Heart To Heart Christmas Party

CFNA associates with party gifts

Dinner is ready

30 recently arrived Syrian Women

The Heart to Heart Christmas Party for Syrian and Afghan Refugees began with a welcome and an inspirational devotion that told the Christmas story. As translators shared in Farsi and Arabic there were smiles and there were some tears. Children had Christmas story videos, games, and popcorn. Following the devotion and singing, we went upstairs for a delicious international potluck. Each woman had been asked to bring a favorite food. The result was awesome.

Many helping hands and a generous gift from Christ Memorial enabled us to fill baskets (red plastic bowls) with the practical soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, and tooth brushes that ladies treasure. Also included was a coffee mug filled with chocolates and a candy cane. A giant candy cane made it easy to tell the story of Jesus, the good shepherd. More generous gifts from KFUO and CPH helped tell the Christmas story. The YMCA gave warm clothes and shoes for children 4 and under. Church members had felt the biting cold and sent more than 90 blankets and warm clothes to add to the gifts. Many thanks to those patient church secretaries who answered phone calls.

After the event, a Concordia family went with Pastor Stanish and one of our Arabic speaking friends to visit a family who had arrived 15 days ago. They brought gifts and much needed warm, loving smiles. If you would like to go with a CFNA representative and bring a Welcome Pack to a new Syrian family, call or email Carol – (314) 517-8513 or buckmancal@aol.com.

By Carol Buckman Concordia Kirkwood

Thank You Immanuel Lutheran

Enjoying Snacks

On November 18, 2016, seventeen seventh graders (plus their chaperones) from Immanuel Lutheran School in Valparaiso, IN, set off for St. Louis, MO, in order to put into action the 2016 theme verse for their school: “Look not to your own interests but to the interests of others”.  (Philippians 2:4).

They strove to show the love of Christ through their actions and worked at two separate events at the Peace Center. On Saturday, November 19, they cleaned and scrubbed, swept and vacuumed — helping this ministry center maintain its welcoming ambience. On Sunday, Immanuel students ran a Thanksgiving-themed VBS program for nearly fifty new Americans, from preschoolers to teens. The participants had the opportunity to taste traditional fall flavors:  pumpkin snacks, craisins, apple cider, and stuffing. Immanuel students read books that explained the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday, and the participants sang folk songs, made turkey center pieces, and worked on coloring pages and word searches.

Learning To Play

The Immanuel students are very thankful for the opportunity to meet and serve students from more than eight different countries! Thank you to Christian Friends of New Americans for allowing us to have this experience.

By  Ellen Prahlow Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Valparaiso, IN

Lutheran High Students Reach Out

Playing a new game with Syrian friends

The National Honor Society at Lutheran High School South partnered with CFNA for its winter service project this year. We raised money to buy Christmas presents for CFNA families by hosting a penny drive at our school. Each day, kids brought in their spare change and put it in their class jar. This fundraiser became a friendly competition between classes and even the staff to see who could raise the most money. The penny drive made a grand total $1,623.79. This was enough money to sponsor five families, which was a total of twenty-two people.

Members of the NHS used the money to buy gifts at Kohls. Each student was assigned a person to shop for and had fun picking out gifts for each family member. We also gave each family a gift card to Schnucks. After that, we wrapped and sorted all the gifts. We delivered the presents to the families on Tuesday night after the CFNA Christmas Celebration. It was an incredible experience that we will never forget.

Mariah & Riley

Seeing the joy on the children's faces when they opened their gifts brought tears to my eyes. This is not just a charity that students donated their spare change to. These are real people, with real stories. Getting to meet these families changed our entire perspective. Interestingly, the recently arrived Muslim family from Syria was as eager to receive our prayers for them as they were to receive our gifts. It was a perfect reminder of what Christmas is really about.

As we celebrated the birth of our Savior, we were able to spread the love of Jesus with others. This Christmas season, the NHS has learned that it is in giving that we receive.

By Riley Schelp National Honor Society member Concordia, Kirkwood member

After School Tutoring Christmas Party

Enjoying Dinner

“Pastor Stanish are you coming to pick my children… they want to go to the Christmas party,” said my Syrian refugee friend as I picked up his phone call on the evening of December 13.

