Welcome Refugees to Ann Arbor

Monday, May 30, 2016
Monday, July 4, 2016

The Mission Committee, Pastors, and Session of First Pres as well as individual members of the congregation are deeply concerned with the ongoing resettlement crisis for refugees, particularly those fleeing from Syria. Rev. Jay Sanderford is working with volunteers from the congregation to explore how First Pres can best respond. A number of other local congregations interested in taking action are exploring the issue as well. At this time, Jewish Family Services (JFS) is the agency in Washtenaw County with the knowledge and ability to resettle refugees, be they individuals or families.

So as a first step, First Pres will be joining Westminster Presbyterian from Memorial Day to July 4 (holiday to holiday) to collect items in several categories that JFS can put directly to use:

  • Kitchen items - pots & pans, utensils, dishes, table ware, etc.
  • Personal items - toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, soap, etc.
  • School supplies - notebooks, paper, pens & pencils, backpacks, etc.
  • Household items - linens, cleaning supplies, alarm clocks, etc.
  • Gift cards - from major stores such as Meijer, Kroger or Target (Please drop them off in the Church Office.)
  • Clean, used kitchen and household items in good condition

There will be boxes to collect these items at the Welcome Center and outside of the Church Office from Memorial Day through July 4. Please consider that Jesus was a refugee when his family fled to Egypt, and that many of our ancestors fled persecution when they came to this country, then give generously to support the newest refugees. Please contact Carol Fletcher cefletch@umich.edu or Rev. Jay Sanderford for more information.