
United with Ukraine
Our church is committed to helping our sisters and brothers in Ukraine in tangible ways.
- PRAY – Please join us at 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday, March 9, for a Prayer Vigil for Ukraine in the Birmingham First Sanctuary. We will be accepting donations to UMCOR at the service.
- GIVE – Monetary gifts to support ongoing relief work in Ukraine can be given through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
- DONATE – The Ukrainian Children’s Aid and Relief Effort is hosting a supply drive for diapers, clothing, and additional necessities for children fleeing the war in Ukraine. Donations can be brought to St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Southfield March 21-26 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. Click here for more information.
CHRISTIAN HELP CENTER
UKRAINE REFUGEES
Birmingham First began a covenant relationship with a Christian Help Center (SKP HOPO) in Horni Pocernice, a suburb of Prague, 22 years ago. Their goal at that time was to remodel and reconstruct buildings on a few acres of land and open a residential shelter for homeless women with children. During those years, our church provided substantial support for their reconstruction efforts and for a period of ten years sent volunteer mission teams to work on the project. With the exception of constructing more needed housing, the work is mostly done. The Center is supported annually by the Birmingham First Mission Ministry.
However, today, in these unprecedented times, the Center finds itself being asked to provide housing and support for families escaping the war in Ukraine. There are several thousand refugees already in the Czech Republic with more arriving every day. The Center has opened its doors and is already accepting families. These families are mothers with their children and the elderly, leaving the men behind to fight.
Generous donations from the Methodist churches in the Czech Republic, a few Methodist churches in the U.S., and the General Board of Global Missions has allowed the facility to operate and support their current clients. However, the influx of refugees has created a burden on the Center and an increased need to raise more money to provide housing, food, and basic needs for the Ukrainian refugees. The Center hopes to receive some support from the Czech government and possibly some private groups and businesses who have held fundraisers for the Center in the past.
The bottom line is – they urgently need more money.
Birmingham First is asking for donations of money to help support this relief effort. We know there are many of our members who want to help in this crisis. Simply send a check to Birmingham First or make a direct contribution here. Please indicate that the money is to go to the refugee relief effort at the Christian Help Center in the Czech Republic by noting: “Christian Help Center/C.R.” or “Ukrainian refugees in Czech Republic”
Dear Birmingham and Berkley First, We are thrilled to receive further funds from you and I must admit extremely relieved too. Thank you so much for your pledge to donate . All monies are going directly to helping the Ukrainian families staying at the shelter. The Czech Republic has received over 300,000 refugees seeking asylum and safety. Everything will be used, and will make an immediate impact to the refugees that have arrived. We involved Ukrainian children as you can see from the pictures in existing activities in the shelter. My daughter Maya also helped in the origami workshop. Dominika Kružíková from Horní Počernice UMC offered to teach Czech. Classes take place every day except Sunday. We managed to find jobs for two mothers, and another one found a job on her own in the local warehouse. I thank you wholeheartedly for your donation. PEACE FOR UKRAINE,
Gabriela Tweet