The excitement was substantial, as other New American kids also made sure that they were picked up for the Christmas party at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Holly Hills. As the evening progressed, thirty American volunteers were joined by fifty-eight refugee kids from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, El Salvador, Nepal and Syria, to celebrate the occasion. It was a special sight as the children, ably led by CFNA volunteer tutor Mrs. Jennifer Janssen, made hats for cancer victims, thereby involving these New American students in an act of Christian service.

Thereafter, the kids enjoyed a Christmas meal prepared by friends from Trinity Lutheran Church, Soulard, and subsequently gathered in the sanctuary for a Christmas devotion. Connecting the protection of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3) in an alien land to the visit of the Wise Men from alien lands to see Jesus, Pastor Mike Zeigler drove home the Advent message of people from all nations and cultures worshiping the true King - Jesus Christ. The devotion was followed by a gift distribution to all our volunteer tutors, whose commitment and love of Christ has made the tutoring program possible at the Peace Center. The enthusiastic celebration concluded with the distribution of Christmas gifts to almost sixty excited kids.

Making Hats

CFNA takes this opportunity to thank Village Lutheran Church and Lutheran High School South, for their generosity in providing Christmas gifts to our New American kids. Likewise, CFNA celebrates and thanks its volunteer tutors and drivers for their commitment in sharing the love of Jesus with refugee kids in an ongoing manner.

May this spirit of joy and service shine in all of us this Christmas and in the days to come!

By Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Peace and Family

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility… So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are… members of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:13-14,19.

God has good news for you in a world of war, hostility, walls and divisions. He brings you true peace by sending his own Son Christ Jesus to shed his blood for you on the cross in payment for the sins of the world. All who believe in Jesus as Savior have peace with God. Every believer from every language and culture is brought near to him and to each other. Jesus is our peace.

God has good news for you in a world of loneliness, distrust, fear, and broken relationships. He places you in a family of believers as “members of the household of God.” God gives you as New Americans Christian friends who believe in the same Jesus and care for you, not as a stranger or alien, but as members of God’s family brought together through the blood of Christ. Your friends need you and your hospitality and are inspired by your stories of faith.

Lord, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to be our peace and for making all of us part of your forever family. Amen.

Stephen J. Carter, Oakville, MO

Syrian Refugee Friends

Playing fussball at the Peace Center

“I come to CFNA Peace Center for English for my children… Wadya (not her real name) told us here are good Christian people who help us.” This was the response from a recently arrived (less than three months) Syrian refugee lady to my enquiry regarding her desire to admit her five children to CFNA’s After School Tutoring (AST) program. Because it is difficult to cross barriers of language and culture when reaching out to recently arrived refugees, in this case from Syria, this response was a most welcome surprise.

It was even more encouraging to become aware of how the Lord has used CFNA during its 10 years of ministry at its Peace Center location. Wadya, a fluent speaker of Arabic and a five-year St. Louis resident, has often been the beneficiary of CFNA services in the past. As has become her custom, she took it upon herself to alert the recently arrived Syrian refugee families about the services available at the Peace Center.

To be sure, God’s ways of bringing people of other faiths to hear and encounter Jesus is often unforeseen. The Syrian lady’s visit to the Peace Center two weeks ago, and her on-the-spot interactions with volunteer tutors and New American student participants immediately triggered a frenzy of phone calls which resulted in three other families (total of 16 Syrian kids) joining the tutoring program that very evening. Moreover, these connections subsequently led to seven Syrian families (over 25 kids) accessing CFNA services like ESL, Tutoring, Health and Wellness Screenings, Drivers Education and Furniture Delivery during the past few weeks.

Even as CFNA hopes and prays for the Holy Spirit to lead our Syrian friends to Christ Jesus, it celebrates the seed of the Gospel sown through all these years of CFNA work in the city of St. Louis. For this, we commend the spirit of Christian love and sharing that the many friends of CFNA have manifested in their simple but genuine Christ-driven interactions with their refugee and immigrant neighbors.

