A Moray minister will take inspiration from a “touching” card she received as she addresses her congregation this Christmas.
Reverend Shuna Dicks has made efforts to help innocent people fleeing war in the Middle East, and is a leading figure in the Moray Supports Refugees movement.
Yesterday, a video of Rev Dicks reflecting on the word “refugee” was published online by the Church of Scotland – and is expected to reach thousands all over the world.
But the Aberlour Parish Church minister revealed that she had been moved by a humble card submitted by a trio of young Speyside siblings.
The note, left by “Jack, Kate and Max”, expresses sympathy for children devastated by conflict in Aleppo.
It says: “To all the children and families in Aleppo, Syria, we can’t help but we can send our love and thoughts, and pray for safety this Christmas.”
Rev Dicks has now placed the card on the Christmas tree in the Aberlour church, so that visitors can read it.
She said: “It has come from a family in Aberlour, and was left at the church on Saturday.
“I was really touched by it, so I popped it on our tree, and I’m thinking of giving it a mention in my services at Christmas.
“I will certainly be praying for those affected by the situation in Syria, and it was encouraging to know that children in Moray will be doing the same.”
Rev Dicks has helped five refugee families settle into life in Forres over the past year, and has collected donations to make the transition as comfortable as possible.
This summer, she visited a migrant camp on the Greek island of Chios to observe the stifling conditions there firsthand.
In her video, which was filmed along the River Spey last week, the minister reminds viewers that Middle Eastern refugees share the same sky as people in Scotland.
The video features in the Church of Scotland’s advent calendar countdown to Christmas, and can be watched on its Youtube page.
Rev Dicks will perform Christmas Eve “carols and candles” services in Craigellachie at 3pm and Aberlour at 11.15pm.