Geneva church collects donations to support Afghan refugee families

After hearing about the plight of Afghan refugees, Nancie Lillie couldn't sleep at night.

She knew her congregation at United Methodist Church of Geneva had already committed to support several local charities for the holidays.

Still, she felt called to ask everyone to do more.

Lillie invited Susan Sperry, executive director of World Relief Chicagoland, to speak to the congregation on Oct. 24 about the work of World Relief and their recent work to help recent refugees from Afghanistan.

The original intent was to collect enough household items to furnish one newly arriving Afghan refugee family with basic household necessities.

"Due to the overwhelming generosity of the people of United Methodist Church of Geneva, we surely supplied enough goods for 3-4 families," stated Nancie Lillie. "We happily packed loads of bath towels, bath rugs, sheets, blankets, shower curtains, dishes, silverware, pots, pans, glassware, cleaning supplies, paper and writing supplies, food, and hygiene items before delivering them to the World Relief warehouse in Carol Stream on Dec. 16."

According to Senior Pastor Rob Hamilton, "Providing welcome kits for refugees is just one example of we how we fulfill our mission of making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ who serve the community and the world at the United Methodist Church of Geneva, but anyone - regardless of faith tradition - can extend the gift of hospitality in any season, can do so by partnering with UMCG or World Relief Chicagoland directly."

Founded in 1839 the United Methodist Church of Geneva's mission is "To make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ to serve the community and the world." The church is located at 211 Hamilton St. in downtown Geneva. Learn more at genevaumc.org or follow @UMCGeneva on Facebook or Instagram.

World Relief Chicagoland helps refugees and other immigrants in vulnerable situations as they rebuild their lives in the United States. For over 40 years, the nonprofit has been welcoming immigrants and refugees across the Chicago area, starting with refugee resettlement in Chicago and DuPage County in 1979, and later in Aurora in 1999.

For decades, World Relief Chicagoland has empowered churches, community organizations and people to adapt to the challenges of the moment for the sake of refugees.

As needs have increased in recent years, it has expanded its work beyond refugees to include all immigrants in vulnerable situations. Learn more at worldrelief.org/chicagoland.