Abstract
2015 was a year of an unprecedented migration from the Middle East to Europe. Sweden received almost 163,000 asylum applications. The civil society, including the former state church, took a notable responsibility. In a situation where the welfare systems are increasingly strained, and both the welfare state and the majority church are re-regulated, we ask: how does this play out in local contexts? This article reports from a theological action research project within a local parish in the Church of Sweden. The Lutheran church has from year 2000 changed its role to an independent faith denomination. The study describes the situation when the local authority and the parish together run temporary accommodation for young asylum seekers. For the local authority the choice of the church as a collaborator was a strategic choice. For the local parish this occasion verified the mission of the church. Confirming its former role as carrier of societal beliefs and values the Church of Sweden supports the welfare state. At the same time, the church explores a new role as a faith denomination and part of the civil society.
Highlights
A photograph of a priest and other church staffers laying out a large number of mattresses in the parish youth centre became widely spread on Facebook
This article reports from a theological action research project with the Church of Sweden in Mölndal, as a case study of the course of events during the second half of Social Inclusion, 2019, Volume 7, Issue 2, Pages 4–13
During 2016 a theological action research project was conducted in the parish of Mölndal together with representatives of the Church of Sweden
Summary
A photograph of a priest and other church staffers laying out a large number of mattresses in the parish youth centre became widely spread on Facebook. A plea to the residents of Mölndal to donate articles of clothing resulted in a massive response, such that the hundreds and hundreds of donated boxes could not physically fit into the parish facilities. The parish deacon and volunteers continued their regularly scheduled visit to the detention centre of the Swedish Migration Agency facility, which houses individuals awaiting deportation. This article reports from a theological action research project with the Church of Sweden in Mölndal, as a case study of the course of events during the second half of Social Inclusion, 2019, Volume 7, Issue 2, Pages 4–13. We take the results from the action research project as our point of departure for raising further questions concerning church and welfare. The period studied was, from the perspective of the local municipality, a time of exhausted welfare
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
