Do we appreciate all the love and care that mothers give to us, and are we thankful enough? Ukrainian Friends were led to search truth in their hearts, also being updated on FWCC EMES Annual Meeting, hoping for a ceasefire in course of Russian aggression and welcoming a call of Pope Leo XIV for unarmed peace and a disarming peace in days when Europe celebrated unity and mourned those who lost lives in past horrible war, that never again shall repeat. Friends were encouraged by the fact that the Constitutional Court of Ukraine found admissible and decided to consider on the merits a constitutional complaint of former prisoner of conscience Vitalii Alexeienko who was jailed for his refusal to kill but released by the Supreme Court a year ago. We watched a video message from Pakistan regarding a lack of drinking water and social witness and heard a ministry from the local community with a gratitude to the United States for facilitation of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Introduction:
Friends, good afternoon. We will be immersed for half an hour in joyful silent meeting for worship to pray for peace. If the spirit moves, you can turn on the microphone and share your vocal ministry. The meeting will be recorded and published so that the light of faith may shine in the darkness as a beacon of hope for all. Attenders are asked to turn on their cameras, if possible.
Yurii Sheliazhenko:
Friends, let us hold in the light Ivan, who is currently going through a difficult time in his life, and rejoice that despite this he finds health, time and strength to study and translate Quaker spiritual literature, and he have moments of silent prayer at the beginning of each day.
I am moved to congratulate brothers an sisters in Christ of Catholic faith with election of Pope Leo XIV. I am delighted that in his first speech as a new Pope he said: “Peace be with you! This is the peace of the Risen Christ, an unarmed peace and a disarming peace, humble and persevering. It comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally. We still have in our ears that weak, but always courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome!”
I cautiously hope for the long-awaited progress towards peace in Ukraine, as President Zelensky, with the support of other European leaders, proposed a 30-day ceasefire, and the master of the Kremlin, Putin, although he cannot be believed, was forced under the pressure of the realities of international politics to publicly offer peace talks. Over time, we will see whether these are empty words or whether brutal strikes with missiles and drones will again kill Ukrainians.
The good news is the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. Our friend Farooq from Pakistan shared with me the opinion I agree with, that every war is harmful and destructive and destroys the countries that participate in it. He prays that there will be no war and that the two countries will sit down together and peacefully end their conflict.
Let us also rejoice in the pastoral visit of the European Friends. These days I was happy to participate in the Annual Meeting of the Europe and Middle East Section of the Friends World Committee for Consultation and had the opportunity to serve in the Epistle Drafting Committee. This Epistle, after publication, will be translated into Ukrainian and posted on our website. The annual report of the section also mentioned with excitement the opening of our Meeting as “a welcome light in this war-torn country”, and expressed appreciation to Kristen Richardson for her support, for which we are grateful. At the annual meeting I felt convinced that membership in the church is not something outward and formal but the inward light, revealed in moments of agreement and common happiness when Christ is present among us.
During the week, we celebrated the Europe Day and commemorated the days of remembrance and reconciliation for those who lost their lives in the second world war together with all Europeans. For the tragedy of the world war happen “never again,” the international community agreed to respect human rights and resolve conflicts peacefully, as enshrined in the UN Charter. Among these human rights is, in particular, freedom of conscience, that includes the right to conscientious objection to military service, which civilized nations guaranteed to their citizens during both world wars.
Last week, we prayed for the success of Vitalii Alekseienko’s constitutional complaint. Positive judgment, with God’s help, is still far away, but it is encouraging that the complaint has been found admissible and accepted for consideration on the merits. Vitalii went through prison and other trials and found his own way to defend Ukraine in a Christian way as a postman, not soldier, remaining faithful to his conscience. I am inspired by his example of courage and firmness. As the apostle Paul wrote, we should be guided by love from a pure heart, from a good conscience and from sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).
Conclusion:
Friends, finally, let us be grateful to the Holy Spirit and to each other for this wonderful peaceful meeting for worship, let us continue to pray for peace and hold in the light all those who suffer from war and peacefully resist war, including conscientious objectors. I would like to remind you that on May 13 and 16 we will have meetings for worship together during the pastoral visit of European Friends; please read the announcement on our website and register to participate in both the meetings. Goodbye.