10th Anniversary Celebrations – Stockholm and Portsmouth dioceses 6th and 7th October

It was a truly uplifting and fitting celebration of our tenth anniversary - the link between the dioceses of Portsmouth and Stockholm grows ever stronger.  It was wonderful to have Bishop Kenneth to preside at the service in the Cathedral with Bishop Henrik Svenungsson giving the address.  It was whilst Bishop of Stockholm that Bishop Henrik travelled to Portsmouth in September 1997 to meet with Bishop Kenneth and his staff to talk about the setting up of a link between the two dioceses as part of the Porvoo Agreement.

During the ten years there have been many diocesan and parish link events, exchanges and joint celebrations.  This weekend was the culmination of many months of planning and preparation and began with worship and thanksgiving in our Cathedral.  The joint choir from the United Benefice of St John the Baptist, Shedfield and St Nicholas, Wickham led the singing accompanied by Mark Dancer from Petersfield.  They sang so beautifully that they have been invited to go back!!  Well done to Julia, Valerie and all choir members.   The lesson was read by Göran Petterson from Djurö parish and the prayers led by the Revd Ǻke Bonnier, the Dean of Stockholm Cathedral.   Following a wonderful lunch prepared by Tina Lowe from the Cathedral, members of both dioceses travelled to Shedfield Study Centre where a Forum was led by Ben Mizen, Diocesan Youth and Children's Work Adviser.  The question raised was 'What next?  How does this link go forward and how does is affect the young people of our dioceses'.

Those present split into groups and very lively discussion ensued.  It was a very enthusiastic response to the furthering of our links, especially within parishes, and the input from the young people present, from both dioceses, was both open and challenging.   The Revds Ingalena Arvidsson and Christina Berglund from Stockholm presented Revd Shirley Henderson with gifts to mark the organisation of this event and her 'retirement' as Diocesan Officer for Porvoo.   After tea and cakes provided by members of St John the Baptist Mother's Union, the day closed with a Taize style evening prayer.

Each of the representatives from Stockholm stayed as guests of various members of the Portsmouth Diocese and worshipped with local parishes on Sunday.  In Shedfield the Mother's Union witnessed the enrolment of seven new members, six of whom were Swedish, three were men, one of whom was Bishop Henrik Svenungsson!  Each has gone home complete with badge and certificate presented to them by Mrs Sheila King, Diocesan President.  We look forward to furthering our link with these parishes and many more reciprocal visits.

Shirley Henderson