In June, a group from the Akeman Benefice and Bicester and Islip Deanery enjoyed a six-day visit to the parish of Mönsterås with Fliseryd in our Swedish link diocese of Växjö.
This parish, within the Kalmar County of Sweden, has been linked with the Akeman Benefice for seven years. The Revd Gareth Miller, team rector of the Benefice and Area Dean, organised the visit along with the Revd Magnus Johansson and his team from the Swedish parish.
The trip, which was more like a pilgrimage, was a wonderful mixture of time spent in churches and cathedrals, enjoying hospitality and appreciating the space, forest roads, colourful architecture and the peace of the Baltic Coast.
The visitors sampled the food and fellowship of their friends in Sweden including a smörgastårta (a multi-layered sandwich in the style of a cake) in Fliseryd and a tour of Mönsterås where they saw sixth formers dressed in dark suits or white dresses celebrating the end of their time at school with a special ceremony in the church and gifts of flowers.
One of the many highlights of the visit was the day spent in Växjö where the group visited the Cathedral and were given a tour by Thomas Wärfman, the Domprost (Dean). By happy coincidence Bishop Olivia, former Bishop of Reading, was visiting the cathedral to give a talk on the environment so we were all able to attend that meeting.
On the Sunday morning, the visitors worshipped at Mönsterås Church where the visiting clergy were invited to participate in the Eucharist.
Diana Glover said: “During our time in Sweden not only did we get to know each other as a group of pilgrims but also established continuing and made new friendships with our hosts who were generous and open in their invitation to us to participate in the life of their church. It was particularly uplifting to experience Lutheran worship in Sweden - a combination of formal ritual, joyful music and inclusive welcome.”
Photo, the Revd Gareth Miller preaching on the Trinity, translated by Magnus, kyrkoherde (vicar) of Mönsterås and Fliseryd.