{"id":5155,"date":"2026-04-13T14:42:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogg.svenskakyrkan.se\/utbyte\/?p=5155"},"modified":"2026-05-12T12:44:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:44:26","slug":"mot-shery-mae-fran-filippinerna-till-vasteras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogg.svenskakyrkan.se\/utbyte\/2026\/04\/13\/mot-shery-mae-fran-filippinerna-till-vasteras\/","title":{"rendered":"M\u00f6t Shery Mae: fr\u00e5n Filippinerna till V\u00e4ster\u00e5s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I ett antal inl\u00e4gg fram\u00f6ver presenterar \u00e5rets internationella deltagare i Ung i den v\u00e4rldsvida kyrkan<\/em> sig sj\u00e4lva. De \u00e4r i Sverige under mars till maj. H\u00e4r m\u00f6ter ni Shery Mae Gatege fr\u00e5n Filippinerna som har haft sin f\u00f6rsta f\u00f6rsamlingsperiod i V\u00e4ster\u00e5s.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\"Shery<\/figure>\n\n\n

A Young IFI Clergy Spouse in Sweden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being a young clergy spouse is a unique and beautiful calling. Living in the rectory, a building right beside the church, has given me a front-row seat to the rhythm of church life. Every day, I see the ways the church reaches out to people\u2014young and old, children and youth, newcomers and regulars alike. I am blessed to work closely with the young people and the little ones, and through that, I feel part of the heartbeat of the entire church community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Every day, I see the ways the church reaches out to people\u2014young and old, children and youth, newcomers and regulars alike. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

My journey into finding my own ministry has been unexpected, and at times, full of uncertainty. I feel God has called me in a different way, and I responded\u2014an answer that brought me here to Sweden, to a place I never imagined I would be. It\u2019s far from where I grew up, very different, and at first, I questioned how I would fit in. Yet, every day I can feel God\u2019s grace guiding and carrying me through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I first arrived at my parish in V\u00e4ster\u00e5s, I did not expect such a warm welcome. Everyone I met was genuine, kind, and open-hearted. Despite our differences\u2014culture, language, and background\u2014I could feel the Holy Spirit bridging the gaps and helping us meet on common ground. The church didn\u2019t feel like a strange or distant place; it felt like home. People weren\u2019t strangers\u2014they felt like friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When I first arrived at my parish in V\u00e4ster\u00e5s, I did not expect such a warm welcome. Everyone I met was genuine, kind, and open-hearted.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Those things I usually do at home now have a chance to happen here, and it makes me feel that I am not a \u201clost puzzle piece,\u201d but a piece that fits. Missing the Sunday school classes? I\u2019ve joined in the baby and children\u2019s services. Missing the youth gatherings? I\u2019ve been in confirmation camps. Missing the lay men and women? I\u2019ve even had a chance to paint Easter candles, and knitting sessions with the elderly. All these moments complete my own puzzle, and for the first time in a long while, I feel whole in ways I never expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith in action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What touches me most are the church programs that are heartily made. They are more than just activities\u2014they are meant to connect with people, to respond to God\u2019s call of tending to His\u2019 sheep. Through these programs, I see faith being lived out, reaching everyone with so much love and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has shown me that answering God\u2019s call may lead us to unexpected places, but when we follow with faith, we find home, purpose, and the blessing of being part of a community where love, grace, and service come alive every day. I have had so much fun with a lot of people and I am looking forward to know more and share meaningful experiences together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Shery Mae<\/p>\n\n\n