News from Jakobskirken 04/26

info4755189
2 days ago
4 min read

Initial greeting

There is something beautiful about being church together. Not because we always do everything perfectly – but because we choose each other. In the small things. In the practical things. In the things that sometimes require a little extra patience.

We are many different people, each with responsibilities, tasks and commitments. Some are visible, others happen in secret. And in the midst of it all, we are reminded that community is not built on the fact that we all think the same – but on how we meet each other.

Paul writes:

“Love one another, bear with one another, and live in peace in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)

There is an invitation here. Not to let go of what we see or think – but to hold on to love first. To meet each other with goodwill. To have an eye for what is given before we see what could be different.

Because the church is not primarily a place where things work perfectly – but a place where we practice loving.

May we be a community where there is room for both diversity and grace. Where we lift each other up – and where we joyfully stand together in what God has entrusted to us.

Upcoming Activities

Dates:

May 31 Congregational Meeting

June 5 Board games &

fellowship dinner

June 23rd St. Hans at Bækkely

July 4-9 Summer Camp - link

Aug 21-23 Congregational camp at

Frøstruphave Boarding School

Come to the Congregation Meeting

May 31st

Come to the church meeting on May 31st.

A light lunch will be served.

News from Leadership

Practical Team (meeting April 27, 2026 ) :

God's faithfulness as a foundation. The meeting began with reflections on God's faithfulness – that he meets us with grace, even when we fail, and that his love stands firm.
Congregational camp and community. Planning for the congregational camp continues, and work is being done on both the practical aspects and the content. There are also thoughts about involving the congregation in the anniversary through joint contributions and activities.
Finance and responsibility. There is a focus on financial overview and sustainability, including follow-up on budget and gifts. In the first quarter, not as much money came in as budgeted, so we are paying attention to keeping to the budgets.

At the same time, work is underway to ensure a smooth handover of the treasurer's duties from Hans to Patrick.

Building and facilities. Work on the building continues:
- Temporary kitchen nearing completion
- A room is prepared for the next phase
- Work is continuing on solutions so that the project can be completed.

We are still waiting for the building permit and the next step in the process.

Practical decisions. A decision has been made to purchase new chairs for the church hall, which will improve the setting for our gatherings.
Looking ahead. Work is ongoing to adjust and develop both practical frameworks and communication - with a desire to support the life of the church in the best possible way.
Next practical team meeting: May 27, 2026.

Service team (meeting April 11, 2026 ) :

Leadership with God at the center. The meeting was based on reflections on Nehemiah's leadership - a picture of how prayer, action and community go hand in hand. A leadership where one seeks God first, acts wisely and stands firm in the midst of opposition.
Discipleship and community. The work on discipleship continues, including testing tools that can work across languages. The focus remains on supporting people in their walk with God – both personally and in community.
Prayer and church service. Prayer meetings will continue on Sundays, and work is underway to strengthen the framework around them. At the same time, a gathering for meeting leaders and preachers is planned for May.
New initiatives are also being worked on in church service life, including:
- monthly gatherings in Portuguese/Spanish
- experiment with summer services
Teaching and foundation of faith. Work is underway to formulate a clearer statement of faith for the church that can provide direction for teaching, discipleship, and the life of the church. A new Bible study will be based on this work.
Congregational camp and opportunities to serve. Work continues on the congregational camp, where the focus is on spiritual community and on helping individuals find and live in their service.
Next step. Tools are also being developed to support new initiatives and ensure good anchoring in management.
Next service team meeting: May 16, 2026.

Meet your congregation!

Ejvind Baerentsen

Name: Ejvind Baerentsen

Age: 85 years

How long have you been coming to church?

Since 1946 or 1947 (80 years!), Ejvind has previously lived in an apartment above our former church building.

Family:

Ejvind is a widower with two adult sons. He met his wife, Kirsten, in St. James' Church. It was in the sandbox at Sunday school.

Where do you serve in the church?:

Ejvind is now retired, but he stood and welcomed people to church services for 30 years.

The Bible and Ejvind:

Ejvind reads the Bible every day, and he says he's still learning something. You can read something you've read a hundred times and then suddenly there's something new you get out of it.

Ejvind's seat in the church:

When chairs were last purchased in the church, churchgoers could buy a chair as a form of sponsorship. Ejvind says that his mother and father bought 4 chairs: 2 for themselves and 2 for Ejvind and Kirsten, since Ejvind and Kirsten didn't have much money to spend. So when Ejvind takes the same seat in church every week, there's something about that too.

Something you might not have known about Ejvind:

Ejvind says that he built his house himself over a summer. He started on Easter Saturday by digging out the plinth. At the same time, he worked 3 shifts. That summer he did nothing but work, build and sleep. If the children and Kirsten wanted to be with him, they sat by his bed while he slept.