________________
BOROUGH OF NEWHAM
CIVIC SERVICE
23rd June 1991
at dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara
Order of Service
1.
Welcome by the Mayor's Religious Adviser, Mr A.S.Bansal
Reading From the Holy Book of the Sikhs - the GRANTH SAHIB. In accordance with Sikh tradition the Priest will open the Granth Sahib and read from whichever page it opens at.
Hymn (Sung in Punjabi)
Pauri
VV hatever work, thou desirest to do, tell that to the Lord. He shall accomplish thy affair. The True Guru bears true testimony to it. By the company of the Saints, thou shalt taste the treasure of the Name-Nectar. The merciful Lord, the destroyer of dread, preserves the honour of His slave. Nanak, sing thou the praises of God and thou shalt see the invisible Lord.
4.
Reading
From the BOOK OF RUTH. Cllr Burns has chosen to read the story of Ruth because of its relevance to Newham's multicultural society. Like Naomi, many people in Newham have left their homelands because of famine and other dangers. Others like Ruth have followed in the footsteps of loved ones to settle in a strange land where their differences are noticed and commented upon. We cannot change these differences, nor shall we try to do so. Although Ruth says 'Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God', there is no evidence of conversion and Ruth remains a Moabitess throughout. Yet Boaz calls on the Lord to reward Ruth for her devotion to Naomi and the goodness that is within her heart. Thus the story of Ruth is one of acceptance of other races and religions and of respect for those who are different to ourselves. This is a message for our times.
Cllr Jacquelin Burns. Leader of the Conservative Group - Newham Council.
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