Opening Responses

Reader

We gather in the name of the Father:

Who created the sun to give light and warmth to the children of the earth.

All

But, Father, that light is veiled by the clouds of war:

The dust of bombings;

The darkness of fear;

The fogs of lies and confusion:

And the children of your earth are afraid.

Reader

We gather in the name of the Son:

The one who rose with a new dawn for humanity.

All

And yet, Lord Jesus –

Where does the light of your resurrection shine

in a world filled with death and destruction?

Lord Jesus, we yearn for the lights of peace and of hope.

Reader

We gather in the name of the Holy Spirit:

Whose gifts are wisdom and knowledge,

right judgement and fortitude,

understanding and fear of the Lord

All

But, Spirit of God,

The gifts you pour out with such grace and generosity

are squandered and abused

by those who use them to make war on innocence.

Blessed Spirit, shine the light of your gifts into the cold hearts of men –

Kindle in them the fire of your love for all peoples.

Scripture

There are many passages that would be useful. Below is a selection.

Depending on the group, one idea might be to choose a sentence from several of them to create a kind of scripture mosaic. Invite people in the group to read them in turn with a pause between them.

Isaiah 2: 4; Isaiah 9: 2b - 7; Psalm 46; James 3: 13-18;  Revelation 21: 1-5, 23-26; Matthew. 11: 25-30; John 14: 27

Music 

If in-person, this is probably best chosen from your own repertoire.

If online, try:

Kyrie Eleyson- Ukrainian Orthodox Chant of the XV Century by Kyiv Chamber Choir (sacred choral music)  

The Jesus Prayer in Ukrainia

Taizé - Gospodi Pomiluj (Ukrainian) 

Russian/Ukrainian Kyrie (chant with verses)

Simple ritual

Sunflower seeds

The national flower of Ukraine is the sunflower. From the small seed, a great plant can grow. Its flower blooms like the sun. Fields of sunflowers glow in the summer sun. In the harvest, the seeds offer oil to humans and food for creatures in the winter.

Our seeds represent the seeds of our hope – for peace – for light – for justice – for mercy – for all that God offers abundantly to his world.        

We sow our seeds in hope that the sun again will rise in power, peace and joy over Europe.

Closing Responses

Reader

Creator God, you gave the sun for our light and our warmth:

All

May your children again know the light of your love

and the warmth of your healing.

Reader

Lord, Jesus, you are the Morning Star that heralds a new dawn.

All

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death.

Reader

Blessed Spirit, come upon us and the whole of our world –

Especially upon our sisters and brothers in Ukraine.

All

May we see again the fruits of your labouring among us: 

the fruits of love and joy,

peace and, patience,

kindness and generosity,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Reader

And may all who are suffering warfare and exile

be this day under light of God’s blessing.

All

Amen