In the first week of the program I was exposed to the works and life of the church for migrants. As the above text says; I witnessed how they were true as a church as they and follow God’s command to open the church to become the migrants sanctuary. I saw and experienced how welcoming the church of Sweden is. They provided a sanctuary to all, Swedish or not, legal migrants or not. They became the sanctuary where all people from different countries gather together and talk about the struggle they have and the reasons why they leave their country and chose to come in Sweden. People are coming in and out freely and the Church welcomed them with open arms as they believe that every HUMAN IS HOLY.

In the Parish of Skärholmen this is where they normally sit and talk about life. The church does not only provide a sanctuary to immigrants they also help them to have a better way of life in Sweden. They even hired some of them (Jonathan the man in the middle is from South Africa working in the church). They are also conducting activities for the benefit of the immigrants. One of these is the language cafe led by Maria Engman Lyren a deacon (ordained person that works for the ministry of the church). This cafe aims to teach immigrants how to speak and understand the Swedish language. The church believes that we are all made by God and as creations of God we should all be one, and for us to be one we should meet and understand each other. Understanding each other should start from the language!

At the language café the participants are from Sri Lanka, Africa, Albania, Sweden and Philippines. We had a Fika (a Swedish habit, a time to have coffee or tea with sweets or bread and have a simple conversation about life or specific things).

“When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.” Luke 9:11

Countries from EU has the permit to stay in Sweden for three months without legal papers but some are staying more than three months and facing difficulties to legalize their stay in Sweden because they know that coming back to their country could be more critical and hopeless. Church of Sweden offers help to the people and deacons to talk to. They are helping by educating the people on what to be done and what are the necessary process. A lot of immigrants are having difficulties in living and surviving because of the fear they are carrying as illegal immigrants and the church offers help because they believe that every human has the right to every God’s creation and there should not be anyone tagged as illegal.

 Humans should be welcomed anywhere in the world because earth is God’s creation and God’s creation should not be limited or privatized to others. As what the above text says, Church of Sweden is again being true to their mission, they welcome all those who are in need, they open the kingdom of God those who need of healing. Ola Osbeck a deacon in the parish of Skärholmen and he helps lots of immigrants with their struggles and rights as humans.

My Church Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) in the Philippines is one of the churches in my country that in times of need offer our Church as a sanctuary. A sanctuary that anyone is welcome, believer or not, member or not, Christian or not and sinner or not, we welcome them with open arms. We value humanity and help those who are in need by being their voice.

It is really amazing to see on how Church of Sweden is being true in their ministry. An open church, not exclusive. A sanctuary that welcomes helps and acknowledges everyone’s diversities. Yes, some may come from different countries with different cultures and languages but the church believes that we are all one as we are all created by God and God’s creation is holy.

Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you are holy!

/ MJ Dediles BALAJADIA- Participant, Young in the World Wide Church

Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Philippines