They
read in the Bible about how everyone owned everything
together, and shared with
those who
were in need. People knew they were Christians
because they saw how they loved and took care of each
other. But unfortunately that was not the way
things were in any of the churches they were aware
of.
When
finally all practical details were in order and the
families could finally move
in together, the one family received an invitation
to
move to Indianapolis to study the EOC. It was
difficult to understand that this was Gods plan,
but after the other family met a few priests (Randy
and
James) the Palms family could move away to the USA.
The
Hock family took the Palms into their home, and shared
everything with them. They
learned a lot about the church, and felt that for
the most part they agreed with the teachings.
The
Andersson family received an invitation to come for
the summer months, but the
church’s
money was needed to support another congregation. It
seemed that the Andersson’s wouldn’t be
able to come. But God took charge and made it
possible for the Andersson’s to save enough money
to buy their own tickets.
During
the months, that the families were separated each
family had a baby. It was
such a joy to be reunited! A hectic time of catechism
and many, many meetings followed. The congregation’s
policy of living near each other and helping on another
practically and in everyday situations interested the
Swedes. Orthodox theology came in the same package. They
hadn’t asked for it but soon came to understand
its rightness.
When
it got closer to the time to go home they decided
to start an EOC church in Sweden. It
wasn’t an easy decision because no new churches
had been formed in Sweden for decades. But being
young and enthusiastic and with Bishop Ken and the
church in Indianapolis behind them and God in their
sights, they wanted to give it a try.
When God spoke to them in a prophesy
that Thomas was the pillar that would been seen by
people, Olof the solid ground that the pillar stood
on, and Ann and Annica those who would decorate and
make the church a home, everything felt right.
When
they arrived at home in Halmstad, they founded the
congregation St. Peters Evangelical
Orthodox Church. That following summer all the
children were baptized and the first catechumen was
received. The catechumen was a brave nurse who
was a personal friend to the Anderssons, and who had
been a member of the Methodist Church for many years.
We
celebrated the liturgy in the living room of our
two-family home, for many years. Eventually
it got crowded. Because of the growing number
of children, the families out grew the house. The
result being that the Palms bought their own home close
by.
Each
summer we invited friends, acquaintances and relatives
to camp. We had great fellowship
with both play and serious times. It was mainly
thanks to this that our church grew. Brave families
left their homes in order to move to Halmstad and become
catechumen and eventually members.
Eventually
we got our own Bishop (Thomas) and elder (Olof) as
well as the possibility
of renting
a building in our own neighborhood. We had many
children so we started Sunday school and later a group
for children, Club 1, and eventually a teen group,
Freedax.
But
then the sad thing happened that we stopped getting
new members. Many of us have
had different difficult situations to face. Sometimes
it felt very tough. It didn’t get better
when the division of EOC happened. We didn’t
understand, we had entered a covenant with the church
in the USA!?! It had effected us all very much,
but some more than others. But we try to hold
on to the vision God gave us and we are happy and grateful
that you all are still together with us.
Our
congregation consists of about 50 members between
the ages 0-63. The majority
is children and youth. It is wonderful to see
how they grow in their faith in a natural way. Presently
we are looking forward to summer camp, when we emphasize
bringing others who don’t normally come.
This
has been part of our life in the EOC. Our Journey
goes on…
