Six churches came together for an evening of prayer and reflection for the people of Ukraine.
Clergy and parishioners of Church of England churches St Mary’s, Twyford, St James, Ruscombe and St Nicholas, Hurst, Twyford United Reformed Church, St Thomas More RC Church, Twyford and Our Lady of Peace RC Church, Wargrave, gathered at St Mary’s last week for the service.
In her welcome to the quiet peace of St Mary’s, the vicar, the Revd Anna Harwood, spoke of the horror of the war in Ukraine.
“As I left the house to come here tonight they were talking on the news about the 100,000 people trapped in Mariupol,” she said.
The service was a sign of the unity among local churches in support of the people of Ukraine, she added.
Clergy and parishioners of the churches contributed to the service.
There were readings and hymns about peace, and also prayers for refugees, civilians, the wounded, those who had died, for the people of Ukraine and Russia and for peace.
Pianist Chris Easton’s gentle playing helped the congregation’s reflections during a time of individual prayer.
Activities around the church including planting seeds of sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower, also helped people’s thoughts.
A member of the congregation said afterwards how much they appreciated the service’s prayerful solidarity for people in Ukraine.
A collection raised £644 for the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Ukraine.
Pictured at St Mary’s from the left are: Father Jude Mbonu, with, behind, Deacon Peter Kelly, Deacon Michael Jackson, Chris Easton, Lucy Bowley, and in front are Linda Jackson, Ele Buckley and the Revd Anna Harwood.
