Churchgoers respond to crisis with candle vigil

ASHBOURNE’S churchgoers have responded to the crisis in Ukraine with a week of prayers, personal reflections and fundraising.

St Oswald’s Church held a two-hour vigil on Thursday, and among the attendees were a Ukrainian couple who were on holiday in England and are now unable to return to their home.

The couple, whose home is in Kharkiv, gave a short talk during the vigil, describing their home surroundings, and their sadness at not being able to go back.

Also during the vigil, personal reflections from people in Ukraine were read out, alongside Bible readings, all interspersed by reflective music and moments of silence.

The focus during the second hour was reflections on being a refugee with prayers for world peace, especially in Ukraine, and the lighting of candles as personal prayers.

Rev Nigel Rode said: “One feels so individually inept in what we can offer to the people of Ukraine at this time, but we certainly hope that by getting a better understanding of the plights and thoughts of people affected, it will inform our prayers and hopes for the future of Ukraine.” More than 200 people of all generations attended the vigil and more than £700 was donated for the Ukraine Disaster Emergency Committee.

The Mayfield Road church’s “Walk of Words” has been updated with pictures of Kharkiv with words of hope, that are displayed along the St Oswald’s Church path and, at Ashbourne Methodist Church, people have been hanging prayer ribbons as they reflect on those caught up in the crisis. St Oswald’s Church is open every day from 10am to 5pm for peace, prayer and lighting of a candle.