Report from the Board meeting, March 8, 2012.
The board has had the last meeting before the annual congregational meeting. Decisions were made regarding the annual report for the fiscal year 2011, which will be included in the documents for the annual congregational meeting on April 14th.
Board members in the congregation´s companies
An issue up for decision in this meeting was people for the concern´s corporate boards.
The choosing of board members for the subsidiaries is formally dealt with by the board of Probitas. Any decisions by the Church Board in these matters will be notified to Probitas through owner directives. The Annual General meeting for the companies is held in April 2012.
Probitas- Immanuelkykans förvaltning AB
Sven Mannervik (chairman), Birgitta Almhed, Lars Fränne, Claes Eriksson, Niklas Prybil, Göran Johansson, Kristina Gustafsson and Johannes Nilsson.
Hotel Birger Jarl and Hotel Tegnérlunden
Samuel Borg (chairman), Görel Byström Janarv, Anders Claesson, Håkan Gustafsson, Ingvar Kvernes, Margareta Norell Bergendahl and Thure Thorgren.
Immanuelskyrkans Vård AB
Samuel Borg (chairman), Johan Bohman, Agneta Dalemark, Eva Pilenvik, Johan Sahlén, Bengt-Olov Tengmark and Sven-Erik Wånell.
New project in cooperation with Ny Gemenskap and Korskyrkan
The board appointed Chairman Dan Svanell to represent the church in a group in charge of the cooperation with Ny Gemenskap and Korskyrkan. The project is now called Ny Gemenskap / Korskyrkan-café for the homeless Stockholm. The initiative was taken after the news that Ny Gemenskap has to leave the premises on Kammakargatan in the center of Stockholm to Västertorp. Our congregation is also giving financial support for the project.
Motions for the annual meeting
A number of motions have been received. These where discussed and answers will be reported in the documents that are sent out.
The board´s strategic work
Quite some time was dedicated to the strategic work that was started in 2010. At the annual meeting in April, the board will reveal what they have planned to develop over the next couple of years. Open discussions about this were held on the congregation´s Dialogue Day in February 2011 and has since then been developed and specified.
The board is also working on a proposition for a new management structure and organization. A report about this will be presented at the annual meeting and then will then be sent in for remittance. At the congregational meeting in the fall of 2012 it will be followed up.
Annual congregational meeting
Will be held on April, 14th at 1pm. We hope to see you there!
Report from the Board Meeting, Februari 23, 2012
On Thursday February 23, this year´s first regular Board Meeting took place.
At the meeting, a decision about a new Communication Platform was taken. The proposal for the Platform was developed by the Board's Communication Group and forms the basis for the church' overall communication. The Communication Platform – which is based on the mission, vision and approach of the church – will be presented at the Annual Congregational Meeting on April 14.
The board has formally supported the idea that issues of importance –related to the overall church – are to be communicated in both Swedish and English. This will i.a. affect the setup of Congregational Meetings, the website and communications per mail.
The church' new Senior Pastor, Ulla Marie Gunner, will be installed on Sunday August 26. That same weekend, Immanuel Church celebrates its 50th anniversary. The new Immanuel Church was founded April 1, 1962, which we would like to celebrate with a grand party!
The next Board meeting will be held March 8. The annual congregational meeting will be held on April 14 at 1pm. The next congregational meeting takes place May 6th.
