A helping hand

When many people from Ukraine left their homes in February/March 2022 as a result of the invasion by Russian forces, countless initiatives were launched in directly or indirectly neighboring countries to provide emergency aid and further support for the refugees. The United Methodist Church in Jihlava (Czech Republic) also became active - and has remained so to this day. However, the focus of the aid efforts has changed.
 
Most of the people from Ukraine who stayed in Jihlava and did not continue their journey to other European countries or return to their home country have been able to move into an apartment. The vast majority of those who are of working age have also found a job.
 
This does not mean that no more humanitarian aid is provided - a stroller for twins here, for example, or a bunk bed for two girls there - but it is provided on a scale that can largely be covered by the own resources of the local church. At least as important as the humanitarian aid, however, is the support and advice given to individuals and families. The leaders of Jihlava UMC have proven themselves to be reliable and helpful in this respect in their accompaniment of over 300 people. By providing translation assistance when dealing with authorities and obtaining and preparing official documents. By securing kindergarten and school places for children and by mediation and assistance in the event of problems at school. By helping with doctors’ appointments or with getting access to psychological examinations…
 
However, the integration of refugees from Ukraine has also reached another level for some time now. The "us and them" has merged into a common "we". The worship services are translated into Russian - of the 30 or so adults and children from Ukraine who belong to the congregation's immediate circle, an average of ten are present every Sunday. A member of the congregation with roots in one of the occupied territories of Ukraine leads this work with Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking people. There is also networking with the Russian-speaking Agapé congregation of the UMC in Prague. It is impressing how Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking people have developed a genuine and sustainable togetherness.
 
In addition, there are also opportunities to learn the Czech language - support for children attending school in a language that is foreign to them, conversation opportunities for adults, Bible lessons in Czech, the aim of which is also to convey biblical expressions heard in the Czech-speaking worship services on Sundays in the language of the new homeland.
 
Finally, church camps, fellowship after the worship services and camps for children and youth have also become a diverse, international and hopeful way of mutually sharing joys and struggles of faith and life.
 
People's needs have changed, and society as a whole is no longer the same as it was just over three years ago. The "Helping Hand", which is the motto of the congregation’s journey with people from Ukraine, helps differently today than in the past. The hearts, however, have remained the same: wide, attentive, filled with love.
 
Source: Pastor Ctirad Hrubý, Jihlava / Urs Schweizer, Assistant to the Bishop, Zurich