The pattern is to establish relationships of trust, friendship and hospitality, to get to know people, and to give them information about aspects of Church life in which they may be interested. In this part of Europe we may have the impression that Sweden is a predominantly secular country with little interest in religion. This is an inaccurate perception. Ninety percent of the nine million Swedes are officially registered members of the Church of Sweden. Though a small percentage of that number attend Sunday worship, there is a great deal of goodwill towards the Church, which is held in high regard in Swedish society.
Most Swedish people can speak good English.
Many young people are more fluent and grammatically correct than many native English speakers and have a great love of the English language. I spoke to some who have spent six months or a year in England or the United States. Parishes Twinned Link ping Cathedral and my own Parish of St Thomas, Belfast, are the first of twenty-four parishes which are now twinned. A 1999 joint programme of events for Connor, Link ping and Canterbury has been arranged. There will also be opportunity for meetings between other groups at diocesan level - Children's Ministry, Deacons, Hospital Chaplains, Social Responsibility, etc.