A FRESH START

For Congregations

Inspirational Lecture - A Fresh Start

I share my journey: One summer evening in 2007, while cycling to work, I fell and hit my head. After this, I developed involuntary twitching in various parts of my body. It took ten years of doctor visits before I received my diagnosis, functional symptoms. It was a tough time; I was on sick leave, and eventually, I didn't want to go out because I was so ashamed of my twitching. In 2017, I became a Christian and began to view life differently. After some time, I had the opportunity to start workplace training in a congregation. That became a turning point for me.

I intersperse my story with my poems, which I started writing during my time in Sofia congregation. Some of my poems have been set to music by Carolina Lindström in Sala parish. Sometimes she has the opportunity to join and play and sing; otherwise, a musician from your congregation can get access to the sheet music.

A few words from Skarpnäck congregation after the inspirational lecture.

“Through poems, both recited and set to music, Susanne Kaarle took us on her life journey. She showed both her vulnerability and her strength as she alternately told her story and let us partake in her poetry. Her life took a fateful turn after the accident, and her faith grew stronger when life fell apart. It was as moving as it was inspiring. It was a shared moment that we will carry with us for a long time.”

Karin Andersson, deacon Skarpnäck congregation