour” is scheduled for Friday, April 12th 9 PM – 10 PM EST. Brother Ravi Mariwalla will lead the study circle session on the topic “Practice & Inspire”. PDF document is included below and everyone is requested to study the content prior to the session.  



   Zoom Session Details:

   Join Zoom Meeting

   https://bit.ly/SSSGCUSASadhanaHour

   Meeting ID: 614 531 1483

   Passcode: sairam

Sai Ram

Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu!!!

Sri Sathya Sai Educare (SSSE) Updates  

SSSE Classes on Sunday April 14th @ Hovatter Elementary School.

1. Regional Retreat Memorial Day weekend: SSSE Play, If you are coming to Retreat this year and interested to be part of the offering from our center, Please reach out to Sister. Sai Neeraja @ sse@loudounsai.org

Upcoming Events and Dates:

Aradhana Day: April 28th Sunday @ Hovatter Elem School.

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

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

Graduation Day : June 2nd

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

Sai Ram

SEVA UPDATES

Important Note:

** We will start distributing knitted/new baby caps to the hospitals in the DC Metro Area next month.  If you are part of this service activity or willing to participate please bring  new born baby caps and give to Sister Jayasree N or Raghavendra/Vijay on Sunday at Center.*

Aradhana Mahosthavam – Month of April 2024 Seva Activities

1. *Donating needy items at Single Women Homeless Shelter**
   As part of this service activity we will purchase and donate items like Paper Bowls, Paper Plates, Spoons & Forks, Paper Towels, Laundry Detergent, and other items at Single Women Homeless Shelter.
   Signup link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-48315233-donating#/

2. *New Shoes/Gentle Used Shoes collecting and donating at various homeless shelters service activity**
   As part of this service activity we will be collecting new shoes/gentle used shoes & sandals(Men, Women & Kids) and distribute at
   various homeless shelters during our monthly Narayana Seva(Reston & Leesburg shelters).
   **NOTE: Please do not bring very old shoes and uncleaned shoes for donating(We do not accept).*

3. Monthly visit to Assisted Living Center: Our Sai Center engages in monthly visits.  During these visits our volunteers spend quality time interacting with the elderly guests of the center (also playing board games, reading books).

   Re-Scheduled for May 2024

   Address: 4310 Forest Hill, Fairfax, VA-22030

4. *Narayana Seva: Dinner at Reston Shelter (April 20)**

   Desc: Prepare and serve dinner at Reston Shelter located at: 11975 Bowman Towne Dr, Reston, VA 20190 on Saturday, March 16th, 2024.

   Signup link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-48859398-april#/

5. *Food sign up for Sri Rama Navami Bhajans (April 20) – Signup is full posted here just for reference**

   SSSCL – Festival Hosting: Sri Rama Navami Bhajans food sign up for April 20th from 4pm to 6pm @ Nistala’s Residence.

   Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-48923218-srirama#/

6. *Medical Camp at Singh Sabha Gurudwara (SSG) on April 21 2024 from 1 pm – 4 pm at 12001 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030.(see Flyer).  We have enough volunteers between the Gurudwara and our organising team as it is a small medical camp, however SSSE kids with family can visit the Gurudwara, have Langar, and see how a medical camp is conducted.

7. *Narayana Seva: Breakfast at Leesburg Shelter (April 27)**

   Desc: Prepare and serve breakfast at Leesburg Shelter located at:19520 Meadowview Ct, Leesburg, VA 20175 on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024.

   Signup link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-48859397-april#/

8. **Food Signup for Bhagawan’s Aradhana Mahotsavam Celebrations (April 28th)**

   SSSCL will be celebrating Bhagawan’s Aradhana Mahosthavam on April 28th @ Hovatter Elementary school from 9AM to 2PM.

