Methodists within the European Methodist Council (www.methodist.eu) are a small family within the continental European context; even smaller within the context of Eastern Europe. Yet there are several United Methodist congregations in Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine that are located in a circle with a diameter less than 100km from the Ukraine border. There were 12 Methodist congregations in Ukraine prior to the war.

Within Europe there is a strong history of cooperation and sharing of resources. There is not a centralised European Methodist humanitarian relief organisation. Several Methodist funds exist (such as in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Great Britain, and Ireland) that support projects identified by local partners, usually through Methodist congregations but also through ecumenical partners and NGOs.

In response to the huge wave of refugees arising from the war in Ukraine, Methodists are playing a supportive role in many places, and are committed to welcoming asylum-seekers. This includes a focus on immediate needs – food, clothing, shelter, health care, and care for families.

Jana Křížova, pastor and coordinator of the work with Ukrainian refugees in Czechia, shared: "When we care for one family, one mother and child, it seems like a drop in the ocean of what needs to be done. We feel helpless in the face of the immense suffering of so many people. However, every drop matters. One person matters. There are those for whom thousands of lives are worthless. I believe that every single life is worth something to the Lord; and that it pleases God when we, like Him, care for every single person. It makes sense."

Language is one example of supporting the refugees. Many Methodist congregations are including Ukrainian language in their services for attending refugees. Szarlota Kaminska, coordinator of the work with Ukrainian refugees in Poland, has shared of United Methodist congregations offering Polish lessons for refugees. One congregation now also offers Ukrainian lessons for Polish people as steps towards each other in terms of language – rather than putting the "linguistic burden" on the shoulders of the Ukrainian refugees only.

Several coordinators have organised humanitarian aid deliveries from their respective countries to Ukraine: from Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania, for example. Many were transported in small vehicles (mini-buses or mini-vans), however there are also big shipments, including medicines and medical equipment from Romania to a hospital in Ukraine.

The United Methodist Church in Hungary identified Debrecen, the second-largest city of the country, to gather furniture, clothes, food, bedding, and diapers to be made available to people in need. Consignments of food are being taken to a refugee camp where 100 people are living. Another aim is of humanitarian aid to support Ukrainian families living near the Hungarian-Ukrainian border.

Individual people and local Methodist congregations in various countries have opened their doors for refugees looking for shelter – whether for a few nights only or longer-term. Where possible, for instance in Czechia, refugees are supported into rented apartments and becoming increasingly self-sufficient. Beyond the priority of accommodation, is supporting people to find work. Libuše Hajčiarová from Jihlava UMC in Czechia emphasizes that in many cases mothers have crossed the border alone while the husbands stay in Ukraine to defend their country – and so providing a nursery is crucial for children of mothers that have found a job. Addressing such needs opens up new possibilities for local churches to provide meaningful assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

The Ukrainian "guests" are thankful for what they receive. A recent newsletter from a Methodist congregation in Czechia also pointed to a deeper feeling. Referring to families living in a recreational house in Vojnův Městec, the leaders wrote: "Despite the fact that they like it here, when they look at the landscape in the spring sunshine, they remember what it would be like if there was no war in their country. What it would be like to be at home with their loved ones …"