The Reverend Robert Ferris, Rector of Carrigrohane Union will be taking 2 days this week to sit outside parish buildings to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity & Christian Aid – both organisations are working with locals on the ground in border countries of Ukraine.
Robert is going to sit outside two of the Parish Buildings from 9am-5pm The Church of the Resurrection, The Square, Blarney on Monday 28th March and The Carraig Centre, Old Quarter Ballincollig on Tuesday 29th March
To raise money for the work of Habitat for Humanity and Christian Aid’s work in Eastern Europe.
The money raised by this Sit-out is part of the Parishes fundraising for the crisis and 100% of the money raised will go via the Church of Ireland’s Bishop’s Appeal to the areas affected and where partners are working on the ground.
Revd Robert Ferris says – It is so hard to know what to do in these circumstances – obviously Prayer for and practical assistance to those who we know need help is important however there is always something more that could be done.
I have been reading the reports coming back from those organisations which the Church of Ireland Bishops Appeal have been supporting in recent days and want to support that front line work as much as possible. I hope over the course of a couple of days to raise some much-needed funds to support those at Ukraine’s borders, supplying the necessities of life to those who are in desperate need.
In a recent update to Bishop’s Appeal … Jenny Williams, Chief Officer of Habitat, summarises the situation and outlines where Church of Ireland funds are being directed.
She says: “We are so thankful for that support which was mobilised by Bishops’ Appeal, and for all the support from churches. “When conflict threatens to overwhelm, I am drawn to the words of Clarence Jordan, the spiritual father of Habitat who said, ‘It is not enough to limit your love to your own nation, to your own group. You must respond with love even to those outside of it…This concept enables people to live together not as nations, but as the human race.’ “In the pain of war we are praying that God’s peace and presence would be real, and that there would be a welcome wherever refugees need to find safe places to stay. “The numbers of people fleeing from the place they call home is growing by the hour. UNHCR now estimate more than 2 million people have already fled their homes and many more are on the move. “My colleagues on the borders are sharing heart-breaking stories of the women and children arriving with only what they can carry. “Our focus is both on supporting people on the move and the longer–term shelter needs in host communities. “Immediate needs: heat for camps, as well as temporary beds and emergency basic care kits which include power banks for phones, travel vouchers, some local currency and other essentials. “In Romania many of the refugees will move onto other destinations and we are working in partnership with estate agents and hotel chains to ensure families have a safe place to rest, catch their breath and make plans for what is next. “Our longer focus is already being put into place: “Across the 4 neighbouring countries Habitat is helping coordinate what we are currently calling ‘Solidarity Shelter’ in partnership with local government and cities to help match and support refugees with shelter in private homes and in empty apartments. “We also expect the scale up of our ‘empty spaces’ programme across the region which will require renovation of currently unused spaces, for example, in Poland we already deliver this in unused attic spaces of apartment buildings. “Once funds are transferred, we will send on immediately.”
Over the course of the past few days, a number of parishioners have been asking what can we do?
On this page we will highlight things that we are aware of locally. And will be updated as we become aware of other things we might be able to do
We also want to help in practical ways – standing alongside locals who have links to Eastern Europe and methods to get help to where help is most needed as quickly as possible. We are also mindful of those coming into our parish & diocese and want to be able to extend a very practical welcome to those arriving on these shores.
Prayers for Ukraine
We have just set up our Prayer Space in the Carraig Centre – as we pray for Ukraine – if you are looking a quiet space to pray – why not come around to the Carraig centre and pray
Practical Help
Together Razem is a group that is currently using the Carraig Centre for Polish Classes every week they are actively involved across cork city & county in the refugee response – They have recently released an appeal for some basic packs for those arriving. We as a parish are hoping to support their appeal.
The women from Ukraine arrive in Ireland with barely anything – often with just a small purse and documents, one suitcase with the bare essentials, a warm sweater and underwear. But there are no hygiene products or cosmetics because these are just too big and too heavy.
Let’s help the refugee women.
Support them and help purchase hygiene products for them and their children.
In order to support our action we ask you to donate the following products as one individual package, one bag for one woman.
What should a package consist of:
2 x pack of night / long sanitary pads with wings
1 x pack of regular sanitary pads with wings
1 x pack regular panty liners
1 x toothpaste
1 x shower gel (for women, girls or boys)
1 x shampoo
1 x toothbrush (for an adult / child)
1 x antiperspirant
1 x pack of cosmetic pads
1 x face and hand cream
1 x packet of disposable razors
1 x hair comb / brush
Where do I bring it?
You can also bring packs to Church on Sunday Morning or the Carraig Centre during the week
Together-Razem Center, Unit 2A, Kilnap Business Park, Old Mallow Rd, Cork, T23 V9K3 Every Tuesday from 10.00 to 15.00
Who will the products go to?
To every woman who comes to Cork (Cork area) from Ukraine.
One bag for each woman.
Additional information:
We do not collect clothing or used items.
Take your time – please make complete sets, even if it takes a couple of days to gather all of the products.
Financial Help
We are teaming up with Bishops’ Appeal during lent who are working with Habitat for Humanity & Christian Aid partners.
Donations to this can be left in the buckets in the Carraig Centre or in envelopes on the offertory plates on a Sunday.
The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development has committed €10,000 (£8,300) from its emergency funds to assist with the humanitarian response to the current crisis in Ukraine. Bishops’ Appeal is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Ireland and Christian Aid, and encouraging parishes across the island to contribute to our response to help people seeking refuge.
Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat for Humanity Ireland, remarked: “UNHCR reports that over 500,000 people fled Ukraine into neighbouring and nearby countries from 24th February to 1st March. We have strong programmes in Poland, Hungary and Romania and our European office is in Slovakia so we are on the ground responding.
“Habitat is meeting UNHCR daily and co-ordinates with governments to add value and ensure there isn’t duplication of effort. Colleagues from Hungary and Romania spent the weekend at their borders. In Romania, the need was to provide additional heat for a camp – even more important given that there was more snow at the weekend and people were cold. More broadly our focus is on supporting the shelter needs of refugees, ensuring that more people can feel safe. We will support them for the long term.”
Christian Aid’s funds will go to sister agencies in the ACT Alliance. This network of Christian aid and development agencies includes the Lutheran World Federation and Hungarian Church Aid which are both working in neighbouring countries.
As the situation within Ukraine is changing by the day and there is a high level of violence within the country, Bishops’ Appeal will not be funding work within Ukraine at this stage although this will be kept under consideration.
There are many Charities that are helping in this area at this time here are just a few.
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