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Crisis in Ukraine

From downloading and displaying our ‘We pray for Ukraine’ poster to donating to the DEC appeal and supporting refugees, find out how you can help those affected by the conflict.

‘We Pray for Ukraine’ poster

 

 

 

 

 

Over 3 million people have had to flee Ukraine and become refugees. There are many ways in which churches, families and individuals can support Ukrainian refugees coming to the UK, from providing accommodation and raising funds to offering a warm welcome and community hospitality to new arrivals. You will find further information through the links below. Note that the situation is changing quickly so do check back regularly for updates.

  • Homes for Ukraine: a UK Government scheme giving the opportunity for UK residents to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. From Friday 18 March, for applications can be made by Ukrainians and immediate family members who already have named people willing to sponsor them.
  • Matching site from Reset: Community sponsorship support charity, Reset, is offering a matching site for potential hosts who don’t know an individual or family they can name, and for those fleeing Ukraine who don’t know a UK host.
  • Sanctuary Foundation: Preparing to support churches and groups to offer community sponsorship to Ukrainian refugees. Register for more information and support as it becomes available.
  • Ukraine Welcome: a programme from Welcome Churches equipping churches to provide a warm welcome for refugees looking for a community, for instance by training and sending volunteers to deliver a box filled with small gifts and local information to refugees who have recently arrived in your area.

First thoughts after the world has changed – a sermon by the Revd Neil Messer which was shared at The United Church, Winchester.

Following the military invasion of Ukraine, prayers are available to help churches and individuals pray for peace and for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia.

You will also find prayers and prayer activities for children and young people.

What is it like hosting a family from Ukraine? The Revd Nadene Snyman, who with husband Kevin, United Reformed Church (URC) Programme Officer (Global Justice & Partnerships), opened their home to a Ukrainian family, explains.

Read the full article

A group of volunteers, operating out of Maidenhead United Reformed Church, are continuing to send boxes upon boxes of donations to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Read the full article

Action for Children

Action for Children has produced some helpful guidance about how to support your child and reassure them at this challenging time.

They also have a parents and carers helpline to support you with your queries and concerns on handling this and other issues.

Colouring Heroes

Colouring Heroes has produced Stand with Ukraine colouring sheets that can be download from their website

CBBC Newsround

Known to Commitment for Life through its global partner work, the Soarta Community Association and a team of volunteers have supported tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Moldova.

The Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) has condemned the Russian Federation’s attack on Ukraine as a “breach of international law and a violation of human rights”, as well as expressing its support for all suffering because of the conflict.

In this season of Lent, the Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary of the URC, the Revd Clare Downing, Moderator of the URC General Assembly, along with 18 other URC representatives join 300 delegates at the Churches Together in England (CTE) Forum in calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine.

The Racial Justice Advocacy Forum (RJAF) calls for coverage, prayer and action for Black and Brown peoples facing racial discrimination amidst the invasion of Ukraine.

In a show of support for those in and fleeing Ukraine, United Reformed Church ministers, the Revds Alex and Jo Clare-Young have had tattoos of peace symbols inked onto their skin.

Peacemaking lies at the heart of the biblical story and is a core calling of Christians. The report ‘Peacemaking: a Christian Vocation’ examines the shifting challenges to peace which the world faces and invites reflection on how we might respond the call to be peacemakers in our communities and our world.

It is available here: Peacemaking: A Christian Vocation | Joint Public Issues Team

Listen to the Joint Public Issues Team discuss Ukraine and Russia’s recent history, the call to be peacemakers and how Christian leaders can lead people into prayer as the conflict unfolds.

Churches Together in England have complied resources and reactions from Member Churches to the conflict in Ukraine.

 

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