About 60 years ago the charity started by smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain so that marginalised people could have access to a bible after they were challenged by a pastor in the USSR to put a bible into Eastern European hands and so reach those of faith without access to one. They also gave materials to persecuted Christians. With the collapse of the Iron Curtain and barriers, Mission without Borders remit changed to bring spiritual, emotional and educational material to those in need regardless of belief. The core values of the charity are to reach impoverished people and communities for Christ and to bring healing, help and hope.

This year sees the Operation Christmas Love campaign which aims to give a box of essential food for the hungry and traumatised children and families facing  a Christmas of war. There are children in Ukraine who are not with their families or sheltering in basements of homes. They live under the stress and fear of war. Some families are in refugee buildings but even these have few resources. A donation of £30 would buy an emergency Christmas box. If you would like to donate any amount please either go to their website https://www.mwbuk.org/donate, or alternatively you can write a cheque payable to ‘Hornchurch PCC’ clearly marked on the back COM Mission without Borders and we will collate donations together and then send to the charity.

Arlene Trump

Supporting the people of Ukraine has been on many of our hearts and minds over the past weeks.

Bishop Guli wrote an article for the Essex Chronicle last week, and in it, she says:

It’s easy to feel helpless when we are so far away, but we can make a difference. In the United Kingdom we often take our freedom to speak out for granted, but we can make the most of that freedom now by keeping pressure on our Government to help Ukrainian refugees; by writing to our Members of Parliament, local newspapers and using our voices on social media.

We can also support the people of Ukraine through one of the many organisations accepting financial donations. Among them are:

• The Diocese in Europe and USPG: this is a joint appeal to provide humanitarian support in Ukraine and for refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries.
• The DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee): brings together leading charities and are providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, for refugees.

You can read more about these appeals and find out more about their work by clicking the links above.

As we hear more about our government’s plans for the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ sponsorship scheme, the Sanctuary Foundation is also inviting pledges of different kinds of support which will help to assist and accelerate the government response.

Of course, we also continue to hold the people of Ukraine and Russia in prayer.

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion
to guide their actions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.