Light a candle for Sudan this season
Justice & Advocacy
“I ask anglican focus readers to light a candle for peace in Sudan as we enter into the last week of Advent, remembering the Sudanese people in their prayers during this holy time,” says The Rev’d Rebecca King
Please be aware that this content may be distressing for some readers.
I am pleased to update anglican focus readers on what is happening in Sudan. It has been very upsetting seeing such little coverage, in both the regular and Christian media, of the current civil war and its devastating impacts.
I have been told that civilians are being buried and burnt alive. This is happening to loved ones of parishioners. Yesterday a parishioner’s brother was killed – a bomb was dropped on his head while he was buying Christmas groceries. Since the conflict started in mid-April I have been hearing these stories in phone calls and face-to-face conversations daily and reading messages from people I know in Sudan on WhatsApp.
I am very grateful to Archbishop-elect Jeremy who has compassionately reached out to the Archbishop of Sudan and me this year, and to Bishop John Roundhill, my Southern Region bishop, and The Ven. Bronwyn Pagram, my Archdeacon, for assisting with making things as easy and smooth as possible during this very stressful time.
I am also grateful to all those Anglican community members, including parishioners and other Anglicans, who have contacted me to express support, prayed for peace and contributed financially to my August appeal. Our parish’s youth group even organised a day of fellowship and sport to raise money for this appeal, and I appreciate their work.
However, there have been times when I have been shocked and hurt by some people’s selfishness and the harsh things they have said to me, all because they don’t want me to talk about what is happening in Sudan, whether in conversations or in Sunday services. I can’t be happy right now when everything is collapsing at home and people are dying. This is a time of mourning for us. It is not a time of joy.
Although, I have been touched by the very elderly World War II veterans who have approached me, saying they understand war’s impacts and how sorry they are for my people. Two veterans in wheelchairs spoke with me for half an hour, expressing their sadness — I could tell that they remember what it’s like all these years later.
There have been signs of hope in the last few days — some people have started to return home as the conflict settles in some of the bigger cities, such as Khartoum. As we enter into the special week before Christmas, I am hopeful that the war will stop.
I ask anglican focus readers to light a candle for peace in Sudan as we enter into the last week of Advent, remembering the Sudanese people in their prayers during this holy time. If possible, take up a collection or donate personally for the thousands left homeless by contacting the treasurer for The Parish of Yeronga, James Stephen via yeronga.treasurer@anglicanchurchsq.org.au.
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