In addition to working with the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) to continue to provide much-needed support to the people of Ukraine, Lutheran Church Charities partners with Archpriest Mykhailo Kuzma (pictured with Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO) of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Church in Palatine, Illinois, to help refugee families settle in the United States.
 
To showcase the impact of your support, we released a series of video interviews in June featuring individuals directly impacted by your donations. Today, you'll hear from Inna Kaniuka who escaped the horror of war with her family and received help from the Ukrainian Church in Palatine.
 
Together, we are bringing hope, love, and faith to those in need. Thank you for being a beacon of light in the midst of uncertainty. Please consider giving generously to the Ukrainian Relief Fund. With your help, we can provide assistance and spiritual guidance to those who are in need in Ukraine and the refugee families in the United States.

The Ukrainian Relief Fund is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who are suffering and starting over. By offering both material support and spiritual guidance, we can help bring hope and healing to those who need it most. Thank you for your support.

Lutheran Church Charities works with the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) to continue to provide much-needed support to the people of Ukraine.
 
Despite the ongoing conflict and uncertainty, the pastors remain committed to spreading hope, love, and faith to those who need it most. Thanks to the generous support of donors like you, they have been able to provide vital resources, spiritual guidance, and practical assistance to those affected by the war.
 
To showcase the impact of your support, we are releasing a series of video interviews featuring individuals directly impacted by their work.
 
Your ongoing contributions are truly making a difference and empowering the pastors to continue their crucial work in Ukraine. Together, we are bringing hope, love, and faith to those in need.
 
Thank you for being a beacon of light in the midst of uncertainty.

Please consider giving generously to the Ukrainian Relief Fund today, and join us in bringing hope and material support to those who are in need in Ukraine. With your help, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are suffering.
 
By donating to the Ukrainian Relief Fund, you can help provide essential resources such as food, shelter, and medical care to those who need it most. Additionally, your support will help spread the message of hope and love that comes with knowing Jesus Christ.

Pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue weekly to provide humanitarian relief to various areas in Ukraine. Your ongoing donations make this ministry possible. Pastor Sergey Bevz of Dnipro reports:

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us, even after a year and a half of war! God cares for people and does this often through other people. We continue to help the people in our locality.

Photos: Lutheran Church "Living Water" Dnipro Metro Station

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people in urgent need of assistance. Thanks to your steady donations, LCC can continue supporting the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (SELCU) pastors in their relief efforts to provide critical aid in hardest-hit regions, as well as a sense of hope and stability.

Most recently, they have been providing assistance to the residents affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in the Kherson region. LCC received the following update from Pastor Valerii Verba.

 A Trip to the Flooded Part of Ukraine After the Explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station
The situation is so unusual for us that from the beginning, it was not clear what to do and how to participate. Very quickly, from all over Ukraine, motor boats were taken to the Kherson region, which was flooded after the explosion of a hydroelectric power station, to evacuate people. The water rose more than 6 meters from its normal state. Many houses were completely flooded, and in some settlements, a lot of elderly people and animals died who did not have time to get out of the water danger.

When we were able to go, Pastor Oleg Shevchenko and I bought equipment for pumping water from flooded premises, tools, materials, fuel for motor boats, generators, and just drinking water.
 
War is a terrible problem for all life in the conflict zone, but when the constant shelling of residential areas of settlements is mixed with a flood and mortal danger from water, it becomes really scary. The shelling does not stop for a single day, which greatly complicates the evacuation and rescue work.

Valerii Verba

The pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to bring the good news of Jesus to hundreds remaining in their war-torn country, bringing people love, hope, and light.
 
Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.
 
LCC received the following updates from LCC staff member Rev. Larry Myers:

The pastors and laity of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to risk their lives to deliver humanitarian aid and the Gospel to their fellow Ukrainians.
 
A trip was made this past week to the de-occupied coastal region of the Dnieper River near the city of Kherson. Although you cannot always see the protection beneath their outer coats, they do wear bulletproof vests as they travel and visit.
 
The hot items this winter are batteries, candles, and generators. The extremely cold weather and Russia's continuous destruction of the infrastructure make survival in Ukraine quite challenging.

Efforts continue to provide supplies from Romania to the SELCU pastors and congregations in Ukraine. The photo shows Sergiu Trifa (in a yellow knit hat), the son of the Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Romania, who has continued to purchase and transport much-needed items to the Romanian-Ukrainian border.
 
Lutheran Church Charities provided funds to assist in this effort. Pictured in the center is the Rev. Oleg Schewtschenko, pastor of the SELCU congregation in Odessa, who regularly receives the supplies at the border and transports them into Ukraine.

LCC received the following update from Oksana Svidruk of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Palatine, Illinois:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Thank you for supporting the 68 Jager Brigade of the Ukrainian Army. Their hope and perseverance have been fortified by your life-saving help. Although we are not there to witness the war, the donations provided keep them pushing forward every day.
 
They feel protected through the supplies that we have sent them: bandages to heal wounds, as well as warm clothes to keep them warm during the winter. We are hoping to launch another donation campaign to provide more supplies.
 
Once again, we would like to come together in prayer as we give thanks for all of the blessings we have received. Let us also remember those in need and humbly ask for God's grace and mercy. May 2023 bring us unity and peace under God's protection.

Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!

The pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to bring the good news of Jesus to hundreds this Christmas in their war-torn country, bringing people love, hope, and light.
 
Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.
 
LCC received the following update from Pastor Sergey Bevz in Dnipro.

We continue to carry out our ministry. Due to missile attacks on our critical infrastructure, we continue to have problems with electricity. For many people, this becomes even more of a problem because heating their homes relies on electricity. The water supply can also be connected to electricity.
 
The mobile network also can not work for a long time without it. Therefore, now a very important help for people are candles, batteries, power banks, flashlights, generators, various types of stoves, warm clothes, and blankets. Without this, it is impossible to survive in the de-occupied places because, in most of them, there is no electricity.
 
Also, many people are asking for some building materials to help them close the holes in their damaged houses. Medicines, food, and other basic food items are also important. We still try to make a trip deep into the de-occupied areas once a week.

Also, every Sunday after the service, we receive people in the church. There are also separate groups of people whom we help - wounded soldiers in the hospital, the disabled, and people in special clothes.
 
In recent months, the Lord has been blessing our church, and it is growing. We are also particularly humble before the Lord because we see a revival starting in the church. New people come to repentance. They confess their sins and faith in Jesus. There have been six converts in the last month. There are many people who come to confirmation classes.
 
Recently, our city was hit by a rocket attack. The rocket hit a nine-story building and caused severe damage. We were there bringing help. This is something terrible that shocked us all, although this is far from the first such incident in recent months.
 
Thank you for continuing to remember Ukraine and helping the victims. It helps many people to survive and endure during this time.
 
God's blessings!
 
Pastor Sergei Bevz

During the current year, Lutheran Church Charities provided support to the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Lutheran Church "Living Water" in the city of Dnipro is one of the churches that received your donations.
 
Your donations here in Ukraine have taken on a different form - food, basic necessities, medicines, clothing, certain critical needs, and so on. And even some bulletproof vests for our volunteers, who often bring help to dangerous places.
 
It is even difficult for us today to calculate more or less exactly the number of people who received help from your donations. In fact, we did not think that all this would last for so many months and that there would be so many victims and those in need of help. But according to rough estimates, this is more than 10,000 thousand families (in most cases, we provide assistance per family, based on 4-5 people) only through our Church in the city of Dnipro.
 
These were refugees who sought asylum in our city (today, there are about 400,000 refugees in our city). Also, these were people who remained in their cities and villages. Many of them survived the occupation. These were Donetsk, Kharkov, and Kherson regions. We have taken aid to many places in these areas.
 
It is difficult to convey in words or even photographs what can be seen in those places where there were battles and occupation. War is worse than words or photos can convey. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans (5:20), said an amazing thought - when sin increases, grace abounds even more.
 
We did not think that we would see confirmation of these words in this way. But we saw it during the war. When on the one hand, some people became a source of violence, destruction, death, pain, and tragedy. But other people have become a source of help, conductors of compassion, mercy, and God's grace.

