The Chaplain of St. Andrews

The Chaplain is Rev. John Askey who comes from the Diocese of Ely, where he spent most of his working life.

The Autumn Message from our Chaplain

Dear Friends,

If there is one thing that people will talk about it is the weather. It seems as long as they are talking about the weather, they feel they are on safe ground; they do not have to reveal much about themselves or what they are doing. Yet for most of my adult life I assumed that making the weather the topic of conversation was a peculiar British trait. Now I have discovered that here in Sweden too weather can be a major topic of conversation.

However, most people would agree that for us here in the west of Sweden this winter has been very cold. Perhaps we could have expected that after such a lovely summer, we were going to have a cold and dark winter. But as I write this letter, we are in a second day of lovely sunshine and the snow is beginning to melt.

There is a story of a village in the far north of Russia, which for six months endures the dark and cold every year. When those months of winter are nearly passed, the people begin looking up into the sky for the first hint of sunshine. And when they see the sun shining off the wings of the birds, reflecting its light, they begin to live again with a renewed sense of hope.

Christians should live with a sense of hope in their lives. Yes, the political situation in the world at this moment seems to be on a knife-edge with a real prospect of war. Millions of people are still living at starvation level. One could go on. But coming out of all the tragedies and disasters there is a sense of hope. People the world over are marching against war; the relief agencies seem to be making even greater efforts, not only to relieve immediate suffering, but also to plan for future production of food. And the Church is rediscovering the importance of loving, forgiving and accepting people without any preconditions.

Just as we look forward to warmer, sunnier days as we emerge out of winter into another spring, there is a movement of hope around the world. In a few weeks time Christians will be celebrating the great festival of Easter. “Christ is Risen” – what a tremendous event that will be to fill our lives

May God richly bless you all.

John Askey
Chaplain

The Induction Service
Sunday November 21st was the date of the Induction Service for our Chaplain - Rev. John Askey. The Induction was carried out by the Archdeacon for Scandinavia and Germany the Venerable David Ratcliff, from Stockholm. Bishop Lars Eckerdal from the Swedish Diocese of Gothenburg preached the sermon. This is an example of the growing cooperation between the Anglican and Swedish churches in Gothenburg. After the Induction Service, the guests and congregation enjoyed a brunch meal at the Scandinvian Crown Hotel.

IT IS FUNNY HOW SOMETIMES in this life when certain things happen, and one feels as if one is like a caveman’s wife! These particular ladies are often pictured being dragged by their hair into the cave by their man. He is also holding a stone club in the other hand. This is like a parable of a certain chaplain over the last few months who has had to begin to learn computer skills, use a fax machine, a photocopier and the final straw to have a mobile phone. The latter of which I can’t abide seeing people use in public places. Reluctantly already I have to admit it has been really useful.

Whether one likes it or not we are all caught up in the electronic age, and the microchip is the greatest common factor in our lives today. The essence of speed has become so essential to much of our lives. It is quicker to send an E-mail to the other side of the world, than writing a letter. Again as one who loves writing letters with a decent fountain pen, and to receive letters also written by pen ink. These are hard tablets to swallow. However I am very grateful how the Chaplaincy Council has dated up the equipment in the office. This is beginning to make life much easier for the Chaplain and the other folk who come to use all the electronic gadgetry.

Signed by: A former electronic test engineer of the late 1950’s, who believes more in valves than in microchips!!!