We reported previously about the spontaneous and generous support from clergy, employees and a number of parishes for the costs of the five vans being driven into Ukraine with medical supplies donated by the people of Cork. That report is HERE.

Naturally, in the following days, parishes began to take their own initiatives including in response to the call by the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal in partnership with other agencies, which was reported HERE.

The Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, paid tribute to the people of Cork, and especially to those from Cork, Cloyne and Ross for their immediate Christian and humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. He said:

We all continue to be increasingly dismayed and devastated by the scenes we are witnessing through the media emanating from Ukraine as well as the scenes of refugees arriving in neighbouring states. As we have responded to other crises and conflicts around the world, and continue to do so, the response of the people of Cork in general, including the people of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, has been immediate, compassionate and very generous.

It really is an example of the third of the Five Marks of Mission in Anglicanism: ‘to respond to human need with loving service.’ What is truly eluding us all in the current disaster, however, helpless as many of us feel, is what we we are entrusted with in part of the fourth of those marks of mission: ‘…to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation.’ I call everyone to fervent prayer, practical humanitarian responses, and also thank very sincerely the people and parishes for their initiatives.

Here is what is a flavour of what is happening in some of the parishes of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

Abbeystrewry Union

• A retiring collection was held in the churches over the weekend, which raised roughly €250.00 for the Red Cross in Ukraine.
• The Ukrainian national anthem was played at our service in Abbeystrewry Church.
• And a parishioner created a piece of artwork which is displayed in the porch in Abbeystrewry. 

Bandon Union

• Bandon Grammar School have launched an appeal to students and staff for donations  of hygiene  supplies to help those who are fleeing from war torn Ukraine.

Carrigaline Union 

• The Healer/Prayer group led a very moving time of prayer on Ash Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. There was a retiring collection which was sent to UNICEF for the Ukraine appeal.  The Healer/Prayer group have also committed to pausing each night at 7pm to pray for peace in the world and all parishioners are invited to stop whatever they are doing at that time and join them in prayer.
• Following an initiative from the Dean of Cork , together with church bells across the county, St Mary’s Carrigaline and St John’s Monkstown Bells rang for 5 minutes at 7pm on Thursday night to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.  
• From Sunday, there will be a basket in each church to facilitate donations to Bishops’ Appeal for Ukraine. They are partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Christian Aid and encouraging parishes across Ireland to contribute to their response to help people seeking refuge. 

Cloyne Union

• A Red Cross Appeal Street Collection will take place on Saturday, 12th March, and prayers have been provided. 

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

• The Dean of Cork, Very Rev. Nigel Dunne and Chairperson of the St Fin Barre’s Quarter Development Group decided that the ringing of some of the Cathedral bells for five minutes at 7pm last Thursday night might be a simple way of doing this. Within 24 hours 12 churches decided to join the Cathedral’s lead and by another 24 hours the list had more than tripled. The churches continue to ring bells every Thursday night. 
• Part of the Bells of Ukraine initiative led by the Cathedral on Thursday night was the lighting of a dedicated ‘peace candle’ which has been installed in the Dean’s Chapel. Two prayers, one for the people and government of Ukraine and one for peace throughout the world are available at the candle for visitors to offer as they pray. 

Douglas Union with Frankfield 

• Collections in aid of the Irish Red Cross appeal for Ukraine will take place on Sundays  6th and 13th March.
• The Union have advertised a local initiative by the Polish community in Cork who are transporting essential items to Poland for the Ukrainian refugees there. Their temporary depot is a unit in the Kinsale Road Industrial Estate.
• Church bells were rung in all churches for the ‘Bells for Ukraine’ initiative.

Fanlobbus 

• The Union have set up a fundraiser on their iDonate page for people to make contributions towards the cost of sending a van to the Ukraine (the Bishop’s initiative).  All parishioners received a text message saying that they can contribute online, in church or by dropping a donation into the rectory. This is their donation link: https://www.idonate.ie/ukraine783
• Church bells were rung in all churches for the ‘Bells for Ukraine’ initiative.

Kinsale Union

• In the Kinsale Union after all Sunday services there is an opportunity to donate to the Ukrainian Appeals of the Irish Red Cross and Unicef.
• At all services last Sunday a minute’s silence and the prayer commended for the people of Ukraine by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York took place.

Mallow Union

• There was  a coffee morning on Wednesday next (9th of March) in Eily’s bar, Doneraile, from 10am am to 12 pm. The money raised was lodged with the Irish Red Cross and GOAL International to enable aid to be given to people as they need it, and where they need it.
• At Doneraile Church, the Church Warden, Mary St Leger, organised a collection of items to send to Poland for refugees arriving from Ukraine.