The 20-year-old Espoo Diocese will be celebrated by planting apple trees – a guest from Myanmar will attend the festive day

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Diocese of Espoo. In honour of the anniversary, the Espoo Diocese cathedral chapter will donate a family apple tree sapling to each parish. Planting a tree symbolises hope and faith in the future. A total of twenty apple trees will be planted in the parishes of the diocese that spans from Hanko to Mäntsälä.

In Espoo and Kauniainen, trees will be planted near the Espoo Cathedral, Espoonlahti Church, Kauniainen Church, Leppävaara Church, Olari Church and Tapiola Church, and in the courtyard of Espoo's clergy house, Muurala vicarage. Bishop Kaisamari Hintikka will hold a sermon in Karkkila during the religious service on Creation Sunday, which will be held on Sunday 1 September at 11 a.m. at the parish camp centre (Leiriranta 45, Karkkila).

Many of the parishes plant their apple trees following the anniversary day Mass on 1 September 2024. More information on the events at Espoo parishes and the Kauniainen Finnish parish is provided at the end of this notice.

Anniversary programme coloured by global Christian unity

Reverend Luke Andrew, Program Manager for missions work and partnership relations at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Myanmar (ELCM), will visit Olari Parish on Sunday 1 September. He is responsible for his church's missionary work and partnerships. He also serves as the youngest vice president of the Federation of the Lutheran Churches in Myanmar (FLCM). The Federation of the Lutheran Churches in Myanmar consists of four Lutheran churches in the country, which, according to statistics from the Lutheran World Union, have approximately 31,100 members.

"In all my years of serving in the Church, I have witnessed God’s faithfulness over our church and His loving & saving grace for His people. Furthermore, with the strong partnership & accompaniment of Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission and her members, we are reaching out to various parts of Myanmar through the transformative good news and helping those who are in need with community development programs especially in Zwekanar Village," Andrew says.

Luke Andrew will hold a sermon at Matinkappeli chapel on 1 September at 5 p.m. This event is part of the activities of the Espoo International Lutheran Worship community, and everyone is welcome to attend. The international worship will be held in Finnish and English.

In August, Luke Andrew will participate in the Church's international missionary partnership negotiations in Helsinki. Andrew's visit will be hosted by the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission. A previously invited guest Dr. Yonas Yigezu from Ethiopia was unfortunately forced to cancel his visit.

In the afternoon, attendees at Karakappeli Chapel will be able to try out international dances and get acquainted with the missionary work of Leppävaaran seurakunta. The Dance & Mission event starts at 1 pm to the rhythms and steps of Latino, African and Middle Eastern dances. No dancing experience is required. The event is free for everyone.

A lied concert in Olari Church launches a series of Ukraine concerts

The evening of the anniversary provides a moment of calm accompanied by lied music. The charity concert Kukkien kieltä (Language of Flowers) starts at 6 pm in Olari Church. Soprano Tuuli Lindeberg and pianist Minttu Siitonen perform at the concert. The nature-themed songs based on poems from various languages reach the hearts of the listeners. This year also marks the 140th anniversary of one of the composers, Ture Rangström. Concert tickets will be sold at the door for €15. The ticket price for pensioners and students is €10.

The lied concert is the first of the ten Ukraine concerts in Olarin seurakunta. The concerts are held to raise funds to help Ukrainian schoolchildren through the Finn Church Aid. The planning of the concert series is carried out by cantor Sari Rautio together with music agent Pekka Pohjola and pianist Marita Viitasalo. The series will continue until spring 2025. Information about the autumn concerts can be found in Finnish at espoonseurakunnat.fi/konsertit by the end of August.

The 20th anniversary Mass of the Diocese of Espoo and other events in Espoo and Kauniainen

A Season of Creation Mass is held in every parish on the anniversary of the diocese on 1 September.

Espoonlahden seurakunta

• Classical Mass on Sun 1 September at 11 am, Espoonlahti Church, Kipparinkatu 8.

Espoon tuomiokirkkoseurakunta

• Season of Creation Mass at 10 am in the Espoo Cathedral, Kirkkopuisto 5. Cake and coffee are served after the Mass next to the bell tower. Join us and participate in a communal artwork or get a picture of yourself as a bishop! An apple tree is planted to commemorate the anniversary of the diocese.

Leppävaaran seurakunta

• Season of Creation Mass ”Sinä olet ihme!” (You are a miracle!) at 11 am in Leppävaara Church, Veräjäkallionkatu 2. The Mass is prepared together with young people from Leppävaaran seurakunta. It will be streamed on the YouTube channel of Leppävaaran seurakunta. Coffee and juice are served after the Mass.
• Dance & Mission, international dances at 1 pm, Karakappeli Chapel, Karakalliontie 12. At the event, you can try out dances from across the world. We will also hear from parish missionaries. Juice and biscuits are provided as well as activities for children.
• Leppävaaran seurakunta also celebrates the anniversary of the diocese by sending a greeting card to every parishioner that turns 20 this year.

Olarin seurakunta 

• Celebratory Mass ”Tulevaisuuden toivo” (Hope for the Future)  at 10 am, Olari Church, Rälssitilankuja 1. Echoes from the medieval times, Uli Kontu-Korhonen, singing, organetto and dulcimer, and Janek Öller, recorders and bagpipes. An apple tree gifted by the diocese will be planted on the church hill after the Mass. Coffee is served outside, weather permitting. The Mass will be streamed on the YouTube channel of Olarin seurakunta.
• Espoo International Lutheran Worship Matinmessu at 5 pm, Matinkappeli Chapel, Liisankuja 3. A sermon is given by Luke Andrew. The Mass will be in Finnish and English. Coffee is served for everyone at the chapel after the Mass. Childcare is arranged.
• Lied concert "Kukkien kieltä” (Language of Flowers) at 6 pm, Olari Church. Soprano Tuuli Lindeberg and pianist Minttu Siitonen. Tickets €10/15, proceeds go to Ukrainian schoolchildren through the Finn Church Aid.

Tapiolan seurakunta

• Mass of Hope at 10 am, Tapiola Church, Kirkkopolku 6. After the Mass, coffee is served at Valo café, where a small celebration is held to spread hope and information about the diocese. After enjoying the coffee, the anniversary apple tree is planted near Tapiola Church.

Esbo svenska församling

• Season of Creation Sunday Mass at 12.15, Espoo Cathedral.
• Esbo svenska församling is part of the Diocese of Porvoo, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

Kauniaisten suomalainen seurakunta

• Festive Mass on Sun 1 September at 10 am, Kauniainen Church, Kavallintie 3. Pastor Kari Kuula will hold a sermon. After the Mass, the anniversary apple tree of the diocese is planted and coffee is served with pancakes at the playground.