United in Prayer for Ukraine #PrayforUkraine

We are inviting churches across Britain and Ireland to join together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the conflict and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.

We have all watched the unfolding conflict in Ukraine and seen the heart-breaking stories of people fleeing violence, not knowing when they’ll see their loved ones again. Over two million people have fled Ukraine. Many more have been forced from their homes to seek shelter. Lives have been lost and families torn apart. Homes have been destroyed and many roads are blocked. No one is safe.

Churches in Ukraine, in neighbouring countries and here in Britain and Ireland alongside many others in the community have responded with generosity and hospitality to support and welcome refugees.

We all share a feeling of horror and powerlessness but every prayer, every action brings hope to the people of Ukraine. We are sharing a prayer that we would invite you to share on 3rd April during your worship for that Sunday and, if possible, perhaps in a more public event with other churches and your wider community. There will be a national event at [time to be agreed] near the Ukrainian and Russian embassies in London.(tbc)

Together as Christians in these islands and with our sisters and brothers in the churches of Ukraine, we pray for an end to the conflict and for peace in our world.

What?

On 3rd April 2022, churches and Christians from across the UK and Ireland will come together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the conflict, and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.

Audience: Church leaders, active Christians who attend church or people who identify as Christian but do not attend a place of worship at least once per month.

Toplines: It is a dark and worrying time for the people of Ukraine and for everyone who believes in peace.

We have seen the heart-breaking stories of people fleeing violence, not knowing when they’ll see their loved ones again.

It shouldn't be like this. War and poverty should have no place in our world.

Like the people of Ukraine looking out for their neighbours or the charity workers delivering emergency food to people seeking refuge, we must bring hope.

That is why Christians from across the UK and Ireland - recognising the God-given human dignity and rights of every human being - are uniting in an act of witness to pray for Ukraine and an end to the conflict.

With one voice, we are uniting behind a simple message: immediately agree a ceasefire and unequivocally commit to protect civilians and key services.

Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to the people of Ukraine. By joining us, you can give hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

Context: The humanitarian challenges in Ukraine are huge. People are desperately fleeing to neighbouring countries, facing long waits at borders and freezing temperatures.

Over two million people have fled Ukraine. Many more have been forced from their homes to seek shelter. Lives have been lost and families torn apart. Homes have been destroyed and many roads are blocked. No one is safe.

Schools, health facilities, water and food supplies have been destroyed or damaged. People are in urgent need of shelter, food and water.

It is predicted that 7.5 million people will be displaced. Ukraine is on course to become the biggest movement of people in Europe since World War II.

Prayer:

God of all peoples and nations,

Who created all things alive and breathing,

United and whole,

Show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence.

We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia,

Every child and every adult.

We long for the time

When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares

When nations no longer lift up sword against nation.

We cry out to you for peace;

Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety

Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones

Be with those who are bereaved.

Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression

And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.

Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour,

And a passion for justice to prevail

and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace.

Creator of all hear our prayer

And bring us peace. make us whole.

Amen.

Organ & blood donation workshop – why health matters?

Organ and blood donation-why health matters? Join us at a special workshop to explore ways in which you can help NHS Blood and Transplant
About this event

Organ & blood donation workshop – why health matters?

Date: Tuesday 19th April 2022

Time: 10am-3.30pm

Venue: Holiday Inn, Coram St, London WC1N 1HT

We are pleased to invite you to a workshop organised by NHS Blood and Transplant and members of the Free Churches Group, Paul Rochester, and Paul Harrison from PKMedia. The aim of this workshop is to learn more about organ and blood donation, and why we need more donors from people of Black heritage.

It is also a chance to discuss ways in which you could help us reach this target audience within your church networks.

As part of the workshop, there will be a special appearance from individual speakers sharing their inspiring stories about how their lives have been impacted by blood or organ donation. There will also be an opportunity to hear from amazing speakers sharing tips and facts about how to boost your iron levels before giving blood.

A hot food buffet and teas and coffees will be provided throughout the day.

