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Parishioners fund generator to keep Ukraine church lit for services
The generator at the Ukraine church donated by parishioners of Ballybay.
A parish in Clogher Diocese has helped to ensure church services continue in a town in the south-west of the country where there are frequent power cuts.
A Ukrainian family have been staying with some parishioners of Christ Church, Ballybay since May last year and the donation of a generator is the latest in a number of gifts sent to the family’s home church in Chernivtsi, in the south-west of Ukraine, near the border with Romania.
Last summer, the parishioners of Ballybay, led by Rector, Revd Elaine Dunne, collected non-perishable food to send to Ukraine and shoeboxes containing gifts for children were sent directly to be with them in time for Christmas.
The money for the generator was collected at the annual Ecumenical Carol Service in Ballybay in December and also from donations made at their monthly coffee mornings in Ballybay Parish Hall. The generator was sent to Ukraine in recent months.
The pastor in the church in Chernivtsi, has written of his thanks.
Pastor Peter Petresku wrote; “Dear Christians of Ireland! Our Church in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, received your gift - a generator. It’s needed at this hard time when we have many blackouts during the day as a result of the Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian power plants and critical infrastructure all over the country.
“The Bible says: Matthew 25:40, NIV: The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. '
“The generator will be used for our church activities and ministries where it’s needed. We are sure you will receive your great reward and the words of praise by our Lord Jesus Christ here and in heaven. Thank you for remembering your brothers and sisters in Christ in the times of need here in Ukraine!”