Therefore, as a citizen of Ukraine, as a brother in Christ, and on behalf of many people who received your help, I want to glorify the Lord and thank you and your charitable organization for the help provided. It really was important and precious and remains so.
 
We wish you blessed days when we all celebrate Christmas and New Year. We wish you and all of us peace around us, peace within us, and peace with our God through our Savior Jesus Christ.
 
God's blessings!
Pastor Sergey Bevz
City of Dnipro, Ukraine

Most congregations of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine follow the Eastern Orthodox church calendar. Thus, the birth of Christ ('Christmas') was just observed on January 6-7.
 
The congregation in Mikaloev, pastored by Oleksiy Navrotskyy, experienced a jam-packed house for its Christmas Eve worship. One of the ministries in the Odessa congregation is outreach to the disabled. Their Christmas Eve service for them had to be conducted without any power. Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko reports: "The Star of Bethlehem brought wise men to Jesus. We had no electricity, but the light of the Gospel once again brought children and parents in Odessa to their Saviour!"

The pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to bring the good news of Jesus to hundreds this Christmas in their war-torn country, bringing people love, hope, and light.
 
Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.

LCC received the following update from Pastor Sergey Bevz in Dnipro.

Unfortunately, the situation has become more difficult. As we expected, there were serious "winter" problems. Russian missiles and drones are attacking Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Therefore, we often do not have electricity, sometimes for several days in a row. Because of this, there may also be no heat, water, communications, and the Internet.
 
Therefore, today, in addition to products, generators, power banks, candles, batteries, various flashlights, and lamps also fell into the category of critical items.
 
However, we continue to serve the people. As before, every Sunday in our building is the issuance of assistance to needy residents and refugees who live in our city. People receive food and essentials.
 
Also, once a week, we make humanitarian trips to the de-occupied territories of the Kherson region. We carry food packages, medicines, candles, and batteries. We are also collecting warm clothes as much as possible. Russian soldiers, during the occupation, took away many warm things from them - jackets, blankets, sweaters, and much more. People in these places have not had electricity for the last 8-10 months. They also lack gas, often water, and communications. Of course, the physical, spiritual, and emotional state of these people is often very difficult.

At this time and in this context, we experience the period of Advent and Christmas in a very different way. Now we think about how our Savior came to a hostile world about 2,000 years ago. We are especially comforted by the fact that the Lord personally knew the state of this world, personally knew human cruelty and militancy.
 
But at the same time, Christmas reminds us that we are not left alone. We are not abandoned by our Lord. We are not left without His protection. His name is Emmanuel, and God is with us. He came to be with us and be our Savior. We rejoice that He achieved His purpose. We are glad that He has "de-occupied" our hearts and souls for His Kingdom. The Lord is with us, and this gives us firm hope!
 
Therefore, please accept Merry Christmas greetings from me and the Lutheran Church "Living Water" in the city of Dnipro!
 
Thank you for continuing to support Ukraine and those affected by the war! May the Lord richly bless you and strengthen you in faith!
 
Regards,
Sergey Bevz

LCC received the following update from Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy:

I want to thank you and all partners of Lutheran Church Charities for the incredible work you are accomplishing in my country.
 
Without exaggeration, you and we together have impacted tens of thousands of lives of Ukrainians when they were scared, cold, hopeless, and lonely. Your compassion and generosity have brought hope into the life of so many. God knows the real number of those men, women, kids, and elderly people who were saved from despair and death this year. On behalf of my fellow citizens, church members, and brothers - pastors of SELCU, I thank you for your cooperation in the humanitarian and Gospel mission in Ukraine.
 
Nikolaev Lutheran church (where I serve as a pastor now) is fully packed with new people who hear the Gospel, confess their sins and faith in Christ, and are studying in Confirmation class. It is a real miracle and revival (in the best meaning of this word). God works through His divine Word, growing faith and a new life in so many. You are partners in this labor.

Thank you for your trust and the honor to distribute the resources of LCC in Ukraine. We do it attentively with prayer and consideration.

