February 25, 2022
Dear Virginia Annual Conference-
Alongside many nations, communities of faith, and people throughout the world, United Methodists join in praying for peace as tensions and violence mount with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine yesterday, February 24.
Let us be especially mindful of the humanity caught in the middle, the tens of millions of men, women, and children whose lives are undergoing upheaval, with many in peril. We pray for the Ukrainian people. We pray for an end to the threats to their lives and well-being.
We pray for the families who have already lost loved ones to this war. We pray for the healing of the wounded.
We pray also that this conflict does not escalate to further military conflicts in Europe and that Americans be united in praying for peace.
May that peace we pray for so fervently inspire world leaders to take the actions necessary to promptly ensure peace and healing.
Peace and Blessings,
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis