We share Pastor Sarah Stadler’s letter to the Grace Lutheran congregation in Phoenix. We appreciate the letter’s thoughtfulness on the Ukraine conflict as we enter Lent, and the specific calls to action from Grace members’ brainstorming sessions.

People of Grace:

The people of Ukraine weigh heavy on my heart and probably all of our hearts these days. Russian's invasion into Ukraine has destabilized everything in that region and has potential to destabilize lives and markets around the world. This past Sunday, we prayed and lit candles for the people of Ukraine.  Please continue to pray for a swift resolution to this conflict. 

If you are like me, you may want to do something else at this time.  If so, here are some ways to help--from our brainstorming last Sunday.

1. Donate to Lutheran World Relief: Donate to Crisis in Ukraine: Neighbors need your congregation's love (lwr.org).  Or donate to the United Nations Crisis Relief Fund: Ukraine: Civilians bear the brunt of the conflict • UN Crisis Relief. 

2. Give blood: You can see where Red Cross blood drives are currently ongoing and schedule an appointment by clicking here: Schedule Your Blood Donation With The Red Cross (redcrossblood.org) 

3. Participate in events organized by the Ukrainian Cultural Center: It is difficult to find information about the cultural center online, but it is located at 730 W Elm Street in Phoenix.  Last weekend's events were publicized by our local news media, so keep your eyes open for cultural center events in the news. I will try to stop by in person and learn how people can get involved, or if you happen to swing by the center, please let me know what you learn.

4. Donate to Project Cure: Project Cure is shipping donated medical supplies to Ukraine.  You can give money, the medical supplies themselves, or volunteer at their center here in Phoenix.  For all the information, go to Donate to Save a Life | Global Medical Help | Project CURE.

Today, I stopped by the International Rescue Committee Welcome Center with clothing donations.  As I pulled my car into the loading area at the front of the welcome center, a man got out of his car across the street and tentatively walked my way.  I turned to see a woman and her young son (I'm guessing) behind me, and then, suddenly, the man was there.  They were hugging and crying and speaking a language I did not recognize.  Though I can only guess, my guess is that the woman and her son had just arrived in Phoenix and that the man, likely her husband, had been in the US for a bit.  They were reunited just a couple feet from me.  Whatever horrific thing happened in their hometown that separated them, they found each other again on the south side of Phoenix.  Horrific things happen--and so do beautiful things.  

On this Ash Wednesday, on the day we receive the cross of ash and remember we are dust, and on a day filled with global tragedy, what comes to mind is a song we sometimes sing at contemporary worship: "Beautiful Things" by Gungor.  The chorus reads:

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

Later, they sing:

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You 

Dear friends in Christ, horrific things happen every day--and, by the grace and love of God, so do beautiful things.  Consider not just the unprovoked aggression of Putin but the outpouring of love for the people of Ukraine today.  Hope is springing up from this old ground; out of chaos life is being found.

If you'd like to listen to the song on YouTube, here's the link: Beautiful Things by Gungor with Lyrics - YouTube

With hope,

Pastor Sarah