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Trivia Night 2016

Vesna painting a beautiful outdoor scene

Shresta with other bingo players

Trivia players

CFNA held its ninth annual Trivia Night on Saturday, November 12th, at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church with over 275 in attendance. They were welcomed by Pastor Joel Christensen and enjoyed a delicious mostaccioli dinner. Thanks to Rich and Charlie’s for the donation of salad and bread and to bakers from Peace, Webster Gardens, Christ Memorial, and Concordia Lutheran Churches for the delicious homemade cookies. Following the meal, trivia competition and bingo games began. Jerry Wendt served as emcee for the evening. Joanie Harwell and Pastor Stanish Stanley read this year’s trivia questions. Jerry and Joyce Birk served as bingo callers. Claire the Clown entertained the bingo players with fun magic tricks and other shenanigans! Throughout the evening, a silent auction offering baskets, gift certificates, and a wonderful assortment of other items was held. While all of these activities were going on, Vesna Delevska, a New American herself, created a beautiful painting which was one of the auction items.

Many helping hands, including many CFNA scholarship students, contributed to the success of the evening. Volunteers sought and picked up donations, prepared food, wrote trivia questions, organized registration, sorted auction items, set up tables and chairs, and served in countless other ways. Folk dancers, under the direction of Diana Wolf, a Webster member, entertained the attendees during one of the Trivia breaks.

CFNA is especially grateful to the congregation of Webster Gardens Lutheran Church for the use of their facilities and for their helpful support.  Appreciation is also expressed to our generous donors and sponsors for their gifts.  Thanks to all who gave, all who came, and all who served!  Proceeds from the evening will assist CFNA in its Christ-centered ministry to immigrants and refugees in the greater St. Louis area.

By Bonnie Matzat Concordia, Kirkwood

Photos by Rudy Blank

Turkey Blessings at Concordia

Loading gift boxes

Matt Schelp enjoys another great event

Matt Bayes (r) with Rev. S. Stanley, Josh Burgdorf and Maxy delivering a gift to New American friends.

“‘We love because He first loved us’ (1 John 4:19) and are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate this love to the Kirkwood community and beyond, including New Americans.”  Says Matt Schelp, church president speaking on behalf of the members of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood.

This was Concordia’s second annual Turkey Blessing event, and like last year, one thousand turkeys, complete with “all the fixings,” were given to those in need of them. The line was long, and each recipient was given the opportunity to share a prayer request. Many did, and the prayers were offered on-the-spot.

Thirty-six recently arrived New American refugee families (more than 150 recipients) from Syria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and more were among those who received the dinners and the prayers that went along with them. Senite Wawi, a thirteen-year-old member of a refugee family from Eritrea, shared, “God taught us to love and share, and this church is doing that for us. Thank you to them!”

Truly, CFNA’s partnership with Concordia, Kirkwood, has been a blessing for all involved. As Rev. David Meggers put it, “Through partnership with CFNA, Concordia, Kirkwood, is able to serve a significant number of New Americans we could have reached in no other way.”

Thank you, Concordia.

Rev. Allan Buckman Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood With Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Thank you Christ Memorial and Reliant!

New Shelving in the Basement

On Saturday, October 8, a group of 15 from Christ Memorial Lutheran Church spent the day at the CFNA Peace Center. This group was part of a bigger event for Christ Memorial, the 3rd annual Loved+Sent Servant Event where 350 individuals served at 30 sites across St. Louis. For the 3rd year in a row, Christ Memorial chose to send a group to CFNA for the event.

The major accomplishments for the day included shampooing the chapel carpet, cleaning the chapel, installing new lights in the basement, constructing two shelving units, laying tile flooring in the main level bathroom, removing carpet and laying tile in the cry room, and tuck pointing outdoors. Thrivent Action dollars funded most of the supplies for the day, while Tom Daily of Christ Memorial/Reliant and Dr. John Lautenschlager provided the expertise to train group members.

By Dawn Martin Christ Memorial/Reliant Lutheran Church

Tuckpointing the Exterior

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Rich Schaefer

Sandy Gerber

Carol and Cathy, photo by Eric Erkkinen

On the evening of Friday, October 28, approximately seventy CFNA friends, advocates, and associates gathered to celebrate one of their greatest blessings—the more than one hundred long-and short-term volunteers from the St. Louis area and beyond who make this ministry among new Americans a possibility. The special event was hosted by the Men’s Club of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church—yet another example of caring volunteer Christian service. They generously provided a delicious barbeque dinner, featuring pork steaks and chicken with numerous side dishes.

