Tartu – Estonia’s introduction of the euro at the beginning of 2011 occurred without a hitch in the country’s 85 Baptist congregations. This was reported in the church’s periodical Teekäija (Pilgrim) by Ermo Jürma, Lecturer for Old Testament at the theological seminary in Tartu. Both currencies, the euro and the Estonian crown, were in circulation during the first two weeks of the year. During that period, counting the collection demanded additional effort. Most congregations had already brought their cash reserves to the bank prior to the New Year. But for some Estonians, including Baptists, saying good-bye to the crown was not easy. They had used the currency for 18 years and it had become a major symbol of national sovereignty. Historical figures, the national bird (the barn swallow) and the steep coastline had been portrayed on the currency.

Jürma notes that collections no longer looked the same. There had been very few coins in the collections before – two- and five-crown notes had often been given. Now, there are many more jingling sounds. Yet someone who donates a 50-cent coin today is giving more than the average gift in the past. One-hundred Estonian crowns amount to 6,39 euros. Jürma reports that some congregations recently padded their collection plates in order to cut down on noise. In general, collections have been on the increase since introduction of the euro. But the adoption of the euro brought with it an increase in the prices for groceries and fuel. Average gross monthly income in Estonia hovers around 800 euros. Yet average income in Baptist households is significantly less: between 300 and 500 euros per month.