Candlelight prayer vigil held on courthouse square for Ukraine

OREGON — Natalie Andrews of Grand Detour held a small bouquet of sunflowers and a candle Saturday night as she joined 74 others for a prayer vigil for the people of Ukraine.

But for Andrews, the recent Russian invasion has hit a bit closer to her heart.

“My grandfather escaped Stalin and when he arrived at Ellis Island he met my grandmother,” she said as a light rain fell on the small crowd gathered on the Ogle County Courthouse Square in downtown Oregon on Saturday night. “He was a tailor and he ended up having 10 children. My father was one of his children and my dad was the only one who left Brooklyn. But we always held the traditions he [her grandfather] brought with him close to heart.”

Andrews held the sunflowers - the national flower for Ukraine - as she joined others to pray and listen to songs during the hour-long vigil organized by three Oregon residents Lisa Schultz, Gary Schrimpsher, and Veronica Mathews.

Schrimpsher, the founder of the What’s Up Ogle County? Facebook page, said Saturday’s event was meant as a show of support for the people of Ukraine.

“We just thought it would be real nice if they could be able to see that Americans supported them,” he said.

Mathews said about 75 candles were handed out for the event. “We did get a good turnout. I think it went really well. I am really happy for everybody who came out. I really do think that God or the universe will hear our prayers and hopefully Russia will stop and Ukraine will be victorious.”

Rick Elerd, pastor of the East Oregon Chapel Church of God, also helped organized the event and asked everyone to pray for the people of Ukraine. “You don’t have to be here to pray for their strength and peace,” he said.

When asked what they would do to end the conflict, Schultz said she would try to get the two presidents together to see if “there was something that possibly could be worked out”.

“Right now they need our prayers and support,” Schultz said.

Schrimpsher said by buying Russian oil, the U.S. was actually “financing their war”.

Rosemarie and Jim Farmer of Oregon also attended the vigil. “I think this was good to gather people together and show we are all united,” said Rosemarie.

“I’m a Vietnam veteran and I know what war is like,” said Jim. “It’s unnecessary. We need tougher sanctions [on Russia]. I’m willing to bite the bullet as far as gas goes to help them [Ukranians]out.”

Andrews, a retired social worker, traveled to Ukraine in 2005 to explore more of her heritage. “I had the opportunity to teach a class on social issues for 18-20 year olds. They wanted to know how they could have independence like we have here in the United States and I told them they had to speak up to change the world,” she said. “We have privil

eges here in the U.S. I pray for humanity to win out.”