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

A Warm and Loving Sai Ram Dear Members,

Hope all of you had a divine and wonderful week!

With Swami's grace we had a blissful Maha Shivaratri festival offering of Lord Sai Shiva Bhajans by our SSSE kids, YA’s and Adults! We Thank Maha and Karthik’s family and each and every one of you for all your help and support.

We have a few more events coming up in April. It is going to be a very exciting month.

Important Message in change in Location for the Month of March 2024.

SaiRam Dear Members.

We THANK Swami, all Center Members, Parents & SSSE kids for accommodating all devotional and SSSE activities at the new location for whole month of February, @ Hovatter Elementary School in Aldie –  41135 Collaboration Dr, Aldie, VA 20105 due to non availability of Claude Moore devotional hall for three of the Sundays in February.  

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FAnFzr8dtbNo76MAA?g_st=iw

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

This Sunday, March 17th, there will be regular Devotional & SSSE Classes @ Hovatter Elementary.

Looking forward to seeing all the Members, Parents at the center this Sunday.

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 March 2024 and Zonal/National and Regional updates.

Sai Ram

Please check the attached March 2024 Calendar above.               

Quick Highlights in March 2024:

This Sunday, March 17th, there will be regular Devotional & SSSE Classes @ Hovatter.

Look for more details from Devotional and SSSE Sections.

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

Regular Devotional Satsang and Bhajans on Sunday March 17th 2024 from 9:45 AM. (Address above)

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  

Regular SSSE Classes on Sunday Mar 17th @ Hovatter Elementary School, Aldie from 9:25 am onwards.

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 our SSSE Coordinator Sister Sai Vajra Neeraja @ sse@loudounsai.org

Sai Ram

SEVA UPDATES

Month of March 2024 service activities:

1. *Narayana Seva (Dinner at Reston shelter): March 16th**

   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/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-48313788-march#/

2. * Narayana Seva (Breakfast at Leesburg shelter): March 23rd**

   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/10C0D4DAFA929A0F8CF8-48313893-march#/

3. *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#/

4. *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).*

5. *Potomac River Cleanup at Strathmore Local Park (MD)**  We are doing this service activity along with Bethesda Sai Center

   Date: 4/6/24(Saturday) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am  

   Address: Strathmore Local Park, 3210 Beaverwood Lane, Aspen Hill, MD 20906.

6. *Monthly visit to Assisted Living Center** Our Sai Center will engage in monthly visits.  During these visits our volunteers will spend quality time interacting with the elderly guests of the center (like playing board games, reading books).

   Date: 4/13/24(Saturday) from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

   Address: 4310 Forest Hill, Fairfax, VA-22030

7. *Medical Camp at Singh Sabha Gurudwara (SSG) on April 21 2024 1 pm – 4 pm** 12001 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030

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. 

2. Our SSSGC-USA team is excited to announce the selection of two outstanding Sai Young Adults to join the national YA team. Please welcome Arunima Prakash and Rushi Thanawala to their new respective roles as national deputy YA coordinators – they are welcome additions who each bring unique talents combined with unquestioned commitment to Swami’s teachings. 

   Jaysai Ghayal will continue in his role as the National Male YA Coordinator, and the National YA Advisors remain Geeta Reid and Ketan Kharod.

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 Centers:

SSSGC Center of  South Bethesda: With Swami’s grace, Bethesda Sai Center is happy to announce the resumption of Veda classes and begin by studying one of the most sacred and powerful Vedic chants, called Aditya Hrudayam for all SSSE kids. Interested SSSE kids can join.  Flyer Attached.

Details:

When: Every Monday

Start Date: March, 18th, 2024

Time: 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM Eastern Time

Platform: Zoom Meeting ID: 872 5756 2462

Passcode: sairam

SSSGC (USA) – Region 2 Updates:

1. SSSGC Region 2 Annual Memorial Day Retreat – Camp Site Visit:

   Camp Site Visit for Annual Memorial date Retreat date is on 23rd March 2024.Saturday 10 AM.

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

   This is open for any interested devotee.

   Please use this link to register if you would like to attend the camp site in connection with your volunteer work that you have signed up for.

   https://forms.gle/H5E8Y2CmXgnN82TKA

2. 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 book offsite hotels through the registration link asap as you get a discount compared to booking directly with the hotel.

   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).

SSSGC-USA National Announcements:

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.

Starting March 1st, we will gather for “Sadhana Hour” on most Fridays on Zoom.

1. First Friday of Each Month – Bhajan best practices and Learning Sessions: Sessions on the first Friday of every month will delve into best practices on leading bhajans and workshops on learning to play common instruments used in bhajans such as taalam, kanjira, harmonium, and tabla. We kick off this series with Sai Shruthi and Rashmi guiding us through the basics of playing taalam on Friday, March 1st.

2. Second Friday of Each Month – Study Circle Sessions: Eminent Sai devotees will moderate study circle sessions on the second Friday of each month. On the second Friday, March 8th, brother Ravi Mariwalla will lead a study circle on the topic “Practice & Inspire.” Please review the attached study guide beforehand for an enriching study circle session.

3. Third Friday of Each Month – Rudram Learning Session: To help follow Bhagawan's guidance on chanting Rudram, every third Friday will feature a Rudram learning session conducted by brother Venkataramana. These classes will start from the third Friday, March 15th.

4. Multi-Faith Talks – Select Fridays: On select Fridays, we will host multi-faith talks by esteemed guests.

Please participate by joining these sessions.  See below Flyer

The third session of “Sadhana Hour” is scheduled for this evening, Friday, March 15th at 9 PM to 10 PM EST. We will begin the series on learning to chant Rudram. Dr. Venkata Ramana will be leading these sessions.  He will be joined by brother Srihari, another alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. They plan to go over some basics of chanting vedam such as pronounciation, intonation along with teaching a portion of first Anuvaka.   Please encourage everyone to join and also please note the updated Zoom link below.  Also, please note the updated zoom link below.

Zoom Session Details:

“Sadhana Hour” – Bhagawan’s Centennial Birthday Celebrations:

Time: Friday March 15th, 9 PM EST – 10PM EST

Join Zoom Meeting : https://bit.ly/SSSGCUSASadhanaHour

or

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6145311483?pwd=OTNxT1BBVEdWbVFwTTl2WVRKZEZuZz09&omn=84158805797

Meeting ID: 614 531 1483

Passcode: sairam

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

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

Adi Deva Mahadeva Hey Dayanidhey | Kaushiki Chakraborty | Song on Lord Shiva | Sai Kulwant Hall

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