Welcome to the Church of Sweden! The church has room for everyone – people more than 7 million people living in our in doubt and searching and those more sure country belong to the Church of Sweden. Members are under no obligation to attend church on a regu- of their faith, people beginning their journey lar basis or to be of a strong faith. Membership is an and those more travelled in their faith expression of a desire for fellowship with the church. The church is the place where people often turn at festive times of the year and for life’s major events, the church of sweden is a national church, occasions when, in happiness or in sorrow, we mark open to everyone living in Sweden regardless of our fellowship with one another and with God. nationality. It is a place for church services, meet- Baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals are ings and dialogue. The church is a place to celebrate occasions when many partake in the Church of the special occasions in life, but also has importance Sweden’s services. In addition to church services, in filling our everyday needs for peace, reflection, there are also many other opportunities for people to and care. How the church serves as an institution share their joy, sorrow, faith and doubts with others. has changed over the 1000 years since its inception, but the task has always been the same: to serve as a the church service is the core of Church of meeting place between people, and between people Sweden’s vitality, its task being to create a meeting and God. place between people and God. There are different types of church services apart from the main service the church buildings, new and old, bear held on Sunday mornings, including musical witness to the long historical presence of the services, family services, and church services with a Christian faith in our country. Today, the Church theme. Everyone is welcome to attend our services, of Sweden is an Evangelical Lutheran church. including non-members. In the church service, Evangelical for its basis in the Gospel of the Bible: participants hear readings from the Bible and receive the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. help interpreting how they apply to our lives today. Lutheran because it is founded on the reform work Celebrating communion during the service is a way of 16th century German priest, Martin Luther. of sharing the bread and wine symbolic of fellow- ship with Jesus Christ and other Christians around issues of life and to learn more about the Christian the world. faith. Normally, church members are confirmed at the age of 14–15 years, but adults may also be baptism marks the entrance to the Church confirmed. of Sweden and Christian fellowship. All newborn infants whose parent or parents belong to the of all couples who marry in Sweden, more Church of Sweden are invited to have their child than half choose to do so in the Church of Sweden. baptized in their parish. Children of parents who The wedding unites man and woman in marriage. are not members of the Church of Sweden may also In order to be married in the Church of Sweden, be baptized. Baptism may also be performed later at least one of the spouses must be a member. in life, e.g., in connection with confirmation or at an adult age. Parents may express the wish for their those who belong to the Church of Sweden children to belong to the Church of Sweden while are entitled to a church funeral. A premise of the still awaiting baptism. Adults may also express their Church of Sweden is that a person who does not wish to belong to the Church of Sweden without belong to the church does not want a church burial. having previously been baptized. Swedish citizen- Under special circumstances, however, a church ship does not imply automatic membership in the funeral may be provided anyway. The Church of Church of Sweden, but a person who has been Sweden is responsible for funeral activities in most baptized in another Christian church need only parts of the country. This does not mean that the express their wish to belong to the Church of Church of Sweden holds a funeral for everyone, but Sweden to become a member. that it is responsible for providing access to premises and burial grounds for everyone, regardless of church children and youths constitute a large and membership. For people who belong to the church, important part of the Church of Sweden. Many funeral services are free of charge. children meet in the church’s drop-in preschools and other children’s programs. When they become the church of sweden is an open, demo- older, the confirmation program offers them the cratic national church where everyone is welcome opportunity to contemplate and discuss major to take part, to take initiative and to take responsi- bility. It is the members themselves who choose the and the Swedish Evangelical Mission Abroad, the leadership of the church, by way of church elections Church of Sweden works in cooperation for peace, held every four years. Church of Sweden activities atonement, justice, and sustainable development. are nation-wide and primarily located to the It does this through direct efforts and through its approximately 2200 parishes that cover the entire strive to be a critical voice in society. The Church country. Everyone who belongs to the Church of of Sweden Abroad is established in more than Sweden also belongs to the local parish where 40 locations throughout the world and is there for he/she resides. all Swedes living or travelling abroad. members of the church of sweden pay a 6 church fee. The church fee finances about 80 percent of church activities. Approximately 40 percent goes to parish activities such as church services, church if you would like to contact the Church music, children and youth programs, the church’s of Sweden or learn more about the activities in welfare work, and personnel costs. A quarter of the your parish, please contact the church. Telephone fee is used to pay for funeral activities and almost numbers to the parishes in your area are listed in as much again goes to maintenance and operating the Pink Pages of your local telephone directory. costs for the church- and parish buildings. A small You may also call the Church of Sweden’s portion of the church fee goes to the diocese and Information Service, tel. 018-169600, or visit the to the Church of Sweden’s national organization. Church of Sweden website, www.svenskakyrkan.se. For those who pay the church fee, the compulsory The website also offers more information on the funeral fee is included (does not apply to residents Church of Sweden faith, organization, activities, of the City of Stockholm and Tranås). membership, etc. the church of sweden is a part of the world- wide church and has long and deep relations with other churches around the globe. Through the Church of Sweden Mission, Church of Sweden Aid Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. the book of psalms, psalm 139 Svenska kyrkan, Kyrkokansliet, 751 70 Uppsala Tel. 018-16 95 00

photographs: page 2) Annika Engvall/ETCbild 3) Nina Ericson/Bildhuset 4) Jim Elfström/IKON 5) Jim Elfström/IKON