Like many people, I have been absolutely distraught seeing the news and images coming from Ukraine, and feel an immense sense of powerlessness at what is happening there. Like many other Quakers, I suspect, my understanding of our Peace Testimony and what it means in practice is being challenged daily. I offer what political intervention, monetary support and prayer that I can.

I have been uplifted by the unity of Quakers across the world who are meeting in worship to uphold all those involved. I have joined an International Daily Meeting for Worship for Peace sponsored by Friends House Moscow and a Sunday Meeting for Worship with Quakers who live in Ukraine. One of our international meetings had 550 Friends on Zoom, all holding this devasted country, as well as those involved from both Russia and Ukraine, in the Light. I am sad that there is still a need to hold many other situations of conflict in the light, including those in Syria and Afghanistan.

I offer a prayer/poem that came to me this morning:

Unknowing

Kindred spirits of the world lurked

Residing in everyday citizens who were soon to become

Armed Warriors.  Defenders of more than one brave country

In our hearts we have found

Near neighbours whose plight we cannot bear to become the

Endgame