The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Churchgoers’ dove of peace for Sri Lankan congregation
Fife church in show of solidarity following Easter Sunday attacks
Fife churchgoers have reached out to a congregation in Sri Lanka with a dove of peace.
Members of Auchterderran Kinglassie Parish Church fashioned the piece out of white ribbons and old T-shirts, which were hung outside their church buildings in a show of sorrow and solidarity following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Columbo last year.
The attacks killed more than 250 people, including at least 45 children, and injured at least 500.
“Atrocity should never be forgotten and we have not forgotten the murder of more than 200 people in Sri Lanka as churches and hotels were hit by multiple bombings last Easter Sunday,” said the Rev Donald Lawrie of Auchterderran Kinglassie Parish Church.
The colourful rug ragging artwork was presented to St Andrew’s Scots Kirk in the Sri Lankan capital by former Moderator of the General Assembly, the Very Rev Dr Russell Barr.
He handed it over to church elders Lakshmi Seneviratne and Graham De Kretser. It is now framed and hangs in the manse in Colombo occupied by minister the Rev Ian Gilmour, who used to lead St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church in Edinburgh.
Mr Lawrie said: “World leaders from church, state and religious groups condemned the action as perpetrators of hate tried to cause division through introducing pain and suffering on the most important festival in the Christian calendar.
“The Church of Scotland, in response to white ribbons being tied and displayed at the sites of the atrocity, was called by former Moderator of the General Assembly, Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, to do likewise to demonstrate solidarity with our suffering sisters and brothers in Sri Lanka.
“When the ribbons outside our churches finally came down, our pastoral care team produced a beautiful banner by turning their hand to rug ragging which depicts a dove.
“It is a tangible reminder that churches throughout Scotland have not forgotten people and that they continue to be held in our hearts as we pray for healing and restoration in Sri Lanka and for all who suffer at the hands of those who hate.”
Dr Gilmour said the congregation in Sri Lanka was touched by the gesture.
He added: “What joy and amazement was in the faces of our children and adults when they saw the colourful flag from Fife.
“They could see the dove immediately and were so pleased that you have thought and responded to the terror attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Day.”