OLDS — A couple of local churches are doing what they can to help refugees fleeing into Romania from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The First Baptist Church in Olds is raising money to help a church in Aiud, Romania cope with a flood of refugees. As of last week, they had raised about $2,100, pastor Norm Tauber says.
The Garrington Community Church west of Bowden has called on its parishioners to help out as well by contributing to a special donation call during the church’s March 20 service, Pastor Ed Peters says.
Tauber says the First Baptist Church has had a relationship with the church in Aiud.
He said when the invasion occurred, representatives of the church in Aiud reached out asking for help.
“They reached out to us and said, ‘hey, we would like to help them, but we need your financial support. We just cannot do this on our own,’ because they are very poor,” Tauber said during an interview.
“They have offered to take in refugees – and it’s not like it’s a lot, but it’s certainly a good start, because a number of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and churches in Romania are helping those refugees that are flooding over the Ukrainian border into Romania.
“We’ve got a number of seniors in the church who have been knitting. For the last 18 years, we’ve been supporting an orphanage and this church, helping with sending knitted clothing, quilts and we’ve been doing that for many, many years.”
“Whatever comes in, we’re going to help with food and with housing.”
Tauber is impressed with the way that member of his church have become involved in the project.
"I mean, when you take a look at our congregation, they support a lot of endeavours like this. It’s good to see the involvement of the people in the church,” he said.
Tauber said anyone wishing to donate to the cause should write a cheque to the First Baptist Church, putting the words “Romania project” in the memo section of that cheque so it’s clear where the money is intended to go.
Peters said the Garrington Community Church congregation has been involved in helping out the church in Aiud for many years as well.
He said years ago, members of the Aiud congregation built a new church. Plans call for the old building to be converted to house refugees.
Peters said it’s anticipated that refugees accommodated in the old building could well be a mom with kids.
If that’s the case, he said, "income might be hard to find,” so donations might go toward food and other needs.
“One of our couples were missionaries in Romanian probably 10, 15 years ago and they came across this one individual and his family that were trying to do stuff with some of the gypsy kind of people around the city of Aiud, Romania,” Peters said.
“And when this couple came back home, it just kind of seemed like they wanted to carry on some work there and the church here rallied behind that and so, when we heard about this opportunity as a church through this couple, we just kind of jumped on board for that.”
