Newsletter #5 2026

So the following year, they sat down together to talk about expectations. It is actually strange how we so often believe that other people should automatically understand what makes us feel good. The question went around the table:— What do you need in order to feel that summer will be good for you? The children answered quickly:— To swim a lot and eat ice cream.The father wanted a break from cooking. He wanted to take evening walks without schedules and without stress. The mother said:— I just want to sleep in and have time to read books. And suddenly, the vacation no longer sounded so complicated. When they arrived at the little house they had rented for the first part of their holiday, they decided to try their plan. In the mornings, everyone except the mother ate breakfast as quietly as possible out on the covered porch. Then they went down to the beach while the mother slept a little longer. When the family returned around noon, the mother had woken up and prepared lunch. After the meal, they all went back down to the beach together.

In the evenings, the father went for walks — sometimes alone, sometimes with the family. Nothing particularly remarkable happened that week. No grand adventures. No perfect pictures. But somehow, everyone felt content. Perhaps that is where we sometimes miss each other. We think we need big things, when maybe it is really about sleeping in, eating ice cream, spending time with a book, or getting a few days without having to cook. We cannot read each other’s minds. That is why perhaps the most important thing before summer is simply to sit down and ask both yourself and the people around you:— What are you hoping for? Sometimes, what we long for is actually completely possible to fulfill.

Charlotte Höglund
Pastor in the Swedish Fellowship

However, the focus on mental health and the need for counselling and therapy have increased in recent years. Therefore, a pilot initiative is now being launched to explore how Dialogue Immanuel could be developed as part of the congregation’s diaconal ministry.

This is not intended to replace pastoral care with pastors and deacons, but rather to complement them by offering support for those who want help and understanding in dealing with anxiety and worry, low mood and depression, stress, and burnout.

Children (from age 10), teenagers, young adults, and parents are given priority, but everyone is welcome to get in touch.

If you would like to know more or book a counselling session, you can email Margret Josefsson (deacon and licensed healthcare counsellor): margret.josefsson@immanuelskyrkan.se

These strategic goals refer to areas toward which the congregation wants to move and grow. With these goals as a foundation, action plans can then be developed that share common characteristics — enabling our large organization to move more in step and increasing our ability to make better use of our resources. The new plan covers a three-year period, with annual reviews to make adjustments when needed.

The goals and the new plan will be presented on May 31, when a discussion forum will be held in the Congressen. The forum will provide an opportunity for conversation and reflection on the goals. These thoughts and ideas will then be collected and incorporated in various ways into the proposed ministry plan, future action plans, or as input for a revised plan further ahead.

At the congregational meeting on June 14, the formal decision to adopt the plan will be made, as announced at the annual meeting. Reaching a decision before the summer is very important so that the action plans can be developed during the autumn. If this is accomplished, we will already be able to put these well-grounded plans into action in January 2027.

Stephanie has an eye for the newcomer, and has been  one of the first faces  that people encountered when arriving at Immanuel for the very first time.  With great grace and patience Stephanie always found a way to both see and listen to those in need, in spite of the practical tasks that lay before her.  Stephanie was known to all, and will always be remembered as a dear sister and friend. 

Stephanie was a loyal and valued colleague to all who worked at Immanuel throughout the years.  While we will miss Stephanie terribly, we rejoice with her in this  new phase of life that she enters with her family and friends.  We pray God’s richest blessings over Stephanie as He leads and guides her to new adventures. May His light continue to be a light to your feet and a lamp to your path. 

Well done Stephanie! 

Jihyun Kim – Administrator, Korean fellowship. Jihyun originally comes from Korea and has been living in Stockholm for the past few years. She has a background in art and art history and has been involved in Immanuel Church in various ways, including as a Sunday school teacher. Jihyun began her position on May 13.

Jin Hee Fornehed – Administrator, English fellowship. Jin Hee was also born in Korea, but has also studied and worked in Japan. Many of you probably already recognize her, as she has worked part-time in the church café over the past few years. In addition to that, she also works in the interior design industry. Jin Hee began her new position on May 1.