Transcarpathia is No Longer Out of Reach

“Transcarpathia is No Longer Out of Reach” – A Call to Prayer and Support for our partner church in Ukraine.

Methodist Church Partnership Coordinator Barry Sloan shares the devastating news that a region of Ukraine where people have been fleeing to for safe haven has come under attack from Russia.

The region of Transcarpathia, in the south-west corner of Ukraine and previously considered a safer haven, has now also come under attack from Russian missiles and drones. People have been travelling to the region fleeing the violence in eastern Ukraine to begin to rebuild their lives.

The Methodist Church in Britain (MCB) continues to stand in solidarity with our partner church, The United Methodist Church in Ukraine (UMC). In Uzghorod, Transcarpathia, the UMC has established two shelters for internally displaced people. One of these is the newly created “Under the Castle” project — a former hotel and restaurant now being transformed into a trauma and spiritual support centre. This vital work is supported by donations to the Methodist Church in Britain / All We Can Joint Appeal Fund for Ukraine.

This week, the District Superintendent of Ukraine, Rev. Oleg Starodubets, shared the following update on Facebook:

*“Transcarpathia is no longer out of reach. Today, Russian missiles struck Mukachevo — just 45–50 kilometres from our socio-spiritual centre ‘Pid Zamkom’ (‘Under the Castle’), where I live with my family and where many internally displaced people have found refuge. The missile hit a civilian factory producing household electronics. At least 15 people were injured. In nearby towns, drones have also attacked — one destroyed a private home near Khust, where our apartment is located. Until today, Transcarpathia was considered a relatively safe region.

We received families from Kharkiv, Bakhmut, Mariupol — hoping they could start again, hoping that children would smile again. But now, the front line has moved closer. This is not only a strike on a building — it is a strike on hope.

We ask all our Western friends, churches, and partners:

Pray. Speak. Act.

We need protection — for the people, for the children, for those who already lost everything once. We remain here. But now — with even greater responsibility.”*

As the Methodist people in Britain, we hear this call and stand alongside our sisters and brothers in Ukraine.

How you can respond:

• Pray – for peace in Ukraine, for the protection of those in danger, and for the strengthening of those offering shelter and hope.
• Speak – share this story in your churches and communities so that awareness of the ongoing crisis is not lost.
• Act – consider supporting the whole work of the Global Relationships team in connecting with our partners around the world, you can do so by making a donation to the World Mission Fund of the Methodist Church in Britain.

Let us continue to hold Ukraine in our hearts and prayers, responding to this urgent plea with faith, compassion, and action.

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace,

we bring before you the people of Ukraine.

Hold in your love all who are afraid,

all who are grieving,

and all who long for safety.

Bless those who offer shelter and hope,

especially our sisters and brothers of the United Methodist Church in Ukraine.

Strengthen their witness of compassion and courage.

We pray for an end to violence,

for justice to prevail,

and for peace to be restored.

In the name of Christ,

the Prince of Peace.

Amen.