September 2026 Update

DON'T MISS THE GLOBAL ZOOM GATHERING!

IT'S COMING!

Global Zoom Gathering with Rev. Oleg Starodubets

Discover How You Can Make a Difference.

Join United Methodists from around the world on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for a special Zoom gathering with District Superintendent Oleg Starodubets, who will share an update on the ongoing ministry and mission of the United Methodist Church in Ukraine.

Despite the challenges of war, the church in Ukraine continues to serve its communities, share the love of Christ, and offer hope to those in need.

More importantly, this gathering will provide an opportunity to hear directly from DS Oleg about how individuals, congregations, and ministry partners can support specific projects and ministries of the United Methodist Church in Ukraine. Discover practical ways to build relationships, respond to needs, and participate in the life-changing work of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ.

EVENT DETAILS

DATE: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

TIME:

11:00 AM – Central Time (USA)
12:00 PM – Eastern Time (USA)
6:00 PM – Copenhagen Time (Europe)
7:00 PM – Kyiv Time (Ukraine)

LOCATION: Zoom link below– Join from anywhere in the world! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88635920228

Whether you are already involved in ministry partnerships with Ukraine or are simply interested in learning how your church can make a difference, we invite you to be part of this important conversation.

Plan to join us!

Rev. Dr. Fred Vanderwerf, In Mission Together Ukraine Coordinator

Highlights from Ukraine's 2026 Annual Conference

United Methodist congregations continue to share God's love through worship, humanitarian assistance, youth ministry, and community outreach.

As United Methodists in Ukraine gathered for their 2026 Annual Conference, the reports from congregations and ministry leaders offered an encouraging picture of faithfulness, resilience, and hope. Although the war continues to bring tremendous challenges, including displacement, ongoing attacks, and the loss of church members who have fled the country, the United Methodist Church remains active in sharing the love of Christ.

District Superintendent Oleg Starodubets acknowledged the difficulties of the past year but emphasized that there is also much for which the church can give thanks.

Reaching the Next Generation

One of the most encouraging developments is the church's continued investment in children, teenagers, and young adults.

In Uzhhorod, the Lighthouse youth center provides a safe and welcoming environment for young people, many of whom have been displaced by the war. Through friendships, recreational activities, educational opportunities, and spiritual conversations, young people are finding community and discovering Christian faith. Approximately 80% of Lighthouse's regular participants are internally displaced youth.

In Lviv, Pastor Volodia Prokip reports the Youth to Jesus student ministry continues to provide a welcoming community through Bible studies, worship, small groups, and fellowship. Lviv's St. John's UMC celebrated the baptisms of three young adults this year, while its growing ministry is creating a need for additional meeting space.

Summer camps were another highlight. Ninety-six people participated in youth camp - Relationship Camp: No Fear, exploring relationships, faith, and the challenges of growing up during wartime. Meanwhile, Kamianytsia UMC hosted its Children of the King summer camp and continues to develop new opportunities for teenagers to grow in faith and leadership. New Camp director Kateryna Dzemko expressed thanks to Ukrainian leadership and American volunteers, from MN, ID, NC, KY, and FL.

Serving Communities with Compassion

Across Ukraine, congregations continue to demonstrate that the church is much more than a Sunday gathering.

In Uzhhorod, the church supports a shelter housing approximately 42–45 internally displaced people. The Under the Castle Spiritual and Social Center also provided housing and care for displaced families, organized special retreats for women affected by war, and offered programs supporting veterans and their families.

In Ukrainka, where damage to the local power infrastructure threatens winter heating, the congregation is preparing its unfinished church building to serve as a community warming center. With wood-burning stoves, cooking facilities, and other essential improvements, the church hopes to provide warmth, practical assistance, and spiritual support when neighbors need it most.

In Kyiv, church members continue to provide humanitarian assistance, psychological support, and visits to wounded soldiers. Even when security concerns prevent regular in-person worship, online gatherings allow members scattered across Ukraine and beyond to remain connected.

Faithful Congregations, Growing Leaders

Some of the most meaningful reports came from smaller congregations faithfully continuing their ministries.

In Kharkiv, despite daily attacks and the death of their pastor, a small congregation of six or seven people has not missed a single Sunday worship service. In Uzhhorod, young people are helping renew youth ministry, while in Perechyn, the congregation continues assisting displaced families and neighbors in need.

