First United Methodist Church

  • Winter Park, FL | Sunday Worship 9am & 11am
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Refugee Ministry

Our church has partnered with Summit Church and Avalon Church to support refugee families settled in Central Florida. This partnership supports refugees who have relocated to Central Florida through the US Department of State, Refugee Resettlement Program. Together, we hope to help families to feel safe, loved, and connected as they settle into their new community.

A New Season of Ministry

As many of you may know, the United States is no longer accepting asylum-seeking refugees. Over the past several months, our Refugee Ministry has continued supporting families who arrived prior to January 20, 2025. We are grateful that many of these families have now become largely self-sufficient.

As our ministry enters this next season, we will be transitioning, for the time being, to serving immigrant families within our local community.

One of the ways we will do this is through the Care Kit Initiative, part of the Faithful Witness campaign.

What Is the Care Kit Initiative?

The Care Kit Initiative is a simple, hands-on opportunity to live out our faith by preparing care kits for immigrant children experiencing vulnerable situations, such as the detention of a family member.

These kits are intended to provide:

  • Practical support
  • Encouragement and prayer
  • Compassion and dignity
  • The hope of Jesus Christ

They also help our church move from awareness to meaningful action by standing alongside families during difficult times.

Most importantly, these kits communicate a powerful message to those who are hurting: You are seen, valued, and loved.

Learn more about the Care Kit Initiative:

Learn More

How You Can Help

We invite you to join us in this ministry opportunity by helping assemble care kits for local immigrant children.

Care Kit Assembly Event:

  • Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 PM
    Reeves Fellowship Hall

Interested in participating or learning more? Please contact Clay Mitchell at refugee@fumcwp.org.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. —Hebrews 13:2 

If you want to learn more or donate items, reach out to Clay Mitchell at refugee@fucmwp.org or call 407-644-2906 x269. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ. You are the church.

Ministry Stories

Clay and Kim's Story
We delivered household items from our church's Angel Tree to 5 refugee families after church last Sunday. Three families from Nicaragua and 2 from Venezuela. The excitement in their eyes was heart warming, and we felt their sense of relief when many needed items were laid out on the sidewalk at the apartment complex. Each family selected what they needed in a completely orderly and friendly manner. It was an answer to their prayers!
Clay and Kim, Volunteers from Winter Park
Kirsty’s Story
I see the emotional and spiritual impact volunteers and churches are having in the absence of the agency support. Refugee families have been terrified that they would end up on the street or sent back. This morning, I shared with a Nicaraguan family that we [the volunteers from their resettlement agency] would help pay their rent if the agency could not. The husband threw his arms up in the air and shouted "¡Gracias a Dios!". He got all choked up. Kirsty, Volunteer from Orlando
Kirsty, Volunteer from Orlando
Hector's Story
Hector is from Nicaragua. He's been here less than a month and he has a constant shell-shocked look about him. He and his wife are older but they have an 11-year-old son. It's clear that Hector cannot read or write and his wife cannot see clearly. Communication is very difficult. All documents, online forms, and communication through text and email, are done through an exuberant 11-year-old, who is as cute as can be.
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The Need

We’re living through the worst refugee crisis in world history. Across the globe, 108.4 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. Of these, 40% are children.

Coming to the U.S. as a refugee is the most difficult way to legally enter the country. Refugees undergo a more thorough vetting process than any other traveler to the United States. 

Learn More

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Winter Park 125 N. Interlachen Ave Winter Park, FL 32789

407-644-2906

Reeves Center 1100 N. Fern Creek Ave. Orlando, FL 32803

407-894-2237

Copyright ©2021 First United Methodist Church Winter Park.

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