The war in Ukraine has triggered the largest war-related migration of people since the Balkan War of the 1990s. This page contains information for parishes and individuals seeking to respond, from both the Diocese of Leeds and Church of England.
Diocese of Leeds advice and support
In response to the crisis in Ukraine and requests for advice from clergy and lay leaders on offering accommodation to refugees, the Diocese has collated the best available guidance on how to be part of the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. Specific diocesan advice for those in clergy properties who wish to take part is attached to this bulletin.
Clergy and others living in diocesan owned property, who are looking to offer accommodation to refugees, should refer to the Property Team by emailing property@leeds.anglican.org to make them aware of their intention.
Church of England toolkit
On 15 March the Church of England published A Toolkit for Churches Responding to the Crisis in Ukraine. It seeks to give advice and guidance to enable parishes, clergy and individual congregants to contribute, in an appropriate way, to the people of Ukraine in their hour of need. The situation is moving quickly and the response continues to be developed at a national level. This means that the toolkit is not definitive, and is not complete at this stage.
Further information for parishes and individuals seeking to respond to the war in Ukraine can be found here on the Church of England website.
Prayer and Worship
Please find below prayers which can be used to pray for the situation.
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, may we reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world.
Amen.
Cafod
Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Church of England
The Church of England has published a page of resources including prayers and readings chosen for prayer services for Ukraine.
Revd Henriette Howarth, the Diocesan Prayer and Spirituality Coordinator, has also collated a list of other useful websites and different ways that churches can engage in prayer and worship for Ukraine. This can be accessed here.
Local support
Other organisations located within the Diocese of Leeds are offering support to incoming refugees. Please find links to some of these here:
- The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) branch in Bradford. A presentation explaining the work of AUGB in Bradford and other parts of Yorkshire can be downloaded here.
- BEACON Bradford - a charity set up out of a shared concern to address the practical and spiritual needs of the many asylum seekers and refugees who now live in the Bradford district.