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 what makes us live, choose, thrive – and not least what is a life in abundance.
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
I’m the coordinator at Folkekirken for Internationals, and you’ll find me at Eliaskirken and throughout Copenhagen, connecting with various churches as part of my mission to create exciting international activities across the city.
With five years of experience at The Church in Ørestad, a vibrant international hub within Folkekirken for Internationals, I saw firsthand the need for a dedicated program to support the international community within the Danish National Church. My work in Ørestad opened my eyes to the power of bringing people together from all over the world.
Before joining the Danish National Church, I worked on a range of projects, from hosting the Danish championship in snowboarding and freestyle skiing to organizing large street parties inside a church to support Copenhagen’s homeless. My creativity and drive to foster community are at the heart of everything I do. As an extrovert, I’m never done meeting new people from all walks of life.
Being married to an expat and raising bilingual children in Copenhagen has deepened my understanding of the need for connection for those who weren’t born here like I was. Folkekirken for Internationals is all about creating a home away from home – and I couldn’t be more passionate about that!
Reach out to Ruben at rumh@km.dk