Churches unite for service of prayer for peace in Ukraine
A SERVICE of prayer for peace in Ukraine was held at Town Church yesterday afternoon, and many people attended to show their solidarity with the country.
Church leaders from across the island led prayers and addressed the congregation, and the Dean of Guernsey, the Very Rev. Tim Barker, said the church was a safe space for islanders.
‘The church has been around Guernsey’s history for 800 years and is a place people have come in deep sorrow and great joy,’ he said.
‘It’s a place to show our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and a way of showing them that we are so concerned and are coming together.’
He extended the invitation to those both with and without faith.
‘I met with the other churches in Guernsey on Thursday, which was just after the news of the invasion broke, and the first thing we did was decide how best to respond and offer the opportunity for the people of Guernsey to come along today,’ he added.
‘Prayer is about to learning to look through the eyes of God... prayer changes us before anyone else.’
Lilita Kruze, the honorary consul of Latvia, and Ukrainian Oksana Stefak read passages from the Bible at the service.
Ukrainian pianist Elena Fedorenko played the hymn of Ukraine, ‘Sche Ne Vmerla Ukraina’ – ‘Ukraine has not died yet’.
Ms Fedorenko has lived in Guernsey for just under a year and has family in Ukraine. She was pleased to see support from the community.
‘I didn’t expect so many people,’ she said. ‘I’m starting with a strong piece, a Ukrainian hymn.’
Mr Barker hoped to show support to the Ukrainian community.
‘We recognise that Guernsey is a community that is enhanced by people from many different backgrounds,’ he said.
