As a church, we have been praying for the situation in Ukraine since February. Two weeks ago, we heard from John and Letha Kerl, who are with Serve Globally, the missions arm of the Evangelical Covenant Church, regarding work being done by churches in Ukraine and neighbouring countries who are helping feed, clothe, shelter, and minister to war refugees.
Since then, a number of our ECC community have asked about additional ways to help, and our church council has come up with a plan. The needs are immediate, and we have decided to support Tearfund, a Christian charity recommended by our denomination, the Canadian Covenant Church.
Reading from their website:
“Thousands of Ukrainian women and children have abandoned their homes. They are terrified that if they stay, their lives will be threatened. They are fleeing to the borders, praying their neighbours will let them in. Their husbands, fathers and sons cannot go with them. The Ukrainian government has held them back to fight.
As the situation changes hour by hour, we want you to know that our partners on the ground are springing into action, preparing to welcome and support those in most need.
Your gift today will reach families affected by the crisis, providing them things like emergency food and medicine.
We pray this is over quickly. We pray God will be with the people. We pray for a miracle.
We cannot sit on the sidelines. Please join us in providing essential emergency food and medicine to families in Ukraine. Thank you for your generous support.”
As a church, we are starting by giving $5000 to Tearfund Canada, for Ukraine. We would ask you to prayerfully consider giving over and above your regular tithing, and as a church, we will also match individual donations up to another $5000, through May 29. This doubles the impact of your gift, and makes a total donation goal from Emmanuel of $15,000.
Please make your cheques out to Emmanuel and mark on your envelope “Ukraine”, today, and for the next month, and put them in the offering box at the sanctuary doors. Thank you.
Please send us a message for other ways to give to this matching fundraiser for the people of Ukraine.