The Rev. Canon Cindy Evans Voorhees of St. James the Great joined members of the Ukrainian community and local supporters in Newport Beach on August 24 to stand in solidarity with Ukrainian children and families affected by the war.
Rev. Cindy was invited to speak at a gathering organized around a powerful message: “Bring Kids Back.” The gathering followed an effort to display 20,000 teddy bears in Newport Beach, representing Ukrainian children who have been forcibly removed from their homes during the war. Although the planned installation had to be removed because it did not comply with city regulations, the message behind it continued to bring people together.
At the gathering, Rev. Cindy spoke about the human impact behind the numbers, encouraging those present to imagine what it would mean if children in our own community simply did not come home. She described the gathering as “small, but mighty,” reminding those present that even a small group can make a powerful statement.
For St. James the Great, standing with Ukraine is part of an ongoing commitment to compassion, prayer, and solidarity with people affected by war. Our community has continued to support Ukrainian voices and humanitarian efforts, seeking to keep the suffering of Ukrainian families in our hearts and prayers.
We admire the resilience, courage, and perseverance of the Ukrainian community, whose commitment to remembering these children has not diminished. The teddy bears may no longer line the street, but the message remains:
The children must not be forgotten.
We invite our St. James the Great community to continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, for families separated by war, and for a future in which every child can return safely home.
Want to Learn More?
The Los Angeles Times’ Daily Pilot was there to document the Newport Beach gathering and the powerful message of resilience behind the “Bring Kids Back” campaign. We invite you to read the full story and learn more about the effort to bring attention to Ukrainian children separated from their families.
