As many of you know, Cornerstone Community Church has had the blessing and opportunity to welcome a number of refugee families who have relocated to Utica in the last few weeks and months. These families come primarily from Iraq, Palestine and Sudan and most speak Arabic as their primary language. It is exciting to see them joining our community and inviting more of their friends and new arrivals from their home countries every week. Their presence provides us with yet another opportunity to live out the words of Mark 25:35-40: ^“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

While these new arrivals to our community receive support through the programs at the Refugee Center they still have significant needs that we can help meet. Please consider helping us serve them in any of the following ways:

Donate new or very gently worn pants, sweaters, boots, hats or jackets. Refugees are given a few clothes upon their arrival, but many, especially those from warmer climates struggle to stay warm. Most refugees have to walk significant distances on a daily basis and during the winter months this can be especially difficult if they have only been given running shoes and light coats. Please note that Cornerstone is not equipped to handle large quantities of clothing, so please limit your clothing donations to warm pants, sweaters, boots, hats or jackets in good condition and consider donating other items to charities better able to handle them.

Rugs. One of the items that many of the families have requested is rugs for the floors of their apartments. Many families have small children and during the winter months they are forced to play on cold floors. If you have an old rug hanging around in your basement or attic consider giving it to one of these families.

Sundries. Food stamps cover most of these refugee’s dietary needs, however they generally do not provide for things like dish or laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste and other similar items. Also, while some diapers and formula are covered it is generally not as much as a typical family will use in a month. Please refer to our Food Pantry item list and consider donating these much needed goods.

Walmart gift cards. If you are able, this is a great way to help assist these families. Often when a new family arrives with significant needs we are able to give them a gift card and a ride to Walmart to purchase what they need. This has been very much appreciated so please consider donating in this way.

Cash. We provide for these refugee families in a number of ways including serving breakfast and lunch every Sunday. If you feel called, consider making a financial donation to help us continue providing for them. Donations can either be made on Sunday mornings or through the PayPal link on our church website.

Finally, one of the best ways to help us serve these individuals is to get to know them! Introduce yourself, ask about their families and tell them about yours. We’ve spoken with the Refugee Center and they’ve told us that in addition to helping with the needs mentioned above the most significant thing we can do to help is to be good neighbors. To welcome these families into our community, help them practice their English and enjoy the opportunity to get to know people from another culture. At our church we have refugees from an incredible range of backgrounds from those with advanced degrees in their home countries to those who have literally been living in tents until their recent arrival in Utica. Let’s do our best to love and serve them so that together we may all come to learn how much more Jesus loved and served us.