Interfaith leaders and guests at Sikh Temple
INDIANAPOLIS: The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis honored Rev. Kent Millard, Co-Chair of the Indianapolis Interfaith Hunger Initiative, and others on January 30. Present on the occasion were many leaders dedicated to creating greater interfaith and cultural cooperation among Indians’ growing diverse ethnic communities. The Sikh community planned this interfaith celebration as part of its Sunday worship.
Among those in attendance were: Rev. Kent Millard, Senior Pastor at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis and Giani Pritam Singh, Spiritual leader of The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis. They were joined by Dave Miner, Volunteer Executive Director of IHI; Bilal Eksili, President of Niagara Foundation; Former First Lady of Indiana, Judy O’Bannon; Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of Indiana Humanities Council; Sr. Norma Rocklage, Vice President of Marian University and co-sponsor of the annual Interfaith Peace Prayer Service; Jane Gahlhausen, Director, Multi-Cultural Affairs, City of Indianapolis; Charlie Wiles, Executive Director of International Interfaith Initiative and leader at the Peace Learning Center; Sonia Chen, President of Asian American Alliance; Carmen DeRusha, Co-Chair Multi-Ethnic Indiana Initiative; Rupal Thanawala and Young-Hee Yedinak (executive at WTHR Channel 13), Board Members of Asian American Alliance; Mary Milz, Reporter for WTHR Channel 13 in Indianapolis; Luis and Ingrid Mateos; Dave Douglas, Pamela Hayes, Mary Spolyar, and world-class photographer, Richard Clark.
The hosts and planning committee for this event were led by Jasvir Singh Lalli, President. A number of volunteers including young ones, had assisted in the first canned-food drive of the New Year in support of IHI. Over 3,050 pounds of food and $1,250 were donated in honor of our guests.
Jasvir Lalli welcomed guests while a long time community volunteer, KP Singh, thanked the guests for taking the time to visit and learn about Sikh faith and traditions.
Some of the visiting guests were honored for their contributions to the life and spirit of our City and State. Rev. Kent Millard was presented with the Sikh ceremonial Siropa and an elegant coffee-table book, The Sikhs, by world-renowned author Khushwant Singh. Books and scarves were also presented to Bilal Eksili, Sr. Norma Rocklage, Young-Hee Yedinak, Former First Lady Judy O’Bannon, Keira Amstutz, Sonia Chen, Charlie Wiles, and Carmen DeRusha. Dave Miner was presented a check, all funds donated by the Sikh congregation and visiting friends to support the Interfaith Hunger Initiative. The North Indian Punjabi vegetarian lunch served in the traditional style in the Langar Hall.
Each speaker reminded the audience about the need to come together for critical initiatives as hunger, homelessness, other worthy humanitarian causes, and learning from and about each other.
Kanwal Prakash Singh