The program for the evening included special recognition for two people who have been continuously involved in CFNA volunteer service for more than six years. Ms. Sandy Gerber (St. Johns Lutheran Church) and Mr. Rich Schaefer (Ascension Lutheran Church) have both served with the After School Tutoring program on a weekly basis. Their great service has been much appreciated, especially by the numerous New American students who have been the beneficiaries.

In addition to a continuous slideshow of scenes from CFNA ministry over the past few months, the program featured the New American Folk Dancers, led and choreographed by Ms. Diana Wolf, a volunteer tutor from Webster Gardens Lutheran Church. From countries as diverse as Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Brazil, all eight dancers, ages 12 to 15, wore costumes typical of the Middle East. Interestingly, all of them arrived in St. Louis as refugees during the past three or four years.

A special thank-you to our great CFNA volunteers and to the wonderful Christ Memorial Men’s Club as well!

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Are you curious about becoming a volunteer? Prayerfully consider this and click here to learn more!

Blessed To Be A Blessing

The Bible teaches that we should use our blessings to bless others – Our blessings should flow to others; The Bible teaches us that we are blessed not just so that we can feel good, not just so we can be happy and comfortable, but so that we will bless others. God told Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous and you will be a blessing to others” (Genesis 12:2 NLT). This is the first law of blessing: it must flow outwardly.

When we bless others, God takes care of the needs we are concerned about.

God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he’ll take care of our needs. There’s almost nothing that God won’t do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth... no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times over as much in this age and in the age to come, eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30 NIV).

When we care about helping other people, God assumes responsibility of your problems. And that’s a real blessing, for he is much better at handling our difficulties than we are.

Our blessings to others will come back on us.

The more you bless other people... the more God blesses your life. Luke tells us, “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity” (Luke 6:38 MSG).

You cannot out give God. The more you try to bless other people in the world around you, the more God says, “I’m going to pour blessings out on you, I’m going to bless you in return. The more we’re blessed by God the more He expects us to help others.

Jesus said it this way: “Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given” (Luke 12:48 TEV).

Would you agree that based on the blessings of your life that you probably have a greater responsibility than other people in the world? If you live in the United States, I’m sure you’d agree, because it is obvious we’ve been given freedom that many people don’t have. We’ve been given opportunities that many people don’t have. We’ve been given material and physical and spiritual abundance that a lot of people around the world simply do not have.

Think this through, if I’ve been blessed more than the rest of the world, then it would stand to reason that God would want me to care about the rest of the world, especially those that do not yet know about Him.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, we are here again asking for your blessing on our meeting and our planning.  We know that you already have all the plans in place for us.  Please give us the wisdom and insight to your plans so that all we say and do would bring praise and glory to you.  May we be a blessing to those who do not yet know you, especially the New Americans.  Please walk with us and guide us.  We ask this in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Karen Wendt, St. Louis, MO

Thank You Abiding Savior!

Painting Up High

Once again on October 22, Abiding Savior Lutheran members from South County used a part of their SendMe day to include the CFNA Peace Center as an important venue for a “servant event.” Sixteen eager SendMe servants from Abiding Savior arrived about 9 a.m. to complete the tasks on “the list.” The unique jobs on the list were painting a grid for the game, “Four Square” and applying paint rather high on the Peace Center brick wall. The group included 5 children and 2 teenagers who served quite happily all day. The adults are proud they were a great help and encouraging presence. All were thankful for the steady guidance given by CFNA leaders who spent the day with SendMe volunteers.

At midday this group was joined by invited refugee families, including many of the children who regularly come to the Peace Center for After-School Tutoring. Gathering in the chapel, several refugees told their stories and answered questions about the challenges they have faced in beginning life in the USA. Especially delightful were the confident comments of the children, now growing up in the United States of America, working hard to achieve success in their schooling, and facing a promising future.

checking the work list

Abiding Savior and CFNA invited children and families served by CFNA for Lunch Together, to be catered at the Peace Center as people got acquainted. This was a new feature of SendMe and added a missional dimension to the usual cleaning, painting, and organizing tasks of the day.

