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
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