Our Mission
The mission of the UCC Refugee Ministries office is to involve, encourage, and accompany local churches and their members in the lifetransforming ministry of refugee resettlement as they journey toward an understanding of the plight of refugees and a compassionate response.
The Global Refugee Crisis
Refugees are people who because of war, persecution, and oppression are forced to flee their homes, leaving behind all they have known for an uncertain future. One out of every fifty persons worldwide is a refugee or an international migrant.
All refugees fear persecution in their home countries, making them unable to return. Many stay in neighboring countries languishing in refugee camps. A few will begin a new life in another country such as the United States.
One Great Hour of Sharing
All gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are tax deductible. OGHS helps support Refugee & Immigration Ministries as well as Volunteer and National Disaster Ministries.
For more news on Refugee & Immigration please visit: Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Service Newsletter
Refugee Finds Success in his New Home! The first few months
Mon spent 19 years in a refugee camp in Nepal before he was able to come to the United States. He finally arrived to Lancaster on February 10, 2010. Mon lived with cousins for about one month while waiting for his parents and siblings to arrive. Even though Mon said that the process of coming to the United States as a refugee went smoothly, it was initially difficult because he "had to start his life from zero". Read more.
An American-Darfuri Tale: Kendra Rinas & the Moussas
Kendra Rinas, on staff with the CWS Overseas Processing Entity for sub-Saharan Africa, spent February to June 2009 in Chad helping prepare refugees' case files for final review by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Then, in March 2010, CWS relocated her to Chad, where she leads the work to interview additional resettlement candidates and start their orientation to U.S. life. Here is some of her story.
"New Beginnings" for refugee youth
On a snowy Saturday afternoon in December, excitement and music filled the air at a neighborhood community center in Louisville, Kentucky. twenty-three refugee youth from across the city gathered to make music around an international drumming circle. Read more.
Useful Links
UNHCR at a Glance
Essay, Susan (Lay Ha) Nar
Above is a link to the story of Susan (Lay Ha ) Nar - from a Burmese/Myanmar refugee family - resettled by First Reformed UCC in Burlington, NC, who won first place in Middle School category of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Essay contest.”
“UCC congregations offer hope and home to Iraqi refugees”
“Pastors welcome Guatemalan student into their family”>
“Support Immigration Reform”
America's Voice
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees
Migration Policy Institute
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Office of Refugee Resettlement
Church World Service, Immigration and Refugee Program: Durable Solutions
U.S. Committee For Refugees and Immigrants
