Holding Ukraine in the Light

Dear Families,

In light of the continuing developments in Ukraine, I wanted to reach out and share some reflections on what this moment means to our community and to me personally. Nearly 20 years ago, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Moldova, a tiny former Soviet Republic, nestled between Romania and Ukraine. For many of my friends and family, they barely knew where this country was located, much less anything about the painful history of the region. Through my stories and experiences, those in my life started to replace vague understandings of what was known as the USSR with the names and faces of the people who welcomed me into their homes.

My host mother’s name was Alexandra, and I often found myself kneading bread for hours in her kitchen, learning about what life was like before and after Moldova and many of its neighbors declared independence from Russia in 1991. Life was and remains hard in this part of Europe. There are few viable economic options available, and many Eastern Europeans choose to leave their homes to work abroad, scraping together what they can to support their families back home. When I asked Alexandra if she ever considered working abroad to make ends meet, she immediately said no. “Why would I leave my land? My parents worked this land, my grandparents worked this land, and those who came before them gave everything for it. They are buried in this land. So, too, shall I be buried here.” It became clear to me that over the centuries, political lines may have been drawn and redrawn, but the human connection to the land was the single point of continuity that carried through the generations.

This past week, I have been following the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a combination of shock and deep sadness. Alexandra and her family sent me pictures of the endless lines of cars at the border with Ukraine, waiting to enter Moldova; families fleeing their homeland in fear for their lives. With every photo I see, I hear Alexandra’s story and her commitment to the land that represents her ancestors. What courage it must take for the Ukrainian people to leave their land in the face of a Russian attack not only on their country, but on their freedom and dignity. For those who stay, there is the unsettling anticipation of Russian forces surrounding major cities, the launching of airstrikes, and the potential threat of Putin employing a nuclear weapon. Some Ukrainians see no other choice but to join local defense forces to protect their land.

As a Quaker institution, Moorestown Friends condemns these acts of war and believes that peaceful reconciliation and nonviolence are the only path forward. This past week, students and faculty have talked about the events in Ukraine as they have emerged organically for students. Depending on the subject and age of the students, some teachers have included lessons on Ukrainian history, human rights, and international law, among other relevant topics. We are holding space in Meeting for Worship for silent reflection, and we ask our community to hold the Ukrainian people and their leaders in the Light as they face this dark time in our global history. For many children, depending on their age, they may bring home questions about the events taking place and the concerning images and videos they may have seen on the news or on social media. We are including some resources below, should you wish to talk to your children about the war. Conversations with children about war can be daunting, but it’s also critical to humanize for kids what seems far away and distant from our daily lives.

For Ukrainians, Moldovans, and many in Eastern Europe, yesterday marked the first day of Spring. No matter how cold or snowy it may be, March 1 is always the start of a season of hope. In Moldova, the holiday is called Mărțişor and it celebrates the first flower of spring known as the ghiocel, or snowdrop flower. After months of darkness and cold, the ghiocel is the lone flower to push through to the light and usher in Spring. As I think about our friends and neighbors in Ukraine, I am reminded that the greatest antidote to darkness is light, as United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo shares in this poem. Light is sparked by kindness and provides passage out of the darkness. As our global community faces this dark time, I hope you will join me in sparking and nurturing students’ questions about Ukraine and its people. At times when we feel helpless to the tragic events unfolding around us, creating a shared humanity can be a meaningful step forward.

In peace,