The highlight of my summer – Summer Services

Panu Klasila

Summer Services are the most important highlight of every summer for me. I attended Summer Services for the first time in 2008, when I was almost one year old. I have many childhood memories connected with summer services. Already on the way there, you know that you will see many acquaintances and friends, but also meet completely new people. At summer services, it is easy to get to know others because of our shared faith.

One of my earliest summer services memories is from a time when I got to go with my big sister to the service field, and especially to the kiosk. At the kiosk, we bought Hubba Bubba bubblegum, and from there we continued on to the large tent to listen to a sermon. I sat on a hard wooden bench and listened while also trying to learn how to blow bubbles with my gum. With the tips my big sister gave me, I gradually began to succeed. My thoughts may have wandered at times, but what has stayed in my mind is the peaceful atmosphere and the feeling that it was good to be right there. Even as a child, I was able to be there hearing God’s word.

Another strong memory is connected with food. As a child, the meat soup from liter sales was my absolute favorite. It always tasted good. Nowadays, when I eat food from liter sales, I pause to listen to a sermon. Around warm food, the body receives nourishment, and while listening to the sermon, the soul receives nourishment from God’s word.

As a child, the size of summer services felt a little overwhelming, and I sometimes wondered what would happen if I got lost. Looking back, the summer services town may be the safest place where you can end up “lost.” There are always people around who will stop to help. I remember how a note with my parents’ phone numbers written on it was fastened to my shirt with a safety pin. It was even attached to the back of my shirt so that it would not come off while I was playing. Nowadays, wristbands are available at the store, and a guardian’s phone number can be written on them. The child’s wristband does not come off even during more active play.

One memory from last summer’s Summer Services is of a moment when I was on my way to a confirmation camp meeting that I had arranged as a big brother for the campers from that summer. On the way to the meeting, I unexpectedly ran into two of the big brothers or sisters from my own confirmation camp. I recognized them right away, even though three years had already passed since my own confirmation camp. I stopped to talk with them for a moment, and to my joy, they recognized me too.

The encounter made me stop and think. It reminded me in a concrete way of how the young people coming to the meeting might feel. A situation like that can include nervousness, joy, and the feeling of how meaningful it is to be seen and personally met. Summer services are full of joyful encounters like this. They stay in your mind, and they are a big reason why you want to return year after year.

This summer, I have been able to take part in the arrangements for Summer Services as one of the three website coordinators. I have been able to see a small glimpse of what a large undertaking Summer Services truly is. Many things that look simple from the outside require a great deal of work behind the scenes. At the same time, I have been able to feel that, in a small way, I am part of the work of God’s kingdom.

Summer Services have strengthened my faith every summer. For me, they are a place where I can meet loved ones and stop to listen to God’s word. Many times, I have been able to leave the services with a peaceful mind and feel that it is good to continue forward from here.

Published in the Päivämies 26.4.2026

Towards the Kauhava Summer Services Preparations for the Summer Services 2026 are underway in Kauhava. As spring progresses and summer approaches, the arrangements will become increasingly active. Through this blog series produced by the Communications Committee, you can follow the preparations for the Summer Services and thoughts related to them.