Report from the congregational meeting, January 29, 2012
At this congregational meeting, the following annual meeting representatives were elected:
The general annual meeting of the Swedish Mission Covenant Church (Svenska Missionskyrkan) in Linköping, May 17, 2012 (15 representatives)
Patrick Amofah
Johan Arenius
Christopher Dalid
Jonas Gustafsson, sammankallande
Gunnel Holm
Karl Högberg
Charlotte Höglund
Johnny Jonsson
Karin Mannervik
Kerstin Mjönes
Ulla Nilsson
Linn Persson
Kalle Sjöholm
Dan Svanell
Ewa Widén
Backup:
Linus Brengesjö
The general annual meeting of the new denomination of Baptist Union of Sweden, Methodist Church of Sweden and Mission Covenant (Gemensam Framtid) in Linköping, May 18-20, 2012 (10 representatives)
Patrick Amofah
Johan Arenius
Christopher Dalid
Jonas Gustafsson, sammankallande
Karl Högberg
Charlotte Höglund
Johnny Jonsson
Karin Mannervik
Dan Svanell
Ewa Widén
Backup:
Linus Brengesjö
Gunnel Holm
Kerstin Mjönes
Ulla Nilsson
Linn Persson
Kalle Sjöholm
The general annual meeting of the Mission Covenant Youth Organisation (SMU) in Västerås, April 21, 2012
Arne Berg
Ingegerd Berg
Inga Danarö
Kerstin Fränne
Lars-Erik Fränne
Rune Larsson
The general annual meeting of Sociala Missionen, April 26, 2012 and the autumn meeting
Viola Engström
Ove Engström
Lars Ingmar Jerkeby
Lisa Melkstam
Ulla Nilsson
Agneta Selander
Backup:
Larseric Fransson
The general annual meeting of the Hela Människan in the Stockholm district, March 22, 2012
Ove Engström
Agneta Selander
Backup:
Per-Ove Nelstrand
The general annual meeting of the educational association Bilda Öst, March 24, 2012
Margareta Lindgärde
Birgitta Lorentzi
Ewa Wedin
Esbjörn Wetterroth
The general annual meeting of the Free Church Council of Stockholm (Stockholms Frikyrkoråd), March 15, 2012
Lotta Thordson
Report from the congregational meeting, October 26, 2011
25 members attended the meeting held on Wednesday October 26. The agenda contained the following two items:
Election of the Election Preparatory Committee
Report on the financial situation in the church
Election Preparatory Committee 2011-2012
The Election Preparatory Committee was appointed according to a proposal by the nomination committee that was assigned by the general annual meeting in the spring of 2011. Members of this committee are Agnetha Dalemark (covenor), Sven Britton, Christina Eriksson, Claes Jonsson and Linn Persson.
Members of the Election Preparatory Committee elected:
Karin Sandström, chairperson
Hannah Akuffo
Kristina Engberg
Anders Eriksson
Larseric Fransson
Gunnel Holm
Karin Mannervik
Lisa Melkstam
Son Yo-Seung
Carl-Olov Wetterroth
Johan Wåhlén
All members were elected for a year. One of the congregation´s employees, appointed by the staff, and Ingrid Jonsson, church secretary, will also be participating.
Financial report
Anette Engkvist, Financial Director, reported the following:
The result for 2011 would according to budget be around 250 000 SEK, but is now expected to be higher. Dividends from our shares portfolio are around 600 000 SEK over budget and the net capital gains around 500 000 SEK over budget. Observe that the organ from Tulesalen was sold for 600 000 SEK. The current value of our shares portfolio is 35 million SEK. The value has diminished by 16 per cent – corresponding to 6,8 million SEK since the beginning of this year. The Nordic stock index OMX shows minus 20,5 per cent for the same period. 2,5 million SEK has been taken out to strengthen liquidity. An equity-linked bond at SEB ends by the end of the year. There was no increase in value, but the church will receive the full 17 million SEK invested. The Finance Committee (Ekonomiutskottet) is working on new placements for (parts of) the sum.
The church´ real estate company Probitas has sold an apartment at Brahegatan. The purchase price was 2,2 million SEK.
Gifts and offers increase somewhat compared to last year, but is currently 300 000 SEK under the yearly budget. 35 000 SEK has been transferred through the church´ money transfer machine. Let us remind one another about this smart way of strengthening the church´ finance!
A question came up about whether the church has guidelines for its shares portfolio. The Chairman of the Board replied that there is such a document and that the Finance Committee revises it each year.
The ongoing renovation goes according to plans and meanwhile, all premises are rented out. The Church will return to regular worship hours by Sunday November 20, 2011.
If you have any questions or ideas, do not hesitate to contact one of the church´ staff members or board members. You can reach the Chairman of the Board via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Best wishes from the Board!
Report from the congregational meeting, May 15, 2011
75 members attended the meeting held on Sunday (May 15). At the meeting it was reported that
• Leases for the Jarlahuset building – where the church is located – are coming along well. Currently, 8,500 out of a total 14,500 square metres have been rented out. Probitas has signed a contract with grocery chain Axfood, and a Hemköp store is planned on Birger Jarlsgatan. In addition, media firms Talentum and Forma were also to rent office space. Negotiations with other tenants are ongoing.
