New Harmony Presbytery:
We want to thank you for all of the prayers, engagement, and financial gifts you and your congregation have shared in support of the church’s work with partners serving Ukrainian refugees in eastern Europe. Let us continue to be generous in all ways!
Many years ago, Gavin had the opportunity to visit Ukraine, in particular Kyiv; Ukrainians are a lovely people and their country is beautiful. Along with all of you, we grieve deeply for what is happening and are so very angry about this unprovoked, illegal and immoral war by an evil, brutal dictator causing so much death and destruction.
As you know, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is one of the three ministries supported by gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). Funds for initial solidarity grants with our partners were funded through OGHS gifts. Please give generously to OGHS!
To date Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has sent support to several of our reformed and orthodox partners who are working with national and local churches:
- Community of St. Egidio in Ukraine – working in western Ukraine
- Hungarian Reformed Church Aid – western Ukraine & Hungary
- Hungarian Interchurch Aid – Ukraine & Hungary
- Lutheran World Federation - Poland
- International Orthodox Christian Charities – Romania
Here are some helpful links, most of which have been shared in THIS WEEK:
Also attaching a few resources:
- A promo graphic for the March 23rd webinar
- Two versions of a bulletin insert (one in color and one black & white) that you may find helpful as your congregation makes connections between this crisis and the worldwide reach of gifts to the OGHS.
- A few photos you may use. Please note, the owners of these photos do have copyright restrictions. They may be used online or in print as long as they are in reference to the work PDA is doing. The photo credit is in the file name.
Let us close with a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, Director, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance:
God of mercy, justice and peace:
Our spirits are heavy with sorrow, our souls shocked
At the sudden and breathtaking violence,
the invasion of Ukraine by their neighbor, Russia.
We pray for lives caught in the grip of war,
who hear the bombs in the night,
the ominous movement of troops on the road into town
the whistle of incoming shells,
for a cry from a desperate neighbor or a shout of warning.
For those who huddle in subways and basements
or flee for the borders, clutching their children’s hands.
We pray for families separated from fathers, brothers and sons
who must remain to fight and protect their homeland.
We pray for neighbors in Eastern and Central Europe
As their hearts and doors open to these refugees
That strained resources will become an abundance of hope
That fears and struggles with racism will yield
to a generosity of profound welcome.
That communities of faith within Ukraine will be protected from harm
and sustained in their efforts to feed and shelter their neighbors.
That peacemakers and protesters in Russia will be heard and their lives reserved.
May we undergird our prayers with tangible resources to help.
May we reach deeply, give generously, and welcome extravagantly.
May we lift our voices in a strong and unified advocacy.
May we all, even as we breathe in lament, breathe out mercy, hope and peace.
And in this Lenten season, when we walk the way toward death and resurrection, repent our complicity in cultures of violence and renew our efforts toward justice and peace.
In the strong name of Jesus. Amen.
Let us continue to be in prayer for President Biden and other NATO and world leaders as we unite against tyranny and injustice.
Let us continue to be in prayer for the Ukrainians, knowing the atrocities they are enduring at the hands of an evil dictator.
And let us be in prayer for, mindful of, and responsive to the many others who are also suffering atrocities:
Uyghurs and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups suffering genocide in China;
Afghans at hands of the Taliban;
Myanmar people under military junta;
the people of Darfur, Chad, Ethiopia in the midst of civil war;
Columbians in the midst political violence; and
Mexicans in the midst of a drug war.
Let us be concerned and in prayer for these and so many others who are in parts of the world and not daily on our TV screens.
God bless. Gavin and Ella
Your Transitional Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk
and
Your Associate for Pastoral Concerns and Fellowship
New Harmony Presbytery
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