Real stories about the church

Special occasions call to mindGod's blessing

76,4 % of Finns belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland at the end of 2012. • The church had 4.3 million members.• There was a record number of new members: 14

108.• There were 14 108 new members and 41 079

resigned from the church.• The church baptized three out of every four

children, and married every second couple.• The church conducted 47 310 funerals, or 91 % of

the total.

“It’s truly a great gift that a pastor can come to a family celebration for free. I’m happy to pay churchtax!”Zar Zar, Espoo

Mission and international diaconal work 5%

Church tax funds many thingsThis is how the church allocated tax income (€862 million) in 2012:

Children’s and youth work 33 %

Parish work 27 %Counselling and other diaconal work 13 %

Funerals 11 %

Music 5 %

Publicity and communications 4 % Church records and civil census administration 2 %

Other operations 0,1 %

Children are welcome to bring their favourite toys to the family service at Oulu’s Karjasilta parish.

Worship provides a pause at the heart of every day

In 2012, on average 85 people participated in each service of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The total number of worshippers was more than 6 200 000.

”We were told about the Vox Edeni choir at comfirmation camp leader training. My friend said that it sounded fun, we should go and give it a try. It seemed like a really nice idea, because I like singing a lot. Then it became my thing.”

Henna, Espoo

A singing churchThere were 1994 choirs in the parishes in 2012.

About 50 000 participated in choral and other musical activities.

There are about 2 700 Christmas Carol services each year, attended by nearly a million singers.

 

“As we left the church, we smiled at each other as if some weight had been taken from us. Our hearts sang within us.”

Kari, Archbishop,

Turku

The church supports cultureThe oldest remaining churches are in the Åland Islands. Built from grey stone, they date from the 13th and 14th centuries.

The church maintains valuable ecclesiastical buildings on behalf of society as a whole. About a dozen new churches have been completed since 2000. The Kamppi Ecumenical Chapel is located on Helsinki's Narikkatori.

”You can be free here, you don’t need to spend the whole time worrying about what your hair looks like, or if you’re attractive.”

Maria, Mila, Niklas and Sere, Hyvinkää

Young people grow up as part of the parish

In 2012, more than 140 000 children and young people took part in group activities organised by the church.

Parishes organised more than 6000 camps for children and young people and tens of thousands of other events.

85.6 % of Finns take part in confirmation preparation. 

“I don’t know how I would have survived without the help of loved ones and the parish.

The deaconess gave me food vouchers, she listened to me and she understood.”

Janina, Vantaa

Diaconial work helps in many ways

Diaconal workers had more than 634 000 client contacts in 2012.

More than 30 000 volunteers assisted with diaconal work.

Parishes allocated €7.4 million in financial assistanceand distributed more than 100 000 food packages. 

“We had more than a year’s time-out to weigh things up and evaluate them from different angles. Now, at least we know we’ve put some effort into the relationship. You know you’re not throwing in the towel immediately.” Tomi and Eeva, Vantaa

Family counselling supports couples

In 2012, the church had 42 family counselling centres.

They were visited by a total of 16 500 clients, of which 42 % were men. 

Finn Church Aid improves the livelihood of the poor in Nepal.

The church does international work both at home and abroad

140 church workers in 40 countries work among Finnish expatriates.

Seven mission agencies undertake the mission work of the church. Finn Church Aid specialises in international diaconal work.

 

“It is important to the community to worship in Inari, because speakers live far apart from each other. I long for a place where we can gather together.”

Teija, Inari

Community is important to the SaamiFive clergy work in the Saami language.

Most Northern and Inari Saami belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, while most Skolt Saami are members of the Orthodox Church.

The church supports the preservation of the Saami language, and the advancement of translation work.

The Catechism in Northern Saami and Kauneimmat Joululaulut (a volume of Christmas carols) were published in 2012.

 

DIOCESES (9)

Diocesan councilBishop Dionesian chapterDeaneries

Church councilParishioners (electorate in parish

elections)Church board

PARISHES 430 (in 2013)

GENERAL SYNOD (109 members)

Central Church Council

The Bishop’s Conference

Commission for Church Employers

Council for International

Relations

Evangelica Lutheran Church of Finland

The church’s confession and mission

The church has two sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland confesses, in accordance with Scripture, the Christian faith as set forth in the three ecumenical creeds and the Lutheran confessions.

In accordance with its confession, the church proclaims the word of God and administers the sacraments, working to spread the Christian message and foster neighbourly love. (Church law, article 1)

Tasks of the parish

• organising worship• the celebration of Baptism, the Eucharist and

other rites of the church• Christian education and discipleship• pastoral care, diaconal and mission work, and

other tasks of proclamation and service based on the Christian message.

A thousand years of Christian faith in Finland

Christianity comes to Finland in the 12th century

Bishop Henry and King Erik arrive in Finland

The death of Bishop Henry

The Reformation begins in Finland during the reign of Gustav Vasa

Missale Aboense – the Turku Missal – is Finland’s oldest printed book

Circa 1157 1488 1520-luvulla

Finland separates from Sweden

Mikael Agricola The church gets its own GeneralSynod and legislative powerChurch and state are separated

1510–1557 1809 1870 1917

The church gains further administrative independence

1923 1994 2003

Finland gains its independence

Freedom of Religion Act Reform of Freedom of Religion and Cemeteries Acts

What’s YourStory?

Tell your own story about the church at

facebook.com/kirkkosuomessa