There are no monsters
When a school shooting shakes a city and leaves sorrow, fear, and unanswered questions in its wake, it is easy to seek a simple explanation. Calling the perpetrator a monster can create distance from the unfathomable—but is that really the whole truth? Pastor Anna Berndes reflects on the complexity of human nature, guilt, and grace, reminding us of the importance of seeing one another through God’s loving gaze.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
In conversations around lunch tables or in social media and comment fields, there are speculations about the shooter. Who was he? What was his motive? Maybe the police investigation will provide answers, but maybe not. And some say that no explanation is needed, he is simply a monster.
Perhaps that is a natural reaction; we want to create a distance from the terrible. We don’t want to see that an ordinary person could do something so horrible. He must be something else: a monster.
But as understandable as it is, that simply is not true. There are no monsters, only people who sometimes do horrible things. Almost ten years ago, I found out about a terrible crime that happened in my family long before I was born. A person I loved growing up was the culprit who was convicted and served his sentence. When talking about it with a friend of mine she asked how I felt about my relative with this new knowledge. Her question got me thinking; Will the good memories and love I experienced from this person disappear when these dark sides are revealed?
For me, the answer to that question is no. We as humans are complex, and it is possible to like a person without therefore thinking that everything they have done is good. In the same way, it is possible to say that someone has done something indefensible without therefore condemning everything that person is. In the Gospel of Luke, when the author (chapter 23) describes the crucifixion, he also writes about the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus.
One of them thinks that Jesus should use his power to free them from their punishments, but the other tells him to be quiet. He says that they both deserved their sentences and then he asks Jesus to think of him when he comes with his kingdom.
Jesus does not ignore what the man has done. He also does not remove the punishment to which the robber was sentenced. But he shows that he sees him as a human being and gives him a promise and a hope: “today you will be with me in paradise”.
However difficult it may feel, we must strive to look at each other with that gaze.
You and I are human, equally imperfect and yet loved by God.
/Pastor Anna Berndes
Ulrika Grevin, interim role as deaconry assistant at Immanuel Church
From March 3 to November 27, 2025, we are delighted to welcome Ulrika Grevin to Immanuel Church. While Sara Stignäs is on study leave, Ulrika will serve as an interim diaconal assistant.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
Ulrika has been accepted as a deacon candidate by Svenska Kyrkan in Stockholm. She has completed the Svenska Kyrkans Grundkurs and has recently pursued studies in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, among other subjects. In 2026, she will commence her final year of pastoral theological training, after which she will be ordained as a deacon within the Church of Sweden.
Ulrika brings a wealth of voluntary experience within the Church of Sweden alongside her previous professional career. She has worked with the Hospital Church and at “Kryckan,” a meeting place for individuals facing homelessness, addiction, or other vulnerable circumstances, run by the Haninge Parish.
Sources – Christian Spirituality Through the Ages
Welcome to an inspiring lecture series on the development of Christian spirituality throughout history. Over six Wednesday evenings, beginning on March 5, we will explore the church’s spiritual heritage alongside Peter Halldorf, editor of Pilgrim magazine. For the final session, KG Hammar, Archbishop Emeritus, will join us.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
🕰️ Time & Place
Six Wednesdays from kl. 19.00–20.30 at Immanuelskyrkan, Stockholm
📍 Waldenströmssalen
✝️ Mass is held at kl. 18.00 in the Sanctuary upstairs
💡 Lectures
📅 March 5 “On this rock I will build my church”
The emergence of a church in the tension between charisma and institution
📅 March 19 “God of God, Light of Light, Begotten, not Made”
The early Christian struggle with the mystery of the Incarnation
📅 April 2 “Do not say that man cannot see the divine light”
Anthropology, cosmology, and mysticism in Eastern Christian spirituality
📅 April 23 “I saw and heard everything”
Contemplative renewal movements in the medieval church
📅 May 14 “The root of all evil is the division that separates the churches in the East and West”
From Constantinople to Kiev: the development and characteristics of Slavic Christianity
📅 May 28 “The church’s path in a roadless land”
Peter Halldorf talks with KG Hammar about theological pathways that can make the church influential in the future
💰Cost: 200 kr. Includes all lectures and distribution of preparing the texts.
📩 Registration & Contact
info@tidskriftenpilgrim.se
📖 Organizer
Tidskriften Pilgrim & Immanuelskyrkan
Warmly welcome to deepen your understanding of the church’s spiritual heritage!
Sunday, April 13 – joint service and annual meeting
Sunday, April 13 at 11.00 there will be a joint service in the sanctuary upstairs. Afterward, there will be coffee in the Church Square. During coffee time, members can collect their voting cards. You can collect them in the Paus room, one floor down. Please make sure to pick up your voting card in good time to avoid queues. Remember, you must collect it in person—it cannot be picked up on your behalf.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
Before the annual meeting, there will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, 23 March at 13.00 in Congressen with information stations to provide details ahead of the annual meeting.
