LCC Ukraine Aid Fund to support SELCU pastors and congregations

UKRAINE – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) continues calling members to prayer as the crisis in Ukraine persists. LCC congregations and individuals have requested additional information on how they can offer financial support to our missionary and partner Church, the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU). 

“With the displacement of thousands of people fleeing the violence that continues to rage throughout Ukraine, relief aid is desperately needed,” said President Teuscher. “While general relief aid may be made through Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and other such agencies, specific support for the pastors and people of the congregations of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) may be made to the Ukraine Aid Fund established by Lutheran Church–Canada and which can be accessed through our website.” [Note: Please ensure “LCC Ukraine Aid Fund” is selected rather than “LCC Missions: Ukraine”.]

In an emergency appeal, CLWR stated that “early estimates are that millions [of civilians] could be rapidly displaced, creating a widespread humanitarian crisis.” CLWR partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries are surveying the state of affairs while making preparations to respond to immediate humanitarian needs, providing food, shelter, emergency supplies, and trauma support. Donations to support CLWR partners’ efforts in the region can be made at clwr.org/ukraine or by calling 1-800-661-2597.

“With the displacement of thousands of people fleeing the violence that continues to rage throughout Ukraine, relief aid is desperately needed. While general relief aid may be made through Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and other such agencies, specific support for the pastors and people of the congregations of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) may be made to the Ukraine Aid Fund established by Lutheran Church–Canada and which can be accessed through our website.” | President Teuscher

Referencing St. Paul’s words to the Galatians: ‘As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith’ (Galatians 6:10); President Teuscher added: “LCC has been involved for many years in providing theological education and other support for the congregations of SELCU. As we continue to pray for our brothers and sisters of the household of faith, I also thank the people of Lutheran Church–Canada in advance for your generous gifts in their time of need.”

LCC Missionary-at-Large, Rev. Oleksiy Navrotskyy, and his family have moved into the church in Nikolaev for shelter, as it has a basement with thick concrete walls, and the doors have been opened to others looking for a safer location for their families.

Revs. Valera Verba, Sergey Bevz; and Oleg Schewtschenko made the decision to take their families to the Romanian border so that fellow pastor, Rev. Viktor Graefenstein, could take them to Germany for safety. However, the three men themselves are unable to leave the country during this period of martial law, where it has been declared that all male citizens of Ukraine aged 18-60 are restricted from departing Ukraine. Pastor Sergey Bevz has volunteered his service as a chaplain at local hospitals in Dnipro in Eastern Ukraine.

———————

For quick reference:

Print this article