Rovaniemi Parish Magazine August 2020 English Summary

Parish vicar candidates in public work interviews

Rovaniemi Church

The parish council of Rovaniemi interviewed the candidates for the parish vicar position in the virtual church. Representatives from parish council groups proposed the interview event for the parish vicar candidates.

The parish board decided that the parish council groups would organise the interviews for the parish vicar candidates.

The parish council decided to organise the event on August 13, 2020 starting at 5 PM in the Rovaniemi church and to stream it live and record it for later viewing in the virtual church: https://bit.ly/33YGht3

Spiritual thought: Givers of hope

Ilmo Liimatta

Autumn is always a season for new things. Readers of this magazine may be new students or parents to a child who has recently started school. Since spring we have all had to learn new ways. This year has been defined by “the new normal” and uncertainty. The future is unpredictable. Not knowing brings stress and fear.

The people of God were faced with similar questions around 2,500 years ago while in exile in Babylon. They did not know what would happen to them. Here the prophet Jeremiah received the word of God: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The faith of our church is based on hope. The uncertainties and worries of this time will once be gone. Our visions are not simply for this year or the next decade, but for eternity. To quote our late president Mauno Koivisto, “If we do not surely know what will happen, let us suppose that all will be well”.

God promises that all will be well in the end. With the worries and darkness of this life it may be difficult to see. However, God has a future and hope for all of us. God keeps His promises and stays faithful. May this autumn be a new beginning and new hope for the world. Let us be givers of hope.

Ilmo Liimatta, parish pastor

The World Close to Us

The Good roads activity days (Hyvät jäljet) for school-aged children were held this summer three times. Missionary Pia Pyhtilä from Tanzania told the story of a Tanzanian child and Seija Luomaranta wrote a play about it. This is now the theme for the World Close to Us column. During the activity days we sang, played music and games, did arts and crafts, paddled, and had fun with friends. What a time we had.

Pirita Bucht

 Event tips: 

Juha Leppänen

ELVIS GOSPEL: Elvis Presley’s music is still alive and finding his way to the hearts of new generations again and again. This american artist has been named the most famous person of the 20th century. Presley is said to popularise rock and roll music and considered to start whole cultural revolution. For the memory of the artist there will be arranged a concert in Rovaniemen kirkko-church on Saturday 12th of September at 17:00. In this concert Presley’s most beloved gospel and love songs will be performed by ARON. Finnish artist ARON, alias Juha Leppänen, is well-known on his Elvis versions. Artist has re-made Presley’s songs as Let it be me, How great thou art and If I can dream. This February ARON was taken to the local TV Talk show during his vacation in Las Vegas! Two days later he was performing in famous Gold Nugget hotel-casino with the local band! 

Elvis Gospel – Aron at Rovaniemen kirkko-church, Rovaniemi. Sat 12th of September at 17  Tickets 20€/15€