Ongoing Church support and creative outreach for Ukrainian Community at the Uniting Church in Garden Lane
Caption: Ukrainian Independence Day at the Uniting Church in Garden Lane
The Uniting Church in Garden Lane welcomed 120 Ukrainian people towards the end of the summer for a celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day. Stalls set up on the day and cash donations raised £500 for medical aid in Ukraine. Refreshments were provided by local shopkeepers and the whole community got involved.
Mike Rawski, a Trustee of the Uniting in Garden Lane said: "It was such an amazing afternoon. I can't stop thinking about these incredible people. It was a privilege to be part of their special day.”
Marje Robinson a lay preacher with the Uniting Church in Garden Lane remarked: "Such a small church, yet fully integrated with the local community, and doing so much for others. Your church is one of the best I have ever come across in my lay preaching."
The celebration was just a part of the ongoing support and welcoming of the Ukrainian visitors to Uniting Church in Garden Lane. One Ukrainian mother said, " We have been most grateful for all the help we have received from churches but the one thing that stands out about this church is that it has been consistent in its support since we came to the area."
During the six weeks of the school holidays there were art sessions for Ukrainian children in the church organised by a local artist in residence at the church, Maria Lancashire. Under Maria's guidance, the children produced some wonderful pieces of artwork which were displayed at a special exhibition in the church on 24th September. Simultaneously, the Gecko Theatre company worked with the parents and other people seeking sanctuary in Chester. This was part of the theatre’s commitment to supporting the sharing of asylum seekers stories, which formed a feature of the production of ‘Kin' at the Storyhouse in September.
Additionally, during the summer, part of the set from the Mystery Plays came to settle on the Plum Terrace face of Uniting Church. The Sun replaces the star as a celebration of the many contributions made by local people to the Chester Mystery Plays. Uniting Church will also feature as part of Chester Contemporary Fringe festival which runs between September - December 2023.
On Sunday 8th October there was an afternoon Harvest Tea followed by a Community Celebration for Harvest on the theme of Creation, led by the United Reformed Church Minister, Reverend Ceri Gardner and Christine Jones a retired Methodist Minister. Children from the Ukraine were involved and bringing to the harvest some of their work. You can read about it here: Harvest Celebration Highlights from across our churches — URC Mersey (urcmerseysynod.org.uk)
North Cheshire - Garden Lane (northcheshiremethodists.org.uk)
Caption: Ukrainian Independence Day at the Uniting Church in Garden Lane