Sunday Service Times: 8a, 9a, 11:15a | Wee Worship at 9:15a

  4201 Albemarle St., NW, Washington, DC 20016  ·   202.363.4119  ·       GIVE/ PLEDGE

Give
St. Columba's Episcopal Church
  • Welcome
  • Discover
    • New Here?
    • What We Believe
    • Life Events
    • Parish Events
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Vestry & Finance
    • Ministry Directory
  • Worship
    • Wee Worship
    • Sunday & Weekdays
    • Music
    • Sermons
    • Life Events
    • Prayer & Meditation
  • Inquire & Learn
    • Adult Formation
    • Youth
    • Children
    • Forums
    • Digital Formation Series
    • Podcasts
    • Nursery School
  • Take Action
    • Family Homelessness Initiative
    • Stirring the Waters
    • Antiracism Task Force
    • Sacred Ground
    • Refugee Response
    • Environment Committee
    • Grate Patrol
    • Water Ministry
    • Generosity Sunday
  • Care
    • In Need?
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Prayer Groups
    • Labyrinth
    • Fellowship Groups
    • Healing Prayer
    • Upcoming Funerals
  • Connect
    • Welcome!
    • Church Facilities Calendar
    • Parish Events
    • Subscribe
    • Joining
    • Fellowship
    • Circles
    • News
    • Getting Here
    • Publicity
    • Contact Us
  • Realm
  • Give

St. C's Refugee Family: How Are They Doing?

Shared by Lois Herrmann

A loving partnership continues between St. C's and our Afghan refugee family, the Khwaja's, a year-and-a half into their new life in America. Family members have responded, each in their own way, to the daunting challenges of adjusting to a very different culture and to finding their paths in our busy city. They have been especially strengthened by their bonds of family love, and by a lot of help from their friends at St. Columba's. Montgomery County programs and services – from wonderful schools to English classes to summer camps – have also factored importantly into their journey.

Viewing the family's progress, Jim Losey, co-chair of St. C's Refugee Response Ministry (RRM), said: "It hardly seems that it's only been 22 months since they arrived – exhausted but happy – at Dulles. They have truly come a long way. I feel that St. Columba's is richer since the Khwaja's entered our lives.”

Adjusting to dramatic life change, of course, brings ups and downs. Dad Fridoon, a font of energy and good spirits, secured a job in his field of heating and air conditioning in June 2017, helped by the RRM's employment subcommittee (Alice Goodman, Susan Laing, Shelly Gehshan, Peggy Treadwell). Unfortunately he suffered the return of a serious back injury while on the job – which involved heavy lifting. As a result, he had to miss several weeks of work and when he returned to work, had to reduce his number of work hours.

Adrienne Clamp, Jean Ann Wright, and others took Fridoon to medical appointments as he made his way through a discouraging period. Based on the recommendations of his doctor and physical therapist, he left his HVAC job in September. Now, with the continued assistance of the employment subcommittee, Fridoon is looking for full-time employment in a field that does not involve heavy lifting. Meantime, he is working as a Lyft driver.

Mom Shakeba has worked hard at learning English and is still attending language classes at Montgomery College, where she has made friends. In an activity organized by Cindy Anderson, St. Columbans, two at a time, have been joining Shakeba for English conversation over tea at the Khwaja's Silver Spring apartment.

Shakeba is a gifted cook and, with help from Judith Kozlowski, has done occasional catering of Afghan meals. She also will pursue part-time work, possibly including housecleaning for older adults, so she can help the family make ends meet.

Fridoon and Shakeba, like parents everywhere, are focused on bright futures for their children. Their boys, Siddiq, Omer, and Usman, are prospering. All three have made great strides in mastering English, are doing extremely well in school, have impressed their teachers, and made friends. And they have demonstrated their prowess on the soccer field!

St. C’s made it possible for Usman to participate in a 10-week summer camp at his new school, North Chevy Chase Elementary. Siddiq in grade 11 and Omer in grade 9 at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, completed 20 hours of community service with St. Columba youth this summer (pictured at right), thanks to Keri Piester. They both have received babysitting certification as “Safe Sitters.” Siddiq has steady babysitting work, and Omer aims to dogsit and babysit.

Katherine Martin helped the family apply and qualify for a low-income rent program so they have been able to stay in their Montgomery County apartment when the rent was about to go up. But the cost of housing and other essentials in our area has prompted the RRM, based on assessments by the finance subcommittee (Gardell Gefke and Laura Hills), to continue partially subsidizing the family for a limited period of time.

Everyone in our parish who has met and interacted with the Khwaja family has found the experience deeply rewarding. Alice Goodman sums it up this way: “The Khwaja's are enthusiastic, curious and eager to learn. I feel fortunate for the opportunity to know the family, to learn from them, and to see the world through their eyes.”

