Diocese of Chichester

You can find out how to register here: https://sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/

Meanwhile Bishop Martin said this week that he is reassured of the focus for intercession and prayer in all those parishes he has heard from and recently visited. He urged everyone to continue to support through prayer all those caught up in the situation.

There has been increasing concern too for the many journalists who are in the areas where open conflict is happening and prayers for those attempting to make sure that the world knows what is taking place.

Pope Francis this week thanked all those helping journalists and refugees who are endangering their lives in Ukraine. Here is his short address in Rome.

Parishes across the Diocese continue to offer daily prayers, and many are open for the faithful to light candles and be still.

Donations to Ukraine

Many parishes are considering how they can best give towards the plight of the refugees still suffering in Ukraine and at support stations in the neighbouring countries.

The Diocese in Europe has more than 140 churches (Chaplaincies) and 300 congregations spread across 42 countries across Europe, North Africa and Turkey. Amongst these are chaplaincies in Kyiv, Riga, Budapest, Warsaw, Prague, Belgrade, Bucharest, Moscow and St Petersburg. In collaboration with USPG, the Diocese in Europe is now launching an emergency appeal to get aid to people in desperate need because of the invasion of Ukraine.

Funds raised by the appeal will support Christian charities and churches carrying out humanitarian work both in Ukraine and responding to the arrival of refugees in neighbouring countries. Partners on the ground are providing food, medicine, shelter, care for children and people internally displaced in Ukraine. With refugees they are supplying care at the border and beyond, including attention to those from Africa and Asia as well as Ukrainians who are fleeing the war. The appeal is for urgent help now but the work will go on for many months.

To donate to this emergency appeal, visit www.uspg.org.uk/ukraine

Another appeal has been launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee (www.dec.org.uk/appeal), a coalition of 15 leading UK charities, to provide emergency aid and rapid relief to civilians suffering during the conflict.

If your PCC chooses to give towards either of these appeals, any donations given will be regarded as a restricted fund. Gift Aid is claimed by the PCC on these donations and the resulting amount claimed forms part of the restricted fund and must also be passed to the receiving charity in full.

If your PCC has other contacts or potential recipients of charitable donation money in the area, please be aware of the Charity Commission guidance which they have reiterated at this time:

Bishop Ruth has issued a letter to all clergy asking for church to pledge their support to Sanctuary Foundation to welcome refugees from Ukraine when they arrive in the UK – Many of our churches have already signed up - You can find out more and register your interest here