An Update on LCC’s Ukraine Aid Fund

UKRAINE – Following the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, there was a significant request from members of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) to create a fund in support of our partner church, the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU). Within four days, LCC established the Ukraine Aid Fund, giving LCC members the opportunity to provide funds in support of the pastors and members of SELCU.

Over the past 23 months, there has been a tremendous outpouring of support, and—as of this writing—members of Lutheran Church–Canada have generously given a total of $780,043 to the Ukraine Aid Fund. LCC is grateful to its members, congregations, and parishes for this expression of compassion for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. 

This update hopes to answer some of the questions that are fielded by the synodical office regarding the Ukraine Aid Fund. To date, LCC has sent $421,866 as financial aid to Ukraine, leaving $358,177 in the Ukraine Aid Fund still to be transferred. One of the most common questions is why more funds have not been transferred. In order to be good stewards and to properly manage these funds, the leaders of SELCU advised LCC to only send funds as requested. This alleviated their concern of large fund transfers which might result in frozen accounts or fund seizures. Subsequently, LCC has been sending funds monthly by request, and SELCU has done a remarkable job utilizing these gifts to provide aid to those in need in the country. Unlike many other agencies sending aid into the country, 100 percent of the donations to LCC’s Ukraine Aid Fund will be sent to our partner church for their use.

Another question is why the fund amount is no longer reported in InfoDigest. While LCC does anticipate that there could be a further need for financial support in the future, the leadership of SELCU has relayed to LCC that the amount of funds still available to be transferred, along with funding they are receiving from other partner churches/organizations, are sufficient for their current requirements. Subsequently, LCC has stopped requesting contributions to the fund. LCC will continue to report on the ongoing distributions from the current balance and provide updates from SELCU. If additional funding is required based on the needs within SELCU, LCC will initiate further requests for aid.

If you have additional questions, please direct them to Rev. Mark Smith, Director of Missions, or David Friesen, Director of Advancement.

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