ESC: Agape 2021/2020

Örby-Skene Congregation is part of the Church of Sweden. Our main objective is: We want to be the local presence of Christ’s worldwide church, and to make Jesus Christ known, believed in and loved. We try to reflect this aim in all that we do. This is not only what our organisation works with locally, but the Church of Sweden works with this also on a regional, national and international level. Every week is full of activity, with services in three churches, around 150 children coming to our children’s groups, and meetings of our confirmation classes and youth group. We also offer discussion groups for adults and elderly. During our services there are lots of opportunities to get involved – here, the focus is on addressing the individual, and ensuring everyone is seen and included. A lot of people get involved in our various choirs. We want the music to give people space to express themselves, and to meet the needs of the different generations attending our services. Through our diaconate we can be Jesus’ outstretched hands to those members of our congregation who are in difficulty. Our deacons work are to help people, and offer discussion groups as well as the opportunity to talk in private. They also visit peoples’ homes, the elderly and refugees. Our deacons are also responsible for activities for day off people, with soup lunches, a meeting place called Monday open but also that they give out food and clothes from their clothing store to needy people in our area. The congregation heads up the Hospital Church at Skene Hospital, and through the hospital church we are able to give the congregation’s support to patients, their friends and relations, and hospital staff, as well as being available in a crisis. The congregation’s fundamental tasks are the celebration of services, the provision of teaching, the work of our deacons, and mission. Our challenge is to create meeting places that can be a way into society and the community and, if so desired, into church life. This is especially needed for young people and immigrants, but also to a great extent for those who are on the fringes of the church. We want our congregation to be a meeting place with God, a loving community, a place where Christ is lifted up and where we welcome all people, regardless of sex or age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or social status. The sermon should build a bridge between the bible’s word and our everyday lives, so that we can identify with it and be touched. The congregation’s old vicarage is used as a youth community (a housing similar to collectively), both Swedish and international young adults are invited to Agape House to live. They play an important role for the area’s many young people, and the house works as an open house a few days a week. Everyone will be welcome to come and spend time with each other, share food, play games and talk about everything, big and small. The young people living here will also be involved in our daily activities and help out with the various different groups and practical work in the congregation. It is our hope that our community can contribute to attracting young people from other countries to come and live here for a year. As a congregation we also want to work together, support and assist other organisations with similar projects. Our congregation consists of about 6400 members, 25 employees and many who help with voluntary efforts.