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

Download Letter Template Here

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KYIV SINCE 1998

As the war grinds on in Ukraine, we remember our sister church in Kyiv, Spring of Life UMC and their outreach programs. Donations provided by our church and greater community provides humanitarian aid, support for LightHouse Makariv, a free rehabilitation center for children living with disabilities, and resources for three refugee shelters in Western Ukraine run by Pavlo Osypenko. For over a quarter-century, our two churches have been in relationship. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ as they wait and work for an end to war, and give to our special collection to support Ukraine.

In Christ,
BUMC Kyiv ministry team

*be sure to notate that the donation is for the Kyiv ministry team*

"Easter at Blacksburg church to continue its support to Ukraine"

Read the most recent Roanoke Times article on Blacksburg UMC's continued support.

Roanoke Times Article

Interview of Pavlo Osypenko
Director of the UMC Shelter in Ushgorod, Ukraine.

Pavlo Osypenko formed a UMC shelter in Ushgorod in response to the Russian invasion. (Pavlo's responses are in English Subtitles).

UPDATES

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."

We received notes and pictures from members of Spring of Life UMC thanking us for our gifts and support.
A collection of pictures of some items we were able to provide our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

Here is a letter from Spring of Life UMC, from December 2024. 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.

Learn more about how UMCOR is helping in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Stories

Ukraine Financial Statement

Click below for the full financial statement.