The Archbishop of Canterbury met with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia via video call yesterday.The Archbishop thanked the Patriarch for the meeting and the opportunity to discuss the urgent need for peace in Ukraine.During the conversation, Archbishop Justin Welby (pictured with Patriarch Kirill on a previous visit to London) expressed his grave concern about the war in Ukraine which he said is a great tragedy. He stressed the need for an end to the violence in Ukraine and said that war and violence is never an answer. The Archbishop said we need to find ways to live as neighbours in Europe without the aggression and human suffering which have been too much part of our life and history. The Archbishop said that as churches we must be united in following the great call of Jesus Christ on his disciples to be peacemakers, to do what we can to enable politicians to do their work of establishing the freedom and rights of all people in Ukraine. He appealed to His Holiness to join him in speaking for peace in public, and spoke of the need for a ceasefire.The Archbishop said that he and the Church of England would do whatever it could to support refugees.Both leaders emphasised the need to achieve a lasting peace based on justice as soon as possible and agreed to continued communication.
Our third Lent course meeting will be taking place onThursday in the Vestry at Hascombe Church, starting at 7pm.We'd love to see you there but if you can't join us in person you can take part in the meeting via this Zoom link which will go live at 6.50pm.Thank you. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86285911070?pwd=RFBFNHBPTVE1cVlUbzkvd0szOGFrUT09
The Revd James Buxton, Mission to Seafarers Chaplain in Turkey and our Chaplain in Izmir, writes about his experience celebrating the Eucharist on a ship hit by a Russian missile the week before. ‘It was a rare honour to celebrate the Eucharist with the Captain and crew of the Namura Queen at the port of Yalova, Istanbul on Friday 4 March. A week before, whilst at anchor at Odessa, the ship was struck by a Russian missile, ripping a huge hole in the accommodation block. One member of the crew was hit by shrapnel whilst preparing food in the galley. All were deeply shocked by the blast and fear of further bombardment.Fortunately, the ship was able to sail unhindered to Istanbul where it remains as repairs are made. After the celebration of the Eucharist in the mess we proceeded to the bridge where I blessed the ship, sprinkling everyone, and everything with holy water. What a dreadful and despicable thing it was to fire on this ship and its fine crew - who had sailed to Ukraine to collect wheat for bread! The captain and crew were expected to return to the Philippines for rest, recuperation and recovery during the first two weeks of March’. Please remember and pray for the thousands of seafarers from around the world who are caught up in the current conflict. They are stranded at Ukranian ports, have no access to supplies, and are currently unable to return to their home countries.
