GÖRAN KOCH-SWAHNE'S FUNERAL WAS TODAY

From Allan at Facebook:

HELLO DEAR FRIENDS OF THE LATE GORAN KOCH-SWAHNE,WHO LEFT US IN DEEP SORROW ON THE 29TH JULY 2011,THERE WILL BE A FUNERAL SERVICE ON THE 17TH AUGUST 2011 AT STYRSO CHURCH AT 11:30AM. THEREAFTER WE SHALL ALL COME TOGETHER FOR A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE PARISH GARDENS.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.

ALL LOVE FROM ALLAN.

Two years ago, I met Göran at our bloggers meeting in Leeds in England. The story of our gathering is here. The picture above, which is my favorite of our friend, was taken by another friend, Erika. The photo, from our lunch at the Tiled Hall Café in Leeds, included two flowers on the table, which suggest large boutonnières on Goran's lapels. I left them in the picture because, if I had cropped the flowers out, I would have removed Göran's preaching bands, and I wanted them in the picture. Göran would have been the first to smile at the accidental superimposition. In my post on the gathering, I said:

Pictured above [is] our man from Sweden, Göran, wearing his Ingemar Bergman preaching bands with his clerical collar (So cute!). I know it's not a movie costume but what the clergy wear in Sweden, but I loved the look, and it reminded me of Bergman's movies.

Göran was the very essence of the root of the word 'gentleman', a gentle man, and a humble man, despite his great dignity. His knowledge of theology and scripture was wide and deep, and his brilliance in demolishing foolish arguments from those with far less knowledge was unmatched. His wisdom and knowledge shone especially brightly at Thinking Anglicans.

In the comments to my post on Göran's passing, Erika said:

I always remember how he said he had changed and opened up because of the friendships he made on the blogs and that they had changed his life.

He certainly touched mine very deeply and I shall miss him very much.

Many of us share Erika's sentiments. Those of us who followed Göran on Facebook remember that he always said, 'Good night,' before he signed off for the evening, and I remember that he was always present with his 'Prayers ascending' comment at prayer request posts.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Göran. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)