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What happened at GC from January to April? |
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The annual Gurmat Center Spring Gurmat Camp took place this year from March 18th to March 21st - 4 days of learning Gurmat, awesome lunches, and loads of fun! This year, our theme was ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ. Campers experienced a jam-packed day, including Darbar time, interesting Sikh history and Gurmat classes, delicious langar, sports and games, and enjoying the Sangat’s presence. It wasn’t just the campers having a blast, but the volunteers too! |
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ਭਲੇ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਪਮਾ ਤੋਹਿ ਬਨਿ ਆਵੈ ॥੧॥੨੨॥ O Guru Amar Daas, Your Glorious Virtues are so sublime; Your Praises belong only to You. ||1||22|| |
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We hope to see you at next year’s Spring Gurmat Camp! |
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SUNDAY DARBAR - a new lineup of ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਕ s? |
| This year was a very special year for Sunday Youth and Family Darbar. For the first time in Gurmat Center history, we had an unbroken line of new ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਕs (speakers) doing ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ (spreading Sikhi) - for 4 months straight! From January 7th to April 28th, 12 unique speakers, 9 of which who had never spoken from stage before, presented various topics exploring Sikhi. This was made possible because of the guidance, encouragement, and support of Bhai Tajinder Singh of Guru Nanak Academy, Surrey, BC.
Despite the wealth of words already spoken, there exists an ocean of untold Sikh history awaiting its moment in the Sunday Darbar spotlight. |
| ਏਹੁ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ No one can know these (Vaheguru’s) limits. ਬਹੁਤਾ ਕਹੀਐ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ The more you say about them, the more there still remains to be said. |
|  | | The SYFD speakers from January to April were, in the top row (left to right), Tejpreet Kaur, Simar Kaur, Japnaam Kaur, Bibi Gurprit Kaur BOS, Evan Singh, Bhai Supreet Singh BOS, and Anoop Singh. And in the bottom row, we have Manreet Kaur, Gursimar Kaur, Puneet Kaur, Pavandip Kaur, Arshveer Kaur, Sukhveer Singh, and Khushbash Singh. A huge thank you to these speakers! We are looking forward to seeing more new faces take to the SYFD stage.
See you at the next Sunday Darbar! |
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2 BASICS OF SIKHI ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਕS |
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In these past few months, we were blessed to have two ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਕs from Basics of Sikhi at Sunday Youth and Family Darbar. Bibi Gurprit Kaur (BOS Malaysia) and Bhai Supreet Singh (BOS) shared the teachings of our Gurus from the stage. We are very thankful for such wonderful opportunities to listen to Gurmukhs doing Katha! |
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Since January, Gurmat Center has held 4 Gurmat Center Youth programs with a diverse selection of guest speakers. We are very thankful to Ustaadh Giani Bhopinder Singh Jee, Dr. Kamaldeep Kaur, Jaskarn Singh, and Anoop Singh for their seva as guest speakers! |
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At each GCY event, youth in grade 9 or higher enjoy an insightful discussion, exciting sports or games, and finally, a delicious dinner prepared by our very own GC moms. Throughout the program, we explore Gurmat in a supportive and non-judgmental environment, fostering a healthy sense of belonging.
Where the guest speakers present their valuable presentations and lead deep discussions directly with the Sangat, there are many more Sevadars who are hard at work behind the scenes. These include the lovely GC ਮਾਤਾਵਾਂ (mothers)! In January, GC moms took on the responsibility of making Langar for each GCY event, and since then, Sangat has enjoyed delicious homemade ਪਰਸ਼ਾਦਾ ਪਾਣੀ. We are very thankful to the GC moms for their seva!
We are looking forward to seeing you at the next event! |
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The first session of Dastar Tying classes was officially completed in January! Students spent almost every Sunday from October to December attending classes, learning and experiencing the joys of tying a Dastar.
Some students tied a Dastar for the first time while others were returning students. Various ways of tying a Dastar were taught. Classes were a great success thanks to all the teachers, parents, and participants who continue to support! |
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STUDENT SKILLS PRESENTATIONS |
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March 24, 2024 was the first Student Skills Presentation of the 2023-2024 Gurmat Center school year. At these presentations, the students of one Gurmat Center level take to the stage at Sunday Darbar and present what they have learned so far. Students from Level 4 and Level 6 showcased their ਸ਼ੁਧ ਉਚਾਰਣ of various ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ to the Sangat, such as ਤ੍ਵਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਸਵੱਯੇ. Level 1, 2 and 3 have showcased their counting and reading skills. It is wonderful to see Sikh youth connecting to their roots! |
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IMPORTANCE OF PUNJABI MEETING |
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On Sunday, January 21st, Gurmat Center held a meeting about the importance of speaking Punjabi. The meeting discussed the immense value of our Punjabi language, and why it is necessary that we speak it in our homes. Bibi Navdeep Kaur Jee was the emcee for this meeting. Thank you to all the parents that came out! |
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Along with parents, GC staff and directors were also present. ਇਸ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਦਾ ਵਿਸ਼ਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਘਰਾਂ ਤੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਣ ਦੀ ਮਹੱਤਤਾ ਬਾਰੇ ਸੀ। ਇਸ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਡੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਮਾਂ ਬੋਲੀ ਦੀ ਅਥਾਹ ਕੀਮਤ ਬਾਰੇ ਵੀ ਚਰਚਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ। We have officially switched to speaking Punjabi as much as possible at Gurmat Center, whether that be sevadars answering phone calls in the office, teachers providing instructions in classes, or even general social interactions. |
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SIKHI SAROOP PRESENTATION |
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Around one month after the “Importance of Speaking Punjabi” meeting, Gurmat Center held another very special program in collaboration with Khalsa Heritage Foundation. This was the Family Movie Night. On the Sunday evening of February 18, 2024, we held three presentations: ਸਿੱਖੀ, ਸਿਦਕ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਪੇਸ਼ਕਾਰੀ (Sikhi, Faith, & Success Presentation) Aagaaz Movie by Anaahad.com ਪੁਰਾਤਨ ਸ਼ਸਤਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨੀ (Ancient Weapons Display).
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ਜਬ ਲਗ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਰਹੇ ਨਿਆਰਾ ॥ So long as Khalsa retains his distinct identity, ਤਬ ਲਗ ਤੇਜ ਦੀਉ ਮੈਂ ਸਾਰਾ ॥ I will give him my entire radiance and strength. |
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This family night helped us understand the importance of the Khalsa’s Saroop/form. It allowed us to reflect on our objectives in life and inspired us to walk the Gursikhi path. |
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ਜਬ ਇਹ ਗਹੈ ਬਿਪਰਨ ਕੀ ਰੀਤ ॥ But if he should take on a non-Sikh way of life, ਮੈਂ ਨ ਕਰੋਂ ਇਨ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਤ ॥ Then I shall have no confidence in him and withdraw my support and protection. |
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