News

We weep at the suffering endured by the people of Afghanistan as the reports worsen each day on our television screens.

I draw your attention to the response by Fife Presbytery of the Church of Scotland and to the efforts being coordinated by FVA - Fife Voluntary Action. 

As Christians we are called to help these people who are coming to our shores in despair but also in hope. 

Pray and act...

Fife Presbytery

Fife Presbytery Appeal to Help Afghani Refugees

The Moderator Jane Barron, Convenor of Church & World Christine Sime, and Mission Director Neil Campbell are in touch with Fife Council to offer help and assistance to refugees and their families coming to live in Fife, and with a number of mosques to offer support and encouragement.

Can we ask that while we wait to hear more detailed news, we ask people to start preparing bags and packages of clothing and tinned foods with a long shelf life, which are ready to go when they’re needed.

A lot of people are getting in touch and asking how they can help. Thank you for your concern and for the practical aid you can give. We expect in time there may be council run drop off points. Keep an eye on local press and perhaps congregations can start to make their own plans as need becomes clearer.

Your prayers in our parishes this Sunday will be meaningful as we bring before God the fear and despair being felt by the people of Afghanistan, and the trepidation and loss of home and loved ones felt by refugees far from their country. Meanwhile we commend the prayer given by Rev Marjory MacLean and urge you to offer it in your services this Sunday.

God bless you all and everything you may do for these refugees.

Rev Jane Barron

Moderator, Fife Presbytery

Prayer by Rev Dr Marjory MacLean

In view of the situation in Afghanistan, Rev. Dr. Marjory MacLean Convener of the Committee on Chaplains to Her Majesty's Forces, has written a prayer for Afghanistan as we remember the sufferings of the people of that land and the sacrifices of our military personnel.

Let us pray

All-loving God, Your hands have fashioned every lovely corner of this treasured planet, and the beautiful land of Afghanistan is as precious as every other place Your children call ‘home'. By its rivers and mountains, its fields and gardens, its busy towns and ancient villages, it is the heart's desire of its people and the place where their lives and loves are nurtured.

We grieve today with those who grieve over Afghanistan, the people who call it home indeed, the people exiled or suddenly having to leave, and the men and women from other countries who have made sacrifices in recent years in the cause of that country's future.

We remember with renewed sadness the loss of lives of military personnel during the years of this country's involvement in Afghanistan, conscious of the questions that must today be troubling the minds of those in our community who were bereaved, those who were wounded on operations, and those who were forever changed by experiences suffered there.

We pray for peace, dignity, freedom and confidence for the men, women and children of Afghanistan; for courage, vision and generosity within the international community responding to such need; and for tranquillity of mind amongst our own Service community and its wider family.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the peace-giver, we pray, AMEN.

FVA-

We're asking Fifers to give their support to refugees settling here after fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. As priority, we're asking for donations of goods and money to support refugees. Visit http://fva.org/crisis or call on 0800 389 6046 for more info.