“Love has to be more than words”

First Congregational Church takes steps to support the people of Ukraine as country faces humanitarian crisis

  The First Congregational Church of Saugus UCC will hold a fundraising worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday (pril 3) to help the people of Ukraine.

  “Three weeks ago, we as a congregation voted unanimously to fly the Ukraine flag in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in response to this ongoing attack by Russia,” Rev. Bill Ladd of the First Congregational Church of Saugus UCC said this week.

  “Just two weeks ago, the congregation proposed a fundraising worship service to benefit the non-profits International Red Cross and UNICEF that are providing aid to the people of Ukraine,” he said.

  “A dear friend and mentor of mine, Rev. Vicky Guest, once said ‘Love has to be more than words.’ Indeed, it is here at First Church Saugus,” he said.

  More than four million people have fled Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24 in what world leaders are calling the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Fighting inside the country has displaced at least 6.5 million people from their homes, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office (UNHCR). That includes half of Ukraine’s children, the agency said.

  More than half of the refugees crossing the border have entered Poland. Others have fled to Romania and other neighboring countries. An estimated 350,000 have gone to Russia, UNHCR reported.