Noticings – March 9, 2022

NOTICINGS…

March  9, 2022

Watching the news these days takes some courage. We seem to be lurching from crisis to crisis. On one level I’m relieved and grateful that the swirl is not directly impacting me. But the truth is that as I read I’m drawn into the anxiety and worry of it, and I can’t seem to look away. I suspect you are feeling some of that too. It’s heartbreaking. It’s especially hard when we are witness to such injustice and violence being perpetrated upon innocent people, and we feel like there’s nothing we can do.

Oh, we can offer thoughts and prayers – and I do actually believe that such things matter. But it doesn’t feel like enough. Solving geopolitical quagmires is decidedly above my pay grade, and even speaking intelligently about them is a stretch. So if you’re like me you’re flailing around looking for something real and helpful to offer. I’d like to tell you about one such project.

Many of you will remember our former music facilitator Oksana, and that Ukraine is her homeland. Oksana has reached out to us with an invitation to tangibly help her home nation. Here is what she said,
“It’s with the heavy heart that I am reaching out to the communities I know personally. As you already know, my homeland Ukraine is under brutal attack of Russian army and their dictator leader Putin. Please, let me know if your church will be open for donation of essential supplies to the Humanitarian Aid organization.”

On your behalf, I told Oksana that Faith United would be eager to help!
Below is a list of supplies that this organization has requested. If you have something to contribute, please take it to Faith United on:
Thursday March 17 between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm
so it can be included in the shipment. If you cannot make that time work please contact Stacey in the church office to make alternate arrangements.
Stacey and some of our church youth are coordinating this project.

You could also make a monetary donation through the group Oksana is working with http://4th-wave.org/
or through the United Church at https://united-church.ca/

Every little bit helps, and it will feel good to be able to do something, anything tangible in the face of such hardship and horror.
And in the meantime, keep praying for peace!

List of items
Diapers for children and adults ( various sizes), Disposable wipes
Hygiene products: shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, Women pads, Baby food ( long storage), baby formula, dry milk, Protein Powder,
Medical products: band-aids, vitamins, Tylenol (adults/kids), Advil (adults/kids)
Sleeping bags ( new or gently used and washed), Towels (new), Socks woman/ man/kids, Men’s boots (Working)
There is no need for clothes at this time. All items should be new and unopened.

Thank you for standing with Ukraine!

Shalom,
Rev. Larry