Healing Through Relentless Optimism
By Rev. Breanna Illéné
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, teraa bhane sarbaht da bhala. This line from a Sikh prayer that means “We shall be relentlessly optimistic for the peace and prosperity of all people” marked the atmosphere at the 10th annual Oak Creek Sikh Remembrance Vigil held on August 4th – 7th. Marking 10 years after the violence at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, the theme “Heal. Unite. Act.” called community members to action. Members of the WCC staff and representatives from many of the Council’s member denominations were present throughout the weekend.
Loving our Neighbors: A Statement of the Wisconsin Council of Churches on Interfaith Relations says, “Coming together to listen and to share often leads to a strengthened call for collaboration as people of faith seek to respond to the suffering in our world.” The Christian community presence at the events leaned into this understanding. Pardeep Singh Kaleka, executive director of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and member of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, shared in a recent interview on WCC Wednesday, that the healing part of the events was a “celebration of our togetherness and our diversity.” He said that “We have a stake in this…we all have a role to play…in how America is shaped and how we…really even find sanctuary once again.” And of the Sikh community, “One of the gifts we’ve been given as a community was that this place has become a place that was open to the world. Even through tragedy, even through struggle and challenge.
Thursday evening featured a faith site security symposium with speakers from the DOJ, FEMA, local and federal law enforcement, stakeholders who are preventing violence in their local cities, and those who have been hateful in their lives and have changed. While protecting sites of worship was an important focus, the event also highlighted the community programs and work that must be done to prevent violence from happening in the first place. Singh Kaleka shared, “Change can happen. It takes a lot of work, a lot of community support.”
Friday, the community gathered for a beautiful, somber vigil with speakers, music, and candlelight. WCC staff member, Ms. Angela Hicks shared “What moved my spirit was how the family of the victims were able to do great things in their lives despite the tragedy and the pain they continue to go through daily…I was glad to be present and see the love amongst those gathered in unity.” Rev. David Simmons, chair of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, shared in his speech at the vigil, “The Sikh community of Greater Milwaukee has shown us again and again what a belief in our essential human oneness looks like, and that witness has led to a general strengthening of ties among our interfaith community. Thank you for your gift to us. Your strength in your grief has strengthened all of us in hope.”
“Relentless Optimism” shone through at the Chardi Kala Community event on Friday. My family joined me for a day of connecting, games, food, and learning that included visits to the Gurdwara (temple), turban tying, presentations, and an organizational fair. The feeling of community was present as my 1-year-old marveled over the Sikh motorcycle club showing off their bikes and teaching anyone (including my spouse) how to tie a turban. There were connections made across differences and we admired the Sikh value of hospitality that made sure we always had snacks, food, and cool drinks.
In my conversation prior to the event, we had reflected on the fact that “healing is a continual process, continual work” and I believe that in the community, the relentless optimism, the conversations over samosas, the learning about others, the story sharing, and the prayers healing continues to happen in Oak Creek and beyond.
