Serving all genrations

IN THE ZONE - FINLAND AND ESTONIA TERRITORY

How well do you know The Salvation Army’s Europe Zone? Chief Secretary Major Saga Lippo gives an overview of the Finland and Estonia Territory

Covid-safe band at Helsinki Temple

THE work of The Salvation Army in Finland was begun on 8 November 1889 in Siltasaari Riding School, Helsinki, by four aristocratic Finns: Captain and Mrs Constantin Boije with Lieutenants Alva Forsius and Hedvig von Haartman. Within six months Hedvig von Haartman was appointed leader of the work in the country.

Work in Estonia commenced in 1927 and continued until 1940 when it was closed due to the Second World War. It recommenced in the autumn of 1995, when three Finnish officers were assigned to start the work in Tallinn.

SERVING IN A PANDEMIC

Pandemics such as Covid-19 had been heard of, but they were thought to happen elsewhere – not in the Nordic or Baltic nations. After the initial confusion, it was realised that this was one of those battles in which The Salvation Army was needed.

The Movement has 23 corps in Finland and 5 in Estonia. At the beginning of the pandemic, worship services were allowed to continue. Gradually, the restrictions tightened and the number of participants began to be limited, first to 50, then to 20 and then 10. Finally only six people were allowed to gather. In March this year the doors of churches and corps were completely closed in both Finland and Estonia.

In the past year many officers have developed into media personalities. Through the internet and social media they have been able to reach many times the number of people who would normally visit corps, with many new viewers among them.

The first virtual soldier’s enrolment happened as early as April 2020, and the commissioning of two new officers took place in the autumn, attended by 10 participants who were allowed in the hall but witnessed by hundreds more via the internet.

Some officers have opened the doors of their homes and aired sofa devotions for the whole family from their own living rooms. Many older people have also developed into skilled computer users as they attend seniors meetings online.

People were banned from entering corps buildings, but officers were not banned from going out. On Valentine’s Day, when it was -20C in Finland, some officers packed warm wool socks and copies of Sotahuuto (War Cry) in a cart and shared them with people they met on the street.

The pandemic caused unemployment in both Finland and Estonia. Financial aid and food packages have been distributed by each corps, and the number of applicants has increased considerably. In difficult times Finns have always shown heart-warming solidarity with the disadvantaged. Last year the Christmas Kettle boiled more than ever, as the public responded generously to the annual fundraising campaign.

HOUSING SERVICES

Finland is the only EU country in which the number of people who are experiencing homelessness is decreasing. This is due to long-term and innovative programmes supported by the government. The Salvation Army plays a key role in providing ‘housing first’ services to the men and women who are the most difficult to settle. The Finnish government started to implement the ‘housing first’ concept in 2008, which means that people experiencing homelessness receive a small apartment and counselling without any preconditions. They become tenants with a tenancy agreement, paying rent and operating costs. Housing is seen as a human right rather than a reward for a well-lived life.

One important part of this programme is versatile job coaching, which teaches new skills and creates a rhythm for the day. The Salvation Army also provides mobile housing support, which has been found to be a highly successful way to help people with housing problems. Some cities locate those experiencing substance abuse or mental health problems in normal rental housing. With the strong support of a Salvation Army team, even multi-problem residents will be able to maintain their homes and avoid evictions. Cities that use the service also appreciate the spiritual support provided by the Army.

At the beginning of the pandemic there were dreadful moments in The Salvation Army’s housing services and the older people’s nursing home. There were fears that the coronavirus would put residents and staff members at risk. With the heroic struggle of professional staff and strong prayer support, the virus has been kept out of the units for the time being and no Salvation Army resident has yet suffered from it.

In Estonia, The Salvation Army’s Lootuse Maja (Hope House) rehabilitation centre in Tallinn has continued its normal service throughout the pandemic. The centre is open to all men from the age of 18 who want to deal with their alcohol or drug addiction. The men participate in a nine-month rehabilitation programme that includes accommodation plus personal and spiritual counselling and therapy. In early 2021 two new soldiers were enrolled at the centre.

FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

The territory’s vision statement for 2019 to 2024 says that it is committed to serving all generations but wants to put children and families first in its work.

Many joint events were not organised due to the pandemic, but small encounters – such as trips to a sledging hill or the zoo and deliveries of Easter packages to people’s homes – became all the more significant.

The traditional summer camps, where hundreds of children would normally gather, could not take place last year, but camp leaders drove to the suburbs where the children live and organised a day programme for them in small groups.

Work therapy at Hope House, Tallinn

The pandemic hardly affected Salvation Army daycare centres and pre-schools, which continued to operate normally. Kindergartens provide early childhood education based on Christian values and support families in their educational role. Salvation Army daycare centres have a long tradition and many families queue up for them, even if there are places available elsewhere.

FOCUSING ON MISSION

Territorial leaders Colonels Patrick and Anne-Dore Naud comment on the work in Finland and Estonia and outline their hopes for the future:

‘As we plan for when pandemic restrictions are lifted, it is time to get prepared for a full restart of our corps mission and activities. Territorial Quiet Days for spiritual resourcing and prayer are being organised with all officers in order to be united and strong through the Spirit of God and to be focused on the mission.

‘We pray that passion and courage will be at the heart of our mission, and that each Salvationist will be ready to share the joyful message of Jesus, have a powerful Kingdom impact on the people around them and invite them into a loving relationship with Jesus, becoming his disciples.

‘Creative and innovative expressions of faith are encouraged, so that we can meet, welcome and give a place to new families, children and youth. The goal is to develop new outreach activities in Finland and Estonia.

‘Salvationists pray for the six priorities of our strategic action plan: increasing children, youth and adult and family ministries; strengthening faith, spiritual maturity and holiness; encouraging creativity, innovation and dialogue; developing a service of quality and respect; persevering in our process of good governance; and increasing employees’ competences and wellbeing at work.

‘Dreams must be turned into realities – and with God nothing is impossible!’

Giving out wool socks and Army papers on the street

THE TERRITORY AT A GLANCE

28 corps

6 outposts

714 soldiers

182 adherents

26 junior soldiers

121 officers (38 active, 83 retired)

4 envoys

4 cadets

316 employees