Children and families

All of the Lutheran congregations in Vantaa arrange many kinds of activities for children.

A parent can go with a small child to meet other parents and children in a ”family club” (perhekerho in Finnish, mamma-barngrupp in Swedish) or an ”open day club” (avoin päiväkerho in Finnish, öppen dagklubb in Swedish).  Most of these clubs meet once a week (but not during the summer).  You do not have to be a church member to participate.

Families with children are welcome to attend all worship services, but it is understandable that there can be some difficulty with little ones.  If you are concerned that your children may get restless in church, special worship services for families and children are just for you.  Such services are not held every week, so keep track of church announcements.
A family service is perhekirkko (plural perhekirkot) or perhemessu in Finnish and familjegudstjänst in Swedish.  Mukulamessu (Finnish) is a special children's service where the kids are supposed to move around and make some noise!

Children between the ages of three and six years can attend a day club (päiväkerho in Finnish, dagklubb in Swedish).  These clubs usually meet twice a week for a few hours at a time, so they are not a substitute for day care!  Day clubs provide activity and social contacts for children, and these clubs are also a means of Christian upbringing.

Sunday school in Finland often resembles a children's worship service more than a school.  Sunday school (pyhäkoulu in Finnish, söndagsskola in Swedish) can be started at age 4, and the child can keep going as long as motivation lasts.  As the name implies, Sunday schools are usually held on Sundays, but there are also some on weekdays.

Afternoon clubs are for schoolchildren in first and second grade, so they have a place to go after school.  There are almost fifty afternoon clubs in Vantaa, about half of them operated by Lutheran congregations.  Group sizes vary between 10 and 25 children.  These clubs are operated in cooperation with the municipality with criteria set by municipal authorities.  Applications for attending an afternoon club during a given schoolyear must be made well in advance in the previous spring.

More information on children's clubs and other activities can be found through our Finnish-language website.  On the page ”Lapsille ja nuorille” click on the appropriate Finnish title (terminology above!) and you will find phone numbers and links for information about this field of church work in each congregation.

Lutheran congregations in Vantaa have many kinds of clubs for children aged 7 to 14.  This age group is often called ”early youth” (varhaisnuoret in Finnish).  There are almost a hundred of these clubs all over the city with various themes:  cooking, handicraft, music, live action role play etc. without forgetting our Christian faith and prayer.  Congregations also arrange camps and trips and training for club leaders.  On the page ”Varhaisnuoret”  in our Finnish website you can find contact information and relevant links to each congregation.

Pastors and youth directors in local congregations visit schools in their area regularly, and many schools bring children to church once or twice a year (although those who are not church members do not have to attend worship services).  In August, congregations arrange special church services for children who are starting school, especially first graders and their families.

If parents feel they need professional help to discuss their relationship and family life, an appointment can be made with a marriage counselor (perheneuvoja in Finnish,  phone 09 8306 330).