Welcome to St. Peter's Toronto

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7 ESV)

"Sellepärast võtke vastu üksteist, nõnda nagu ka Kristus teid on vastu võtnud Jumala austuseks." (Roomlastele 15:7)

Services

We extend a warm welcome to St. Peter's. Our services are held at 11:30 a.m., some Sundays in English and Estonian. Please check our Calendar for upcoming services and events.

Deacon Karl Paju's office hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Jumalateenistused

Teretulemast Peetri koguduse kodulehele. Meie jumalateenistused toimuvad kell 11.30 pühapäeval. Mõnel pühapäeval on teenistused Inglise keeles, osa Eesti keeles. Tulevate jumalateenistuste ja sündmuste kohta vaadake meie kalendrit.

Diakon Karl Paju kõnetunnid kantseleis kolmapäeviti kl 11.00 – 14.00

EESTPALVED võib igal ajal kirjalikult esitada kiriku kontorisse:

stpeterstoronto@rogers.com

NEW - August TõeTera/Sower

Latest News - Featured Articles

You are invited...

to the North-American tour of the
Tartu Academic Male Choir

including the Toronto Men's Choir at the Toronto performance

Friday, August 22nd
Hosted by St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto

Concert at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner following the concert.r

Concert tickets are $30. Although concert tickets are available at the door, it is strongly suggested that you pre-register;
A dinner with the choirs follows the concert and includes a hot meal, dessert, and tickets for two beverages - $40.
The dinner has limited seating and MUST be reserved in advance by August 18th with payment made to stpeterstoronto@rogers.com
For reservations, please contact Tiiu Roiser: tiiu-roiser@rogers.com 416-402-1132

ABOUT - Tartu Academic Male Choir - 113 years of male choir

Being the oldest male choir to have been continuously singing since the year 1912 (113 years ago), the Tartu Academic Male Choir has established its honourable place in Estonian history and choir singing. The everlasting spirit has withstood all the difficulties that history has thrown its way.

The Tartu Academic Male Choir (TAM) is the oldest active men’s chorus in Estonia. Since being established in 1912 it has been a pillar of culture during the brighter, as well as the darker times of the country’s history and has played a major role in developing and preserving male voice choir music. The 113 years of servitude has brought joy to thousands of listeners home and away, bringing the choir numerous top awards from different competitions. TAM has been the highest rated male voice choir in Estonia for the last 10 years (according to the local male voice choirs’ contest). The choir’s repertoire comprises very diverse music – classical male voice choir pieces play an important role, but contemporary music and folk music arrangements are also some of the favourites. The choir’s most beloved composers are probably maestros Veljo Tormis and Gustav Ernesaks, but maestro Alo Ritsing who has also stood in front of the choir for more than 50 years can not be left unnoticed – his music has a special place in TAM’s heart. A spark can also be seen in the singers’ eyes when operatic pieces are being performed. During the years, many conductors have worked with the choir and as of now, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of Roland Viilukas, who started as the chief conductor only a year ago. Together with Made Ritsing, they stand for the high artistic level of the Tartu Academic Male Voice Choir.

Roland Viilukas - Chief Conductor

Roland Viilukas started his musical journey in the Heino Eller Music College. He has acquired a bachelor’s degree (in the class of professor Tõnu Kaljuste) and a master’s degree (in the class of professor Toomas Kapten) in choral conducting at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. He has also studied orchestral conducting with professor Jüri Alperten and composition with Alo Põldmäe, and also taken part in different master classes, including Pablo Marqués Mestre (Conservatorio Superior de Música deCastilla-La Mancha Albacete, Spain) and professor Toomas Kapten (Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre).

As a conductor, Roland Viilukas has worked with many choirs, including the mixed voice choir and orchestra of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, chamber choir Collegium Musicale, Estonian National Male Choir, mixed voice choir HUIK! etc. Since 2016 he is also a singer of the Estonian Male Choir. In the autumn of 2024 he started as the chief conductor of the Tartu Academic Male Choir.r

Tartu Akadeemiline Meeskoor on teadaolevalt vanim järjepanu tegutsenud meeskoor Eestis. Juhan Simmi poolt 1912. aastal asutatud koor on olnud oluline kultuurikandja nii helgematel kui hämaramatel aegadel ning mänginud tähtsat rolli meeskoorimuusika edendamisel ja säilitamisel. 112 tegutsemisaasta jooksul on TAM rõõmustanud kümneid tuhandeid kuulajaid nii Eestis kui väljaspool kodumaa piire ning pälvinud arvukalt kõrgeid hinnanguid erinevatelt konkurssidelt. 2023. aastal toodi juba teist korda järjest Tartusse esikoht Eesti Meestelaulu Seltsi Gustav Ernesaksa nimelise meeskooride võistulaulmise kõrgeimas kategoorias. Tartu Akadeemilise Meeskoori repertuaarist leiab väga eriilmelisi teoseid – loomulikult on oluline koht meeskooriklassikal, aga meeleldi esitatakse ka nüüdismuusikat ja rahvamuusika seadeid. Koori lemmikheliloojateks võib pidada ilmselt maestroid Veljo Tormist ja Gustav Ernesaksa. Märkimata ei saa jätta üle 50 aasta koori ees seisnud Alo Ritsingut, kelle loomingul on TAM-i suures südames eriline koht. Samuti löövad lauljate silmad särama ooperikoore esitades. Aastate jooksul on Tartu Akadeemilise Meeskoori juhatanud mitmed nimekad dirigendid ning täna on koori peadirigendi vastutus värskelt ametisse asunud Roland Viilukase õlgadel, kellele tänane kontsert on ühtlasi ka esimene omataoline TAM-i ees. Lisaks aitab koori kunstilist taset kõrgel hoida Made Ritsing.

