Threatened church is great advert for city
However, on arrival in Liverpool with their two daughters Nathalie, 11, and Alicia, nine, they were astonished to find such an active and dynamic congregation and parish.
As a result, they have “gone native” and embraced living in the city with enthusiasm, nursing the hope that closure would be abandoned.
This seemed possible as the decision was constantly deferred during their tenure, but a few weeks ago an uncompromising statement was issued by Swedish Church Abroad, from its Uppsala headquarters.
After a fact-finding mission in the UK, Klas Hansson, executive secretary of the Swedish Church Abroad, bluntly says: “Activities in Liverpool are winding up.
“The building is set out for sale, but worship will continue supported by the new travelling vicar, based in London.”
Deputy executive secretary Rev Stefan Bergman says: “The basic data for Liverpool shows it isn’t enough to have fixed activities there.
“For that reason, we chose to concentrate our resources in London, with a more flexible travelling activity. It’s not just about England, but looking after the allocation of resources across the world.
“The (London-based) minister is appointed to start in January, 2009, and will travel around the UK and Ireland, and we are also establishing in the south of Thailand from 2008.”
That Liverpool will be closed to reallocate resources to an untried Thai project has further incensed the local congregation.
Members want to know why the single UK church outside London is being shut when, for example, both the Canary Islands and Germany have four Swedish churches each.
Rev Soderlind says: “What is so surprising is that we have no right to appeal. It’s incredible that such a successful church should be abandoned. It’s as if we’re too successful.”
To the intense frustration of the church’s vicar, council and congregation, a special report on the church was commissioned by Soren Ekstrom, general secretary of the Swedish Church.
He gave four possible future options with the first and preferred recommendation advising retaining the church and keeping the status quo. He praised its success, efficient operation and unmatchable value to the community.
“To our astonishment, Swedish Church Abroad chose his fourth and worst possible outcome, which is complete closure,” says Rev Soderlind. “It is incredible that, having gone to the trouble of sending Dr Ekstrom here to investigate for himself, his advice should be dismissed. Are we being punished because the report was too favourable?”
With a Swedish wife, Prof Robert Lee is a highly active member of Liverpool International Nordic Community, besides being Liverpool University’s head of social and economic history.
Prof Lee says: “Everyone connected with the church is absolutely shocked at this decision. LINK is ready to discuss with Swedish Church Abroad taking on the ownership of the church to allow its activities to continue.
“With the accord between the Church of England and the Scandinavian Lutheran churches, there is no problem in organising such a collaboration.”
Rev Soderlind agrees: “I said to the Church of Sweden’s executive secretary that he should be very proud of what Liverpool has achieved. It’s exactly the kind of resource you want abroad.”
His wife Anna-Karin adds: “This building and its congregation are thriving. Liverpool is a terrific advert for Sweden across the world.”
Stan Royden is voluntary chairman of the church committee, while his wife, Mette, is paid a half-salary by Norwegian Church Abroad. The church authorities get a terrific bargain from their dedication to the parish.
“We don’t know where services will be held once the church is closed, but one thing is certain and that’s that the Scandinavian community will fall apart once the church disappears,” says Stan.
Rev Lars Ruden, of the Norwegian Church Abroad, based in Rochdale, is assistant priest in Liverpool and takes monthly Norwegian services.
“We were told while one Norwegian war veteran remained in Liverpool there would be an NCA presence here. What’s happening is un-Christian.”
The expatriate natives have issued a declaration of war. Their statement says: “The Church Council, the Liverpool International Nordic Community and the congregation will take every necessary step to contest the decision of the Swedish Church Abroad board to prevent the eviction of the congregation and the sale of the church.”
Prof Lee says: “The biochemist Prof Stephen Harding says that half of the Merseyside population’s DNA is Viking and he makes central point the whole area is Viking territory.”
As if in response, our Viking lady Gladys has a final diplomatic message for the venerable board of the Swedish Church Abroad.
“Tell them if they don’t save this church I’ll duff them up twice. I’ll go over there and they’ll get a double duffing from me in person.”
Clearly, this was one option that Dr Ekstron failed to mention in his report. Does the Swedish Church Abroad knows what it has taken on?
