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Rovaniemi Parish Magazine August 2021 English Summary

Finnish Nature Day, 28 August 2021: Ecotheology and responsibility for God’s creation

Pauliina Kainulainen.
Pauliina Kainulainen
Creation Sunday is celebrated on a Sunday between May and October, this year it will be 29 August 2021. God has created all that exists through His Word and He maintains it. He has given people the responsibility to take care of His creations. People are meant to cherish and keep His creations and act against powers of destruction. In ecotheology, Christian teachings, the Bible and life are viewed from the perspective of the wellbeing of the whole world. The Bible has often been interpreted from a human-centred perspective and people’s position of power in relation to their environment has been emphasised. In Western countries, a hierarchical power relation has developed between people and nature. The results of this can be seen in our environmental crisis.

Panu Pihkala.
Panu Pihkala.
Ecotheology is interested in the Biblical wisdom about ecology in a broad way. For example, in the creation story, instead of focusing on control over nature, we focus on the responsibility aspect. According to many ecotheologists, in addition to reinterpreting the Bible and tradition, we need practical changes to our way of life. This change requires the skill to see the world as one entity in which all parts need each other and are equal to each other. Spirituality is a help and motivator in changing our view of the world.

The experience of God’s continual presence in all creation can bring about great changes not only in attitude, but also practical actions. According to Martin Luther, nature is a part of God’s expression. God is present in all creation and speaks to people through it. Ecotheology began to arise in its modern form in the 1960’s when the scope of environmental issues caused by people became general knowledge.



The world’s largest orienteering competition, Arctic Circle Jukola, organised in Mäntyvaara

The Rovaniemi parish built a Forest church on Mäntyvaara as well as a playground for children for the large event, which was first postponed from last year and then from the beginning of the summer to the end of the summer. The Forest church mass on 21 August at 21:00 was delivered by bishop Jukka Keskitalo and assisted by acting parish vicar Ilari Kinnunen. The music was performed by cantor Ruusu Tervaskanto and Lapin käsikellot, directed by Jukka Hakola. The theme for Jukola was crisscrossing and the team from the Oulu diocese, Piispan pihkaniskat, was put together from people who had some type of link to parishes in the diocese: current or former employees, board members, volunteers. The children’s area was located close to the Forest church and there we organised a stick horse race, cuddly toy hospital, face painting, music workshop, arts and crafts spot and hanging chairs.



Our common ball 19 September 2021

Our common ball was kicked off due to the pandemic from August 2020 to September 2021. The HolyDay mass in church and streamed at 10:00 to 11:30 with the theme of Our Common Ball. The RoPS – Rovaniemi Football Club (FC RVN) community encourages families to take part in the mass. FamilyDay at the Keskuskenttä field from 12 to 13:30, Our Common Globe friendly match and Rovaniemi parish’s missionary info point. GameDay at the Keskuskenttä field, RoPS/FC RVN vs. KPV at 16:00. The Rovaniemi church and RoPS/FC RVN both turned 70 last year. This year, the fresco of Rovaniemi church will turn 70 and this will be celebrated 24 October 2021.


Student pastor Milla Purosalo

WELCOME TO YOUR HOME PARISH!

A lot of different activities for students and young adults. At our low-threshold events you can easily get to know new people. You can ask more about activities from our student workers. We encounter God and each other, we grow in faith and knowing God and serve with the gifts that God has given us. Feel free to join us! Additional information: church.roi.campus@evl.fi


Events

  • 3 September, 10:00-14:00 Rovaniemi parish at the freshman fair at the university.
  • 6 September, 17:00 opening mass for the academic year in the Rovaniemi church and streamed: youtu.be/BOVuP2e_bCI


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