Roland Viilukas alustas muusikuteed Tartu Heino Elleri nimelises muusikakoolis Lauri Breede klassis. Tänaseks on Viilukas omandanud bakalaureusekraadi (prof. Tõnu Kaljuste klass) ning magistrikraadi (prof. Toomas Kapteni klass) kooridirigeerimises Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemiast. Lisaks on ta täiendanud end orkestridirigeerimises prof. Jüri Alperteni juures, õppinud heliloomingut Alo Põldmäe juhendamisel ning võtnud mitmeid meistriklasse sealhulgas Pablo Marqués Mestre (Conservatorio Superior de Música deCastilla-La Mancha Albacete, Hispaania) ja prof. Toomas Kapteni (Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia) juures.

Dirigendina on Viilukas teinud koostööd mitmete kollektiividega, sh Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia segakoor ja orkester, kammerkoor Collegium Musicale, Eesti Rahvusmeeskoor, Segakoor HUIK!, jt. Alates 2016. aasta sügisest laulab Roland Viilukas ka Eesti Rahvusmeeskooris. Tartu Akadeemilise Meeskooriga alustas Viilukas koostööd 2024. aasta sügisest.

Toronto Peetri ja Vana Andrese koguduste surnuaiapüha jumalateenistused

Sunday, June 15th, 2025

Attendees were greeted with bright blue skies as our dearly departed were commemorated at Mount Pleasant and York Cemeteries together with Vana Andres congregation. Deacon Karl Paju spoke about the sanctity of burial sites and how visiting graves can bring a closeness to our parted loved ones. Cemeteries should be seen as places of reverence for the deceased, where the living can honour and remember loved ones. Perhaps because it was father’s day, but both cemeteries were filled with families from all cultures tending to graves and spending time visiting final resting places. Thank you to Deacon Paju for the services, and Liina Purje Lepik for the musical accompaniments and solos.

St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto

June 7, 2025 - Annual General Meeting

St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto held its Annual Meeting last Saturday on June 7th. Interest in the church’s activities was obvious with a great member turn-out in person and by proxy.

After opening prayers by Karl Paju, the meeting was called to order. In addition to congregation members, in attendance were the church auditor and legal counsel.

Väino Einola stated that during his time as Chair, he was pleased to see our church work through some very difficult circumstances to become the sustainable, vibrant, and welcoming congregation that it is today. He stated that it was time for him to move on and enjoy his retirement. As a result, he would not be a candidate for re-election to the Council. He noted that much like Michael Bach’s design for the church inspired by an upturned boat, today’s presentation would show that St. Peter’s is very much afloat, is maintaining a steady course, and is heading in the right direction. “We’re making progress.” He thanked the many individuals that have worked hard, given of their free time and energy, and shared their expertise and skills to make this happen.

Thomas Arget presented Väino with a Thank-you Book containing pictures of his time at St. Peter’s for him to remember his contribution followed by a round of applause for his accomplishments from the congregants.

Väino thanked the “dream team”, consisting of Rev. Ando Kass, Deacon Karl Paju, and Organist Erik Kreem with inspiring and thought-provoking sermons, accompanied by music that is powerful and soul stirring, often enhanced further by guest soloists, choirs, or cantors. He stated that the church is pleased to be able to share this with the community by providing online access to our services supported by our technology and AV team of Margus Jukkum and Tiiu Roiser. Check out our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@eelktorontopeetrikogudus8966

Väino further thanked Archbishop Urmas Viilma, and Bishop Ove Sander for their guidance, support, and co-operation, and also thanked the Vana Andres and First Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Hamilton for great working relationships to hold joint services and welcome visiting clergy, or co-sponsoring special events.

Väino stated that the church is building sustainability with careful use of the church’s appealing facilities with room rentals, and lease agreements. Required upgrades and repairs have been done to maintain our beautiful building including re-caulking skylights, repairing flashing between manse and copper roof, replacing the sump-pump and city sewer piping, replacing roof on apartment roof. Future projects include repairs to a crack on the front stained glass window, refurbishing or replacing the church front doors and awning, upgrading the basement kitchen, and investigating replacing the outdoor cross. The Council is actively surveying and managing issues as they occur. Our church is in good shape!

