New Sweden

We have now been in Caronport, Saskatchewan for the same length of time that we were previously in New Sweden, Maine. These past seven years in Caronport (summer 2003 to summer 2010) were preceded by seven years pastoring in New Sweden (summer 1996 to summer 2003). When I left New Sweden in 2003, I was not happy with myself as a pastor. When I left New Sweden, I left the pastorate.

Last night we watched a home video of scenes of New Sweden and footage of some church events. Watching that video, I was reminded of how good God was to us in New Sweden. God did very good things in my family during our New Sweden years.

Steve grew in some very important and lasting ways. In New Sweden Steve grew into owning his own faith in Christ and his own commitment to God’s truth. Steve came to New Sweden a young boy and left a young man. In those crucial growing-up years, Steve acquired a special sense of belonging to New Sweden, and now claims it as his home town. Actually, all of New England has captured his heart. He feels a gravitational pull to Boston, which I think is very cool. In New Sweden, Steve also became a guitar player, a scientist with a bent toward romanticism, and a lover of politics, mysteries, and theories.

Mike showed boldness and self-confidence in New Sweden that helped set his trajectory into adulthood. When he moved to Caribou High School from New Sweden Elementary, he was smaller and looked younger that most kids in his grade. He just had fun with it. When people asked him “how old are you?” he answered “I’m twelve – I’m a genius.” That kind of chutzpah has been Mike’s hallmark. Fear and anxiety don’t push Mike around, thanks to the inner growth spurt he took in New Sweden. Mike also became a fine pianist during his New Sweden years.

Eric, who now in his high school years is finding great pleasure in music and drama, first found “the stage” in New Sweden. Part of our New Sweden home video shows Eric hamming it up in the Sunday School Christmas program, and harmonizing in a duet with Mom. Until watching that video last night, I had forgotten that Eric never struggled with shyness or stage fright. And when Eric took up the violin, it wasn’t long before he was playing in church. He had such a good ear for music that once he knew a tune, he could easily cheat and not learn the notes on the page. Using his killer musical ear he cultivated his love of performing, thanks to encouragement from his New Sweden violin teacher and his church family.

New Sweden was very good for Anne and me. We worked together every day on one thing or another. Anne did not have a job outside of the home or church, but her ministry involvement was full time. She was involved in Sunday school, youth group, women’s events, visiting, and all things secretarial. Our praying together and encouraging each other was the lifeblood of our relationship. There was so much in our ministry life that brought us joy. People continually took care of us and prayed for us and blessed us.

As for me, I am counting my New Sweden blessings. Every aspect of the ministry of preaching and teaching was personally enriching. Days with baptisms I called the happiest days of the year. Being welcomed into a family circle during times of crisis and grief was a high privilege. I had the profound experience of sitting with families as a dying loved one breathed their last breath. In our traditional, rural area, people not connected to any church would simply expect me to talk about God, and I enjoyed those golden opportunities. Praying with people and hearing testimonies of God’s grace made God’s presence palpable. I have precious memories of times when we as a body walked together through times of challenge and times of joy.

My family’s New Sweden experience testifies to the great truth that among the many variables in the life of a church, God’s grace is the constant.