Prayers and help continue to be encouraged for the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC), as the war in Ukraine is now in its fourth month.
As seen on this map, some of the congregations of the ULC are in areas directly involved in current fighting. One of the difficulties that the churches in eastern Ukraine are facing, apart from the Russian attacks, is that many of the members have fled their homes and have been scattered around Ukraine and into parts of Europe. While pastors are very thankful that other countries and places in Ukraine have welcomed their members, it is a challenge to reach them and provide for their spiritual needs. Pastors are keenly aware that others churches, not in our fellowship, may seek to snatch them away.
As of this writing, there has been no reports of any pastors or members who have lost their lives. Praise be to God! There are, however, many members who have lost their houses, especially in the Kharkiv area. But much is yet unknown, until people are able to go back and survey their personal situations.
The spirit of the people might be summed up as one of knowing that they must fight until they win, as long as that may take. Yet, I’m told that the people aren’t in despair; it’s more of an attitude of survival. After what has happened, and how the people were treated in cities such as Mariupol, Severodonetsk, Bucha, and Hostomel to name just a few, they realize that this is a matter of life and death.
The people of Ukraine, in particular the people of the ULC, are hearing the voices of fellow Christians around the world who are praying for them. This lifts their spirits as they know that they are not alone and that others care about them. They are touched by the gifts that help buy food, fuel, medicines, and other daily necessities. They thank people in the WELS, ELS, ELFK, Finland, and Sweden for their aid. They are tired and worn down, but not defeated.
So far, lines of communication between Bishop Horpynchuk and myself have not been interrupted. We keep almost daily contact, either by Zoom or by Facebook messenger.
Submitted by Pastor Roger Neumann, the WELS liaison to the ULC
St. John/St. James Lutheran in Ternopil, Pastor Taras Kokovsky
Holy Trinity Lutheran in Zaporizhia, Pastor Oleksandr Feschenko
Resurrection Lutheran in Kiev, Pastor V’yacheslav Horpynchuk
