Despite the challenges of a declining membership along with countless problems arising due to its existence in a highly individualistic society, the Church of Sweden has become stronger in its commitment to share the bounty of resources to people from other nations.
Through the work, it has realized the real purpose of being the Church of Sweden, not exclusively meant for the Swedes and to the people from other countries living along its borders but, as a church for the whole world, especially to those are in dire need for the most basic commodities of food and water.
I have seen that most parishes of the Church of Sweden follow different formats in their Mass celebrations but they are still united in their worship life and in the breaking of the bread. The latter act continues to remind them about Christ’s commandment to break the bread and share the wine to everyone who is hungry and thirsty.
Projects do not remain in paper and all the more, it does not stay in their national office in Uppsala but it has reached the parish levels. As an eye witness to how a certain parish makes the people know about Church of Sweden’s programs in other countries, I was touched on how a dominant and powerful church humbled down and went outside its boundaries on a cold afternoon.
Armed with cinnamon buns, coffee, tea and grape juice, the priest and his staff stayed near the Tunnelbana (subway). The team brought with them a tarpauline and some materials bearing the message to end hunger in the world and this was one way of raising funds for the said project.
From that day on, the scene has left a mark on my subconcious and it flashed like lightning as I heard hundreds of kids chanting,”Kärlekens väg” (Way to Love) during the service at Stockholm Cathedral a week ago.
Indeed, it has reminded me that love is about humility and sacrifice. I have seen that it was love for others that moved the powerful Church of Sweden to step down a bit and go to the streets to campaign for the end of hunger in the world. As I see it, this has been the main reason why several development projects are going on across countries which are bound to help people, save lives and organize communities.
Just recently, the Church of Sweden sent millions to the Philippines for the rehabilitation and humanitarian relief for those affected by the Super Typhoon Haiyan last November. Aside from that, more projects have been centered on the eradication of hunger in the African countries serving like ”streams of living water” in a hopeless desert situation.
Through such illustrations, the Church of Sweden has transformed into a serving church from a normal worshipping church. It appears to be more like an organization for humanitarian causes for the benefit of people from different beliefs and origins. It has gained an identity of a church beyond borders and has widened its reach across nations and continents with a purpose of uplifting lives.
While writing this, I came to realize that the things I was faced with everyday summed up to how Church of Sweden imparts Christ’s teachings, more specifically on sharing the blessings. I can still remember the candidates for confirmation who were made to bake cookies and buns to be sold and the proceeds of which would be given to the Philippines for ongoing humanitarian efforts.
Within a few weeks, Church of Sweden’s identity has changed from being a powerful church to a very powerful (because of its bounty of resources) yet selfless – a church mindful of those who don’t have anything to place in their tables and for people who can’t even access potable water to quench their thirst.
Being wealthy is not bad. Wealth can be used in the most noble ways especially in helping others and by sharing the resources to those in need. That is what the Church of Sweden does.
It was the celebration last Saturday afternoon at the Cathedral of Stockholm which triggered this personal reflection. During the service, Church of Sweden’s deep commitment in helping people from other countries was pointed out as a concrete response to Christ’s command of breaking the bread for the world to share.
Seeing the cover of the program, I asked what the title ”Dela Ditt Bröd – Mätta Många” meant. I then found out that these were very significant phrases that could best wrap up Church of Sweden’s work in the world to ”Share Your Bread” and to ”Feed the Many.”
//Klein F. Emperado is one of the exchange students in the exchange programme ”Young in the World Wide Chuch” 2014. During three months he will be spending time in Sweden, sharing life, faith and every day life. Klein is a Mass Communications graduate from Silliman University, Dumaguete, Philippines and also he works as Editorial Assistant for the said university. In the exchange he represents the Philippine Independent Church/Iglesia Filipina Independiente. His line of ministry is focused mainly on Liturgy and Music for the Diocese of Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
// Klein F. Emperado är en av deltagarna i utbytesprogrammet Ung i den världsvida kyrkan 2014. Under tre månader delar han vardag, tro och liv med människor här i Sverige. Under sin första månad spenderar han tid i St Mikaels församling i Stockholms stift. Klein har tagit examen i masskommunikation vid Silliman University, Dumaguete, Filippinerna och han jobbar idag som redaktörsassistent för nämnda universitet. I utbytesprogrammet representerar han den Filippinska oberoende kyrkan (Iglesia Filipina Independiente). Hans stora intresse och inriktning innom kyrkan är främst liturgi och musik för stiftet i Negros Oriental och Siquijor.
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