2 March

Dear Friends,

None of us will have been unmoved or unaffected by the news emerging from Ukraine. It is a matter of great concern that war has once again erupted on the continent of Europe, as is the suffering of families who are bereaved, separated and traumatised by the violence.

Every time we consider the plight of those in Ukraine it seems to make turning our attention back to the ordinary things of everyday life feel like we are abandoning those who suffer. We often feel we should be doing more to help while, in reality, there is nothing we can do to help in the situation.

We can, and should, pray for peace – that is not doing nothing. We can give to support relief work in the Ukraine and surrounding countries who are taking in refugees – that too is not doing nothing.

As we enter this period of Lent, perhaps an appropriate challenge is to reflect on the prophet Isaiah’s message on true fasting that we find in Isaiah 58, part of which reads as follows:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

    and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

    and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry

    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

    and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness[a] will go before you,

    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

If you wish to contribute to the relief efforts, you can go to: https://christelijknoodhulpcluster.nl/ where many of the reliable relief organisations are to be found.

It was so good to have increased attendance at our service last Sunday and we look forward to many more returning to share with us in the Communion service this coming Sunday.

In these days of uncertainty and during this period of Lent, may you know much of the peace of Christ.

David McMillan
(Locum minister)