To all the St. Columbans who have offered their financial help, their time, and their creativity to this project, the RRM sends warmest thanks for keeping alive the promise of America for a wonderfully deserving refugee family.

Help Wanted!
Volunteers are still needed to join Shakeba for English conversation, to help Fridoon with written English, and to offer employment ideas for Fridoon and Shakeba and weekend jobs for Siddiq and Omer.


Tags: Refugee Response Ministry

Sermons

  • Dec 3 | The Rev. Dr. Joshua Daniel
    Keep Awake -The Rev. Joshua Daniel, PH.D.
  • Nov 26 | Mitchell Felton
    No Judge, No Justice -The Rev. Mitchell Felton
  • Nov 19 | The Rev. Adelyn Tyler-Williams
    Sunday Sermon - The Rev. Adelyn Tyler-Williams
  • Nov 12 | The Rev. Ledlie Laughlin
    One of You - The Rev. Ledlie Laughlin
  • Nov 5 | 
    Sunday Sermon - The Right Rev. Gene Robinson


Parish Office
4201 Albemarle St.,
NW Washington, DC 20016
202.363.4119
[email protected]

Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm

Sunday Service Times: 8a, 9a, 11:15a | Wee Worship ay 9:15a

Pastoral Care
Email: [email protected]
For pastoral emergencies after office hours, please call 202-669-4856 to reach a member of the clergy.


© 2023 St. Columba's Episcopal Church
4201 Albemarle St., NW · Washington, DC 20016
202.363.4119
Privacy Policy · Powered by Membership Vision

  View Entire Post

Service Times

Location

St. Columba's Episcopal Church
4201 Albemarle St., NW
Washington, DC 20016

Contact Us
202.363.4119

Newsletter Signup

Welcome Are you new? Becoming a member Contact Us Subscribe

It is my great joy to welcome you! Your presence here is a gift.

St. Columba’s is a lively, inclusive community of faith engaged in many ministries. We’re glad you’ve found us and look forward to welcoming you and learning more about you!

Whether you are new to the area or just to St. Columba’s, whether you are familiar with the Episcopal Church or have never attended church before, we know it can be a challenge to make your way into a new faith community. Answers to all your questions are just a click away.

Connecting

WELCOME.
We’re glad you’re here.

St. Columba’s Episcopal Church is an inclusive Christian community of all ages that welcomes one and all, encourages spiritual curiosity, celebrates children and youth, and embraces the world in the spirit of God’s justice and love.

Connect with us

The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. ~ Anne Lamott

Joining a church doesn’t mean you don’t have big questions or doubts. Deciding to be part of a loving community of faith means you’re open to exploring and wrestling with those big questions and doubts. Most people here did not grow up in The Episcopal Church. Some have never been a member of any church. Many have a background in a different church or faith tradition. At St. Columba’s, there will be many opportunities to learn, ask questions, and get to know other pilgrims along the way. Our deepest hope is that everyone who steps through our doors knows they belong here.

Learn More

Walk with us during these uncertain times as we encourage spiritual curiosity, celebrate children and youth, and embrace the world in the spirit of God’s justice and love. How can we serve you today?

Contact Us

Stay in the Loop! Subscribe to our eNews and find out what's happening at St. Columba's.
Check out #ColumbaDailyBread... Daily reflections from St. Columba's clergy and staff.

Let's Stay in Touch!

Pledge Give Now Stock, IRA, Donor Advised & Planned Giving Member Log-in Christmas Memorials and Thanksgiving

A pledge is a promise - a promise to give a certain amount over the course of the following year. We don’t expect you to fulfill your pledge in one lump gift. Many find they can give more when pledging and then giving incrementally over the course of the year.

Pledging before the start of each calendar year is critical for clergy and staff to develop an annual budget and plan to serve you and our wider community.

Pledge Brochure & Video FAQs



Why Give? God asks us to share our time, talent and treasure. A life of generosity is at the root of Christianity. The Bible encourages the tithe – or 10% of your annual income – and we encourage you to think about what a meaningful gift would be for you.

When you give to St. Columba’s you help fund our ministry in the community, our worship, and the staff that supports our community as we strive to Live God’s Love.

Our mission is funded by you – St. Columbans and other supporters.

Give Now

St. Columba’s is grateful for your generosity. We accepts gifts in the form of cash, checks, appreciated stocks, Charitable IRA Rollovers, Donor Advised Gifts, and matching gifts. If you would like to include us in your end-of-life charitable gift plans, we accept bequests, life income gifts, and gifts of special assets (real estate, closely held stock, life insurance).

Want to learn more?

Planned Giving Stock, IRA, Donor Advised Info

To visit our member portal for online giving, recurring gifts, the member directory, events and registrations, or to create a new member log-in, click the button below.


Member Log-in

Log-in Support


Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings

We are so grateful for your financial support this Christmas.

Christmas Memorials