As we draw to the end of 2020, I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you all on behalf of The Vedic Cultural Society of East Anglia (VCSEA )board of Trustees and Executive members.
This year has been a year like no other, and it has brought challenges beyond anything we could have imagined or believed. By March, COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic -a global epidemiological crisis by the World Health Organisation. It not only affected the economical and physical aspects of living but also had a huge emotional and psychological impact on people, worldwide.
We have all been living in an era of communal grief where many people are coming to terms with their individual losses daily, including illness and death due to the coronavirus or loss of employment, business, and similar life situations.
Due to Lockdown and regulations we were unable to offer service through our temple. However in the month of April we had started a virtual trial of Monthly Havan and a weekly Hanuman Chalisa / Bhajan evening via Zoom.In these sessions we celebrated festivals from Janamastmi, Navratri, Diwali to Christmas . We have captured spirit of all these festivals with a Difference.
Recently we are offering Vedic Mantra classes on Sunday evening which are again very much attended with regularity. These sessions are open to all and attended by not only community in UK but across globe ( U.S, Germany, India). The feedback and support to these activities has been very encouraging in terms of maintaining connections with friends and community despite restrictions.
We endeavour to open the Temple as per guidance once a month and happy to support anyone needing to visit by strictly adhering to the law and guidance. Kindly contact and book the visit prior to attending with us and we will be happy to support keeping everyone’s safety as priority..
Going forward in the foreseeable future Zoom/virtual meetings have been considered the safest mode of connectivity. We have an unlimited Zoom licence now and if anyone would like to start a group or class for benefit of community must get in touch, so that we can facilitate it to be offered in these locked in moments.
Annual General Meeting AGM is on Sunday 10th January after monthly havan and the details will be circulated in a separate email.
I would like to end my message with this small poem from my pen , which I composed for my book with the same title
“Awakening with Sunrise
Golden Rays on empty sand Beaches
As if Nature revealing our breaches
A sight so poignant, sad and rare
Calls us to respect, love and care
Crowning glory of sun spread as liquid red gold
Inspiring us to be hopeful, strong, and bold
These times of test will not stay forever
United we will emerge being stronger
Each zestful sunrise and elegant sunset
Forward Life’s journey for the promises to be kept !!”
Lets stay strong despite the huge challenges. Wishing everyone a very happy , safe and blessed Christmas and New Year !
Vandana Khurana
Email: vedicculture1@gmail.com
Chair and Trustee VCSEA (Vedic Cultural Society of East Anglia)
Reg Charity 1163742
