Updates:
- In May of 2025, we sent to Ukraine gifts or $13,325 for humanitarian relief for members of Spring of Life UMC and $5,000 from a special gift to the Center for Children with Disabilities. Donations given in response to the Ukraine Celebration and as Ukraine-designated Lenten offerings totaled $59,174.16, with $27,147.16 for humanitarian relief for Spring of Life UMC members, $5,000 for the Center for Children with Disabilities, and $27,000 for scholarships to support Ukrainian students who are pursuing theological education in preparation to serve as pastors and church leaders in UMC in Ukraine.
- On March 2, 2025, there was a Ukraine Celebration at BUMC. All aspects of the worship services reflected Ukrainian culture and/or our church's partnership with Spring of Life UMC in Kyiv. Our guest speaker, Rev. Fred Vanderwerf of In Mission Together - Ukraine, spoke in worship and at a luncheon for about 100 people, sharing personal stories of his mission work, answering questions, and providing inspiration.
- In December 2024, a gift of $15,000 was sent to Spring of Life UMC to provide Christmas gifts for children and aid to adults with special circumstances.
- In October 2024, a dozen families from BUMC and Spring of Life UMC in Kyiv gathered on a Zoom call to share about their experiences of the past year. We listened to an outpouring of personal stories of pain and gratitude.
- In August 2024, a gift of $13,040 was sent to Spring of Life UMC to assist with repairs to their church van to facilitate connections among their pastor and members, and to provide humanitarian aid.
- In April 2024, BUMC sent $15,000 to our Ukrainian friends: $2,350 to help with the refugee shelters Pavlo Osypenko runs, and $12,650 to Spring of Life UMC members (distributed based on need levels, as decided by their church leadership -- the gift assisted 31 adults and 17 children).
- Some money raised has been held back for future use. The plan was to employ it for rebuilding efforts, but none of us knew the war would go on so long and cause such devastation.
- We have received many expressions of thanks, including this note back from Spring of Life UMC: "People keep saying how awesome our Lord is that our American friends are helping out just when it's needed most."
Write a letter to our elected officials
One way people can support Ukraine is by contacting their elected officials. To that end, we have some sample letters prepared. Below, are links to the elected officials' websites where people can submit comment forms.
Sen. Mark Warner
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage
Sen. Tim Kaine
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Rep. Morgan Griffith
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm
Sen. Mark Warner
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage
Sen. Tim Kaine
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Rep. Morgan Griffith
https://morgangriffith.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm
Archives:
- Pavlo Osypenko formed a UMC shelter in Ushgorod in response to the Russian invasion. Interview of Pavlo Osypenko (Pavlo's responses are in English Subtitles).
- Read the most recent Roanoke Times article on Blacksburg UMC's continued support of Ukraine.
- We received notes and pictures from members of Spring of Life UMC thanking us for our gifts and support.
- Learn more about how UMCOR is helping in Ukraine. See how donations to UMCOR are directly helping people from Ukraine and what is giving our partners hope. Hear how our partners are encouraged by the support they’ve received, where they see God in the midst of suffering, and what you can pray for right now.
- Here is the covenant between Blacksburg UMC and Spring of Life UMC.
Ukrainian Stories
Ukraine Financial Statement
Click below for the full financial statement.
