Photo: CEC/Kinga Majewska
Four stewards have brought their hearts, minds, and talents to the ecumenical conference "Resisting empire, promoting peace: Churches confront the Russian world ideology,” being held from 1-3 December in Helsinki, Finland. . Among the group were also ordained stewards, who contributed to the prayer life of the conference by assisting in leading and supporting the services.
The event is being organised by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Orthodox Church of Finland.
Steward Iida Silfverhuth, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, appreciated the opportunity to participate in the prayers, and in assisting with technical support as part of the communications team.
“The most important role, however, has been the welcoming of our guests and making sure their experience in the conference is smooth and warm,” said Silfverhuth. “That is also the most rewarding takeaway of the conference for me personally.”
Oleg Kultala, a steward from the Orthodox Church of Finland, was looking for an opportunity to communicate for and with different churches. “It’s important work, and part of how churches can give answers against the Russian imperialism—and it’s super current,” he said. “In Finland, ecumenical and international work are very important, especially now, and especially for the Orthodox Church.”
Marcus Sepping, also a steward from the Orthodox Church of Finland, has been working to receive and welcome people, along with providing technical support.
“One of the stewards has been tasked with doing the media,” he added. “Overall, there is a very wide catalog of things to make everyone’s experience smoother and more pleasant.”
His best experience so far? “Talking with other stewards and finding a lot of common ground,” he said. “Another heartwarming experience has been meeting a close person to me as a attendee—which shocked me!”
Steward Lauri Aila, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, has been assisting in many practical matters of the conference. “We have to react to various issues that show up, whatever they may be,” he said. “Perhaps the most meaningful task yet has been serving as a reader and a musician in the prayer services.”
He is deeply grateful that young people are given opportunities and visibility also in these kinds of occasions.
“The theme of the conference could not be more currently relevant,” he added. “It is heartbreaking to meet and communicate with the conference participants from Ukraine, as their home country's future is on the line. I think that a unified voice of the churches of Europe can bring hope to the situation, and courage to churches and their leaders.”
Held as part of the CEC Pathways to Peace initiative, the conference is bringing together church leaders, church officers, and academics to examine the ideological roots of the “Russian World” narrative and its use in justifying imperial aggression.