Above: United Methodist Bishop Christian Alsted prays with Alexandre, who is living in the gymnasium at the Onokivtsi Secondary School near Uzhhorod, Ukraine, after fleeing his home due to the war with Russia.
United Methodist News Service
As soon as the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, Ukrainian refugees — mostly women and children — began arriving in neighboring countries. Some by train, some in cars with bullet holes.
“We didn’t know where we were going; we just went west,” said Anna, a refugee from Kyiv staying at a United Methodist retreat center in the Czech Republic.
United Methodists in Eastern Europe have been welcoming refugees since the beginning. Many offer shelter and basic daily necessities, in many cases hosting the refugees in their own homes. Others arrange to transport food and medical supplies back into Ukraine for those who cannot leave, and help refugees acquire legal documents that they may have left behind or lost while fleeing their homes. As the conflict drags on and more long-term needs arise, churches help children with school and help their parents find more permanent housing and jobs. When asked, the response is always that they will help as long as necessary.
In late May, a team from United Methodist News, the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries visited church refugee ministries in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and western Ukraine to share stories of the United Methodist presence in the wake of such tragedy and ongoing need.
The Rev. Jana Krizova, who helps coordinate refugee ministries for the annual conference of The United Methodist Church in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, said this ministry happened naturally.
“It’s in the Methodist DNA,” she said. “You see need and do something about it.”
Mike DuBose is staff photographer and Joey Butler is a multimedia producer/editor for United Methodist News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
The Rev. Jana Krizova gives the sermon during a joint worship service of Czech- and Russian-speaking congregations at Prague 2 United Methodist Church in Prague, Czech Republic. Krizova helps coordinate refugee ministries for the annual conference of The United Methodist Church in Czechia and Slovakia. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
Katie Hills Uzoka (left) of the United Methodist Committee on Relief shares pictures of her family with mothers and children staying at the Poušť United Methodsit church camp near Bechyně, Czech Republic, after they fled the war in Ukraine. At center in the purple shirt is Alžběta Opočenská, a staff member at the camp.Uzoka is director of international disaster response for the denomination’s relief agency. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
The Rev. Jack Amick takes a turn on the garden swing at the Poušť United Methodsit church camp near Bechyně, Czech Republic, with two girls who fled from their home in Ukraine to escape the war with Russia. Amick is director of Global Migration for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
Guests from Ukraine join with with Eduard Holtman (left) and pastor Zdeněk Neužil of The United Methodist Church in the Czech Republic in praying before lunch at the Veselka United Methodist retreat center near Vimperk, Czech Republic, where they are staying. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
János Hadju (right) and Istvan Pasztor pack relief supplies destined for people in Uzhhorod, in western Ukraine who fled there from other parts of the country after Russian forces invaded. Hadju is the son of the Rev. Elizabeth Hadju, pastor of Nyíregyháza (Hungary) United Methodist Church, where the relief supplies were collected. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
The Rev. Oleg Starodubets (right) welcomes Bishop Christian Alsted to the Evangelical Methodist Church in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. Starodubets and his wife, the Rev. Yulia Starodubets, were serving the United Methodist Church in Kyiv when Russia invaded Ukraine. They are now working in western Ukraine to help people displaced by the war. The sign in the background says “God Bless Ukraine!”
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
United Methodist Bishop Christian Alsted prays with Olena and her 1 ½-month-old son, Bogdan, at the former Soviet-era printing plant where they are staying plant in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. The family fled Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine. Bogdan was born after their arrival in Uzhhorod. His name means “gift of God.” Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
United Methodist Bishop Christian Alsted and the Rev. Yulia Starodubets pray with Oksana, who fled her home in northeastern Ukraine after the Russian military destroyed her apartment building. Oksana told Alsted that there is nothing left there to return to. She is staying in a former Soviet printing plant turned shelter in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
United Methodist Bishop Christian Alsted prays with Oksana and her children, Constantine and Emily, in the classroom turned bedroom where they are staying at the Onokivtsi Secondary School near Uzhhorod, Ukraine. The family fled Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine after Russian forces attacked the city. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
János Hadju (right) and Istvan Pasztor pack relief supplies destined for people in Uzhhorod, in western Ukraine who fled there from other parts of the country after Russian forces invaded. Hadju is the son of the Rev. Elizabeth Hadju, pastor of Nyíregyháza (Hungary) United Methodist Church, where the relief supplies were collected. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.