A certain highlight of Annual Conference this year was the approval and ordination of Volodymyr Prokip of Lviv, Oleksandr Omelchenko of Ukrainka, and Oleksandr Arnaut, who serves Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Other leaders are pursuing theological education, counseling training, and trauma-healing ministries.

Looking Ahead to 2027

District Superintendent Oleg Starodubets outlined several priorities for the coming year, with a particular emphasis on developing the next generation of church leaders. Plans include launching a new School of Young Leaders in March 2027, initially bringing together approximately 20 emerging leaders for training in preaching, small-group ministry, and youth leadership. The church also hopes to host another national youth camp for 100 or more participants, continue retreats for Christian youth leaders, and establish a new youth center in Ukrainka modeled after the successful Lighthouse ministry in Uzhhorod, when security conditions allow. These initiatives reflect the church's commitment not only to meeting today's needs but also to preparing for future ministry and church growth.

A Church Connected Around the World

The 2026 Annual Conference was presided over by Bishop Knut Refsdal, who was joined by District Superintendent Thomas Risager of Denmark and representatives of the United Methodist Church in Latvia. Prior to the conference, Bishop Refsdal and DS Risager led a two-day seminar on Methodist theology and church leadership at the Under the Castle ministry center in Kamianytsia. The seminar explored grace, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, the relationship between Methodist theology and contemporary values, and the organization of the United Methodist Church. These gatherings provided meaningful opportunities for learning, fellowship, and strengthening relationships across national borders.

During the Annual Conference, DS Risager brought greetings from Danish United Methodists, assuring the Ukrainian church of their prayers and solidarity. He emphasized that Christians are people of peace, but that lasting peace must also be just peace. Another encouraging development is the growing relationship with the United Methodist Church in Latvia. Under the leadership of its new District Superintendent, Zinta Dzintara, Latvian Methodists are demonstrating a commitment to ministry beyond their own borders, with a number of pastors and leaders planning to travel to Ukraine and after hosting a Ukrainian delegation at their summer camp. These connections are a beautiful reminder that, even in the midst of war, United Methodists across Europe remain united in faith, friendship, and mission.

Continuing Our Partnership in Faith

For United Methodists around the world who have prayed, given, and partnered with Ukraine, these reports offer encouragement. Our Ukrainian brothers and sisters are not simply enduring difficult circumstances. They are actively serving their communities, nurturing the next generation, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.

The challenges remain significant, but so does the commitment of the church. As we look toward another year of partnership, we give thanks for the faithful witness of Ukrainian United Methodists and the opportunity to continue walking alongside them in ministry.

Lighthouse Celebrates One Year of Changing Lives in Ukraine

The United Methodist youth ministry in Uzhhorod is helping young people find friendship, belonging, and faith.

In early October, the Lighthouse Youth Center in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, celebrated its first anniversary! Over the past year, this United Methodist ministry has become an important gathering place for teenagers and young adults, many displaced from their homes by the war.

Anastasia Mykhtoniuk, one of Lighthouse's leaders, reflected on the celebration and the remarkable impact of the ministry's first year.

The anniversary brought together young people, volunteers, and international guests, including Bishop Knut Refsdal, District Superintendent Thomas Risager of Denmark, and District Superintendent Zinta Dzintara and a delegation from Latvia. The celebration included games, food, conversation, and opportunities for young people to share their hopes for Lighthouse's future.

One highlight was opening a time capsule created at Lighthouse's grand opening. Inside were wishes written by participants a year earlier. To everyone's delight, many of those hopes had become reality!

More Than a Youth Center

Approximately 80% of Lighthouse's regular participants are internally displaced youth. Through art classes, games, friendships, and volunteer opportunities, these young people are finding a place where they are welcomed and valued. Many are also becoming curious about Christian faith and participating in Bible studies and youth worship.

Anastasia explained that the ministry meets an important emotional need. Beyond physical safety, these young people need to know they belong somewhere.

A Young Woman from Mariupol Finds Her Confidence

One story Anastasia shared beautifully illustrates Lighthouse's impact.

A teenage girl displaced from Mariupol struggled with anxiety and social isolation after arriving in Uzhhorod. She was afraid to speak with classmates, share her thoughts, or make new friends.

But after becoming involved at Lighthouse, things began to change. She told Anastasia that she was making friends, becoming more confident, and no longer feeling so afraid to speak with others.

