Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other. Zechariah 7:9-10



Currently, there is a lot of discussion in the world news about refugees and those who are victims of war. Helping others not only shines our light in a dark word but can sometimes open doors to a Christian presentation.

The Bible never mentions the term “humanitarian aid,” but it does speak of compassion. Humanitarian work is the practice of improving human life. The word compassion depicts more a stance of love and care rather than supplying the outward physical needs of innocent refugees and those ordinary citizens who are victims of war.

In light of this, the Easter Offering at First Community for 2025 will be split between Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) and Razom for Ukraine. Additionally, the Mission Grants Team had approved a matching gift up to $15,000 for the total offering.

Community Refugee & Immigration Services

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34

Refugees are individuals who have fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution, war, violence, or serious harm to their life, physical well-being, or freedom. When someone meets the criteria of a refugee, they are entitled under international law to protection and assistance. In many cases, the circumstances that force families to flee their homes are ongoing crises that make it unsafe for them to return for many years — or leave them without a home to return to — resulting in prolonged displacement.

CRIS is an independent non-profit organization that serves the refugee and immigrant populations in Central Ohio. Among other things, CRIS is a refugee resettlement agency and, as an affiliate of Church World Service, it has a cooperative agreement with the Department of State to directly receive and place refugees in our community. Its mission is to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community. CRIS is an integral part of the operation of the Refugee Ministry Team at First Community-- to help sponsor new arrivals and to assist with emergency funds for expenses and unexpected costs not covered by federal assistance. 

In 2024, Columbus welcomed 788 refugees from over 30 countries. The refugees settling in Columbus were primarily from six countries, including Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, and Eritrea. With the new and indefinite suspension of the refugee resettlement program, some clients who arrived in December and January do not have the usual level of financial support because of these funding cuts. CRIS is working hard alongside the Columbus community to ensure these clients are able to build the foundations of stability and successful integration during these uncertain times. 



CRIS has group volunteer activities, such as Refugee Welcome Teams, which help with the successful resettlement starting for a life here in Central Ohio. First Community Refugee Ministry acts as one of these teams, committing to walk alongside refugee families in their first six months in the U.S. Team participants have learned the process necessary to go through the steps to get refugee status in the United States and the challenges faced by resettling families. 

Read the Refugee Ministry Monthly Update below to learn more about getting involved with the refugee community, the First Community Refugee Ministry or CRIS.

Razom for Ukraine

The Orthodox church (72% of Ukrainians) believes that the human being is not merely a composition of cells, bones, and organs; nor again is the human person defined solely by biological factors. Man is created in the image of God (Gen 1:27) and reference to humanity must take place with due respect.

The Revolution of Dignity (also known the Maidan) took place in Ukraine in February 2014 at the end of protests, when deadly clashes between protesters and state forces in the capital Kyiv culminated in the ousting of the Ukrainian president, the return to the 2004 Constitution of Ukraine, and the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War of 2014. At that time, a handful of the organizers and participants (in New York and Washington, DC) decided to form an organization that could help sustain momentum and propel forward the important work started by the Revolution.

Razom for Ukraine has evolved into a not-for-profit organization that creates, inspires, and collaborates on initiatives that motivate people to think, partner, and do. Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is dedicated to upholding the principles of the Revolution of Dignity and actively contributing to the establishment of a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine.

Today, the sovereign nation of Ukraine must deal with the most horrendous and brutal Russian invasion that began in February 2022. Razom is responding to this by providing critical humanitarian relief for the most urgent needs as they evolve. 

Razom educates, activates, and delivers through five core program areas:

• Razom Heroes delivers life-saving aid to first responders and front-line medics
• Razom Health supports hospitals and other healthcare institutions that serve the civilian population
• Razom Relief provides food and shelter, psychological support, clean water, winter supplies and spaces for children to learn and socialize since the Russian invasion in February 2022
• Razom Advocacy promotes community engagement across the United States and Ukraine
• Razom Connect celebrates and promotes the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices through education, volunteering, and the arts

Read more about Razom for Ukraine’s activities.

Donate

There are three ways to contribute to the Easter Offering:

1. Make an offering during worship services on Sunday, April 20
2. Online giving for this offering will be open here April 14 - 21.
3. You can mail or drop off checks at First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd. Columbus, OH 43212. Make checks payable to: First Community Church with “Easter Offering” in the memo field.