Services
Melbourne’s Mikael Agricola Congregation exists to provide spiritual care in the Finnish language for people living in its area. Spiritual care includes regular worship services, pastoral care in hospitals and nursing homes, private confidential counselling, and pastoral acts such as babtisms, weddings, and funerals.
Sunday services
All are welcome to our regular Sunday worship services. The service is usually held in Finnish, but a few times a year we also organise a bilingual service. Services are generally held every 1st Sunday at 11am in Altona, and every 4th Sunday at 9am in Knoxfield. The service is followed by coffee and refreshment supplied by volunteers, providing an opportunity to socialise with other like-minded Finns. For the dates of future Sunday services, please see our Events Calendar or our Facebook page.
Pastoral care and councelling
Our half-time pastor is available to provide pastoral care and counselling in Finnish or English.
Pastoral care is most frequently sought by those in hospitals or nursing homes. Confidential counselling focussed on spiritual care can assist anyone facing milestones or difficulties in life. To discuss your pastoral care or counselling needs, please contact the Pastor.
Pastoral care is most frequently sought by those in hospitals or nursing homes. Confidential counselling focussed on spiritual care can assist anyone facing milestones or difficulties in life. To discuss your pastoral care or counselling needs, please contact the Pastor.
Baptisms
Baptism is the most important of church rites. In
Baptism, God joins man in the fellowship of Jesus Christ and takes him
as a member of His Church. In Baptism, a person becomes a member of
the parish. Baptism is officiated by a pastor.
An infant to be baptized needs at least two godparents, chosen by the child’s parents. Please note that all godparents have to be full members of a Christian church which accepts infant baptism, and for the sake of continuance, at least one godparent has to be a member of the Lutheran Church. The task of the godparent is to lend spiritual support to the infant and his/her parents, and to pray for the godchild. An adult can also be baptized, this usually takes place after private confirmation instruction. Baptism takes place at home or at the church premises.
Although there are no set fees for baptisms, we encourage people to donate for this service whenever possible. Donations are a vital part of ensuring that Finnish-language services can be provided in Melbourne (for further details, see Funding). The fee of a service call by a qualified tradesman is a reasonable guide for a minimum donation (e.g.$200). The donation can be paid directly to the Pastor or to our bank account (Westpac BSB: 033-195, Account: 370108).
If you would like to be baptized or wish your child to be baptized, please contact the Pastor.
An infant to be baptized needs at least two godparents, chosen by the child’s parents. Please note that all godparents have to be full members of a Christian church which accepts infant baptism, and for the sake of continuance, at least one godparent has to be a member of the Lutheran Church. The task of the godparent is to lend spiritual support to the infant and his/her parents, and to pray for the godchild. An adult can also be baptized, this usually takes place after private confirmation instruction. Baptism takes place at home or at the church premises.
Although there are no set fees for baptisms, we encourage people to donate for this service whenever possible. Donations are a vital part of ensuring that Finnish-language services can be provided in Melbourne (for further details, see Funding). The fee of a service call by a qualified tradesman is a reasonable guide for a minimum donation (e.g.$200). The donation can be paid directly to the Pastor or to our bank account (Westpac BSB: 033-195, Account: 370108).
If you would like to be baptized or wish your child to be baptized, please contact the Pastor.
Weddings
The Church marriage ceremony is both a legal and holy religious act, in which God is asked to bless the marriage. Marriage is the foundation for establishing a family. In marriage, partners commit to each other in a public ceremony in front of witnesses. The marriage ceremony can take place at the church premises or another location of your choice. Australian Marriage legislation requires that the place chosen has to have a valid address.
To get married by the Pastor at the Finnish Lutheran Church of Melbourne, please complete the 'Notice of Intended Marriage' (below) form including signatures and witnesses. Return the completed document to the Pastor via post or email [email protected] at least a month and one day prior to the intended date of the wedding.
Download here the 'Notice of Intended Marriage form'
Further details of the wedding can then be arranged with the Pastor directly.
The minimum donation for a wedding service delivered by our Pastor is currently $500, payable directly to the Pastor or to our bank account (Westpac BSB: 033-195, Account: 370108)
To get married by the Pastor at the Finnish Lutheran Church of Melbourne, please complete the 'Notice of Intended Marriage' (below) form including signatures and witnesses. Return the completed document to the Pastor via post or email [email protected] at least a month and one day prior to the intended date of the wedding.
Download here the 'Notice of Intended Marriage form'
Further details of the wedding can then be arranged with the Pastor directly.
The minimum donation for a wedding service delivered by our Pastor is currently $500, payable directly to the Pastor or to our bank account (Westpac BSB: 033-195, Account: 370108)
Funerals
At a funeral, the parish blesses the deceased to his or her last journey with prayers. The family of the deceased finds support and comfort in Christian hope. A funeral gives the family a chance to grieve and remind those present of the inevitability of their own death. In laying the deceased to rest, the focus is upon the proclamation of the hope in the Resurrection and in salvation in Christ.
Although there are no set fees for funerals, we encourage people to donate for this service whenever possible. Donations are a vital part of ensuring that Finnish-language services can be provided in Melbourne (for further details, see Funding). The fee of a service call by a qualified tradesman is a reasonable guide for a minimum donation (e.g. $200-$300). The donation can be paid directly to the Pastor or to our bank account (Westpac BSB: 033-195, Account: 370108).
To arrange a funeral service by the Pastor of the Finnish Lutheran Church of Melbourne, please contact the Pastor.
Although there are no set fees for funerals, we encourage people to donate for this service whenever possible. Donations are a vital part of ensuring that Finnish-language services can be provided in Melbourne (for further details, see Funding). The fee of a service call by a qualified tradesman is a reasonable guide for a minimum donation (e.g. $200-$300). The donation can be paid directly to the Pastor or to our bank account (Westpac BSB: 033-195, Account: 370108).
To arrange a funeral service by the Pastor of the Finnish Lutheran Church of Melbourne, please contact the Pastor.
ID Certificates
In case a person needs to have his/her identity certified for
electoral, estate or other legal reasons in Finland or elsewhere, there
are certain procedures that need to be followed. For congregation’s
member whose identity has been certified from Finland, a Certificate of
Living Status (Virkatodistus) can be ordered by phone, mail, or
e-mail. The current cost is $30.
For a person who is not a member of the congregation, a personal meeting with the pastor is necessary with 100 points worth of photo-identity documents. Current cost is $50.
As a Registered Marriage Celebrant the pastor can sign Statutory Declarations, and certify photocopies of original documents. There is no fee for this service.
For a person who is not a member of the congregation, a personal meeting with the pastor is necessary with 100 points worth of photo-identity documents. Current cost is $50.
As a Registered Marriage Celebrant the pastor can sign Statutory Declarations, and certify photocopies of original documents. There is no fee for this service.
