International Pastors Conference in Stockholm

OK, so it is over a week since we got back from a wonderful conference - but it's never too late to post this blog.

We attended the AICEME (Association of International Churches in Europe and the Middle East) annual conference, this year held in Stockholm, Sweden, April 26-May 3. It was hosted by Immanuel International Fellowship of Stockholm. They share a huge building with the Swedish Immanuelskyrkan and the Korean Fellowship - complete with 3 worship centers, a chapel, 2 cafeterias (with kitchens), a gym (where we played the indoor floor hockey game Innebandy), sauna, and classrooms. They also own the attached Hotel Birger Jarl (pronounced "beer y'all") where we stayed, and Stensnas Retreat Center, where we spent a day hearing Swedish theologian, Dr. Runar Eldebo, talk about Christianity in a European Context (how it has changed from a ministry for ex-patriots to a ministry to immigrants), breaking into small groups to discuss International Ministry, having Fika (Swedish "coffee & and a little something" break), eating (lamb sausages) and playing Kubb, an original Viking lawn game. What an uplifting experience for us to meet 31 other people who share the experiences of international ministry with us.

We were able to do a lot of sightseeing in Stockholm - Sweden's Royal Palace and the changing of the guard on horseback; Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town with tons of shops and restaurants along the narrow, cobblestone streets; the Vasa Museum of the Swedish warship Gustav Vasa, salvaged 333 years after it sank just minutes into its maiden voyage in 1628; Skansen, Europe's largest outdoor museum with historical buildings, native animals (brown bears, reindeer, seals) and plants; Stockholm's Historic City Hall where the Nobel Prize banquet and ball are held each year.

On Wednesday afternoon we boarded the cruise ship Silja Serenade for an overnight cruise to Helsinki, Finland, where the International Church in Helsinki was our host. We visited the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, the Tuomio Lutheran Cathedral, and the Temppeliaukio Rock Church where the International Church worships on Sunday afternoons. It is literally built inside a rock of which the center was dynamited out - what a fantastic ministry they do in this unique setting! They also have a Community Center where they minister to immigrants from several countries, serve meals, give out food, hold Bible Studies, teach English classes, and have a huge English language library of religious books. On board the ship we shared a traditional Swedish Smorgasbord dinner - must of been a dozen different ways they served herring! - found a lovely lounge, which Bob christened the "Windshield Lounge", to hang out in and play cards and share a drink (Rita and her "Cherry Bomb") with our new friends. On our way back to Sweden on the ship we ate in the Happy Lobster restaurant where 3 of our group shared a variety platter of seafood that was enormous!

The worship experiences we shared with people from around the world were awesome. The renewal, support, nurturing, strengthening and fellowship were amazing. We have become Facebook friends with many of the participants and look forward to keeping in touch with them and inter-visiting each other at our home locations. We are already looking forward to the next 2 years conferences, 2011 in Paris and 2012 in London!

Following is a brief description of the pictures:
Stensnas Retreat Center - Playing Kubb
Changing of the Guard - Our Cruise Ship
Orthodox Cath. - Cherry Bomb (mmm) - Lutheran Cath.
Us in Helsinki - Bob in the Rock Church
Windshield Lounge - Seafood Platter for 3
Nobel Prize Banquet Hall - Us in Stockholm
Playing Innebandy - Vasa Museum