Sing in Solidarity with Ukraine
In times of crisis, such as the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine at the moment, we are called to pray for our brothers and sisters there.
Paul writes "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep".
To sing adds another dimension to our praying–our songs come from a deep place beyond mere words.
Here are some Ukrainian songs, FREE to download, that can be used in worship. Teach them to your congregation and choir, either in harmony or in unison.
You might, for example, sing the Kyrie three times, allowing silence afterwards –or it could be used as a response to the intercessions.
The solemn Alleluia, from the Orthodox liturgy, enables us to build a bridge to Christians in Ukraine, and in a small way enables us to enter into their pain and suffering.
A Ukrainian Prayer by John Rutter
‘How can a composer respond to a global tragedy? By writing music is the most obvious thing. Like everybody, I’ve been shocked and dismayed by the events of recent days, and the first thing I wanted to do was write some music that would respond in my own way.'
A Ukrainian Prayer by John Rutter is available to download below, which you are welcome to duplicate for the sole use of your own choir. If you wish, you are free to make an audio or video recording of the piece without a special licence to do so. You may like to make a donation to a Ukrainian relief charity, perhaps equivalent to the approximate cost of the copies had you purchased them. Here's a link to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal .
