Music In Maplewood Means Money For Ukraine

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Father Jim Worth, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Maplewood, recently performed a "musical meditation" concert for Ukraine that raised nearly $1,000. That money will be added to the approximately $10,000 the parish has collected to ship supplies directly to the Ukrainian people, in partnership with Maplewood’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Ascension.

Attendees included members of the North Jersey Ukrainian community, as well as Maplewood Mayor Dean Dafis and Deputy Mayor Vic DeLuca.

The money was not the only reason Father Worth performed. By playing the piano while singing uplifting songs, Father Worth hoped to inspire those listening to work towards peace, he said.

“Our first recourse is to pray for a conversion of hearts in all those who are displaying hate,” said Father Worth, who performed songs like “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” and “Behold the Cross” as a statement of peace.

He added, “Then we must use our time, our talent, and our treasure to help our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, some of whom live in our own backyard. It’s the right thing to do. When our neighbor hurts, we all hurt.”

In addition to holding the musical meditation and a March prayer service, the parish has collected numerous medical, military, and baby supplies from the Maplewood community. It has also raised close to $10,000 — including the $1,000 from the concert — to pay for shipping costs. These resources will be donated to Maplewood’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Ascension, which will distribute all materials to its contacts in Ukraine.

“I thank Father Jim for reaching out to our parish very early to offer help and support,” said Father Sviatoslav Hot, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Ascension’s pastor. “Our friends and family in Ukraine have watched the livestreams of our prayer services and other events and are impressed and appreciative of the community support that we have shared. They truly see that the whole world is praying for their safety and the liberty and freedom that they are fighting for.”

• READ MORE: How To Talk To Children About The Crisis In Ukraine: NJ Doctor Has Tips
• READ MORE: Essex County Church Raises Money For Sister Parish In Ukraine

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