Annual Meetings – Church Gathering nerds – BEWARE!!!

Whoever would have thought that a small (former) Methodist church named the Wesley Church, (Wesleykyrkan) that is now an active congregation in the Uniting Church of Sweden (Equmeniakyrkan), would see fit to send their 2 delegates to Göteborg, Sweden for the Annual Meeting (Kyrkokonferens)….and would choose 2 American co-laborers in the church to attend that meeting??

Due to the fact that the every 5 year World Methodist Council was also gathering in the same building, we were blessed with music and dance expressions from around the world.  This woman was playing an instrument from Korea.  Amazing Grace is always beautiful ~

It did strike us as a bit odd that we would go as delegates! Our Swedish might be tolerable but they were voting on some pretty important policies, and new church leaders!  But we took on the assignment with joy, hopped on the train, and once again spent days with a grueling learning curve…both in the Swedish language but also in how this church body functions when it gathers all its member congregations from across the whole country.

All dressed up and ready to go, and looking quite pastoral!

Take those shoes off, you're standing on holy ground.  The generations of Christ followers in Sweden and around the world represented by this amazing group of pastors and missionaries...priceless!

 

Steve's name on the list ~ interestingly enough, a retired missionary from Sweden who had worked and lived in Congo for many years (including during the years that Barb was there as well) sat down right next to us during the service.  Go figure!

The other great joy that happened during our days there was that Steve was recognized among the pastors and missionaries who have reached that magical age of 67 and are retiring or soon retiring or retreading in several cases as well.  Enjoy the pictures of this handsome man who has faithfully served God and the church for 40 years.  We were invited to a most lovely luncheon with the UCS Church leadership and their executive board.  It was fun to sit at table with people that we often just see up on the stage or online doing their important work here in Sweden.

 

Blessed!  But not yet retired!!!

 

And just for fun....this is how the annual meeting sends out the kids from a worship service to their kids' program so that we could get down to business!  Also priceless!!!  Love the shark...baby shark, anyone??