Join me today as we look in horror at images of Ukraine!

 

Greetings to you from Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

I know you join me today as we look in horror at images of Ukraine being invaded by Russian forces. We learn that already 137 Ukrainians have been killed. Many Ukrainian civilians are taking shelter in subways stations and bomb shelters. Thousands are fleeing Ukraine to adjacent countries. News reports show exhausted families, with children holding their stuffed animals, sitting in crowded train stations having arrived to safety but unsure of their future.

 

 We are incredulous that such a thing can be happening in our modern world. That human life is held to be so cheap by some of those in power. We may feel helpless in the face of the evil that is so clearly present. And so what are we to do? I think part of the answer to that question is to do what good people are called to do in any bad situation. Amending words of the Rev. Fred Rogers, “Look for the helpers”-“Be the helpers”. Already relief organizations are accepting donations to help those Ukrainians impacted-UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, Voices of Children, Sunflower of Peace, Save the Children, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. I’m sure we’ll be hearing from UCC’s national office about ways churches can help.

    

We can certainly pray. The World Peace Prayer is especially appropriate. I invite you to join me in it now and when we pray it together in worship Sunday.

 

           Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

           Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.

           Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace;

Let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world,

let peace fill our universe. 

Amen.