“I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25: 35
St. John’s is an active partner in the North Hills Refugee Ministry (NHRM). This is a group of volunteers from St. John’s, Trinity of Wexford and Perry Highway Lutheran churches who work together to sponsor an assigned refugee family. We collaborate with our local resettlement agency, the Jewish Federation of Community Services (JFCS) and together we welcome these newcomers by arranging for housing, helping to enroll family members into English classes and children into local schools. In addition to financial assistance, we provide orientation sessions to help the family acclimate into their new community.
Besides active participation from volunteers, this rewarding work is possible because of donations from individuals from these churches, from the St. John’s Mission Endowment fund, and from a generous grant from the Ethel L. Verney Mission Endowment Fund that was awarded to the NHRM by the board of the Southwestern PA Synod. We are truly grateful for this support.
There are several ways to contribute to this outreach. Donations of funds and household goods are evolving and always welcome. We also welcome volunteers who would like to help the new family navigate in their new home. (Note: certain clearances and an online training course is required to work directly with the family.) You can contact the church office for more details at info@stjohnslutheranchurch.com.
We continue to be thankful to all who have offered their donations, their time and prayerful support. God’s work, our hands—to God be the glory.