"SAD NEWS ABOUT GÖRAN"

Göran and Jack at our gathering in Leeds

From IT at The Friends of Jake:

Long time friend at Fr Jake's and Friends-of-Jake Göran Koch-Swahne, a Swedish priest and formidable Biblical scholar, has been ill for some time, and has now entered hospice. I am assuming this means the same in Sweden as it does here. Notes are being put on his facebook.

And friend of Wounded Bird. Göran flew in from Sweden for our blogger gathering in Leeds two years ago. He is a lovely man, a truly gentle man, whence comes the word "gentleman". Göran is the very essence of a godly gentleman. Some mornings, I woke up to four or five of Göran's wise and gentle comments at my blog.

May God the Father bless Göran, God the Son heal him, God the Holy Spirit give him strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard his body, save his soul, and bring him safely to God's heavenly country; where God lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAY FOR KIRSTIN AND ANDEE...

...and read Kirstin's post at Barefoot and Laughing titled The right decision...at the right time.

A and I looked at each other, and we both teared up. We knew. And it was okay. I looked back at the doctor. I knew the words were mine to say: “Not in our hearts, really.” She, God bless her, cried with us. And she got us connected with a palliative care doctor, who is working with us until he can get us connected with hospice.

This is the care I need. This is the care I finally had the readiness, and the courage, to ask for. I’ve been fighting for three years. That’s enough. Just saying, “I want hospice,” gives me so much peace. I don’t need to fight to the bitter end. I don’t need to be a warrior anymore. I can let go as my body wants to, into as much comfort as possible.

Please visit Kirstin's blog and read her beautiful and eloquent words which come straight from her heart.

Kirstin, may God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

We pray, O Lord, for those whom you have called to care for Kirstin, especially Andee. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their loving ministries Kirstin may be comforted and her suffering alleviated. Grant, O Lord, your peace that surpasses understanding to Kirstin and her caregivers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PS: I love the picture of Kirstin. I hope she likes it, because I use it over and over.