The annual meeting starts at kl 13.00 in Congressen. Your presence at the meeting is important, so come and take part! You can prepare for the meeting by reading the documents, which will be uploaded gradually to the ‘Annual Meeting Documents’ folder on our website’s on the member page.
Lunch tickets can be purchased from March 16 at the information desk near the main entrance of the Church (payment via Swish or card). The last day to purchase tickets is April 6. Price: 70 SEK.
Please note that tickets will not be sold on the day of the annual meeting—only through pre-purchase. The last day to buy tickets is Sunday, 6 April.
If you purchase a lunch ticket, you can pick up your lunch after the service, before the annual meeting.
Free hot dogs for the kids!
Welcome!
Sunday, March 23 at 13.00 – call to a congregational meeting
Welcome to the congregational meeting in Congressen. The agenda includes the following items:
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
- Information about the action plans for the different activities in 2025
- Nominations for the United Church of Sweden’s Church Board (see link from the United Church of Sweden Nominating Committee)
https://equmeniakyrkan.se/kyrkan/kyrkokonferensen/valberedning/ Please contact the Board via Ingrid Östlund ingost51@gmail.com Already now, if you have suggestions you would like to discuss. - Report from the nominating committee ahead of the upcoming annual meeting, including presentation of candidates for the Church Board
- Report on the magazine Sändaren
- Other information
Immediately after the congregational meeting, there will be various “stations” to provide more detailed information and an opportunity for members to ask questions about:
- The congregation’s finances
- Submitted motions
- The work of the activity review committee
/ The Church Board
Photo: Johanna Hanno
” Den väg är bred” (The road is wide)
An evening of conversation with David Eklind Kloo.
Welcome to an inspiring evening about faith, doubt, and church life!
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
In his book The Road is Wide – Believing in God but Doubting Yourself, David Eklind Kloo shares his journey of growing up as a Christian and connects it to research in the psychology of religion. What can a person truly believe—about God, themselves, and the world—without becoming afraid of life?
Immanuel Church’s Pastor Esther Kazen will engage in a conversation with David Eklind Kloo about these questions and his book.
Wednesday, March 12, at 19.00
Immanuel Church (Waldenström Hall)
Before the conversation:
Join us for a service at 18.00 in the Sanctuary.
Practical information:
The church offers tea—feel free to bring your own snack or warm up a meal in the café.
Korean Thursday Prayer Meeting
– a moment of fellowship and prayer
Join us for a prayer fellowship where we come together to pray and worship. Everyone is welcome regardless of language.
📅 Date: March 6
🕖 Time: 19:00
📍 Location: Waldenströmssalen, Immanuel Church
If you would like to participate but do not speak Korean, please contact us in advance at:
📧 kunmi.lee@immanuelskyrkan.se
We look forward to praying and sharing fellowship with you!
Swedish Service – 11.00 in the big Sanctuary
- 10.45 – Quiet music, followed by the Worship Service.
- Children’s church every Sunday.
- The services can also be viewed online on Facebook, our website and YouTube.
- Join us for fika afterward in the Church Square. Welcome!
Korean Service – 11.00 in Waldenströmsalen
- Sunday school for children ages 2–14.
- The services can also be viewed online on our website.
- Join us for fika afterward in Kaffestugan. Welcome!
International Service – 11.00 in Congressen
- Sunday School for children ages 3–14.
- All Sunday services can also be viewed online on our website and on YouTube.
- Join us for fika afterward in Paus on level K1. Welcome!
Celebrating birthdays
Torbjörn Reinhed – 60 yrs – March 2
Eva Berdén Strandros – 60 yrs – March 3
Ruth Baggström – 95 yrs – March 3
Tadesse Woldekirose Endalbaba – 70 yrs – March 11
Bengt Valdemarson – 60 yrs – March 12
Liselott Selén – 70 yrs – March 14
Duk-Ryon Kim – 85 yrs – March 14
Piamaria Westlund – 70 yrs – March 15
Young-Hi Park – 80 yrs – March 15
Sven-Evert Rönnedal – 80 yrs – March 16
Hi-Chul Lee – 80 yrs – March 23
Baptism
Otto Fager – March 23
New members
Margret Josefsson
Sixten Tynnemark Dalemark
Chanyang Park
Gone to be with the Lord
Peter Listermar
*July 3, 1953 † January 24, 2025
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International Swish nr: 123 189 13 08
Korean Swish nr. 123 184 98 43
Tack för alla gåvor i pengar, tid och engagemang.
Thank you for all gifts through money, time and commitment.
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