Former Moderator and Wife Lead SU Camp for Ukrainian Families

                                                                                                                Wednesday August 9 2023

A FORMER Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and his wife have led a pioneering Scripture Union camp for 36 Ukrainian people who have sought refuge in Scotland.

The six-day camp at Alltnacriche, near Aviemore, ran from July 31 to August 5 and brought together a group of 20 children aged from 5 to 17 and 16 adult family members as part of SU’s ‘Ministry to the Margins’.

The Very Rev Colin Sinclair and his wife Ruth, supported by a small team of volunteers, using translation, supported by staff from Scripture Union and David Moodie from Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, welcomed families from the Borders to Inverness for a week of fellowship and support. They took part in many of the activities the centre has to offer, uniting for moments of spiritual reflection and food.

Colin explained the group had taken part in a range of activities (including walking, cycling and zip wires), utilising all that the centre had to offer, after a short time of reflection each morning. He said he and Ruth had found the experience of the week profoundly moving.

“A mother stopped me to tell me she had never seen her children so happy since they had left Ukraine. For the first time since they came to Scotland they had found friends, Ukrainian friends. It was great watching the youngsters run around, play games together or simply sit in a circle and chat with one another.

“So many things we take for granted that have been taken from them,” he said.

He added: “For a few short days our guests could, in part, shut out the reality of both Ukraine and their experience as refugees. Both adults and children enjoyed fun, laughter and new challenges set in the beauty of the highlands and the peace of our surroundings.

“By reaching 36 people we may not have changed the world, but it meant, I believe, the world to them.  Team and guests were equally changed by the experience and behind that, love and prayers made a huge difference.”

Highlighting the importance of the week, his wife, Ruth, said: “Words need translation but love does not.”

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