• Board member Johannes Nilsson gave an update on the fundraising. For 2011, the congregation's target is to increase its offerings by 500,000 kronor. On average each member gives 53 kronor. If the target is to be reached, the offerings have to increase by an additional 100 kronor per member and month during the rest of the year. An excellent option is to contribute via a text message (SMS). You can do so by texting 72940 write Immanuel 100 or Immanuel 50 and confirm by answering "Ja" (Yes).
• Our church will host the Mission Covenant Church's annual conference on the Ascension Day weekend. On June 4, a so-called founding meeting will be held aimed at creating a new joint denomination with the Baptist Union of Sweden and the Methodist Church in Sweden.
Board Chairman Dan Svanell will represent the Immanuel Church on this historic day. On Sunday, June 5, Göran Zettergren will preach for the last time as head of the Swedish Mission Covenant Church. We expect a lot of people in the church and no Korean language service will be conducted in Waldenströmssalen. Other worship services during the conference will be held at Filadelfiakyrkan on Rörstrandsgatan.
A new report is due after the June 16 board meeting.
Best wishes until then, and see you in church!
Report from the congregation's annual general meeting, April 16, 2011
An annual general meeting can really be a festive occasion – and that was the case at Immanuel Church on Saturday, April 16. The format was different this year since the meeting for the first time was held in the Congressen room. During the deliberations, coffee and four different kinds of cake were served and there was some wonderful music from some of the youth. The annual general meeting, skilfully chaired by Agneta Dalemark, lasted about three hours and was attended by about 220 members.
Researchers say that volunteer work in Sweden is stronger than ever – and there is no doubt that many fantastic efforts are made in our church. Over 700 people were elected for volunteer tasks. In all, 977 assignments will be performed during the coming year. Very impressive!
The annual general meeting re-elected Dan Svanell as chairman and the following as new board members:
Kristina Gustavsson and Steven James
The following were re-elected for a two-year-term:
Vida Afua Attah, Ingegerd Berg, Jonas Gustavsson and Johannes Nilsson
Karin Pettersson (vice chairperson), Marco Helles, Sophia Hober, Göran Johansson, Sun Kim, Andreas Linderyd were elected at last year's annual general meeting for a two-year term.
The next congregational meeting is Sunday, May 15 at 13.15.
You are most welcome then!
Report from the congregational meeting, March 13, 2011
145 members attended the congregational meeting on March 13. The agenda had the following items:
Invitation to Agneta Selander to work as deacon
Approval of the sale of Stensnäs
Report from the dialogue day on February 12
Information about the construction work at the Provisorn block
Information about increasing offerings and tithes
Presentation of the congregation's deaconry work
The congregational meeting decided to invite Agneta Selander to serve as deacon (50 per cent). An inaugural ceremony was planned for later this spring.
Chief executive Samuel Borg reported about the ongoing process to sell Stensnäs Konferens AB. The board proposed that the congregational meeting should approve a sale to Genova Bostäder for the sum of 40.5 million kronor, including inventories. The date of possession was April 1, 2011. The congregational meeting expressed its thanks for the good work, and approved the deal.
Karin Pettersson reported on the dialogue day held in the church on February 12. More details on the congregational web site. On April 9, the board will spend a full day working on strategy with Greger Hjelm, an organizational consultant and member of the congregation.
Information was also given about the building work at the Provisorn city block where the church is located. Samuel Borg and project manager Lars Deleskog said the congregation's facilities would mainly be affected during the summer and early autumn. Birger Jarlsgatan will during a five-month period serve as the main entrance to Hotel Birger Jarl. The café section on K1 will be used as the breakfast room.
100 kronor extra! That was Johannes Nilsson's catch phrase to encourage a 500,000-kronor increase in offering and tithes during 2011. In future, columns describing how much the congregation collects each month will be posted on the church square so that everyone can be kept abreast with the economic situation.
The board has earlier decided that different activities should be highlighted during the congregational meetings. The deaconry work was highlighted this time. Eva Pilenvik, chairperson of the deaconry council, especially underlined visits, devotions at the nursing home Löjtnantsgården, the group Tro- och ljus (Faith and Light) and mentioned the Stiftelsen Rådmanshemmet, a foundation that administers funds for the needy. Deacon Anders Segersson shared some information and sang about activities for needy groups including Ny gemenskap (New Fellowship), Jul i gemenskap (Christmas in fellowship) and lunch for the homeless.