Even more remarkable was what happened next. Through a Lighthouse volunteer project, she began visiting elderly people in their homes, offering friendship and assistance. She told Anastasia how surprised she was that she could now help strangers when previously she had been afraid even to speak with them.

For Anastasia, this transformation captures the heart of Lighthouse. Young people arrive looking for friendship and belonging, but discover opportunities to grow, serve others, and explore faith.

As Anastasia beautifully explained, "Even before they come to God, they learn how to be the light for the world."

As Lighthouse begins its second year, we celebrate the Ukrainian leaders, volunteers, and international partners making this ministry possible—and the young lives being changed through their faithful service.

To see a video recap of the Lighthouse's first year click here.

From Searching for Faith to Sharing It: Katya's Story

How Youth to Jesus and St. John's United Methodist Church in Lviv helped a young Ukrainian woman discover faith, community, and a calling to serve.

Kateryna (Katya) Volokhova grew up in Mykolaiv, a city in southern Ukraine near the Black Sea. When Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022, she and her mother fled to Slovakia, where Katya lived for two and a half years. Although they found refuge in a church building, Katya was not a Christian at the time.

Eventually, Katya felt drawn back to Ukraine. She wanted to study Ukrainian culture and contribute to her country's future. She enrolled in a cultural studies program at a university in Lviv, where her studies sparked a growing curiosity about religion and faith.

For nearly a year, Katya explored different religious traditions, talked with Christian friends, and wrestled with questions about God. Her journey eventually led her to Youth to Jesus, the United Methodist student ministry in Lviv.

Finding Faith and Community

A university friend invited Katya to a Bible study connected with Youth to Jesus. She initially attended out of intellectual curiosity, but a summer mountain trip with the ministry's young adults helped her develop deeper friendships and explore Christianity more personally.

Over time, Katya became convinced of the truth of Jesus Christ. In September 2025, she made a personal commitment to follow Christ and became part of St. John's United Methodist Church. In 2026, she celebrated another important milestone when she was baptized.

Today, Katya is not only a member of this faith community but also serves as the administrator of the Youth to Jesus student center. Working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., she helps maintain the space, welcomes visitors, assists people staying overnight, and offers hospitality and conversation. She also contributes graphic designs for the ministry's social media.

When the opportunity arose, Katya initially hesitated. She was looking for employment while continuing her university studies and wondered whether she should seek work elsewhere. Ultimately, she realized that working at Youth to Jesus would allow her to earn an income while actively serving God.

Dreaming of Ministry in Mykolaiv

Katya's faith journey has also awakened a passion for evangelism. She participates in Steiger, an international Christian mission that seeks to engage people outside traditional church settings through relationships, creative outreach, and open conversations about faith.

Katya particularly appreciates Bible studies where people who are not religious can freely ask questions and explore Christianity without feeling pressured.

Looking toward the future, she hopes to complete her university education and eventually return to her hometown of Mykolaiv. Her dream is to establish a similar outreach ministry there, reaching young people who might never consider walking into a church.

Katya's story is a wonderful example of the lasting impact of Youth to Jesus and St. John's UMC. A young woman who first arrived searching for answers has discovered Christian faith, found a community that welcomed her, and is now helping others experience that same love and hospitality.

And someday, God willing, the ministry that helped shape her faith in Lviv may bear fruit in Mykolaiv as well.

For What its Werf: Nov 3rd At the Ballot Box

Ashamed, embarrassed, and disgusted are just a few words to describe my sentiment towards the Trump administration and its recent actions that assist Russia's war machine, and work against Ukrainian defense.

I implore US readers of this newsletter to vote on or before November 3rd, and to chose candidates that stand with Ukraine. Do this not only for Ukraine, but also to assist in the long road towards repairing the US's reputation in the world.

Links for Your Consideration:

In Mission Together Ukraine Facebook page here.
Fred Vanderwerf's Instagram antics page here.
Ukraine United Methodist Church Facebook page here.
Ukraine UMC's Instagram here.
Make an online donation to the mission and ministry of the Ukraine UMC here.

The United Methodist Church in Ukraine extends heartfelt gratitude for your continued prayers, advocacy, and generous support. Your partnership remains essential in sustaining the ministries of pastors and church planters, supporting training and leadership development, and providing ongoing care for those displaced by war. Donate here.

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IMT Ukraine Partnership Coordinator

Rev. Fred Vanderwerf

fredericksevanderwerf@gmail.com

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