We hope that this war will come to an end and we will restore our beautiful country. We pray for Lord's guidance and wisdom and for His mercy to us and our countries in 2023.
 
Thank you again for your participation in the mission in Ukraine.
 
Your brother in Christ,
 
Oleksiy Navrotskyy
Nikolaev, Ukraine

LCC received the following update from Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko, who's spending Christmas in Ukraine serving his people, separated from his wife and children (the below picture is from last year).

Dear Friends, brothers, and sisters,
 
What a day! We remember and celebrate the mystery of God becoming flesh! It is a special time to hear the Word of God, a beautiful opportunity to get the whole family together and enjoy the gift of family, love, hope, joy, and faith.
 
As one of the pastors in Ukraine, I treasure this time because so many people will be able to come and hear the meaning of Christmas for the very first time this year! Despite the war and feeling of being empty, powerless, lonely, and even abandoned – what a privilege to come and to bring the life-changing, hope-giving, faith-creating, and strengthen Good News – “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I would love to use this time to express my deepest thanks for all your work, your prayers for us in Ukraine, and your generous support! As I travel, getting the needed things for people, preaching, or just praying with people, you are always with me!
 
Thank you so much for allowing me and many others to see and experience God's love agape and His care through you!
 
I want to wish you God's blessing. May the Lord be with you and with us.
 
Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko

Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!

Millions of Ukrainians are facing their most challenging winter in recent history, with no end to the war raging in their country.

Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.

The humanitarian ministries of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue unabated in the war torn country. Russian missile strikes have managed to damage virtually every aspect of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

LCC received the following update from Pastor Yurii Timerkan:

Millions of Ukrainians are facing their most challenging winter in recent history, with no end to the war raging in their country.
 
Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.

The humanitarian ministries of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue unabated in the wartorn country. Russian missile strikes have managed to damage virtually every aspect of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
 
The SELCU pastors report that the energy grid is absent in Odessa and in the eastern regions. Cooking food has become extremely difficult, and keeping warm in these winter months is a major obstacle to survival. To deliver humanitarian relief, the pastors often have to be accompanied by armed military personnel.
 
The photos recently received from Pastors Oleksiy Navrotskyy, Oleg Schewtschenko, Yurii Timerkan, and Verlera Verba visually demonstrate the condition of Ukraine and the difficulties of their ministries. And yet, they continue to share the precious Gospel for the soul together with loving care for the body.

Since March 2022, Lutheran Church Charities has been working cooperatively with pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) and the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Palatine, Illinois, to provide humanitarian relief and the clear proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Father Mykhailo Kuzma and the Parishioners of The Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church-Palatine provided each soldier within The Hunting Brigade 68 with a personalized supply box. Inside each kit is a prayer card hand-crafted by Mrs. Linda Phillips, a warm jacket, winter boots, a hat, mittens, war-time socks, and other useful items with goodies. They received a total of 135 sets. They also delivered needed supplies and medicine for a Field Hospital.
 
Thanks to your donations and prayers, the soldiers feel strengthened and motivated to keep fighting for Ukraine. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

During the week of November 7-11, SELCU Pastor Valera Verba and a young layperson from the Dnipro congregation traveled to the area of Kherson, Ukraine. This is where the congregation is located that Pastor Verba used to serve and from which Russian troops have supposedly retreated. The purpose of the trip was to meet with faithful congregants and to deliver humanitarian aid.
 
He reported the following:
 
“A pastor in body armor. Today, in Ukraine, in some places, this is exactly the case. And this is not an act of distrust of God. These are the rules of safety principles. It is a special blessing not to rely on circumstances but to trust God in the midst of any circumstances.
 
When you go to de-occupied cities and villages, you try to bring a little hope and warmth. Because people have no electricity, gas, water, food and heat for a long time. And such a desire to bring it all, to bring the hope that is always in Christ Jesus. Which I believe is protecting our country.
 
Because it is impossible without God to confront such a Goliath and still receive victory day by day! But when you talk to people, you realize that you believe in them sometimes more than you expected. And they themselves can cheer and support you. Glory be to Jesus Christ!”