Where were you born? Tell us about your family and education in the US. How did you end up in Europe and Sweden?
I was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. I grew up on a little farm in Lake Park, Minnesota - a farm that was built by my grandparents who immigrated to America, to Minnesota, in 1882. I am the proud granddaughter of those hardworking immigrants from Dalarna.
My 3 siblings and I were well acquainted with the work that farm life entails: getting the cows home for milking,milking cows (by hand) , cleaning calf pens, washing milking equipment etc.And, of course,driving the tractor when it was time to pick up the hay bales. My mother was a nurse and worked several years at a number of area facilities for the elderly. My pastor encouraged me to attend Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. A wise choice. I graduated 1965(Phi Beta Kappa) with majors in philosophy and theater.
After graduation from Augustana in 1965, the door to a life in Europe opened. I received a scholarship from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) which took me to Berlin. I was assigned to work one year as an adjunkt in a home for young girls from East Germany, a home sponsored by the LWF.
When and why did you move to Sweden?
After my year in Berlin, I traveled to Stockholm to visit my mother´s cousin and her family. In Stockholm, I met and married the man that became the father of our two daughters, Sabina and Emilie - (both born in Stockholm) . When they were toddlers, I began my theology studies at the University of Uppsala. I was ordained January 17, they are both ordained ministers in the Swedish Lutheran Church/Stockholm diocese. Sabina is presently chaplain in Stockholm’s Cathedral and Emilie serves the Botkyrka parish.
In which churches have you been working in Stockholm? How did you discover the 12 Step Program which became such a pivotal part of your ministry?
Before coming to Katarina, I served as pastor for a number of congregations in Stockholm, including an English speaking congregation. While serving this English speaking group, I came in contact with alcohol therapists from Minnesota who were in Stockholm to establish treatment centers based on the 12 steps. I spoke at length with these therapists and became very impressed by the 12 step program´s deep spiritual insights. I decided to deepen my understanding and spent 5 months studying the steps at the Hazelden Institute in Center City, Minnesota.
When and how did you start your Ministry in Katarina Church in Stockholm?
The studies in Minnesota prepared me to serve as minister in Katarina, a congregation that centered its program under the spiritual umbrella of the 12 steps. I began my ministry in Katarina 2005 and continue today to work as a retired pastor there and also in several other inner-city churches. The two books I have written, “Att Falla Uppåt” and “Gud Kommer Underifrån” are both based on 12 step spirituality. The books have led to a number of speaking engagments.