photo provided Aid directed to Ukrainian refugees continue to be gathered at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Muncy. Accepting donations are (left-right): Jerry Watson, Treasurer; the Reverend Ben Lander, Pastor; and Council President, Dean Barto.

MUNCY – The congregation of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Muncy, has collected $1,500 thus far which is being donated to the Spiritual Orphans Network (SON). The organization specializes in missionary work to Slavic countries with emphasis on building personal relationships and trust, as well as ongoing sustainability efforts. SON has established a special Ukraine fund to assist with humanitarian efforts and aid to refugees from the war torn area.

Funds collected through SON go directly to local ministries, such as the Gloria Ministry Social Kitchen. Each day, the kitchen provides over 200 meals to those in need, as well as basic supplies, medicine and other necessities.

SON is also giving funds directly to the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU), This aids pastors who are actively organizing transports for women and children to safe border crossings. Long-term efforts are also in development to find housing and other necessities for Ukrainian refugees.

For more information, you can visit www.sonetwork.org. Pastor Ben Lander and his family are new to St. Andrew, having accepted the call to pastor in November 2021. The church is located at 201 South Main Street, Muncy, PA.

OTHER AID GIVEN

At First United Methodist Church in Muncy, offerings are being gathered for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, for their humanitarian work with the people of Ukraine.

Also going to the UM Committee on Relief; funds from the “Fellowship Class” of Picture Rocks United Methodist Church. Donations from its congregation was forwarded to Samaritan’s Purse, a part of the Billy Graham Ministries, to support tent hospitals in and around Ukraine.