For the Church of Sweden, educating people is more than a form of service to the community but a continuing tradition of nourishing not only the soul through God’s Word but the human body and mind as well. Thus, a holistic trend of education can be seen evidently pursued in most parishes.
In retrospect, Church of Sweden played an important role in society more specifically with education.
Centuries back, it was the Church that taught the most basics of reading and writing. Some narrations would include the four hour long sermons of the priest every Sunday containing not only Biblical reflections but also official orders from the government about laws and warning for some incorrect practices.
But the waves of time changed as with the development of schools and universities, separation of Sweden’s government and church and the secularization of the society. Yet, the Church of Sweden has found a way to educate people not only through the Sunday Masses but also through other forms taking place almost every week.
In every church, an Open Preschool Program exists for kids aged at least one year old. Toddlers usually come with a parent, who stays at home for a year but receives a monthly sum from the government. This is one of Sweden’s best practices of encouraging parents to provide personal childcare to their kids.
Facilitating the said program is an employed teacher by the Church. Activities would involve free playing time for the kids, sing-learn-dance time, the typical “Swedish Fika,” talking time for parents and educational field trips.
Then comes, the traditional Confirmation Classes which has been innovated not only as a form of teaching young people about Church and Bible teachings but also, on how to find meaning within their lives. Since it could be hard to instill purely about spirituality to the young in this society, a perfect diversion is to mentor them instead, give inspiration to take the right path to life and to provide a support system from colleagues in the confirmation group, church workers and from priests/deacons.
For almost all types of people and age groups, the Church of Sweden has its Various Ministries especially to the old Swedish folks, widows, alcoholics and even for drug addicts. Every month, activities take place in various forms, like church services, fellowship parties and outreach programs.
But there’s one thing, the Church did not forego since it began. It is the Education of the Soul through Musical Concerts. Yes, music soothes the soul and gives peace to the mind.
Providing free music concerts inside the church for people to avail is one way of feeding the soul. People who come may not notice that at every performance, they feel the Divine Presence inside the Church while listening to the soothing musical pieces.
The Church of Sweden is moving forward but the practices mentioned are but a few proofs that it has never turned its back to its original work years, decades and centuries ago. Its identity would always remain as one of the most important organizations in the Swedish society, responsible for providing information to the people and education of the body, mind and soul.
//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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