ATHOL — “I wanted to come and pray for Ukraine and wish them good luck.”
That, said 9-year-old Julia Nelson, is why she felt was important to take part in an interfaith candlelight vigil held Tuesday, March 22, at Athol Congregational Church. Julia, a student at Athol Community Elementary School, was among some 50 people to show up for the vigil, which marked a month since Russia’s invasion of its eastern European neighbor. She was accompanied by her mother and three older brothers.
“I think it’s really important to expose our youth to what’s happening in the world, and prayers are needed right now,” said Meaghan Nelson of Athol. “I’m active in the church and I really love the community we’ve formed here, and this is for an important cause.”
The service was led by the Rev. Dr. Candace Ashenden, senior pastor of the church. The event, which was to have taken place outdoors in front of the church, was moved to the church basement due to falling temperatures and brisk winds. The spirit of fellowship and solidarity in the wish for peace seemed to add to the warmth of the gathering.
“We are here tonight,” Ashenden said, “because of the war in Ukraine and because of other war-torn countries all over the world. We gather to lift up our hearts in a prayer for the people of Ukraine, for Russia and those who are struggling there, and for all nations. War and bloodshed can be avoided and a new just peace can be forged, ultimately, out of this crisis. We’re here to call on leaders of all nations, that they might end conflict on all sides, and invest instead in things that make for peace, as called for in my faith tradition.
“As we gather, our hearts break. They break for the people suffering in Ukraine, for those who have lost loved ones or their homes, for those who have been injured, for those who have fled their homeland seeking refuge and safety in a foreign land, and for those who have sent their children along without them, with only a prayer that they will survive.”
Rev. Ashenden also remembered those people in Russia who may also be suffering, “for the many who are casualties of a war they don’t believe in.”
The gathering was then shown a video produced by Interfaith Ministry intern Cindy Lajoie, who is a candidate for ordination as an interfaith pastor. As a song imploring Providence for the gift of peace was sung, viewers were met with images of refugees both young and old, bomb-damaged cities, families fleeing the violence or hunkering down in bomb shelters, children playing among the ruins of what had once been their homes, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy speaking to his people, Ukrainians offering assistance to their country men and women, and others praying for peace.
Prayers for peace from four different faith traditions were then offered up. These included a Native American prayer for peace, a Buddhist prayer, and prayers from the B’Hai and Christian traditions.
Lajoie, state Sen. Anne Gobi, and state Rep. Susannah Whipps then took turns reading from another prayer, while Mitch Grosky, co-president of Temple Israel in Athol offered a prayer in both Hebrew and English.
The crowd then concluded with the singing of “Let There be Peace on Earth.”
Vigil attendees were given the opportunity to contribute to Ukrainian relief. Baskets were placed by the church doors where contributions could be dropped off as people left the event.
“Any donations,” said Ashenden, “will be sent directly to the United Church of Christ effort. That effort directly supports refugees who have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, and for elderly and other vulnerable people who are displaced within Ukraine and are unable to leave.
“The UCC support is being targeted to the people most in need through humanitarian relief partners with a history of working in the region.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com