After Lunch Together, most of the children stayed to play. It seemed that the Abiding Savior team was playing too, as there was plenty of laughter all the day—but they were actually working, and working well together. Just the joy of serving!

By Ruth Mattson Abiding Savior Lutheran Church

CFNA Dancers Enjoy “Seussical"

cfna Dancers with rev. stanley & lynette jostes

The New American Folk Dancers recently had the blessed opportunity to enjoy live theatre at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church. The occasion was the recent production of the “Seussical” musical. Performers themselves, the play provided these New Americans an opportunity to see actors performing live on-stage in a complex narrative with a live musical setting. Not only did the experience invoke awe and admiration, Seussical also provided a hope filled message that “a person’s a person no matter how small.” More importantly, Seussical prompted a reflection of how God has created each of us with worth and unique gifts, these to be celebrated and utilized for the glory of God and His people.

This unforeseen but much enjoyed opportunity was greatly facilitated by Christ Memorial member Mrs. Lynette Jostes. The CFNA Dancers made the best of it by thoroughly enjoying the play, generously sampling the intermission refreshments, and visiting at some length with Seussical artists after the play was over. More importantly, Christ Memorial’s generosity made it a special day in that it encouraged these New Americans to meaningfully reflect on the performance and experience a congregation of caring people ready to welcome them warmly.

Thank you Christ Memorial, for extending a supportive hand of partnership to CFNA, and warm friendship to the New American Dancers.

By Rev. Stanish Stanley, Ph.D. Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

CFNA 2016 Golf Event

Enjoyment & great fellowship!

“I wish I had met somebody like you when I came to this country 15 years ago… what you are doing shows me that you care about me!” This statement by Zina, a one-time refugee and now a member of the professional staff at Norwood Hills Country Club, after having helped orchestrate the CFNA event.

One of the strengths of Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) is the valued support and participation of volunteers and donors driven by a sense of Christian service. In yet another display of commitment, 70 golfers from the Lutheran community and beyond, participated in the 2016 CFNA Golf Tournament on Tuesday, October 11 at beautiful Norwood Hills. Led by a spirit of service, the Golf Committee members worked meticulously to make this a special time of fellowship, friend-raising and fundraising. Assisted by the professional Norwood Hills staff, the event was judged a great success by all who helped plan it.

great day. great golfers.

Blessed with good weather, the tournament was equally blessed by the participation of a wide spectrum of people interested in supporting CFNA. After a great afternoon of golf the participants, some accompanied by their spouses, gathered for a great dinner. During the after dinner program led by Rev. Greg Smith, participants received the personal testimony of CFNA client Shiva Gurung, who came to the USA as a refugee from Nepal and is now a member at Ascension Lutheran Church. Her story of hope and care received through the ministries of CFNA spoke directly to the purpose of CFNA and this event.

We were much encouraged by their testimonies, and are thankful for all who helped plan and organize this event, as well as for all the participants who contributed to its success.

By Rev. Stanish Stanley, Ph.D Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Thank You Concordia Seminary!

CFNA Note: Each year for the past several years, Concordia Seminary has provided a Servant Event Team to assist with various cleaning and improvement projects at the Peace Center. Here Professor Rick Marrs, who served as the Coordinator for the Seminary Team, provides his observations.

As part of Concordia Seminary’s Orientation Week each fall, all new students in all programs participate in a 5-hour Servant Event in the St. Louis area. This Servant Event is designed to help students in various residential and on-line programs to interact and develop relationships. M.Div students were working alongside those in the Graduate School as well as in the Specific Ministry and Ethnic Immigrant programs.

Many new seminary students help in various community gardens in the city, but nine students and four staff came to the Peace Center to help with various cleaning, painting, and other improvement projects. CFNA staff participants (Al & Carol Buckman, Dr. Stanish Stanley) provided a list of projects, some of which were preliminary to other church groups coming to do later work, and worked alongside the visitors as well. An orientation by the staff helped teach the participants what the Peace Center does to reach out to numerous refugee communities in urban St. Louis.

