This week, the Revd Maria Jukes, Chair of our diocesan link with Växjö Diocese, is visiting Sweden for Växjö Diocese's Priests and Deacons Conference.
Over the next few days, Maria will be sharing regular updates, reflections and glimpses of church life in Sweden - offering a window into the people, places and partnerships that connect our two dioceses.
Day 3: Sustaining ministry
The Priests and Deacons Conference draws to a close, having brought together around 400 clergy from across the diocese.
Held every four years, the gathering is designed to offer encouragement, courage and inspiration for those serving as priests and deacons.
Over the course of the conference, the focus has been on sustaining ministry and equipping clergy for the shared mission of building vibrant congregations, responding to people’s deep questions, and making God’s love visible in the world. The conference has been a valuable time of fellowship, both across the Diocese of Växjö and beyond to the link partnerships, including the Diocese of Oxford.
See a summary film on Facebook.
Day 2 - Worship, procession and conference begins in Växjö
Maria’s second day in Sweden began with the opening Holy Communion service at Växjö Cathedral, where she was invited to preach.
Another service included enthusiastic singing and signing led by teachers and students from a local music college, helping to set a joyful tone for the days ahead.
After worship, clergy and delegates processed through the city centre to the conference venue for the afternoon sessions - a public and striking witness as robes and vestments moved through the streets of Växjö.
The conference then formally opened with an address from Fredrik on the theme: "Come Holy Spirit, give us power in our calling."
Maria also met with Mattias, Chair of the Link Committee in Sweden. She noted that the dress code for Swedish clergy was traditional kaftan and preaching bands, while cassocks were gladly accepted for English guests.
Day 1 - Arriving in Växjö
Her first morning began with worship at Maria Kyrkan in Växjö.
"This morning we went to church service at Maria Kyrkan in Växjö - a service full of beautiful music and amazing architecture."
Maria has also sent a video greeting from bright and sunny Sweden, inviting questions from people across the diocese.
If there is something you would like to know about life in Sweden, the Church of Sweden, or what Maria discovers during her visit, send in your questions and we will try to include them in this week’s diary updates.
A message from Maria
Hello and welcome to bright and sunny Sweden. I have arrived here in Växjö, this is our Link Diocese in Sweden, ready for a really exciting Priests and Deacons Conference they are running here from Monday to Wednesday.
So I thought as I'm getting ready for the conference, maybe you would want to get involved as well.
If you've got any questions that I could ask people, our Swedish friends and colleagues over here, whilst in Sweden, you might want to comment or send them in, and I'll try to find some answers to those. If there's anything you want to know about life in Sweden or Church of Sweden or any thoughts you'd like people here to share with you, and I'll try to do a little diary and share some of the things that we get up to over the next few days.