Further details can be found below. To confirm your attendance, please register via Eventbrite by Monday 21st March.

Hope to see you there.

NHS Blood and Transplant
Do something amazing today - Give Blood.
Organ donation. The gift of life.
You can visit us at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk

Induction Service for Revd Canon Helen Cameron, the next Moderator of the Free Churches Group

We are inviting you to the induction Service for the Revd Helen Cameron, who will succeed Revd Dr Hugh Osgood.

It promises to be an inspiring service where we will formally receive the Revd Helen Cameron in her new role, spend time in worship, offer prayers, and hear from Revd Helen Cameron as she gives her first formal address as the Moderator. We will also take the opportunity to record our thanks to Revd Hugh Osgood for his service and dedication as the Moderator of the Free Churches Group over the last few years.

We hope that many of our people from across the Free Churches will join us, to share this special occasion. The Service of Induction will be held at 6.30 pm on Sunday 3rd April 2022, at Wesley’s Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1 1AU. Please register for this free event via Eventbrite HERE.

We look forward to seeing you, but please do contact Sabina Williams on email: sabina.williams@freechurches.org.uk if you have any questions.

Revd Paul Rochester

General Secretary of the Free Churches Group

If you’re tired and you know it, clap your hands

It is just over two years since the first patients to be treated for Covid-19 in England were admitted to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. It wasn’t too many weeks before other hospitals were admitting their first patients and words like shielding, social-distancing and lockdown started to enter into our vocabulary.

Nobody knew what to expect at nor how long things might last. As cases began to rapidly rise, a metaphor that I sometimes heard was of being in a 100 metre sprint. Over time, as cases did not rise quite as sharply as initially thought, but nor did they rapidly drop off either, that metaphor changed to one of being less a sprint but more a 10km race. As cases began to rise again in the later part of 2020, the distance was upped again to that of a marathon. Two years on and we must now be in the territory of ultra-distance racing!

I recently asked health and social care chaplains to send me three words that sum up a little of how they are feeling. The vast majority included the word ‘tired’ or some related synonym. Experienced staff, both chaplains and those in other professions, talk about how they have never known anything like it. There have always been busy times, particular during winter, but they say that they feel like they have been responding to a major incident for the best part of two years. A colleague recently wrote about how they hated the description of the NHS working ‘tirelessly’ as it plays down the reality of how shattered people actually are.

Throughout the time of the pandemic, even though Covid pressures have risen and fallen, the pressure on staff has not. Each time Covid infection rates fall, there is the pressure to catch up with postponed operations, tests, appointments, etc. Patients are often coming into hospital, or seeing GPs, later than they might have done previously and consequently may have more complex medical, emotional and spiritual needs. Alongside the exhaustion, there are also high levels of anxiety, guilt, and moral injury. The danger of burnout is very real with some modelling suggest that there could be as many as one in six doctors and nurses off sick throughout 2022.

Chaplains are not immune to this, as the frequency of the choice of the word tired shows. However – to finish on a more uplifting note – many chaplains also included positive words such as hopeful, grateful and blessed. It is the privilege of health and social care chaplains to minister to a community of patients, visitors and staff who face some of the most profound human experiences. The good news of the gospel is that our exhausted and fragile reality is bound up with the nature of God, distinctively revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, who shared our weakness and vulnerability. In paying attention to the meanings and stories of people’s lives, hopes, beliefs and doubts we affirm the dignity and value of people, whatever their circumstances, and are a tangible reminder of a transcendent dimension to life.

Revd Dr. Mark Newitt

Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy

Note: This reflection is written for the Churches Together in England

Final report on progress to address COVID-19 health inequalities

Government Report from the Race Disparity Unit in the Cabinet Office on disparities in the risks and outcomes of COVID-19 for ethnic minority communities. The report has been praised for its robust analysis backed by £7 million of Government funding. It identifies the factors which have driven higher infection and mortality rates among ethnic minority groups. These factors are occupation, living with children in multigenerational households, living in densely populated urban areas with poor air quality and higher levels of deprivation. For more information, please visit here.