At lunch the Peace Center brought in Shiva Gurung, a New American from Nepal, to tell the students how the Center had worked to help her and her family become a part of the St. Louis community, as well as reach out with the Gospel to her and her family. She then told of how the Center and various congregations had helped them, and how she and her family are now helping others to connect with that Gospel of Jesus, as well as learn the practical issues of navigating this new culture. Most of the students were very unaware of the ministry of the Peace Center, and this Servant Event helped to connect them with possible cross-cultural outreach options while they are studying at Concordia Seminary.

Dr. Rick Marrs Concordia Seminary

CFNA: Thank you Concordia Seminary, for another great Servant Team, and for your helpful assistance at the Peace Center!

IN MEMORIAM: Rev. Vernon D. Gundermann

rev. vernon d. gundermann

Pastor, counselor, teacher, encourager, advocate, CFNA Board Member and friend, Rev. Vernon Dale Gundermann died September 16 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife Betty and children Peter, Mary Williams, Sarah McCarthy and Thomas, as well as 11 grandchildren.

A 1963 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Rev. Gundermann served parishes in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota before serving for 15 years as the senior pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, MO. Additionally, after retirement he also served as Chaplain at the LCMS International Center and Lutheran Senior Services.

Within the CFNA community, Rev. Gundermann is best remembered not only for his 10 years of service as a Board member, but also for his active participation as a workshop leader, golf committee member, writer and creative planner. His encouragement and advocacy on behalf of ministry among New Americans is nicely reflected in his CFNA acrostic prepared a few years ago, and which is reproduced below.

CFNA for Today!

C – is for Christian.  It is a unique, powerful, sensitive, enabling expression of what it means to be a Christian. It means to understand dramatically what Christ has done for us. It means to live dramatically as one of “His”.

F – is for Friends. Not just casual acquaintances, not just people we wave to, not just a name that we know. If enemies are those we wish to avoid or ignore or do harm to, then Friends are those we wish to build up, affirm, celebrate and cause to experience the very best.

N – is for new. They have different traditions, different cultures, different food taste, different clothing styles, and maybe a different religion. They have come to a new world. Sometimes they come without family or friends. But not for long, if we can help it!

A – is for Americans. For some the land of their dreams, where there would be a fulfilling of their dreams, a new start, safety, hope. We are committed to do everything we can so their lives may be rebuilt for now, and, through Christ, forever!

We thank God for Vern’s service and wish our Lord’s blessings on Betty and the family.

New CFNA Scholarship Students

Jonah and Selah Teklu

Farrah Matta

Six new students are attending Lutheran schools in the St. Louis area this fall through the generosity of churches, donors and the Lutheran Foundation. They join 8 other elementary students and 10 other high school students who are receiving CFNA’s “Adopt a Student” scholarships.

Jonah and Selah Teklu arrived in St. Louis from North Carolina when their father became a student at Concordia Seminary this fall. The family comes from Ethiopia, and Jonah, a first grader, and Selah, in kindergarten, now attend Word of Life Lutheran School. The family attends Timothy, where their father is a field worker who will help support Timothy’s outreach to African immigrants.

Attending Christ Community Lutheran School, Youssef Matta, a kindergartener, and Farrah Matta, a fifth grader, are from Egypt. They moved to St. Louis in early 2016 with their parents, Hady Matta and Vicki Meshreky, who are missionaries with POBLO, International, an organization that is reaching out to Muslims. The family are members of Epiphany, which is supporting their scholarships, with matching funds from the Lutheran Foundation.

Two students from Sierra Leone are now attending Lutheran High School South with help from CFNA scholarships. Joseph Momoh, a freshman, graduated from Word of Life last year; he was supported by a Today and Tomorrow scholarship there. He and his family are members of Timothy. Naomi Massaley, also a freshman, just arrived in the US a few months ago with her parents and her sister. A brother remains in Sierra Leone. Gerald Brewah, one of CFNA’s facilitators, helped her enroll at Lutheran South.

By Judith Meyer

Should you be interested in providing support for these students, or any of those referenced in this article, please be in touch with Judith at 314-504-7235 or judithwmeyer@gmail.com.

