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 already had 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 October 24 about the work of World Relief and their recent work to help recent refugees from Afghanistan.
The original intention 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,” Lillie said.
“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 being a partner with UMCG or World Relief Chicagoland directly.”
—UMC Geneva