Waheguru Ji
Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
jb lg Kwlsw
rhy inAwrw ] qb lg qyj dIau mYN swrw ]
As long as the
Khalsa remains distinct, I shall bestow glory on them
jb ieh ghY ibprn kI rIq ] mYN nw kroN ien kI pRqIq ]
When they follow
the opposite way, then I shall no longer trust them
-Guru
Gobind Singh Ji
The
Sikh Sabha was founded in 1996 and incorporated in November 1997. Since 1996 we have been
organizing weekly Kirtan programs and classes for children in various rented locations in
the Mercer County area.
In April of 1999, the tercentenary year
of the Khalsa, we adopted a constitution which reflects the Rehat Maryada and the
teachings of the Gurus in terms of running an organization. We stand for a selection
process, where those who wish to perform sewa volunteer for the task. We eliminated the
election process and membership. The Gurdwara will be run by a board of Gursikh directors
and trustees who will rotate their duties depending on their abilities and preferences.
The leaders of our community will look and behave like Sikhs of the Guru. Our intention is
to ensure that the politics and problems of operating a Gurdwara does not distract the
sewadars from their important tasks which include, as a minimum:
· Educating the children about our religion and
way of life, including teaching children the principles of Sikhism, Gurmukhi and Kirtan.
· Ensuring that children remain Gursikh, follow
the Rehat Maryada and do not deviate from the commandments of the Guru.
· Creating an atmosphere in the Gurdwara where
all, of all faiths, can come together and listen to the word of the Guru.
· Helping to facilitate the Gurus pledge that
only in the Sadh Sangat (the sangat which is truly one with the Guru) can one feel and
experience supreme bliss and contentment, by reciting the Naam.
· Helping all those who are disadvantaged in
the local community, irrespective of their faith.
· Giving all an opportunity to perform Gurdwara
sewa such as preparing langar, performing Kirtan, cleaning, kar sewa and other forms of
sewa.
The
Sikh community of New Jersey has made tremendous progress in the last few years. With the
Grace of Waheguru, we in Mercer County intend to set up the Gurdwara in about one year.
Your help is needed. The small local sangat of about 30 families has already committed
upwards of several thousand dollars in cash and also monthly commitments of the
$4000 for the mortgage for several years. In 2002 we bought 23 acres of land
to build the Gurudwara Sahib.
The land consists of 23 acres of which
over half is wooded, and the remainder grassland. The lot is ideal for a Gurdwara, with
room for expansion. Parking will not be a problem. In addition, there is enough land for
organizing outdoor activities such as games and camps. The land is bordered by RT I-295 on
the east side, forest on the north and south sides and a small factory on the west side.
There are no residential areas adjacent to the lot. Access is from RT 1 near Quaker Bridge
Mall and also from exit 65A of RT 295. Our intention is to build a two-story building (
total 20,000 sq ft) to house the Diwan hall, Langar hall, Kitchen and classrooms.
Phase 1will be for 5000 sq ft and will suffice for many years. Phase 2 will be a much larger Gurdwara
, two levels, total of 20,000 sq ft.
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY
WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 14 FROM 2.30-5.30 AT BAKERS BASIN ROAD. ALL ARE
INVITED.
Please mail your donation
to:
Sikh
Sabha, PO Box 6565
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
We
thank you and look forward to seeing you in our Gurdwara. Please include your address so
that we may send you a receipt and keep you informed of the status of the Gurdwara in the
coming months.
Waheguru
Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Board of
Trustees
email us at
sikhsabha1@yahoo.com
updated July 2004
