Meet Maria, our Folkekirken for internationals pastor, and Ruben, the coordinator for international activities. On these pages, they share about their personal stories and the driving forces behind their mission to create a warm, welcoming home away from home for internationals in Copenhagen.
Maria
I am the international pastor at Folkekirken for Internationals and one of the pastors you will meet at the Sunday Jazz Services at Eliaskirken, as well as at the other services and activities we have at Folkekirken for Internationals. I work closely with all churches across Copenhagen, who offer international activities.
Before I became a priest I used to work as a diplomat with a focus on countries that were either undergoing or had just overcome war/conflict or mitigating the challenges of piracy. It was a true privilege being part of trying to change a situation of conflict and uncertainty into a situation where one as a citizen would be given a greater chance of daily predictability. But I felt a need to dig a little deeper into the passion of what makes us live, choose, thrive -- and not least what is a life in abundance. As a life in abundance is what we continue to be promised in the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
I am passionate about being part of a church where we are eager to make a home away from home for all our internationals. We continuously try to exercise a radical welcome for everyone coming to Copenhagen, a radical welcome where there is a space for you in our community. On Sundays we proclaim the Gospel in a way which should uplift your heart and prepare you for the week to come in a Danish context.
I am naturally influenced by having lived abroad for so many years myself, seeking a relevant and vibrant community, helping me find my place in the country I am, and in my life where I am at the moment.
Reach out to Maria at mabf@km.dk
Ruben
Hey! I’m the coordinator at Folkekirken for Internationals. You’ll usually find me at Eliaskirken or out and about in Copenhagen, linking up with different churches to help create fun and meaningful activities for internationals across the city.
Before this, I spent five years at The Church in Ørestad a very international part of. That experience really showed me how much need there is for something dedicated to people who’ve moved here from all over. It was amazing to see how powerful it is when people from different backgrounds come together.
Before diving into church life, I worked on all kinds of projects, from running the Danish championship in snowboarding, to throwing streetparties to raise money for the homeless in Copenhagen. I’ve always been about creativity, community, and bringing people together. I'm definitely an extrovert, and I love meeting new people.
I’m married to an expat and raising bilingual kids here, so I get what it’s like to try and find your place in a new country. That’s why Folkekirken for Internationals means so much to me. It’s about creating that “home away from home” feeling. And honestly, I love being part of that journey for others.
Reach out to Ruben at rumh@km.dk