In March 2006, Mattias Östborg, Magnus Lind and Håkan Sunnliden, three priests from the Värnamo pastorate (covering the communities of Fryele and Nydala as well as Värnamo) visited this diocese to learn more about the way in which the “Fresh Expressions” agenda is being introduced in different contexts in the Diocese of Oxford. They spent a morning in Hazlemere, where the congregations operate on “cell church” principles, and visited the Marlow Team, where “Fresh Expressions of Church” are being developed in a more traditionally Anglican setting.

They also spent time with the Revd Ian Adams who heads the mayBe community in south Oxford (above) and met Bishop Colin (right), who has oversight of the development of “Fresh Expressions” across the diocese.

One result of this visit has been the continuing exploration of the possibility of a formal link between Värnamo and Marlow.

Håkan Sunnliden, Magnus Lind and Mattias Östborg with Ian Adams and his wife outside St John’s Vicarage, New Hinksey, the base of the mayBe community.

Tea at the Archdeacon’s Lodgings in Christ Church for (from left) Ian Fishwick (formerly PDA for Oxford Archdeacrony)Magnus Lind, Bishop Colin,  Håkan Sunnliden, Julian Hubbard (Archdeacon of Oxford) and Mattias Östborg.