The Church response to the Ukraine Crisis
Church of Scotland congregations were moved by the crisis in Ukraine as the Russian invasion devastated large areas of the country, sending millions of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries.
Webinars
In March we held a webinar to give our congregations an opportunity to ask their questions to the National Office staff. In August, we held a second webinar to give an update on the recent visit Church of Scotland representatives made to our partners in Ukraine and Hungary in late May. We also learned how funds donated by congregations to the Reformed Church in Hungary Aid are being used, heard from two congregations who are engaging with Ukrainian Displaced People, and received an update about the situation in Scotland at present.
The March and August webinars are now available to view on our Webinars page.
Peacemaking
Lord Wallace, the then Moderator of the General Assembly, and Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, who was convener of the Faith Impact Forum, repeatedly urged the UK Governments and all those with influence in the region to support all efforts to make peace.
The Church staff kept in regular contact with partner churches in the region, including the Reformed Church in Hungary and the Transcarpathian Reformed Church, offering moral and spiritual support.
The Moderator wrote to the Ukrainian and Russian Consuls in Edinburgh urging an end to the war and to pursue a path of peace with justice for all people in both countries.
Lord Wallace also wrote to the senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Great Britain to express our solidarity with the Ukrainian people and to the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (within the Ecumenical Patriarchate), copied to their Bishop in Edinburgh.
The Moderator also joined Pax Christi Scotland in a letter to Patriarch Kyrill of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow, urging him to advocate for peace.
Supporting relief efforts
Congregations and individuals raised nearly half a million GB pounds for the emergency response of the local churches, helping support the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia and those in surrounding countries to continue their witness and support those seeking refuge from the war.
Donate through the Church of Scotland
It is still possible to be supportive of the Transcarpathian Church, through help to the Church directly and through Reformed Church in Hungary Aid, by donating to the Royal Bank of Scotland Church of Scotland:
- Account Number: 00134859
- Sort code: 83 06 08
- Reference: Ukraine - and the donor's name
Find out how RCHA is using the donations.
If eligible, please also complete the Gift Aid Declaration form by filling out the HMRC gift aid form, ensuring the Charity Name is completed as "The Church of Scotland". The completed form can be returned to the Church of Scotland by email to sfadmin@churchofscotland.org.uk. Alternatively, a cheque can be sent payable to The Church of Scotland with an accompanying letter and completed gift aid form.
Action to welcome refugees
The Church has a long history of receiving and supporting refugees and leads the multifaith partnership, Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees. Many congregations are involved in supporting refugees through welcoming, befriending and sponsorship.
Visit the SFAR website to find out more.
Holding Ukraine in Prayer
You can find specially written prayers on the Prayers for Ukraine page or download God With Us, a worship resource on the theme of refugees, migration and sanctuary.
Congregations can also use these suggested songs from the Church of Scotland hymn book CH4 as part of your response in worship.
Nationality and Borders Bill
The Moderator joined a group of 1,000 faith leaders to call for changes to the Nationalities and Borders Bill, which was passed in June 2022, so it is more welcoming to refugees. The Act will have a devastating impact on people who reach the UK without the correct paperwork.
