Posted Monday 21 May 2012
Bishop Per Eckerdal and the Gothenburg Diocesan Office Staff stayed at Jurys Inn on Jamaica Street in Glasgow where they were well placed for the many attractions that the city offered.
On Friday evening Bishop Gregor ably assisted by the Dean offered a lecture on the Scottish Episcopal Church, it’s relevance in Scotland today and the current challenge facing our churches. The hope we had that our Growth Strategy would offer a means of mission, outreach and personal growth was received with great interest by our Gothenburg guests.
Saturday was wonderful day, travelling by train to Balloch and then boarding a pleasure cruiser on Loch Lomond for a three hour trip on the loch. Surrounded by the beautiful countryside our Swedish friends found relaxation and the satisfaction of sharing a meal together on board the vessel. This was followed by a musical interlude and a singsong involving the whole group as we joined together in many familiar Scottish songs and Swedish songs as the music group sang especially for Bishop Per.
Sunday morning, travelling in groups of four, meant they could experience the worship at eleven of our churches in the close proximity of Glasgow. The host churches were indeed great ambassadors and offered hospitality that was well received by each of our visitors.
St Mary’s Cathedral in the evening hosted a Diocesan Choral Evensong and our time together concluded with a buffet meal and impromptu singing from our Gothenburg friends.
It was as some described it, “a visit never to be forgotten” and we thank God for the pleasure it gave those involved and all who gave of their time to make this visit so memorable.
Revd Sandy Montgomerie
Diocesan Ecumenical Relations
Category: Ecumenical Relations Action Network
