Our monthly performance for the residents at the Erin Meadow retirement home was on October 28, 2018. We celebrated Thanksgiving and Navaratri with the residents.

The evening started with a small introduction to the significance of “Thanksgiving”. We elaborated on the importance of “giving thanks” and continued with an opening prayer. We also made a small change to the agenda by providing the meaning of all mantras in English after the mantras were recited.  As this was earlier requested by the residents, the devotee-volunteers explained the meaning of the recited prayers. It was decided that going forward we will make sure to include translations and relevant explanations for songs and prayers sung in languages other than in English.

In October we sang the bhajans “Ganesha Ganesha” “I want to be with my Lord” and “Our Jesus came”. We also introduced a young talented poet who was happy to write his own poem “You have made a Difference” about Thanksgiving. This maiden effort was much appreciated by the audience.

This month we also offered the audience a speech about the Navaratri festival. This was a new effort and was welcomed by the residents.

We entertained everyone with songs like “When darkness fills the sky, All things bright and beautiful”,” Jesus loves me”, ‘Make me a channel of peace” and “10,000 reasons.” Supported by a keyboard, tabla and a harmonium, these songs were all well received, and most residents joined the children with singing and clapping hands.

We chose the color theme orange or red with black for this month. Everyone enjoyed the event and had a wonderful giving thanks and immortalizing the Thanksgiving celebration with children.

The evening ended with the sharing of snacks and hot chocolate with the children. This was a warm gesture of appreciation as the snacks and the hot chocolate was provided by the retirement home coordinator.