Naomi Massaley

Youssef Matta

Joseph Momoh

Ethiopian Night

Preparing Traditional Ethiopian Coffee

The CFNA Community Health Committee hosted an Ethiopian night on August 28. Fifty people gathered at Carondelet Park in St. Louis to enjoy a wonderful home-cooked Ethiopian feast! Nepali and African refugees/immigrants, as well as Americans who have been here for a while, were blessed to participate in this wonderful dinner and gathering! Not only was the dinner wonderful, it was also very healthy.

CFNA’s East African facilitator, Rev. Teddy Workeneh, his wife, Ayni, and Salemawit Borsamo prepared many traditional Ethiopian dishes, including a special coffee and dessert. They know firsthand how immigrants and refugees can be bombarded in American grocery stores with many processed and unhealthy food options. He and Anyi volunteered to make an Ethiopian dinner to illustrate many health benefits from the traditional injera - a teff flour bread, to lentils and other foods.

Tsion Endakachew, an Ethiopian immigrant and public health professional, explained the specific nutritional values of certain Ethiopian foods. In addition, Dr. John Lautenschlager provided insights as well.

All is ready!

The Lord blessed the event with good weather, good food, good company and a relevant devotion by Rev. Mark Hass!

CFNA’s Community Health committee plans to host another healthy eating dinner event in the near future. Stay tuned!

By Laura Brink Ascension Lutheran Church

After School Tutoring Workshop

Teachers at the Whiteboard

An important outreach ministry of Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) has been its After School Tutoring program (AST) for New American children. During the 2015-16 academic year approximately 120 students from nine birth nations were served through this outreach effort.

This was possible only because of the committed and skillful pool of volunteer tutors who willingly gave their time and shared their resources to serve as tutors at the Peace Center on South Grand Blvd. Continuing in this commitment of service 20 volunteers, primarily from local LCMS congregations, recently came together for a Tutoring Workshop.  The event featured better reading skills for New American children, especially for those who truly struggle with this.

Mrs. Linda Munsell, recently retired Oasis Coordinator for the St Louis public school, and Mrs. Kate Wayne, a recently retired public school principal presented their specially designed tutoring packets. These 25 zip lock bags provide a complete lesson plan and activities that the tutor can practice at home and then bring back to share with small groups of children. Educationally sound strategies were conveyed to make our precious tutoring time a more focused and insightful exercise. Special thanks also to Mrs. Linda Whitley from Concordia Kirkwood for helping with the preparation of these zip lock bags.

Workshop Participants

As always, the tutors were motivated to not only stimulate better learning, but to also mentor the student in faith conversations with the focus on a promising vision for the future. Importantly, the workshop also served as an opportunity to meet, mingle and experience fellowship over a Potluck dinner.

The side conversations provided opportunities for all to share previous tutoring experiences – from the Peace center and elsewhere. So, inspired with Christ-centered love, these volunteer tutors prepared for the start of the new academic year which will begin on September 6. CFNA greatly values and appreciates the commitment to Christian service displayed by our volunteers, and prayerfully hopes many others will be led to join in sharing their God given talents with the New American students who have become part of the CFNA After School Tutoring Program.

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Back Pack Blessings!

Back Pack recipients and tutors

On Tuesday, August 16, more than 20 New American youngsters came to the CFNA Peace Center to receive book bags filled with school supplies. All of them are members of refugee families from Afghanistan, Nepal, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Nigeria and more. Each was thrilled to not only receive the book bags, but to meet their CFNA tutors as well.

Volunteers filling back packs

CFNA takes this opportunity to express its sincere thanks to Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood for their generous donation of bags and supplies. Additional bags were also received from the members of Timothy Lutheran Church, as well as from individual donors like Ed and Julainne Luhmann. Each bag was personally handed to each recipient by one of the numerous tutors in attendance. Additionally, words of hope and inspiration were provided by CFNA Chairman, Rev. Allan Buckman, followed by a prayer and a blessing by Mrs. Jennifer Janssen, one of the volunteer tutors. The highlight of the entire event was provided by the happy faces and joyful smiles of the students themselves, as they cheered each other on while each received their gift. Truly, the message of Christ’s love echoed throughout the entire event.

Thanks again to the generous members of Concordia Lutheran Church and all the others who contributed the book bags, school supplies, time and effort required to turn this event into a pleasant and happy reality.

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley