Revd Chris McDermott, Lead Chaplain for the University of Sussex

As I am writing this brief submission for my usual monthly contribution to the staff bulletin, Russian weapons are wreaking destruction on key cities in Ukraine. Over the past week, we have watched both the barbarism of the onslaught on Ukraine and the breath-taking heroism of those placing themselves in harm’s way in order to protect their home.

For many on campus, students and members of staff, this is not just a matter of witnessing a tragedy unfold in some distant land. The conflict cuts close to the bone. I am speaking not only about Ukrainian, but also Russian members of our campus community. Each will be affected in different ways. Both will experience practical consequences of what is effectively well beyond their control.

This is perhaps the common experience for many of us at the moment: Ukrainian, Russian and others. We feel powerless at the spectacles unravelling before the world’s eyes. International responses, however robust they are claimed to be, feel inadequate somehow. The other day, one of my colleagues who was sitting alongside a weeping student whose life is being impacted profoundly on a number of levels, mentioned how powerless she felt. Words and actions fell into an abyss of their own uselessness. The only thing that could be offered was her presence.

At the moment, it may seem that all we can do is be present to that felt sense of powerlessness in the face of what is happening in Ukraine. It is the powerlessness of those affected by the war being waged; the powerlessness of those who deeply disagree with what Russia is doing in the region, though this dissent is directed at their own country; and our own powerlessness.

Sometimes that powerlessness shared in silence with others can, in a way, be a powerful and transforming sense of communion. I attended a candlelight vigil earlier today in which we sat together in silent solidarity with Ukraine. Later a group of Russian and Ukrainian students will join together, candles lit, in solidarity.

But for all this talk of ‘powerlessness’, we should not confound this with despairing resignation. The latter too often mutates into indifference and blithe acceptance of a status quo. We continue to voice and demonstrate solidarity with our Ukrainian sisters and brothers, whether by way of vigils or giving toward charities and agencies working to support Ukrainian people, whether inside the country or the one million people who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. I was just chatting to a member of staff who has given his skills as a volunteer for ‘Computers for Charity’ with a project helping Ukrainians to stay connected via IT during the current crisis.

However we choose to stand with Ukraine, through those little acts of solidarity, we take some power back from those who hoped for a measure of indifference and credulity from a watching world. Those little acts of solidarity all help contribute to the world’s aim of holding autocrats accountable for their actions.

Donations to the Red Cross in support of those affected by Ukraine conflict
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross's relief work in Ukraine and for those Ukrainians who have fled the country, we have collection buckets at the Meeting House. Donations can also be made with debit card, via card reader provided by the Red Cross.