   Food signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-48929089-aradhana#/

For any Seva related questions, please reach out to our 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 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

*Sadhana Aradhana:

Our SSSGC family in India is inviting all of us to participate in an offering to Bhagawan of “Sadhana Aradhana” (worshipful offering of our spiritual practice). It is a 30 day program starting on March 26th and culminating on April 24th, which is Bhagawan's Aradhana Mahotsavam (worshipful celebration commemorating the anniversary of His Mahasamadhi, the day He left His physical form).  The link below is for the booklet which introduces the program and presents a daily practice for each of the 30 days leading up to April 24th.  This united offering of love is a wonderful way to come together to remember, reflect upon, appreciate, and most importantly, practice His teachings. 

See YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/zXVo1usx6eI

Updates from DMV Centers:

None

SSSGC (USA) – Region 2 Updates:

1. We are pleased to announce that our Registration for Annual Memorial Day Retreat is open.

   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 2023 Retreat Memories Video

SSSGC-USA National Announcements:

1. With Bhagawan’s immense grace, see below SSSGC USA National Devotional initiatives in preparation for Bhagawan's Centennial Birthday celebrations. We are excited to share the details of the upcoming initiatives that aim to help with our Sadhana and enrich our spiritual journey. Sadhana Hour – Fridays, 9 PM to 10 PM EST. (More details in Devotional Session above)

   Please participate by joining these sessions.  See below Flyer.

2. Aradhana Mahotsavam Celebrations across USA : See below the announcements page of SSSGC-USA website for all Aradhana Mahotsavam Celebrations across USA by various centers.

   https://sssgc-usa.org/announcement/aradhana-day-2024/

SSSGC-Zone1 Updates:

• With Swami's Grace, the annual Guru Purnima Sri Sathya Sai Medical Camp will be held from 18th of July to the 22nd of July 2024 in Prasanthi Nilayam, N1 building.  Health Care Professionals from around the world are invited to join together in unity with this unique opportunity to provide service on the holy grounds of Prasanthi Nilayam. Non-medical volunteers, especially young adults, are also needed and most welcome to join and serve in various capacities.  Space is limited and registration needs to be done in advance with a deadline of May 20, 2024.  

  Medical Professional Registration 2024:  https://bit.ly/MedicalProfessionalRegistration2024

  Non-Medical Volunteer Registration 2024: https://bit.ly/NonMedicalVolunteerRegistration2024

• Sai Inspires Zone1 Bulletin  – https://mailchi.mp/sssgc-zone1.org/sai-inspires-zone-1-bulletin-12790971?e=544b396769

• Subscribe to our Zone 1 Bulletin to receive periodic announcements and special features.

You can share your feedback by using “Contact Us” on our zonal website at 

https://www.sssgc-zone1.org/

Sai Ram

Memories from Retreat 2023

(SSSGC Zone 1 USA Region 2)

Quick Links: 

• SSSGC Zone1 Website: https://www.sssgc-zone1.org/

• Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu – 10 Million Trees Global Plantations Drive: www.sssprematharu.org

• Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Volunteering:  https://forms.gle/LkQVbgthQziY3kzr9 Or email at: volunteer.iep@sssvv.org

• “Prasanthi Connect” Mobile App: Google Play Store | Apple App Store | Use QR code

• Call Sai is a program designed to provide assistance to Sai devotees. Call (1-272 CALL SAI; 1-272-225-5724) or visit https://www.callsai.org/

• SaiLights Magazine: https://www.sssgc-zone1.org/sai-lights-magazine

• Operational Guidelines

• Guidelines, Rules and Regulations

Ugadi Message | Sri Sathya Sai Speaks | March 20, 1996

Jai Sai Ram!

Saideepa Amin (devotion@loudounsai.org) 
Sai Vajra Neeraja (sse@loudounsai.org)  
Vijay Konkimalla (seva@loudounsai.org)  
Arjun Sundaram (yamrep@loudounsai.org)  
Varsha Rao (yafrep@loudounsai.org)  
Prasanthi Babu (vp@loudounsai.org)
Raghavendran Srinivasan (president@loudounsai.org)

!! Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu !!

LOVE ALL SERVE ALL      HELP EVER HURT NEVER