Ukraine Relief
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9
Like many of you, we grieve the needless violence of war and mourn the overwhelming suffering happening in Ukraine as millions flee from their homes. If you would like to a way to help, please consider giving through UMCOR. Because their operational expenses are paid through our apportionments, 100% of your donation will go to the directed need. They are on the ground now, working to help those displaced by violence.
A message from Bishop Eduard Khegay
Bishop Khegay serves UMC churches in both Ukraine and Russia.
Dear brothers and sisters, peace be upon you from our Lord Jesus Christ! The events of the past few days have resonated greatly around the world, in our society and in our hearts. The world is radicalizing and multiplying hatred. Many people think that the situation is hopeless.
As Christians, we are called to be the light and salt of this world, to unite even stronger around Christ, to support one another spiritually and psychologically. Many Pastors and leaders are under even more pressure and assault from society and even our pastures.
The official position of the United Methodist Church is voiced in our Social Principles:
"we believe that war is incompatible with the teaching and life of Christ. Therefore, we reject war as a tool for national foreign policy and insist that the main moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every division that arises between them or within them” (Book Discipline OMC, ¶165B).
Dear brothers and sisters, peace be upon you from our Lord Jesus Christ! The events of the past few days have resonated greatly around the world, in our society and in our hearts. The world is radicalizing and multiplying hatred. Many people think that the situation is hopeless.
As Christians, we are called to be the light and salt of this world, to unite even stronger around Christ, to support one another spiritually and psychologically. Many Pastors and leaders are under even more pressure and assault from society and even our pastures.
The official position of the United Methodist Church is voiced in our Social Principles:
"we believe that war is incompatible with the teaching and life of Christ. Therefore, we reject war as a tool for national foreign policy and insist that the main moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every division that arises between them or within them” (Book Discipline OMC, ¶165B).
March 7, 2022 begins the Great Post, which will last until April 23. I urge you to dedicate this time to a deep practice of fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine. “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and they shall be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). Ask for peace for Ukraine.
Here are some practical steps and topics I encourage you to focus on during the Great Fasting:
1. Shout out to the Lord ! Ask Him for peace for Ukraine. Praise Him in hymns and praises. Spend more time reading your Bible. Keep your eyes on Christ. Feed Him with all your heart.
2. Fasting! Give up any food (e.g. meat, sweet, flour, etc.) d. ) for the whole time of fasting. Or refuse to eat hard for a day or more every week (read your health status and consult your doctor and your pastor).
3. Focus your attention on mercy and compassion! This is our active position. Excessive reading of a news feed and aggressive sharing of comments on social networks can lead you out of mercy and compassion. Find those in need and share food or clothing with them, a word of love and encouragement.
4. Collect donations from your community to send them to help the refugees from Ukraine. Coordinate your efforts at the level of the churches of the district, the annual conference and the entire OMC Eurasia. Together we are a force!
5. Direct your efforts to the gospel! People need salvation of their souls, in a life of excess, in peace with God. Your love and care, preaching the gospel and inviting you to church can change a person's life.
6. As a recommendation, I suggest you use the weeping litany that I wrote on March 2. It can be used in your prayer meetings or worship services. Don't be afraid to cry. Christ is crying beside us. He gives us comfort and hope.
Brothers and sisters, I urge you to fast and pray with faith, uniting with one another in your church! Take care and value each other, take care of each other, forgive and accept each other.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another; as I have loved you, so you should love one another. By this, all things will know that you are My disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:34-35)
With love in Christ,
Bishop Edward Hegay
Here are some practical steps and topics I encourage you to focus on during the Great Fasting:
1. Shout out to the Lord ! Ask Him for peace for Ukraine. Praise Him in hymns and praises. Spend more time reading your Bible. Keep your eyes on Christ. Feed Him with all your heart.
2. Fasting! Give up any food (e.g. meat, sweet, flour, etc.) d. ) for the whole time of fasting. Or refuse to eat hard for a day or more every week (read your health status and consult your doctor and your pastor).
3. Focus your attention on mercy and compassion! This is our active position. Excessive reading of a news feed and aggressive sharing of comments on social networks can lead you out of mercy and compassion. Find those in need and share food or clothing with them, a word of love and encouragement.
4. Collect donations from your community to send them to help the refugees from Ukraine. Coordinate your efforts at the level of the churches of the district, the annual conference and the entire OMC Eurasia. Together we are a force!
5. Direct your efforts to the gospel! People need salvation of their souls, in a life of excess, in peace with God. Your love and care, preaching the gospel and inviting you to church can change a person's life.
6. As a recommendation, I suggest you use the weeping litany that I wrote on March 2. It can be used in your prayer meetings or worship services. Don't be afraid to cry. Christ is crying beside us. He gives us comfort and hope.
Brothers and sisters, I urge you to fast and pray with faith, uniting with one another in your church! Take care and value each other, take care of each other, forgive and accept each other.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another; as I have loved you, so you should love one another. By this, all things will know that you are My disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:34-35)
With love in Christ,
Bishop Edward Hegay