The year 2025 is drawing to a close. The parish council thanks everyone who made a membership donation to the parish during the year or supported our work financially in another way. Thanks to your support, our historic church is alive, warm and cared for.
What have we accomplished?
Besides enabling us to pay our dedicated staff and keep the nave comfortably warm, your support has helped us complete several important projects this year:
✅ A refreshed exterior and more welcoming interior: We have made further progress with repairs to the church façade, windows and interior. The church has been connected to the city’s district heating network. At the end of the year, the car park outside the parish office was renewed, and the church sound system has been upgraded.
✅ Renewal of the hostel: The parish-owned Hostel Lõuna has undergone partial refurbishment. We renovated several rooms and replaced some of the furniture and equipment. We are pleased that this winter the hostel’s second floor is being used for small classes from Rääma Basic School, bringing youthful energy into the building.
✅ New members of the team: Assistant pastor Joel Pulk, accountant Katrin Järv and secretary Alice Laanemaa joined our team this year.
✅ Preparedness: The parish council has drawn up a crisis preparedness plan so that we can remain a dependable support to the community in difficult times. Work continues to refine and supplement these plans and acquire emergency supplies.
What lies ahead in 2026?
Your support gives us the confidence to plan further important work for the coming year:
- A new voice for the organ: Our new organ will be voiced in September 2026, giving the king of instruments a somewhat gentler sound than at present.
- Continued restoration: We plan to complete the remaining façade work and restore the last outer windows still awaiting attention. The fence along Nikolai Street also needs repair, and preparations will begin for renewing the church spire.
- Energy efficiency: We will insulate the ceilings of the church and parish house to retain heat more economically. The lighting of the altar and chancel also needs improvement.
- Media ministry: The Pereraadio Pärnu studio on the second floor of the parish house is nearing completion. We hope that services from St Elizabeth’s Parish will be broadcast by Pereraadio in Pärnu County during the coming year.
- Changes to weekday events: From the new year, weekday Masses will be held on Wednesdays at 18:00. On 7 January, this will be replaced by the ecumenical service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Bible studies will be held monthly on Wednesdays and on three Saturdays. Men’s fellowship mornings will continue on the second and third Saturday of each month at 9:00.
Every donation, regardless of its size, is an investment in our shared spiritual home and Pärnu’s cultural heritage. Thank you for standing with us!
We wish you a peaceful Christmas season and New Year, and God’s blessing for the new Year of Our Lord 2026!
The Parish Council
How can I donate?
Donations, including membership donations, may be made in cash or by bank card at the parish office, or by bank transfer:
LHV Bank account EE837700771011741975 (beneficiary: Eesti Evangeelse Luterliku Kiriku Pärnu Eliisabeti Kogudus)
SEB Bank account EE111010902000838001 (beneficiary: EELK Pärnu Eliisabeti kogudus).