Finally, Chairman Dan Svanell mentioned his pending visit to Korea. The congregational meeting approved that he should convey greetings to the church he was to visit.
Report from the first congregational meeting of 2011
The first congregational meeting for 2011 has been held. 102 members attended and we welcomed Bernadette Ebenholtz and Eva Ottosson as new employees. Bernadette has been hired as economist and succeeds Anders Eriksson who has retired. Eva is in charge of the congregation's communication work, and will work half-time (50 per cent).
Another item concerned the election of representatives. Karin Sandström, vice chairperson of the nomination committee, presented a list of people who will represent the congregation at the upcoming church conference this summer, as well as the district annual general meeting, the spring session of Sociala missionen and the free church council of Stockholm (Stockholms frikyrkoråd). All were elected; see the names in the following link.
The congregational meeting decided to nominate Sven Mannervik, former board chairman, as member of the board of the new denomination that the Baptist Union of Sweden, the Methodist Church in Sweden and the Mission Covenant Church plan to form in 2012.
Other congregational meetings this spring:
Sunday, March 13 at 13.15
Saturday, April 16 (annual general meeting at 14.00)
Sunday, May 15 at 13.15
Election of representatives to the church conference and annual general meetings
Church conference
* Jonas Gustafsson, convener
* Vida Afua Attah
* Tobias Andersson
* Jenny Dobers
* Martin Edgélius
* Jeong-Mi Ko Jensen
* Johnny Jonsson
* Geri Lindberg
* Stefan Nielszén
* Karin Petersson
* Johan Sahlén
* Dan Svanell
* Lotta Thordson
* Ewa Widén
* Urban Wetterroth
Sociala Missionen
* Viola & Ove Engström
* Lars-Ingmar Jerkeby
* Anne Lundmark
* Ulla Nilsson
* Agneta Selander
District of Mälardalen
* Arne & Ingegerd Berg
* Ebba Björklund
* Inga Danarö
* Rune Larsson
* Göran Paulsson
Hela Människan in Stockholm county
* Per-Ove Nelstrand
* Anders Segersson
Free church council of Stockholm
* Lotta Thordson
Report from the dialogue day, February 12, 2011
Close to 110 people gathered on a wonderful, sunny winter day in February to discuss the future of the Immanuel Church. It was marvellous that so many took part, and it boosted our conviction that we need to find more forms of sharing experiences and knowledge about the congregation. The dialogue day was part of the renewal work the board has launched.
The work began during the autumn of 2010 and aims at charting a direction for the congregation in the coming years. During the autumn the board has, under the skilful leadership of organizational consultant and church member Greger Hjelm, identified a number of areas that need to be enhanced. This is necessary to make the congregation feel even more meaningful, not only to current members and visitors but also for many others in our city.
From this point of view, Gunlög Rosén's presence during the dialogue day was very refreshing. She is a comedian and cultural worker who with humour and sincerity showed how the young, elderly, homeless and people who have recently moved here can experience the congregation. She showed with great accuracy the prejudices that we consciously and unconsciously live and wrestle with.
The day offered a good opportunity for discussions in smaller groups. Factors that make life in the congregation meaningful (not in order of ranking) included inter alia:
• the worship service and communion
• welcome – personal reception
• the music
• opportunity to be involved and take part
• openness
• diversity, meetings over borders
The afternoon was dedicated to the board's proposals on areas to be enhanced
• to focus more on Sunday as a day of worship and fellowship
• to work to enhance fellowship between the different worship service groups
• to focus more on the sermons
• to better draw on and strengthen the voluntary involvement in the congregation
• to strengthen the deaconry work
• to develop the work with children and families
All present were offered time to reflect and rank this first draft. No clear pattern could be seen and the points were also understood differently. It was however quite evident that a lot was viewed to be important. There was also need to develop mission work, communication, shaping public opinion, small groups and the congregation's organization.
The board will this spring discuss what was raised at the dialogue day, and in the meantime discuss concrete ideas and proposals. At the next congregational meeting on March 13, a short summary of the dialogue day will be presented. As always suggestions and proposals are welcome, feel free to email or contact members of the board. Thank you for your commitment and care!
Warm greetings from the board
