Displaying items by tag: ukraine

Prayer Vigil for Ukraine - Clarence Park Baptist Church, WsM, Sunday 24th July, 6pm

5 months on, the war in Ukraine is showing no signs of a peaceful settlement anytime soon. The invasion has impacted many millions of Ukrainian people who have been displaced across Europe. The burning of crops and blockades of ports have massively thwarted the nation's ability to export grain, creating a very real risk of food famine and global hunger affecting other continents.

The Churches and church organisations in Weston have responded both with humanitarian gestures but also by mobilising prayer. All of the local churches are praying for peace at their services and would welcome anyone to join them.

United Vigil

The churches along with people from across the community have been gathering together as an act of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, to light candles, to reflect and to pray for peace. Our vision is to help people find hope and strength amidst this desperate situation.

The town's Church leaders have set aside Sunday 24th July for the next united gathering which will take place at Clarence Park Baptist Church, Walliscote Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1ED, at 6pm.

Rev Steve Christian, at Clarence Park Baptist Church said, 'We would welcome all local people for this hour of quiet reflection, prayer and contemplation for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine - but also other wars that are taking place. This is an opportunity to stand in solidarity and sympathy with those whose lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own. We look forward to welcoming you.'

For more info, see https://ctwd.org.uk. Further prayer resources are on the CTWD Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/churchestogetherwsm/

#prayforukraine #ukrainevigil #peaceinukraine #churchestogether #clif #redeemingourcommunities #westonsupermare #worle #ccwsm

Prayer Vigil for Ukraine - Christ Church WsM, Sunday 22nd May, 6pm

The war in Ukraine continues to impact many millions of Ukrainian people who have been displaced across Europe. The blockade of its ports has affected the nation's ability to export crops, creating a growing risk of food famine and global hunger affecting other continents.

The Churches and church organisations in Weston have responded both with humanitarian gestures but also by mobilising prayer. All of the local churches are praying for peace at their services and would welcome anyone to join them.

United Vigil

The churches along with people from across the community have been gathering together on Sunday nights as an act of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, to light candles, to reflect and to pray for peace. Our vision is to help people find hope and strength amidst this desperate situation.

The town's Church leaders have set aside Sunday 22nd May for the next united gathering which will take place at Christ Church, Montpelier, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 2RH at 6pm.

Rev Tom Webber, at Christ Church said, 'We would welcome people from across the community as well as the churches of the town for an hour of quiet reflection, prayer and contemplation for all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and other wars that are taking place. This is also an opportunity to stand in solidarity and sympathy with those whose lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own. We look forward to welcoming you.'

For more info, see https://ctwd.org.uk. Further prayer resources are on the CTWD Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/churchestogetherwsm/

#prayforukraine #ukrainevigil #peaceinukraine #churchestogether #clif #redeemingourcommunities #westonsupermare #worle #ccwsm

A sea of blue and yellow flags and clothing adorned an estimated four hundred people who attended a vigil on Sunday 6^th March afternoon, to unite in expressing solidarity for the people of Ukraine. 

The gathering at Weston’s Italian Gardens was comprised of people from across the community with representatives of many of the local Churches and organisations.  Weston’s Town Mayor, Councillor James Clayton spoke, expressed wholehearted empathy with the calling and purpose of the vigil. 

Rev Tom Yacomeni from Locking Castle Church led the proceedings which included a time of quiet reflection and prayers, two songs from local jazz singer, Marvin Muoneke and brief messages from Rev Tom Webber - Christ Church Weston super Mare, Pastor Mike Radcliffe - Destiny Church and Deacon Gary Hoare - President of Churches Together in Weston.

A panoramic photo was taken, to be sent to a community in Ukraine as a visual expression of Weston’s solidarity and prayers.

Rev Tom Yacomeni said, ‘It was great to see so many people from Weston-super-Mare showing love and support for all the people caught up in this crisis. Our friends who are working in central Ukraine were really encouraged to know they are in our prayers and not forgotten.’

Participants tied blue and yellow ribbons to the rails around the Ukrainian flag as they prayed for the people of this war-torn nation.  They also posted messages to the people of Ukraine using their smartphones, which will be relayed through the Ukrainian Ambassador.

Penny Hynds from ROC Weston-super-Mare, the joint instigator of the event said, ‘We feel helpless in the face of the awfulness of the war in Ukraine and the images we see on our TV screens.  Coming together as people did on Sunday really does make a difference.’

Pastor Mike Radcliffe, Lead Pastor at Destiny Church and Facilitator at CLIF said, 'It was such a great opportunity to display our unity and show our solidarity as we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends.  Many people feel so helpless right now but praying together was and is so powerful. Thanks to all those who made it possible and to everyone who showed their support.'

Deacon Gary Hoare, President of Churches Together in Weston-super-Mare said, 'This vigil was an encouragement to many people that I spoke to, to stand in unity as we did, brought strength and hope to them.  I believe that each prayer counts.  May I express a big ‘thank you’ to Penny Hynds of ROC WsM, CLIF (Church Leaders in Fellowship), North Somerset Council, the many supporting councillors and the Avon and Somerset Police for helping to enable this vigil to take place so speedily, with 48 hours’ notice.  We are indebted to you all.'

More photos of the event are available on the Churches Together Facebook Page