The small congregation with the big heart. This is how St. John’s Church is described on the website. Samuel Furingsten, pastor and director, explains that it is a young congregation, with many members between the ages of 20 and 40. And that the EU migrants who have been coming here for many years now, to take a shower, eat a bite to eat and warm themselves, are often the same age.
– It is painful to see that they basically have no opportunity for a future in their home countries. At the same time, they realize that the solution is not for them to go to Sweden all the time. There needs to be systematic change there, says Samuel Furingsten.
Contributions were withdrawn
Linköping municipality recently announced that the contribution to the long-standing activity of supporting vulnerable people is now being withdrawn completely. Since zero tolerance is introduced against illegal settlements in Linköping, you cannot at the same time give support to people who are part of that problem, the governing politicians believe.
– I can have some understanding that patience is running out. We do not see that there has been any visible change since efforts like this began. “Now we can’t prioritize this.” But at the same time: What is the alternative? Because the people still exist. And the injustices, says Samuel Furingsten.
Looking for new opportunities
Now St. John’s Church is investigating the possibilities of continuing to help the EU migrants in a different form, and in the coming weeks various contacts are made to find other cooperation partners.
In the video, Samuel talks about some of the strongest and most memorable encounters between parishioners and the EU migrants.