Region Syd does CPH

Region Syd.  It’s the “pioneer Region” of Equmeniakyrkan, our partner denomination here in Sweden (in English, it’s known as the Uniting Church of Sweden).  Region Syd includes Skåne and Blekinge, two of the southernmost regions in all of Sweden.  It’s where we landed 4.5 years ago.  And it’s that region of Sweden that has really stolen our hearts.

 

Part of that “theft” of our hearts is due to the amazing kyrkoledare, (like a conference superintendent) Charlotte, and her team and how she has included us as Serve Globally personnel in every aspect of ministry and life in the church here in Skåne and in Malmö.  Okay, and here’s a fun fact:  Charlotte is Danish and lives in Copenhagen, but commutes to an office in Lund (here in Skåne) and even further as she attends meetings up in Stockholm on a regular monthly basis (and sometimes more often than that!).

Gathering up the troops from Wesleykyrkan in Malmö.  We filled up 3 cars with our team...everyone had a passport and covid vaccine records with them for the eventual inspections that were bound to happen....and then no one asked anything of anybody!

And here’s another fun fact about Charlotte and her husband, Jørden:  They are both pastors in the Methodist church, and are both really good in the kitchen and sharing hospitality.  Every Advent season since we arrived in Region Syd 4.5 years ago, we have been invited across the bridge to be in the Jerusalemkirken (the Jerusalem church) in Copenhagen, as Charlotte and Jørgen share the Word of God, song, Holy Communion together….then a splendid smorgasbord full of all the Advent and Christmas delights that anyone living in Scandinavia could dream of.

Jørgen helping as the meal begins....

Charlotte explaining the difference between a Swedish Julbord (christmas buffé) and a Danish Julboard....and looking especially festive in red, we would add!

 

Of course, last year’s event was cancelled, and we were concerned that this year’s event would also be cancelled, thanks to covid.  But we were able to sneak over one last time across the border….all 12 of us from Wesleykyrkan!  Along with another 12 coworkers from the pioneer region, we celebrated in worship and around the Christmas table.  A healthy walk in between the meal and fika helps everyone to find just a bit more space for aebleskiver those lovely tasty Danish apple pancakes delightfully sprinkled with powdered sugar and a teaspoon of raspberry jam.

We had just purchased apple donuts at the local Christmas market across from our church a few days before the party in Copenhagen...

 

Advent traditions.

Region Syd rocks!

The Manger Scene in the Jerusalemkirken....we do well to remind ourselves how good God was, and is, and will be ~ God sent us a Saviour!

Adventsmys ~ as the Swedes say ~ Advent coziness on the home side of the bridge!