During the traditional silent worship on Sunday, Quakers prayed for prohibition of nuclear weapons, that we should abandon, like Jesus abandoned satanic temptations. We preserve the memory of Orange Revolution, Euromaidan and other movements of nonviolent resistance to tyrannies and aggressions, that are models of resilience for us. We hold in the light millions of victims of Holodomor, Stalin’s policy of killing Ukrainians by hunger, and all victims of wars and injustices. We hold in the light Christians in Pakistan and all those who suffer from poverty and oppression.
Next week we will meet again at 14:30 Kyiv time to find joy in silent worship for universal peace and happiness.
A ministry by Yurii Sheliazhenko:
Friends, the Russian assault on Ukraine with a hypersonic missile fired at Dnipro with a clear nuclear threat is a horrifying development additionally to severely damaged energy infrastructure, continuing killings and war of conquest.
When Jesus was tempted by promises of miracles and power, the devil took him very high and said: throw yourself down (Matthew 4:5-7). Leaders of countries belonging to so-called Nuclear Club find themselves in the same position, and for now they wisely resist the temptation, following Christ’s example. At the summit in Rio de Janeiro, leaders of 20 biggest world economies in their declaration committed to a world free of nuclear weapons.
Indeed, nuclear war should not happen, it would mean cities turned into radioactive graveyards and millions of killed.
I imagine how Ukraine could also commit to a world free of nuclear weapons by joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, so if even Ukraine join NATO, there will be no nuclear weapons and no nuclear drills in Ukrainian territory, so Putin will lose his pretext to frighten Russians with mythical Western nuclear threat from Ukrainian territory. Since Putin’s regime and its aggressive war effort is based on fear, removal of the fear could be a first step to peace.
I ask you to hold in the light millions of victims of Holodomor, the Stalin’s genocidal famine.
Other important memories we need to keep these days with all Ukrainians are memories of Orange Revolution and Euromaidan, nonviolent movements for more fair, democratic and European Ukraine.
Nonviolent resistance to tyranny and invasion is possible, as many Ukrainians proved on practice, and I encourage you to read Pendle Hill pamphlets “Of Holy Disobedience” by A. J. Muste and “Nonviolent Resistance: A Nation’s Way to Peace” by Cecil E. Hinshaw and let the spirit lead your thoughts in that direction during a silent worship.
Also, this week I had a meeting with Friends from Central European Yearly Meeting and from the Friends World Committee for Consultation, Europe and Middle East Section. Friends saw many aspects of Quaker witness in our worship, faith and practice, and we will stay in touch to walk further in the light.
A ministry by Artem Denysov:
As descendants of Holodomor survivors, some of us could imagine if you was not born because your parents died from famine. Everyone need to think about it to ensure that such horror will not repeat.
A ministry by Kristen Richardson:
Friends, I also found myself thinking of nonviolent resistance in the last days. Because United States is also facing a time of great uncertainty, and Americans, sadly, tend to respond violently to any kind of an attack. And I think not only we, the Quakers, a small minority here, but Americans in general, need to remember great accomplishments of nonviolent resistance during the Civil Rights Movement, the movement for independence of India from British power, and your examples of Euromaidan and Orange Revolution. The pledge of nonviolence does not mean inaction. We need to develop the “weapons” of the spirit that allows us to withstand repeated attempts to bring us down. My prayer for us that we don’t need to put our bodies on the line, as those did in India and in the South, and as many are doing in Ukraine. But we must be prepared, our hearts and minds must be prepared to stand strong and draw more people to swell our numbers, to stand up for truth, and dignity, and freedom for everyone. I hold the people of Ukraine in the light, really, and also find inspiration there for the work we need to care. We are all truly connected.