Both the auditor and congregation’s treasurer gave a very positive outlook on the church’s financial situation. Treasurer Toomas Trei stated that the church has record rental income, donations remain stable, and bequests show confidence in the current Council and the future of the church. There has been solid investment growth after 2023 year-end portfolio modifications. Pahapill Associates was re-elected as the auditor of the church.

Anne Liis Keelmann reported on the beehive of activity at St. Peter’s. Prior to Karl’s coming, the church was fortunate to work with a roster of ministers including Reverends Ando Kass, Peeter Vanker, Kalle Kadakas, and Pamela Kormano. She thanked the Guild under the leadership of Aida Shelton for providing refreshments after most services and for special events.

Anne also stressed how very fortunate we are to have pianist and organist Erik Kreem and Chung Lee. The church especially appreciates the work of Erik who has reformatted our English liturgy to better reflect our Estonian services. We continue having an excellent working relationship with the Salvation Army and the Toronto Korean Open Church who both participated in this year’s Door’s Open. We are grateful for our work together with the Ehatare Foundation to bring valuable programs to serve our seniors, having hosted several events at St. Peter’s. The Estonian Põhjakotka scout troop uses our facilities, and most recently the Toronto Estonian Men’s Choir is rehearsing at the church.

In managing the St. Peter’s Columbarium, the Council works closely with the Burial Authority of Ontario to ensure we are in compliance with their regulations and policies. Restoration of the brick work was completed in 2024 by skilled craftsmen, returning the columbarium’s walls to pristine condition. There are a few niche spots left should any members wish to purchase a final resting place for themselves or a loved one.

The church is inviting people to volunteer to assist in organizing and maintaining our archive. We have a great collection of photographs, reports, newspaper articles, blueprints, bulletins, etc. from the time the congregation was founded. Some of this now 75-year-old material needs digitization and cataloguing. If you are interested in helping, please contact the office.

We are very pleased to announce that the resolution to extend Deacon Karl Paju’s internship program for the duration of his studies at Wycliffe College was enthusiastically passed with a standing ovation from the members. It was a moving moment when Rev. Ando Kass came forward and embraced deacon Karl Paju and congratulated him. Under his mentorship, Karl has held 13 Estonian and 7 English services, 8 services at Ehatare, done 4 burials, published 6 articles for Estonian Life, and offered prayers at 7 community events – all while maintaining excellent marks at Wycliffe. Karl was endorsed by Bishop Ove Sander who ordained him as a deacon, and who also endorses Karl’s continuance with the program until his graduation.

A new Congregational Council was acclaimed. From the left, Toomas Trei, Anne Liis Keelmann, Kristina Leis, Deacon Karl Paju, Mare Ots-Donaldson, Thomas Arget, and Tiiu Roiser-Chorowiec.

The new board met and divided responsibilities as follows: Chair: Thomas Arget; Vice-chair: Tiiu Roiser; Board Secretary: Kristina Leis; Treasurer: Toomas Trei; Director of Programming: Anne Liis Keelmann; Archive and Heritage Director: Mare Ots-Donaldson.

The future for St. Peter’s is bright. The new Council will earnestly continue working on changes to our Bylaws and Constitution to bring them in line with ONCA requirements. Plans for the future include the Christmas Craft Sale and Cafe, Doors Open in 2026, upcoming concerts, plus more. Please check our website at stpeterstorontoestonianchurch.ca for upcoming services and events as well as our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Toronto.St.Peters/.

You can support St. Peter’s with your donations of funds, (e-transfer to: stpeterstoronto@rogers.com) and also with your time. We are always looking for volunteers to help with ushering duties, scripture readings, member visitations, planting flowers, joining the Guild, helping with special events, stuffing envelopes, etc. There are volunteer opportunities of all types.

Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome as we reinvigorate and grow our congregation to ensure a successful and sustainable future for our youth for years to come, and to engage and serve our local community, both in Estonian and English – often with a mix of both languages in a positive and welcoming environment. Thank you for your continued support, your enthusiasm, your attendance and your donations! It is much appreciated as we work cohesively together!

St. Peter’s Congregational Council

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Eurovision Watch Party

Saturday, May 17th, 2025

Karl Paju hosted a fun Eurovision Watch Party at St. Peter’s today! It was exciting to watch Estonia’s Tommy Ca$h performing “Espresso Macchiato” and win 3rd place - only 1 point behind second place and clearly the popular favourite with the public!!! So much fun singing, dancing and drinking our espresso - no stresso!!!

Emadepäeva Jumalateenistus - 11. mail, 2025

Teenis diakon Karl Paju. Orelil ja klaveril Chung Lee. Kitarril Hollis Kwan. Pühakirja lugejad Susan Pruvli ja Allan Eim. Teated Anne Liis Keelmann. Järgnes kohv gildiruumis.

May 4th, 2025, Bilingual Confirmation Service

A touching and meaningful bilingual confirmation service with Rev. Ando Kass, deacon Karl Paju, organist-pianist Erik Kreem and soloist Avo Kittask. Congratulations Leena & Silje! Photo credits: Peeter Põldre & Ando Kass.