Support from Parishes and the Church
Finnish Seamen’s Churches care for members of Finnish parishes abroad who, due to a mobile profession or living overseas, are unable to participate in the activities of their home parish in Finland.
An increasing number of Finns spend one or several periods of their lives abroad. One of the key goals of the Seamen’s Church is to maintain a natural and meaningful connection between parish members living abroad and the Church. In this way, we carry out the work of Finnish home parishes abroad.
Many people who attend Finnish-language worship services at Seamen’s Churches do not regularly attend church in Finland. A familiar and safe service in one’s own language helps sustain Finnish identity, provides comfort, and eases homesickness.
After their experience with the Seamen’s Church, many return to Finland and become active volunteers in their home parishes
Support Makes a Difference
Finns living abroad, children and young people who have moved abroad with their parents, elderly Finns residing overseas, as well as seafarers and truck drivers, are among the most important target groups of the Seamen’s Church’s services.
In order to respond to the distress of people facing difficulties abroad and to other growing challenges, we need the support of parishes. The work of the Seamen’s Churches is based on voluntary funding, which makes the support of parishes especially vital.
Parishes can cupport our work by:
- allocating budget grants and collections to the work of the Seamen’s Church
- offering the Seamen’s Church Communion Wine in worship services
- entering into a sponsorship agreement with a specific Seamen’s Church
- organising Sea Sunday or other Seamen’s Church themed services
- arranging fundraising events, sales, and campaigns in support of the Seamen’s Church
- organising group visits to a Seamen’s Church.
- A day trip, for example to the International Seamen’s Church in Turku, or a week-long visit to a Finnish Seamen’s Church abroad, is a meaningful form of parish activity.
Contact Us
Head of Partnerships Jaakko Laasio, tel. 0400 156 660, emailjaakko.laasio@merimieskirkko.fi
