{"id":15939,"date":"2025-02-26T12:59:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T11:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.immanuel.se\/en\/?p=15939"},"modified":"2025-02-27T14:51:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T13:51:48","slug":"newsletter-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.immanuel.se\/en\/2025\/newsletter-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are no monsters<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014but 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\u2019s loving gaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE<\/summary>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\/Pastor Anna Berndes <\/strong>  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ulrika Grevin, interim role as deaconry assistant at Immanuel Church<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From March 3 to November 27, 2025, we are delighted to welcome Ulrika Grevin to Immanuel Church. While Sara Stign\u00e4s<\/strong> is on study leave, Ulrika will serve as an interim diaconal assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cKryckan,\u201d a meeting place for individuals facing homelessness, addiction, or other vulnerable circumstances, run by the Haninge Parish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sources \u2013 Christian Spirituality Through the Ages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s spiritual heritage alongside Peter Halldorf, editor of Pilgrim magazine. For the final session, KG Hammar, Archbishop Emeritus, will join us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
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\ud83d\udd70\ufe0f Time & Place<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six Wednesdays from<\/strong> kl. 19.00\u201320.30 at Immanuelskyrkan, Stockholm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udccd Waldenstr\u00f6mssalen<\/strong>
\u271d\ufe0f Mass is held at kl. 18.00 in the Sanctuary upstairs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Lectures<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 March 5<\/strong> “On this rock I will build my church”<\/em>
The emergence of a church in the tension between charisma and institution<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 March 19<\/strong> “God of God, Light of Light, Begotten, not Made”<\/em>
The early Christian struggle with the mystery of the Incarnation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 April 2<\/strong> “Do not say that man cannot see the divine light”<\/em>
Anthropology, cosmology, and mysticism in Eastern Christian spirituality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 April 23<\/strong> “I saw and heard everything”<\/em>
Contemplative renewal movements in the medieval church<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 May 14<\/strong> “The root of all evil is the division that separates the churches in the East and West”<\/em>
From Constantinople to Kiev: the development and characteristics of Slavic Christianity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 May 28<\/strong> “The church\u2019s path in a roadless land”<\/em>
Peter Halldorf<\/strong> talks with KG Hammar<\/strong> about theological pathways that can make the church influential in the future<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcb0Cost<\/strong>: 200 kr. Includes all lectures and distribution of preparing the texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udce9 Registration & Contact<\/strong>
info@tidskriftenpilgrim.se<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcd6 Organizer<\/strong>
Tidskriften Pilgrim & Immanuelskyrkan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warmly welcome to deepen your understanding of the church’s spiritual heritage!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, April 13 \u2013 joint service and annual meeting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sunday, April 13 <\/strong>at 11.00<\/strong> there will be a joint service <\/strong>in the sanctuary upstairs. Afterward, there will be coffee in the Church Square. During coffee time, members can collect their voting cards. <\/em>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<\/strong>\u2014it cannot be picked up on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE<\/summary>\n
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Before the annual meeting, there will be a congregational meeting<\/strong> on Sunday, 23 March<\/strong> at 13.00 in Congressen with information stations to provide details ahead of the annual meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The annual meeting starts <\/strong>at kl 13.00<\/strong> in Congressen.<\/strong> 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\u2019s on the member page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch tickets<\/strong> can be purchased from March 16 <\/strong>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<\/strong>. Price:<\/strong> 70 SEK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that tickets will not<\/strong> be sold on the day of the annual meeting\u2014only through pre-purchase<\/strong>. The last day to buy tickets is Sunday, 6 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you purchase a lunch ticket, you can pick up your lunch after the service, before the annual meeting.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free hot dogs for the kids!<\/strong>

Welcome!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, March 23 at 13.00 \u2013 call to a congregational meeting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the congregational meeting in Congressen. The agenda includes the following items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE<\/summary>\n
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