Ukrainian religious leaders in Washington State discussed the results of the presidential and local U.S. elections and developed several proposals for elected representatives.
This discussion was held at the Council of Ukrainian Christian Churches of Washington State meeting on November 19, 2024, at the Evangelical Baptist Church of Kent.
Pastor Alex Gritsayuk opened the meeting as a host, praying for peace in Ukraine and giving a presentation on his church's history and current activities in Washington.
Bishop Viktor Prokhor of the Life Christian Church chaired the Council meeting, during which other participants also shared their experiences of serving the local multiethnic community.
The Council of Churches unanimously agreed to promote and strengthen projects aimed at supporting the people of Ukraine, who are repelling Russian aggression and fighting for their freedom, democracy, and state sovereignty.
Religious leaders decided to send letters and organize a series of meetings with elected representatives to improve cooperation with the Ukrainian community in Washington State and emphasize the importance of further social support for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war to the United States. In particular, the Council of Churches believes that it is vital if the U.S. government extends the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program and Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to preserve legal status for newly arrived Ukrainians, given the ongoing genocide in Ukraine committed by the Russian military.
The Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Seattle, Valeriy Goloborodko, informed the Council members that on the same day, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph issued a proclamation honoring the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine. This tragedy is another historical fact of genocide that the Russian regime committed against the people of Ukraine earlier and continues to do so now, shelling civilians and civilian infrastructure daily.
The religious leaders also discussed educational opportunities in Washington State's educational institutions with Christian-oriented values. The Council of Churches will consider this issue in more detail at its next meeting, scheduled for February 18, 2025. Until then, the Council members will process the decisions made online.
As reported, on October 18-20, 2024, Ukrainian churches in Washington State held inter-church services, where leaders and believers of various Christian denominations prayed together for God's blessing on the United States and for strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine partnership for peace and Ukraine's victory.